Ski Touring Trips
Ski touring on Mont Rose
Technical lev. : 4 / 5
FAIRLY DIFFICULT OFF-PISTE SKIING
You've already done some off-piste or touring skiing and have a very good level of skiing, so a steep passage (around 35-40 degrees) doesn't scare you. You can ski in all types of snow in off-piste conditions, and ski quickly on the black runs. Maximum 6 people per group.
Physical lev. : 4 / 5
TRAINED ATHLETE
Effort corresponding to around 1,500m - 2,000m of ascent and descent on hikes at high altitude (<3,500m), where ascent counts double. You enjoy and practice endurance sports at a very high level.
. Two 4,000-meter peaks in two days.
. The comfort of the Città di Mantova refuge at an altitude of 3,500 meters for a good night's sleep.
. Technically accessible and progressive climbs.
. Views of the most beautiful 4,000-meter peaks in the Alps.
. Moderate elevation gains thanks to ski lifts
Dates and price
Discount if booked 4 months before departure
Your trip
The Program
Elevation gain + 950 / - 750m
6 to 7 hours of skiing
Meet your guide in the morning directly at Staffal, the last hamlet at the foot of Monte Rosa, opposite the Punta Indren cable car departure point.
After a quick check of your equipment, you will take the first cable car at 7:30 a.m. to climb to an altitude of 3,275 meters. Once at the top, you will cross the Indren Glacier towards the Vincent Pyramid. The ascent of the Vincent Pyramid is via an accessible route. At the summit, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the 4,000-meter peaks of Monte Rosa surrounding you. The descent is on the immense Lys Glacier with the peaks of the Matterhorn, the north face of the Liskamm and Monte Rosa all nearby, and Mont Blanc and its massif in the background. Evening meal and night at the Città di Mantova refuge.
Elevation + 1,100 meters and - 2,750 meters
8 to 10 hours of skiing
It's the big day! We set off at sunrise to avoid the cold, and the climb takes place at an altitude of around 4000 meters. We pass close to the summit we reached the day before, but from the Col du Lys, the landscape changes and we cross high-altitude plateaus, gradually getting closer to our goal.
The summit of Punta Gnifetti is the highest 4000-meter peak that can be reached fairly easily. At the top, the view is magnificent, with a breathtaking view of the majestic east face of Monte Rosa, which is about 3300 meters high. The Macugnaca resort seems to rise out of a Himalayan landscape; indeed, it is the highest wall in the Alps!
At the summit, we can warm up and rest a little at the Cabanne Maguerite (4,554 meters), which is a stone's throw from the summit of Punta Gnifetti (4,556 meters). If the refuge is open, we can eat the highest pizza in Europe to recharge our batteries.
Then we will be treated to a beautiful and very long descent to Staffal (1,850 meters), where our trip will come to an end.
Gear
Level
OFF-PISTE SKIING - QUITE DIFFICULT
You have already done off-piste skiing or ski touring and you are a very good skier, with no fear of steep slopes (around 35-40 degrees).
You can ski in all snow conditions off-piste and ski quickly on black runs. Maximum 6 people per group.
FIT AND TRAINED
Effort equivalent to approximately 1,500-2,000 meters of elevation gain on a ski tour.
You enjoy and are very skilled at endurance sports.
OFF-PISTE SKIING - QUITE DIFFICULT
You have already done off-piste skiing or ski touring and you are a very good skier, with no fear of steep slopes (around 35-40 degrees).
You can ski in all snow conditions off-piste and ski quickly on black runs. Maximum 6 people per group.
FIT AND TRAINED
Effort equivalent to approximately 1,500-2,000 meters of elevation gain on a ski tour.
You enjoy and are very skilled at endurance sports.
Useful infos
Meet on the first day for the first cable car to Staffal, the last inhabited hamlet at the foot of Monte Rosa, departing from the Gabiet cable car.
The group will disperse at the end of the second day in the late afternoon in Staffal (Gressoney).
