Hut to hut in the Vanoise National Parc
A superb traverse of the Vanoise National Park by ski touring on the largest glacial area in Europe. Situated between the Mont Blanc massif and the Écrins massif, the panoramas will give you a superb view of the Alps.
Region
France - Vanoise
Duration
6 Days
Months
March, April, May
2,400€ /personne for 4 people
Difficulties
Ski touring Level 2 - Advanced
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Competent to ski in all snow types and all terrain up to slopes of 30 to 35º
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Be capable of physical effort for 4 to 8 hours
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Ski with a 6 to 8 kg backpack
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Competent to use the equipment (ski and safety) and to make the kick turn technique
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Be able to climb up from 600 to 1200m of elevation
Itinerary
Day 1
Meet with your guide in Pralognan at around 9.00 am. Distribution of safety equipment for those participants who do not have the right equipment.
Climb to the Roc de la Pêche refuge at 1911 m, in about 1h30 for 500 metres of difference in altitude.
Lunch at the refuge then the guide will present the programme for the coming days. In the afternoon the group will practice a transceiver search exercise.
D+ 500 m
Day 2
A flat start to warm up before the ascent to the Col d'Aussois at 2914m. It is possible to climb to the Pointe de l'Observatoire for those who want to add another 100 metres. First descent to the Fond d'Aussois hut before a final climb to the Dent Parachée hut.
D+ 1200 m / D- 600 m
Day 3
Morning departure to cross the Col de Labby pass and to tip over onto the Mahure glacier. The view of the glacial domes of the Vanoise is all ours as well as the summit of the nearby Dent Parrachée.
Descent to the Arpont hut.
D+ 900 D- 1100 m
Day 4
Morning breakfast. We go up the 2 sections of the chairlift and reach the Rosetta hut again and then continue to slide further north to reach the pian di Cantoni at about 2310 m. We put on the skins to reach the paso del Travignolo at 2925 m. From the pass we can leave the skis on (or off) to climb, via an easy ridge, to the Cima della Vezzana at 3192 m. We retrace our steps back to the pass to descend the pass towards the North. Here 2 abseils of 50 meters are waiting for us to reach a very wild north-facing valley. The descent of the Travignolo glacier over 900 metres will be the highlight of the day. A short ascent of less than 100 metres will allow us to cross the Costazza pass to return to the paso Rolle and be picked up by bus by the hotel.
Difference in altitude: +1000 m, -1550 m, on this day of 6 to 7 hours of activity* in total.
Day 5
We have an early breakfast and are dropped off directly on the road to San Pellegrino, at about 1850m by the hostel bus. We climb to Pas de la Cirète at 2683m and begin a first descent towards the Contrin refuge. We stop shortly before the refuge at around 2100m, before climbing due east to Pas d'Ombreta, 2702m, passing through a well marked gorge. At the pass, we can admire the south face of the Marmolada, a mountaineering monument of the Dolomites, from very close up. We will now descend the entire valley below this south face. At around 1850m we will take off our shoes to take a piece of via ferrata with our skis on our backpacks to descend a technical passage. We continue the descent to the village of Malga Ciapela. We take 3 simple lifts to Punta Rocca at the top of the Marmolada glacier and a final descent to the Pian dei Fiacconi refuge at 2626m.
Another option if the weather is bad, we'll pass by the Forca Rossa, 2490 m, more to the east and more direct.
height difference: +1450 m, -2450 m, for a total of 8 to 10 hours of activity*.night on half board (dinner, night and breakfast) at the Pian dei Fiacconi hut.
Day 6
Morning breakfast. We descend from the Pian dei Fiacconi hut, 2626 m, via an off-piste path to the dam on Lake Fedaia at around 2050 m. Several options of couloir for the first run depending on the conditions and the level of the group. We cross the dam and then go up opposite to the Porta Vescovo, 2480 m. We go down to the Pont de Vauz to pick up a ski pass that will allow us to access the Gruppo del Sella massif, the Mecca of couloir skiing. Today the objective is twofold and almost effortless: the descent of the Val de Mesdi. So we go up to the Maria hut, 2950 m, at the top of the lifts. We make a first descent of Val Lasties, Forcella Pordoi or Canale Joel, depending on the conditions. Then we take the lifts to the Boé hut, and finally we have a fantastic descent of more than 1,200 metres to the village of Corvara, in a unique setting. Return by taxi to San Martino to the hotelRegina in 1h30-2h00. Overnight on half board (dinner, night and breakfast) at Hotel Regina.
Difference in altitude: + 640 m, -3000 m, for a total of 6-8 hours of activity*.
Day 7
Débriefing pendant le petit déjeuner. Transfert retour à Chamonix. Déjeuner en route
Séparation du groupe.
Included
- A fully qualified and experienced IFMGA guide for the duration of your trip
- PicNic/Lunch of 1st day, for you and your guide
- Overnight accommodation described in the program
- Breakfasts, picnics and dinners included in the program
- The organization and transfers mentioned in the program using rented vehicles
- Transport and taxi included in the program
- The ticket(s) for the lifts/cable cars
- Mountain rescue radio
- Mandatory off-piste safety equipment (shovel, tranceiver, probe)
- Collective equipment necessary for progression and safety
- Free membership to the association for the organization of stays
Not included
- Personal expenses: additional drinks, energy bars, souvenirs, tips, etc.
- Personal insurance covering the activity
- Cancellation insurance (4%), repatriation assistance / search costs - rescue (1.5%)
- All that is not included in "the price includes".
- Transportation to the meeting point and from the point of separation
- Ski equipment rental (shoes, poles, skis, ...)
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All Ecrins Prestige guides have gained the highest guiding qualification from the IFMGA and are certified to guide anywhere in the world