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Grand Combin Ski Tour

grand combin ski tour

"A well known landmark in the Western Alps, the Grand Combin remains a mystery to most skiers passing en route from Chamonix to Zermatt. However, the massif is a hidden gem - with some of the best touring in Switzerland along it's northern flanks. This tour explores the upper Val Bagnes, using the Brunet and Panossier Huts along the way. "
  
6 days
Inter-Adv
5:1
Dates: 15 - 20 Apr '12
Price: £650
Ski Ability: 3+
Fitness: 3+
Experience: Previous multiday ski touring experience required.
Included: Guiding Fees and Expenses.
Other Costs: Hut nights, food, travel and uplift during the tour ~ £450
 
Summary
This is a quiet area, offering a great 'ski focussed' touring week with good quality north facing descents that often hold powder, plus you can expect some large scale glacier terrain in the second half of the week.
The tour is split between two huts, giving plenty of flexibility with regard to objectives and conditions.
 
Starting Point
We meet initially in Chamonix, then drive over to Switzerland to begin our tour.
 
Sample Itinerary
Subject to weather and snow conditions, the plan for the week is as follows:-
grand combin ski tour itinerary
Day 0 - Sat PM, meet in Chamonix - discuss plans, sort food and kit, overnight in valley.
Day 1 - Sun
AM travel across to Switzerland, before skinning in to the Cabane Brunet. PM Possible half day tour from the hut.
Day 2 - Mon
Ascent of Mont Rogneux (3083m), a circular tour which gives a great ski back down to the Cabane Brunet.
Day 3 - Tue
Ascent of Pointe de Boviere (3212m) with a roped climb to the summit and another fine descent to the Cabane.
Day 4 - Wed
Traverse the Col des Avouillons en route to the Panossiere Hut.
Day 5 - Thur
Classic ascent of Le Tournelon Blanc (3707m) and back down to the Panossiere Hut.
Day 6 - Fri
Finally, we make a big circular tour to the summit of the Petit Combin (3672m) before skiing the excellent Follats glacier down to Fionay.

PM Drive back to Chamonix.

 
Food and Accommodation
We run all of our tours on a guiding & instruction only basis. Our recommended hotel in Chamonix is the Hotel Les Lanchers** in Chamonix Les Praz. You are however free to make other accommodation arrangements if you choose (Chamonix has numerous hotels and other accommodation available - click on 'reservation' at the Chamonix website for more details). The guide will book all hut accommodation for the tour, which you pay for direct as we go along.
 
Travel
Our meeting point in Chamonix is easily reached by transfer shuttle from Geneva airport.
 
Ability and Experience
You need to be a good off piste skier (see ski ability level 3) with previous multiday touring experience to join this tour. It is a strenuous week with up to 8 hour days and some big (1000m+) climbs, so you can expect to be skinning for 3-5 hours a day (see fitness level 3).
 
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 Backcountry UK, who provide excellent service and advice as a leading retailer of ski mountaineering equipment in the UK.
 
     
 
 
 
         
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