Ski touring at the Hospice of the Great St. Bernard
In summary
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Sports
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Duration2 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationGreat St. Bernard Pass / French Alps
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions11.14 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Treat yourself to a timeless alpine escape in the heart of the legendary Great St. Bernard Pass , at the crossroads of Italy and Switzerland . This journey takes you through pristine landscapes , where snow-capped peaks , high-altitude plains , and millennia of history intertwine. Far from the hustle and bustle of the resorts, you'll travel in a small group, in an intimate and friendly atmosphere, to the legendary hospice, perched at over 2,400 meters . On ski touring trips, each ascent rewards the effort with descents in powder snow , on little-used routes, in a raw and silent natural setting. The experience blends gentle adventure , cultural immersion , and the grandeur of alpine landscapes , in an environment where authenticity reigns supreme. Accessible to experienced skiers in good physical condition, this trip is an invitation to discover the Great St. Bernard massif at its finest, between historical trails and endless horizons.
The highlights
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A small group for a warm atmosphere and optimal safety
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Great St. Bernard Pass, an alpine gem nestled on the Franco-Swiss and Italian border
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Routes that can be adapted according to the weather and safety requirements
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
In figures
Nordic backcountry skiing
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 700 m
Management
French
Danilo and his team
Experienced mountain guides Danilo and his team accompany you on all types of terrain: mountaineering, multi-pitch climbs, ski touring, and high-altitude treks. Passionate and meticulous, they prioritize safety, progress, and enjoyment on every outing. With them, every climb becomes a shared and authentic adventure in the heart of the most beautiful mountains in the Alps.
Program
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Bourg Saint-Bernard - Hospice of the Great St. Bernard (2473 m)
- Activity Nordic backcountry skiing
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet your guide in Bourg Saint-Bernard at 9:00 AM. We'll conduct a thorough equipment check before putting on our skis and heading towards the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard, an iconic site founded nearly a thousand years ago. There, we'll discover unique accommodations that will serve as our base camp for the next three days.
Depending on the weather conditions and the group's fitness level, we will leave our belongings at the hospice before setting off again, light, for some practical exercises on the use of safety equipment.
We will also take advantage of this first day to explore this area of the Alps, located between Switzerland and Italy.
Day 1 -
Several possible routes around the Hospice of the Great St. Bernard Pass (2473 m)
- Activity Nordic backcountry skiing
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After an energizing breakfast, we set off towards the Italian side of the pass and take the gentle slopes that lead to the summit of Mont Fourchon or the Col de la Fenêtre d'en Haut. Other options are possible, such as the Combe de Drône or the Combe de l'A.
This day offers us the opportunity to explore some of the classic peaks of the region, while enjoying an exceptional panorama of the Aosta Valley.
At the end of the day, we will go to the hospice to collect our belongings, then together make the final descent to the Bourg-Saint-Bernard car park before taking the road back.
Day 2
Note
The day-by-day itinerary may be modified by the guide depending on the conditions encountered on the ground. The area offers numerous options in terms of elevation gain and slopes. This program has been designed with maximum flexibility, allowing the guide to choose routes based on weather and snow conditions. This approach guarantees optimal safety throughout your mountain adventure.
Accommodation
Hospice of the Great St. Bernard
Access
Go to the starting point
From Geneva, the easiest way is to take a train and then a bus (line 410) — the journey time is approximately 3h35–3h50
You can leave your car in the large parking lot located at the start of the road to the Great St. Bernard Pass. This is the parking lot of a former ski resort (Super Saint Bernard), now closed. Access to the parking lot is possible even when the Great St. Bernard Pass is closed.
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a UIAGM high-mountain guide.
- Accommodation at the Hospice of the Great St. Bernard Pass (dormitories and shared toilets)
- Half-board at the Hospice
- The guide's accommodation and meal expenses
- Safety equipment for each participant (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe)
The price does not include
- Personal technical equipment: touring skis, climbing skins, hiking boots, ski poles (rental possible, specify in the booking if you need to rent the equipment)
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
- Car transfers during the training course (transfers can be arranged depending on the size of the group)
- Drinks and lunch are included, so you have the freedom to eat what you want.
- Anything not mentioned under "Price includes"
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Avalanche transceiver
- Shovel and probe
Equipment to bring
- Touring skis, touring boots and climbing skins (if you do not have your own touring skis, we can arrange the rental of the necessary equipment, please specify this when booking)
- Lightweight and durable ski poles, telescopic or classic, with baskets for off-piste skiing
- A good backpack between 25 and 30 liters
Clothing to bring
- A waterproof and breathable jacket and trousers, preferably made of Gore-Tex (or an alternative fabric)
- a thin down jacket
- base layers (breathable technical tights and t-shirts)
- a breathable fleece
- gloves, socks, neck warmer, hat etc.
- sunglasses and sunscreen
- a thermos and a water bottle
- a headlamp
- a sleeping bag liner for nights in mountain huts
- a survival blanket
