Ski crossing
Duaphiné
Ski Traverse
Südtirolalpin
Certified Mountain Guide
IFMGA - Mountain Guides Associations
Mail suedtirolalpin@gmail.com
Prices from
1,750,- €
ABOUT THE TOUR
Dauphiné Ski Traverse: A ski traverse that puts many of the classic Alpine routes in the shade. The Haute Route de Dauphiné, as it is often called, is a ski traverse of superlatives! Anyone who chooses this ski adventure must be aware that solid skiing technique is required, even in extremely steep terrain with sections of 40° - 45°. Don't be afraid of climbing harnesses and abseiling. Truly easy traverses are virtually nonexistent in this region. It's not for nothing that the Dauphiné is also called the "Karakoram of the Alps." As soon as you pass the incredibly forbidding and spectacularly covered rock, ice, and snow-covered cliffs of the Meije, the Grand Ruine, and Mont Pelvoux, or hike through the Val des Agneaux, you'll understand where this term comes from. The highest peak on the itinerary is the Barre des Ecrins (Dome de Neige), the southernmost and westernmost four-thousand-meter peak in the Alps. A summit that, with its spectacular seracs, hanging glaciers, and steep ice flanks, would actually look like something from the Himalayas. The description alone suggests that this tour represents something truly special in the tour book of every ambitious ski mountaineer. Everything has to be just right: the snow conditions, the conditions, and the weather. For the reasons mentioned above, we'll be traveling in a small group with a maximum of three participants and immersing ourselves in a ski touring area, away from the crowds, that could hardly offer a more exhilarating experience.
INFO
Services
Included in the price:
- Entire organization and guidance by a state-certified mountain guide
- All necessary reservations are made in advance
Additional costs:
- Transfer to and from the meeting point
- 4 overnight stays with half board in the huts
- 1 cable car ride from La Grave
- Taxi from Les Monetier to La Grave
- Mountain guide expenses (hut, lift ticket)
- Individual tips
* Rental equipment (€10 per piece of equipment)
Facts
Location:
Dauphine
Best time of year:
April
Duration:
5 days
Meeting point:
La Grave - cable car valley station
What you need
Requirements:
- Safe skiing on extremely steep slopes (>40°) – no fall zone!
- Clean and safe switchback technique
- Experience with crampons and ski touring on glaciated terrain
- Very good physical condition for tours with 1,600 to 1,800 meters of elevation gain in challenging terrain
PRICING
PROGRAM
Day 1: Meeting Point in La Grave - Refuge Promontoire
We meet in the morning (around 8:30 a.m.) at the valley station of the famous La Grave cable car. There, we'll check our equipment and then take the first cable car up to 3,200 meters. The first day of the tour is all about the Meije. We'll tackle two steep cols (Col de la Girose and Breche de Rateau) before climbing 600 meters to reach our first destination, the Refuge Promontoire.
Day 2: Refuge Promontoire - Refuge de l'Alpe de Villar
Day 2 begins with a short descent below the south face of the Meije. Initially still on skis, but soon equipped with crampons, we ascend very steeply to the next col. We cross the valley again via the Col du Pavé and, after a steep ascent to the Glacier Superieur des Cavales, enjoy a fantastic descent past the Refuge du Pavé, which is closed in winter, beneath the impressive north face of the Grande Ruine in a breathtaking setting. Our destination is the Refuge de l'Alpe de Villar.
Day 3: Refuge de l'Alpe de Villar - Refuge Ecrins
Today, we face a challenging climb over the Col Emil Pic. First, we continue further into the spectacular Vallon des Agneaux before climbing left into the steep slopes below the Pic de Chamoissiere. Here, too, we will switch between skis and crampons several times and, if necessary, abseil from the col to the south face to reach our destination, the Refuge Ecrins.
Day 4: Barre des Ecrins
Day 4, and the highest peak of the Dauphiné is on the agenda. The tour to the Barre des Ecrins is spectacular. However, we begin the day at a leisurely pace, heading down the valley along the flat Glacier Blanc. Our goal for the day looms ever more imposing and steep. Suddenly, the glacier steepens, and we pass a massive serac and climb the steep flanks to the winter summit: the Dome du Neige. An impressive tour in every respect. On the descent, we leave the Refuge Ecrins immediately to the left and head for the lower hut, the Refuge du Glacier Blanc.
Day 5: Refuge du Glacier Blanc - Le Monetier les Baines
On the last day, we still have the Col du Monetier to cross. As expected, we will also have to strap the sierra to our backpacks and continue climbing with crampons at some point during this crossing. We'll be rewarded with an incredible descent that, depending on the snow conditions, will take us deep into the Vallon de Grand Tabuc to the village of Le Monetier, almost 2,000 meters below. The crowning conclusion to an impressive ski traverse that will surely stay with us for a long time. We'll take a taxi back to our cars at the cable car valley station. We'll arrive there in the early afternoon and begin our journey home.
Any changes to the program that may be necessary for various reasons (weather, conditions, accommodation booking situation, etc.) will always be made in consultation with the participants.
