Ski touring between the Italian Piedmont and the Ecrins
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationPiedmont / French Alps
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions81.81 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
In the Écrins mountains, the possibilities for ski touring are almost endless! Hidden valleys, airy ridges, sunlit forests... Every aspect is possible, and the diverse influences mean you'll always find good snow in the area. Your guide? A local who knows all the best spots , all the little hollows where the snow stays powdery. Your accommodation? A cozy, simple, and comfortable lodge , where they know how to welcome you, with a local beer and a comforting meal. Be warned, you won't want to leave... This trip is not accessible by splitboard.
The highlights
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A wide variety of wild routes
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Excursions into the Italian Piedmont region: a real cappuccino awaits you after a day of hiking.
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The warm and personalized welcome
Photos
Damien - verified review - january 2025
Damien - verified review - january 2025
Damien - verified review - january 2025
Damien - verified review - january 2025
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
Advanced level, good technical and physical ability required, regular practice of ski touring
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 1159 m
- Average daily descent: 1159 m
- Maximum altitude: 3131 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
French
English
You are accompanied by a state-certified high mountain guide.
Program
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Piedmontese welcome and warm-up
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Maximum altitude 2377 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You'll be met by your guide at the Briançon or Oulx-Cesana train station, given your equipment if you rented it from our partner, and given an overview of the week. The minibus will then take us to Cesana to tackle the Cima del Bosco (2377 m) via the SW face from the charming village of Thures (1633 m) or the N face of Monte Giaseez. Perfect for warming up and reviewing the basics of ski touring ! At the end of the day, after a mandatory stop in Claviere to enjoy authentic Italian hot chocolate or cappuccino, we'll settle into our cozy accommodations for the week.
Day 1 -
Ski touring in our garden
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 1200 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Maximum altitude 2500 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're skiing close to home! At the foot of the Col de l'Izoard, Cervières, the potato capital, is also a ski touring paradise. In winter, it's just down the road: beyond, it's a vast expanse of white! We've done all the routes countless times: Cime de la Charvie (2881m), Côte Belle and its ridges, Grand Peygu, Col des Portes... your guide will choose the best one for the day based on the conditions! Back to the lodge for the evening.
Day 2 -
The Chaberton, a 3000
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 1250 m
- Negative elevation 1250 m
- Maximum altitude 3131 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're tackling a 3000-meter peak ! And not just any peak: formerly Italian, Chaberton was annexed to France at the end of World War II as punishment for threatening Briançon with its "Fort of the Clouds." From up there, a breathtaking panorama unfolds , encompassing Mont Thabor, the Vanoise massif, the Piedmont region, the Écrins mountains... A memorable descent is guaranteed! If conditions aren't right for this climb, we'll head up to Fort Lenlon in the Clarée Valley, and that will be fantastic too.
Day 3 -
Vallouise, the ultimate wildcard
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 1250 m
- Negative elevation 1250 m
- Maximum altitude 2800 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Here in Vallouise, it's like paradise: when you think it's over, there's still more! What is it? Well, snow, of course. Even when the wind has been howling everywhere else, this blessed valley is protected and keeps its powder tucked away in the hollows of its valleys. Another unforgettable day in ski touring heaven!
Day 4 -
Sublime Clarie
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 1300 m
- Negative elevation 1300 m
- Maximum altitude 2890 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The Clarée Valley's reputation has long since extended beyond the borders of the Hautes-Alpes. A protected natural site, this valley stretches for over 30 km and offers breathtaking scenery all along the river of the same name. To the southwest, the Cerces mountains; to the northeast, Mont Thabor; everywhere, a touch of Canada. Starting from Névache, the end of the road in winter, the options are numerous: Grand Area (2869m), Pic du Lac Blanc (2980m)... pure bliss!