Cancellation and repatriation insurance is compulsory, as well as insurance covering mountain search and rescue (minimum coverage of €10,000).
Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com.
The week before your departure, you will receive a reminder email with all the information about the meeting point and the guide in charge of your group.
Esprit Montagne / Esprit des Guides SA will take care of booking the refuge, so you don't have to worry about it.
French-speaking UIAGM high mountain guide from our team.
The departure point for the bus to the Gressoney Valley is at the train station in the village of Pont Saint Martin.
For those who wish to stay in Staffal the night before meeting the guide, we recommend the Résidence Walsertal, a charming and convenient B&B, or the Hôtel de Gletscher in Staffal, a 5-minute walk from the cable car departure point.
We do not offer equipment rental for this trip. This course is only available to experienced individuals who have their own equipment.
France and Italy are in the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro (€).
The refuge has a card payment terminal, however, we strongly advise you to bring cash!
When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to participate in carpooling to get to the departure point for your course. After making your reservation, when you log back into your Esprit Montagne personal account, a section dedicated to carpooling will be available. There you will find the contact details of other participants in your course who are interested in carpooling, allowing you to get in touch with them directly.
Photo gallery
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780
4 days & 3 nights
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640
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495
Monte Rosa's Italian mountain guides are renowned for their unique expertise of the massif. Native to the surrounding valleys, they know every weather variation and every technical passage in the area.
Their rigorous training at the national school in Aosta guarantees perfect mastery of mountaineering and skiing techniques. High-altitude refuges hold no secrets for them. They maintain privileged relationships with the wardens, often enabling them to secure the best places.
Passionate about their region, these professionals are happy to share their knowledge of local history, geology and mountain traditions. Their reassuring presence and keen sense of safety make every outing an enriching experience.
With our roots in the Aosta Valley, it's only natural that you'll have an Italian guide to accompany you!
We suggest that you ski Mont Rose in 2 days, using the ski lifts to minimize the altitude difference and the effort required at high altitude. However, it is of course possible to spend 2 nights at the Mantova hut, and add the initial ascent from Staffal to the hut (1700m) for an extra day.
Monte Rosa culminates at 4,634 meters above sea level with the Pointe Dufour. It is the second highest peak in the Alps after Mont Blanc. However, the latter is not accessible by ski, so we'll take you to two of its other emblematic 4000+m peaks: the Pyramide Vincent and the Punta Gnifetti.
The normal ski route to Monte Rosa, often via the Punta Gnifetti (4,554 m), generally starts from huts accessible by lift in Zermatt or Alagna Valsesia. The ascent is physically and technically demanding, on glacial slopes requiring crampons and ice axes. The summit offers exceptional panoramic views and is home to the Capanna Regina Margherita refuge. The descent follows the same itinerary, with variable snow conditions. This outing, for experienced skiers only, is ideal from March to May and requires equipment suitable for high mountain conditions.
We suggest that you ski Mont Rose in 2 days, using the ski lifts to minimize the altitude difference and the effort required at high altitude. However, it is of course possible to spend 2 nights at the Mantova hut, and add the initial ascent from Staffal to the hut (1700m) for an extra day.
Monte Rosa culminates at 4,634 meters above sea level with the Pointe Dufour. It is the second highest peak in the Alps after Mont Blanc. However, the latter is not accessible by ski, so we'll take you to two of its other emblematic 4000+m peaks: the Pyramide Vincent and the Punta Gnifetti.
The normal ski route to Monte Rosa, often via the Punta Gnifetti (4,554 m), generally starts from huts accessible by lift in Zermatt or Alagna Valsesia. The ascent is physically and technically demanding, on glacial slopes requiring crampons and ice axes. The summit offers exceptional panoramic views and is home to the Capanna Regina Margherita refuge. The descent follows the same itinerary, with variable snow conditions. This outing, for experienced skiers only, is ideal from March to May and requires equipment suitable for high mountain conditions.
