Ski Touring in the Haute Maurienne

The Haute Maurienne is a wild, unspoilt area of mountains which offers a huge number of summits, cols and glaciers for the ski tourer. A number of the summits are gained with ice axe and crampons giving a mountaineering experience to complement the skiing. The huts are friendly, rarely crowded mid week and provide great bases for a number of peaks.

Dates: Late March, April and early May

Ratio: 1:3 Maximum.

Who’s it for: All competent on piste skiers who also have experience of off piste skiing. Experience of ski touring is useful but not essential. This is a physical tour and requires good fitness levels. It is recommended that all skiers arrive at least one day early for the course and do a warm up ski day.

WHAT’S INCLUDED WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Instruction/Guiding Insurance (essential)
Guides’ accommodation, all food and drink Accommodation before and after course
Guides uplift Personal uplift
Personal half board accommodation during the course Personal lunches, drinks and drinks at huts
Transport during the course, fuel, parking costs etc. Transport to valley
ClimbNow cap Personal equipment

Sample program

Day 1: We will begin the course with a mornings skiing at Bonneval sur Arc. This will give us the chance to check all equipment is working and to practice avalanche transceiver searches. In the afternoon we will make the ascent to the Refuge d’Averole (2229m).

Day 2: From the Refuge we will first climb to the Col d’Arberon (3022m) before making the ascent of the Ouille d’Arberon (3563m). The last section of this mountain may involve the use of crampons and ice axe. Following the return to our skis we will ski to the Refuge for a second night.

Day 3: Today we traverse L’Albaron (3637m). This excellent traverse involves a long section of skiing before a steep step with a fixed rope leads to the summit. The day is continued via a rocky ridge which leads to the Selle d’Albaron. From here we ski to the Refuge Evettes.

Day 4: From the Refuge we ski south to first gain the Col Tonini and then the Pointe Tonini (3327m). A ski descent is then made to Ecot (2030m) before returning to Bonneval where we overnight. If legs are tired, we can ski the Glacier du Grand Mean and the Col de La Disgrace (3225m) before returning to Ecot.

Day 5: Following a well deserved late start, we make the ascent to the Refuge du Carro at 2760m.

Day 6: The final day of the course is spent skiing the Levanna Occidentale (3593m). The day can also be extended with an ascent of L’Uja (3379m), legs allowing. Following some lunch at the Refuge we return to the valley.

The itinerary may change due to weather conditions.

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