The Ecrins National Park is one of the steepest ski mountaineering venues in the Alps - with numerous superb technical descents throughout the range. During the week we aim to take in great summits such as the Grand Ruine and ski the legendary Tour de la Meije overlooking La Grave. Both your fitness and mountain skills will be put to the test on this tour, so expect to see the rope out to reach our objectives. See - 2007 Trip Report.
We offer this itinerary as a private guiding special - with dates by arrangement from late March to late April. Prices are as per our private guiding rates, up to a maximum of 4 skiers per guide.
Starting Point We start and finish in Brig on the southern edge of the Bernese Oberland. Brig is easily reached by road, or by train direct from Geneva airport.
Sample Itinerary Subject to weather and snow conditions, the plan for the week is as follows:
Day 0
Sat
PM, meet in La Grave - discuss plans, sort food and kit, overnight in valley.
Day 1
Sun
Take the lift up through the La Grave system - before a big descent into the Vallon de la Selle, then traverse the technical Breche du Rateau to the Chatelleret Hut.
Day 2
Mon
A long morning climb to the Col de La Casse Desert - then a series of descents and climbs to reach the Adel Planchard Hut.
Day 3
Tue
Ascent of the Grand Ruine (3765m) to enjoy a superb panorama, then the 1700m descent to the Torrent de la Romanche for lunch. PM Skin up to the unguarded Pave Hut.
Day 4
Wed
Traverse the Col du Clot des Cavales, or (if you are feeling brave!) the Col du Pave and on to the lovely Promontoire Hut.
Day 5
Thu
Big day traversing under the N Face of the Meije to the tiny Aigle Hut - with steep climbs and descents, plus long sections climbing on foot.
Day 6
Fri
After breakfast, we make the final 1700m descent of the Glacier de Homme or Glacier du Tabouchet back down to La Grave.
Food and Accommodation We run all of our tours on a guiding & instruction only basis to allow you maximum flexibility with accommodation options. Our recommended hotel in La Grave is the friendly and comfortable Hotel Edelweiss**run by British/Dutch couple, Robin and Marlon - who we will happily put you in touch with if you'd like to reserve a room (or the hotel can help arrange a twin room with a fellow course member if you like). You are however free to make other accomodation arrangements if you choose (La Grave also has a number of other hotels, gites and rental appartments available at reasonable prices - see theLa Grave website for more details). Your guide will book all hut nights for the tour, which are just paid for as we go along.
Travel Full travel details are provided with your joining instructions. La Grave is most easily reached by a low cost flight to Grenoble (Ryanair run flights from E Midlands, Stanstead, Liverpool and Dublin, Easyjet run flights from Bristol, Gatwick & Luton, BA fly to Grenoble from Gatwick (often cheaper than Easyjet!) and Thomsonfly have flights from Bournmouth, Coventry and Gatwick). Then take a coach transfer to La Grave (or Bourg D'Oisans, from where a taxi transfer can be arranged if needed). If you choose to hire a car, then driving times to La Grave are about 1.5hrs from Grenoble, 2.5hrs from Lyon or Chambery and up to 4hrs from Geneva.
Fitness This is a demanding tour which includes 8-10 hour days and roped climbing. You can expect to be skinning for 4-5 hours a day (see fitness level 4).Due to the altitude of much of the route, arriving a couple of days in advance to acclimatise is recommended. We advise you to prepare well in advance with regular training and ideally some skiing.
Skiing AbilityYou need to have completed at least a couple of week long ski tours in the last 3 seasons and be a strong off piste skier in all conditions (see ski ability level 4-5). Roped climbing is also involved most days reach the various cols and summits, so you need some snow/ice climbing experience too.
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.
