Ski Touring Trips
Ski touring 4 days in the Beaufortain - French Tarentaise
Technical lev. : 3.5 / 5
Physical lev. : 3,5 / 5
A trip in the footsteps of the mythical Pierra Menta ski mountaineering race. The Beaufortin mountain pastures will be immaculate with the thick snow cover that is characteristic of this mountain range, considered to be a snow factory! We are on the sunny side of the Haute Tarentaise, which makes the access easier, especially if you arrive after the Saturday arrivals and departures from the nearby ski stations. On Sundays there won't be too many people on the road.
Dates & Prices
Your ski trip
You will discover the Beaufortin Massif by ski touring. For comfort we will stay in a guest house and we will start with two easy days to get the machine going. Your mountain guide will choose the itinerary in the area depending on the snow and weather conditions to manage safety and choose the best routes of the moment. Above the small village of Granier, the summits of Combe Bénite, Cret du Rey, Mont Coin, or the Dôme de Vaugelaz could be part of the programme, before discovering the Pierra Menta at the Col de Charbonière which will surely be the most beautiful day!
The Program
Vertical drop: + 800 m and - 800 meters
Ski touring length: about 5 to 6 hours
Meeting with the Mountain Guide at 8:00 in the morning in the village of Aime La Plagne for a coffe and a equipment check-up. After everybody has arrived, you will be following the Mountain Guide with your own cars to the departure point of today.
We start from a small car park near a cross-country ski hostel. The climb starts in the forest, but soon we leave the woods and climb into snow fields. The slopes are evenly oriented to the southwest, so you don't get hot on the way up in the morning and enjoy the sun on the way down. We pass many alpine chalets. Towards the summit we will have a superb view of the whole of the border chain between France and Italy and also of Mont Blanc. Depending on the weather, your guide will show you how to use the safety equipment, which includes the avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and will do a search exercise with you, as well as a small mapping exercise to learn how to orientate yourself in the mountains and to learn how to call for help. The descent is easy, which will allow everyone to get back on their feet. Your mountain guide will assess your level of fitness and choose the next days outings.
You will be back at your car in the early afternoon. The guide will show you the way to the charming village of Granier and your guesthaus. You can enjoy a superb view of the Tarentaise valley!
Night at the guest house, the Gite Pollen.
Vertical drop: 1200 meters positive and negative
Ski touring length: about 6 to 7 hours
We leave just above the village of Granier, or from our Gite if there is enough snow, to climb the Combe Bénite. Your guide will choose according to your wishes and the weather conditions of the moment. This second day of ski touring will take us to a more technical summit and a more difficult descent, we increase the difficulty little by little. You will do some conversions to climb the steeper slopes, your guide will give you some tips to improve your technique. The descent can be done on slopes of around 35 degrees. Your guide will give you tips on how to improve your climbing and descending.
Night at the guest house.
Vertical drop: + and - 1100 m
Ski touring length: about 6 to 7 hours
We start in the forest, the climb is regular under the spruces. There are many alpine chalets and the calm is very pleasant. On the other side of the valley, we can see the ski resorts of Haute Tarentaise such as La Plagne and Les Arcs in the distance, which is quite a contrast. A valley with two faces: the sunny side with the Beaufortain Massif which has remained wild and the shade side where the resorts have developed at the gates of the Vanoise National Park.
The climb continues to the mountain pastures where the cows graze in the summer to make Beaufort cheese, which will probably be in our snack or which we will find in a dish in the evening at the gite.
The ascent can pass several valleys and valleys that your Mountain Guide will choose to shorten or lengthen the path to reach the Col de Charbonière at the foot of the Pierra Menta.
The descent will probably be on the north side to make a loop and enjoy the powder snow which is usually there. We pass at the foot of the Roignais, the highest summit of the Beaufortain with its 2999 meters of altitude. The Presset and Balme refuges may be on our trail. A beautiful descent will lead us back to the cars.
Fondue and raclette are probably already waiting for us, for the last evening above the valley.
Night at the guest house.
Vertical drop: 1400 m or 1200 m positive and negative depending on the chosen summit
Ski touring length: about 7 hours
We start above Granier on a forest path to reach the superb alpine pasture of La Pesée, then we climb in huge combes. You will have to choose between the fairly easy summit of Dzonfie or the more difficult summit of Cret du Rey. You will choose with your guide if the conditions allow you to do both. For Cret du Rey we will have to put the skis on the bag and walk up. For Dzonfie the climb is quicker and easier with a less technical descent.
A great day in the mountains before heading back down to the cars and saying goodbye.
See you soon for another powder trip!
Equipment
If you do not have your own ski touring equipment, we can arrange for you to hire it, please ask when booking.
Suitable ski touring clothing:
Difficulty
For good skiers: you enjoy skiing on black slopes and off-piste skiing, 35 degree slopes do not scare you, especially as they will arrive progressively during the stay.
Useful Infos
Meeting with the Mountain Guide in the village of Aime, before reching Bourg Saint Maurice. The exact point will be given to you when booking.
After a coffee and a quick check of the equipment and the backpack, you will leave together to reach the starting point of the race of the day.
You will be staying at the Auberge du Val Joli.
You will be accommodated in double / triple / quadruple rooms or in a group suite, with the members of your group.
Cancellation and repatriation insurance is recommended, as well as insurance to cover search and rescue in the mountains.
Photo gallery
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The beginner ski touring course in the Beaufortin is an excellent introduction to the world of alpine ski touring. Intended for beginners, this introductory course in alpine ski touring allows you to discover the discipline, to learn the basic techniques and to explore the snowy peaks of the Beaufortin during 4 days.
The Beaufortin massif offers mountain landscapes designed for alpine ski touring with striking summits and large forests of fir trees. There is often a lot of snow, especially at the beginning of the season, perfect for ski touring through beautiful itineraries!
The tourist resort of Arêches-Beaufort offers for example 4 permanent itineraries dedicated only to ski touring in the ski area. The Traces allow skiers to warm up and to reach the top of the ski area at 2320m. Ski touring is an essential activity to try as a winter sport, there is a real pleasure of the effort rewarded by the unforgettable circuits that you will take!
However, a ski touring trip requires good physical conditions, the type of snow can sometimes make the route difficult and the goal is not to take the lifts!
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