Ski Gran Paradiso (4061m)
Ski Mountaineering High on the Gran Paradiso with Mont Blanc & The Chamonix Valley to the North.
An action packed 3 day course designed for ski mountaineers who want to sample a taste of Italy and climb its highest mountain on skis. The ski touring in the famous Italian Valle d'Aoste is as good as the coffee and we aim to give you an excellent introduction to the area with 3 varied days skiing and two nights in warmly hospitable Italian Mountain Refuges. A ski and culinary experience not to be missed!
Course Aims
- Enjoy 3 good days ski mountaineering in the Italian Valle d'Aoste culminating with an ascent of the Gran Paradiso (4061m)
- Complete some ski and mountain training during the first two days whilst touring & acclimatising in the process
- Spend two nights in Italian Mountain Refuges and enjoy the associated pasta, vino and coffee!
- Meet up with like other like minded ski mountaineers for a sociable 3 days
Sample Itinerary
Day 0. Arrive in Chamonix and sort equipment. Ideally you will have already warmed up with a few days skiing and general acclimatisation
Day 1. Intro chat about the course, equipment check and drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to access the high 'Punta Helbronner' lift. A day spent around 3400m skiing, training, acclimatising and enjoying the truly spectacular views of the Italian side of 'Monte Bianco'. Descend (either on skis or by the lift according to conditions) to the Val Feret and skin up to the Bonatti Hut. This is a generally easy 2 hour approach to one of the nicest mountain huts in the Alps.
Day 2. An early breakfast is taken so that one of several fine ski tours can be taken above the Hut such as 'The Col de Malatra' or 'Mont de la Saxe'. Return to the valley for lunch and a coffee break before driving up the Valsavarenche and making the 2 hour approach to either the Chabod or Vittorio Emanuelle Hut.
Day 3. An even earlier breakfast is taken to begin the substantial (C.1300m) ski ascent of the Gran Paradiso. Whichever route is taken the journey involves snow covered glaciers, some steep snow slopes and, at the top, a short but impressive mountaineering ridge. A great summit with fantastic panoramic views of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. The ski descent back to the Valsavarenche provides over 2000m of varied mountain terrain, a great finale and quite a challenge for tired ski legs! Return to Chamonix via a huge celebratory pizza in Courmayeur's famous 'Pizzeria du Tunnel'.
Fitness, Ski and Mountaineering Experience Pre-Requirements:
A good general level fitness is required to complete all three days and particularly the long summit day (an ability to comfortably maintain an ascent rate of 300m/hr on skins for up to 5 hours). Effective off-piste skiing ability is also required. This means being able to make linked short radius turns in a variety of steep off-piste snow conditions up to the off-piste equivalent of black runs. Some ski touring experience is also required so if you don't have this check out our introduction to ski touring course. Mountaineering experience with crampons would be useful but not essential.
2012 Dates
3 Days, 11-13 April, Wednesday - Friday Inclusive
Course Cost
£395
Minimum group size 3, maximum 4
What’s included in the Price?
- 3 full days ski mountaineering with an International Mountain Guide (IFMGA)
- Loan of transceiver, shovel, probe, crampons, ice axe and any other mountaineering equipment as required
- Travel from Chamonix to ski venues during course
What’s not included?
- Accommodation. We recommend that you stay at the Hotel Chaumiere in Chamonix. If this is full or you would like an alternative style of accommodation please see our recommended list for places to stay in Chamonix.
- Mountain huts & lift passes, for you and the guides. Allow about 50 euros per night half board accommodation and about 40 euros for the lift pass. The guides expenses are split between the group members and are discounted in huts and on lifts. Often the best way to deal with these expenses is to make a communal group 'kitty'.
- Food and drink during the course
- Ski equipment. Check the kit list below
Course Notes
- Please note that the detailed kit list, given via the link below must be followed and all ski kit including boots, skis, skins, ski crampons, poles, transeiver, shovel, probe must be hired in advance or arranged in advance with us.
Ski Mountaineering Kit List
Please use this list in a modular form according to what type of ski mountaineering you are doing e.g non glacial tours may not require harness, ice screws etc. Aim to 'pack light' and ski with a small, light pack as mu... more>
- Please note that we can provide this course for small groups or individuals on a private basis. Please contact us to discuss dates
More details
For more details on our terms & conditions, to fill in a booking form and make a payment, please visit our booking page via the link below:
Contact
We are always delighted to hear from past, current and future clients so whether you have a booking enquiry, want a conditions report, or some mountaineering advice please do get in touch.
In the meantime, Good climbing / skiing ! Rob.
High Mountain Guides
Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France
Mobile: + 33 (0) 670 819 250
Tel: + 33 (0) 450 53 56 08
Email contact via the form below
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