Day 5 -
The Morefreddo, back in Italy
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 1150 m
- Negative elevation 1150 m
- Maximum altitude 2770 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Back in Italy this morning for the ascent of Morefreddo (2770m) from the small village of Pattemouche. A larch forest and a beautiful ridge lead to the summit, offering one last breathtaking view! Descent into the valley and departure from Briançon train station. End of the trip.
Day 6
Note
Weather conditions, snow conditions, and the level of participants may lead the guide to modify this program or to do certain routes in a different order.
Accommodation
This stay takes place in a lodge nestled in the village of Cervières at the foot of the Col d'Izoard . The welcome is exceptional, and the living space is designed for relaxing and enjoyable holidays. The food is simple, natural, and high-quality, with a selection of good beers and wines. Rental equipment is located below the lodge, and our agency and team are just a short walk away.
We may need to change accommodation, within the same range, for logistical reasons or due to availability.
Access
Several possible meeting points :
📍 At Briançon train station at 8:30 am
📍 In Cervières in front of the lodge at 8:10 am
📍 At Oulx train station at 9:15 am
Go to the starting point
You are expected in ski gear for the meeting on Day 1. The departure at the end of the trip takes place at the same location as the arrival point.
We do our best, but we cannot guarantee arrival time at the train station (traffic jams, unforeseen circumstances, snow conditions). We advise you to purchase flexible train tickets. On the last day, return to Briançon and Oulx is possible but not guaranteed by 6:00 PM.
Free parking is available at Briançon train station or directly at the lodge in Cervières.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a shared twin room in a guesthouse or lodge for 5 nights
- Full board with packed lunches for 6 days
- All minibus transfers from one of the meeting points
- Training/refresher course on the use of safety equipment
- The services of a high mountain guide for 6 days and all their expenses (accommodation, meals, transport, lifts)
- Loan of safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe), if you are not equipped
- The welcome pack
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to one of the meeting points
- The possible rental of equipment
- All drinks, including those served with meals
- Extras in accommodations and personal expenses
Options
- Equipment rental - Complete package (skis, boots, skins, poles and crampons) : CHF255.23 / unit
- Equipment rental - Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons) : CHF224.13 / unit
- Equipment rental - Shoes : CHF68.61 / unit
- Equipment rental - Airbag bag : CHF118.92 / unit
- 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
Equipment can be rented from our partner:
- Complete package (skis, boots, skins, poles, crampons)
- Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons)
- Ski boots
- Airbag
Equipment to bring
- Ski goggles and sunglasses with UV4 protection lenses. The photochromic lenses adapt to the light and vary from category 2 to category 4 to optimize visibility in both shade and sunlight. Very practical.
- Ski helmet
- Touring skis equipped with touring bindings (we recommend touring-freeride type skis to make the most of descents in all snow conditions and powder)
- Seal skins
- Knives
- Sticks
- Ski touring boots
- Cleats
- Avalanche transceiver (DVA): If you have an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe, please let us know when you register. If you don't have any, we will lend you one free of charge.
- 1L water bottle, thermos or Camelback
- Duck tape (resistant tape), sunscreen SPF 50.
- Minimal toiletry kit with personal essentials
- Drying towel
Clothing to bring
- Warm hat or headband
- Neck warmer or Buff
- Technical underwear: long-sleeved top and leggings for added warmth under trousers
- Lightweight fleece jacket / synthetic down jacket with hood to wear under the Gore-Tex and provide extra warmth during breaks
- Jacket with a waterproof and breathable membrane such as Gore-Tex or softshell, lightweight and compressible to reduce bulk in the backpack
- Trousers with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type membrane (models with leg vents are recommended for uphill sections)
- Lightweight gloves (fleece or softshell)
- Warm gloves with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type membrane
- Silk undergloves
- Mittens are a good solution for very cold days or for people sensitive to the cold.
- Ski socks
Tip (underwear and ski socks): Merino wool has the advantage of being very breathable and antibacterial, so it retains less odor than synthetic materials.
