Ski Touring Trips
Ski touring Switzerland - Level 1: Val de Bagne and Grand St Bernard
Technical lev. : 3.5 / 5
Physical lev. : 3 / 5
The area between the Entremont and Val de Bagne valleys, just a stone's throw from the ski resort of Verbier, and the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard is the perfect terrain for ski touring. There are many summits suitable for ski mountaineering, with excellent ski touring routes on both the Swiss and Italian sides of the border.
Dates & Prices
Your ski trip
The area between the Entremont and Val de Bagne valleys, just a stone's throw from the ski resort of Verbier, and the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard is the perfect terrain for ski touring. There are many summits suitable for ski mountaineering, with excellent ski touring routes on both the Swiss and Italian sides of the border.
The first two days are dedicated to discovering some beautiful off-piste itineraries in the resort of Bruson and then above the Cabane Brunet, for a quiet warm-up. Then, you will head to the Italian-Swiss border in the Grand Saint Bernard valley: an ideal terrain for ski touring with its wild valleys, very open slopes and splendid panoramas of the most beautiful 4000 m summits between Chamonix, Zermatt and the Mont Rose in Italy.
A high mountain atmosphere to explore, at the heart of the Swiss Wallis and the Alps!
The little extra of this stay: a night at the famous Hospice du Grand Saint Bernard welcomed by the monks, a tradition of hospitality in the mountains that has lasted for nearly 1000 years!
The Programme
Meeting with the guide in Le Châble at 8:00 am, at the departure of the cable car from the resort of Verbier and Bruson.
Take the cable car up to Bruson. You will enjoy some great off-piste skiing in this lovely local resort, renowned for its beautiful off-piste itineraries. The guide will have the opportunity to get to know you and assess your skiing ability before starting the real ski touring the following days.
You will have the opportunity to stop for lunch in a nice restaurant in the resort and taste a Valaisan speciality.
Ski back down to the village of Lourtier in the early afternoon, then get out the skins and climb to the Cabane Brunet, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Vertical drop: + 800 m
Ski touring time: about 2 hours uphill to reach the mountain hut
Vertical drop: 980 metres positive and negative
Ski touring time: about 5 to 6 hours
After a good breakfast and a quick check of your rucksack, you will start your ascent towards Mont Rogneux, a beautiful summit proudly overlooking the Val de Bagnes, opposite the famous resort of Verbier. The ascent will be easy, following pretty little valleys to the Goli des Otanes plateau. You will continue to reach the eastern ridge and the final ridge which is a little more alpine: it is not unusual to put your hands on the rock to reach the summit.
The route is exceptionally beautiful: you progress in wild spaces next to the Combins range, with a 360° panorama at the top.
On the way down there are many possible routes, the guide will choose according to the conditions.
Vertical drop: - 1300 m; + 1017 m; - 480 m
Ski touring time: between 5 and 6 hours
Descent from the hut after breakfast to reach the car in Le Châble.
Transfer by car from Le Châble to the Bourg Saint Bernard car park, on the road to the Grand Saint Bernard tunnel.
You will leave the car on the car park and then leave by skins first on the summer road. You will then take the track towards the Combe de Drône. At the bottom of the valley you will pass between the lakes of Grand Lé and Petit Lé to reach the summit.
This beautiful valley on the border between Switzerland and Italy is very suitable for ski touring.
Finally, you will descend to the Hospice du Grand Saint Bernard, located at 2473 metres above sea level on the Grand Saint Bernard summer route.
Dinner and overnight at the Hospice.
Vertical drop: + 480 m - 1030 m
Ski touring time: about 3 to 4 hours
Departure from the Hospice after a good breakfast. The Pointe de Drône offers a beautiful ski route in a high mountain atmosphere. Once at the top you will have a superb view of the eastern side of the Mont Blanc massif.
The descent can be done on the same route as the ascent or by the north face: the guide will choose the route according to the stability of the snow.
You will be back at the car between noon and 2pm.
See you soon for a new 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
Cancellation and repatriation insurance is recommended, as well as insurance to cover search and rescue in the mountains.
Le Châble, at the departure of the cable car to Bruson, at 8:00 am.
At the car parking in Bourg Saint Bernard between 12.00 and 14.00.
Do not plan your return transport before 4 pm.
Photo gallery
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Ski touring, also known as ski touring, is an outdoor winter sport that allows skiers to venture off the beaten track to explore snow-covered mountains. It is practiced in the mountains and sometimes on marked routes in a ski area.
To start ski touring you need to be comfortable skiing downhill on black runs, with off-piste descents in different snow conditions. It is essential to have a good level of skiing and not to overestimate yourself to avoid the risk of injury.
Ski touring has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many ski resorts also offering ski touring routes. For those who want to discover this activity or train in a safe area, you should be in good physical condition. You will work on your balance and coordination!
You need to coordinate the movement of your legs on the skis and your arms with the poles. This will help to improve your agility.
You will feel the pleasure of the effort while passing through breathtaking landscapes!
Skiers can learn ski touring in the Alps, where beginner courses are offered. These courses are designed to teach you how to ski tour, both uphill and downhill.
Here are some suggestions to help you find a ski touring holiday that suits your needs:
The most important thing is to choose a course at your level so that you can enjoy the course both on the way up and on the way down. If you overestimate yourself, at best you will go home faster or, on the contrary, with crutches...
Esprit Montagne's mountain guides run both introductory and more technical ski touring courses. The courses are tailored to the needs of the participants and can be personalised according to their level of experience and physical fitness on tailor-made programmes. The guides will ensure safety and teach you techniques to improve your skills and learn to read the dangers of the mountain in order to gradually become more independent. The courses include safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe).
To see our proposals for ski touring courses in the Alps, click here!
It is important to choose a course that suits your level of experience and expectations. It is also recommended to be careful and to respect the safety rules of ski touring by listening carefully to the instructions of the guides, especially concerning the risks of avalanches...
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