Although the 3 vallees is renowned as the worlds biggest and busiest interlinked ski area, remarkably for those prepared to venture away from the crowds there is some first class and easily accessible off piste and ski touring. For the beginner level ski tours you need to be a competent off-piste skier, experienced in all kinds of snow conditions, preferably able to do parallel turns in powder snow, and linked stem turns in more difficult snow. The skiing is not too technical but there are some steep sections and the challenge comes from managing the different snow conditions and trying to preserve your energy. Previous ski touring experience is not required and during the week you will learn the basic technical ski touring skills. Ideal courses for good off-piste skiers who want to join the backcountry revolution! Stamina-wise, you need to be able to ski for 4-6 hours each day at a reasonable pace. Maximum skinning: 2 hours per day. If you have never ski toured before, you will find that climbing uphill on skins is hard work! Most newcomers are surprised by just how physically demanding ski touring can be. To get maximum enjoyment from these trips you need to be working on your fitness well in advance of the tour which means plenty of aerobic exercise.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Travel to the starting point in Val Thorens. Evening meeting & briefing with your guide
Day 2: Introduction to ski touring. We take you to either Les Avals or Col de Pierre Blanche et Gefriand where you put into practice basic touring techniques and refresh your avalanche rescue skills.
Day 3: Glacier ski touring. They are not on the scale of the Mont Blanc region glaciers but the Three valleys glaciers (Gébroulaz, Péclet, Chavière and Borgne) are still impressive and wild places to ski. As well has having some lovely skiing you will learn important techniques for safe glacier travel.
Day 4: We take you in search of the best lift accessed off-piste descents in the 3 Valleys and the Maurienne Valley (eg; Polset, Thorens Point, Bon Martin).
Day 5: Ski touring on some of the peaks close to Bozel and Moutiers, this region is seriously well off the beaten track but offers some wonderful skiing.
Day 6 - Day 7: An overnight ski tour in the “Vanoise” National Park. Starting from Val Thorens we descend the Gébroulaz glacier to the remarkable Roc de la Peche refuge, one of the best mountain huts in France equipped with its own Jacuzzi! The second day we venture into the heart of the park and finish in the pretty village of Pralognan-en-Vanoise. Return to the hotel by road (about 1 hour).
Day 8: Depart after breakfast. We will make every endeavor to carry out the above itinerary but alternations may have to be made depending on the weather and snow conditions.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- All guide fees;
- 7 nights half-board accommodation.
Not Included:
- Travel to/from Val Thorens;
- Personal insurance, equipment hire;
- Lunches and drinks and local transport and uplift costs.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Skiing & Snowboarding
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