The peaks and passes surrounding the Swiss alpine centre of Arolla are the ideal venue for enjoying an extended 6 day tour. With well appointed huts and a wide range of itineraries, a great weeks touring is possible in any conditions.
We offer this itinerary as a private guiding special - with dates by arrangement from mid March into late April. Prices are as per our private guiding rates, up to a maximum of 6 skiers per guide.
Starting Point The charming alpine village of Arolla in western Switzerland. Arolla lies south of Sion in the main Rhone valley and can be easily reached by public transport direct from Geneva airport.
Sample Itinerary There are numerous possible tours in the region, so we may modify our final route to make the best use of conditions at the time:
Day 0
Sat
PM meet in Arolla - discuss plans, sort food and kit, overnight in valley.
Day 1
Sun
Tour + off piste run from the Arolla lift system to the Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges.
Day 2
Mon
Day tour from Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges - Mont de l'Etoile or Pte de Vouasson.
Day 3
Tue
Ascent of Fenetre Nord des Aig. Rouges + traverse of Col des Ignes to the Dix Hut.
Day 4
Wed
Ascent of La Luet + traverse Les Trois Cols to Chanrion Hut.
Day 5
Thu
Traverse of Pigne d'Arolla to the Vignettes Hut.
Day 6
Fri
Traverse Col de l'Eveque and descend to Arolla.
Food and Accommodation We run all of our ski tours on a guiding & instruction only basis to allow you maximum flexibility with accommodation options. Our recommended hotel in Arolla is the Hotel Les Glaciers** which has a variety of comfortable rooms (and dortoir style accommodation too). You are however free to make other accommodation arrangements if you choose (Arolla has various other hotels, gites and appartments available - see the Evolene Region website for details). The guide will book all hut accommodation for the tour, which is also paid for as we go along.
Travel Arolla is easily reached by reliable Swiss public transport direct from Geneva airport - check out the Swiss Federal Railways website for timetables and information.
Fitness Ski mountaineering requires good levels of fitness and stamina (see fitness level 2) - so we advise you to prepare well in advance with regular cardiovascular training and ideally some skiing.
Skiing Ability You need to be an competent off piste skier (see: ski ability level 2-3) ideally with some previous touring experience (though particularly strong skiers can pick these up with extra coaching at the start of the week if neccesary).
Equipment We will supply you with a full kit list. You are responsible for bringing personal clothing, a rucsac and ski mountaineering skis, boots and kit (local hire is available). We are delighted to be working on this tour with Back Country UK, who provide excellent service and advice as a leading retailer of ski mountaineering equipment in the UK.
