Advanced Ski Mountaineering Course
Are you interested in advancing your ski mountaineering technics? The 4000m peaks in Europe is the perfect setting to gain the knowledge and experience that is essential for taking on larger ski mountaineering objectives .
This four-day course serves to develop the skills needed for climbing and skiing on glaciar terrain and the realisation of the first 4000m peak in european alps.
The Gran Paradiso (4061m) itself as a grand finale of course– including the superbly exposed rock ridge to the very summit.
COURSE AIM.
✓ Glacier travel, climbing as a rope team.
✓ Winter mountaineering skills including movement skills, ice axe use, crampon, plus basic rope and climbing techniques.
✓ Introduction to snow and ice anchors.
✓ Basic climbing knots and hitches.
✓ Crevasse rescue.
✓ Use of maps, guide books, GPS and the latest Apps for route planning and navigation.
✓ Provide an excellent spring board, at the start of the classic hut to hut touring season, for other challenging ski mountaineering trips in the spring.
DURATION
Four days in the mountain
Fitness level required
GROUPS
3 peoples.
COST
€ 900 per person.
$USD 960 per person
£ 776 per person
INCLUDE
✓ Services of an Mountain Guide
✓ All transfers as shown in the program
✓ The cablecars tickets as shown in the program
✓ halfs boards in the Hut, including the halfs boards of the Mountain Guide
NOT INCLUDE
✗ Accomodation
✗ Lunch in the mountain
✗ Mountaineering – Off Piste/Ski Mountaineering Insurance IMPORTANT: Please read this section.
✗ Transfer from/to airport,
✗ Airfare
✗ Anything not specified
NB Trip is confirmed from 3 peoples.
Day 0 - Sun
Arrival
Travel to Courmayeur, to arrive in time for the Evening Briefing.
Your guide will run through safety routines and kit checks, as well as hand out rental equipment for the week, before we go on to a detailed discussion of everyones ambitions for the week, together with the current weather and mountain conditions and how these affect our planning. We’ll also have maps and guidebooks to show you, so if you’ve any further questions or last minute requests, then this is the ideal time to bring them up before we head on to dinner.
Day 1 - Mon
9.00am – 4.00pm: Aiguille Entreves west summit 3550m - Vallée Blanche
The route approached from the Italian side of the range, or the Torino Hut which is adjacent to the cable car. Either way, an hours walk leads the flat glacier to Col D’Entreves and the start of the climb. After we follow the mixte ridge to the west summit. Return along the same route to end with the descent of the Vallée Blanche to Chamonix
Bus from Chamonix to Courmayeur
Day 2 - Tue
9.00am – 4.00pm: Vittorio Emanuele Hut 2732m.
Transfer from Courmayeur to Pont Valsavarenche 1952m. From here in 2.30 hrs ascent through the summer itinerary we reach the Hut. Rest, overnight and Half board in Hut
780m ascent ~2-2.30hrs.
Day 3 - Wed
4.00am – 2.00pm: Gran Paradiso Summit 4061m.
Having a 4am breakfast at Refuge Vittorio Emanuel allows us plenty of time to ascend the Grand Paradiso (4061m). The ascent is made via the Glacier du Grand Paradiso and should take around five hours to the summit. Crampons may be needed passing Il Roc (4026m) but will definitely be needed from the Finestra del Roc to the summit. We then rope up and scramble the along rocky ridge to gain great views and pictures of the Madonna on the summit. We descend back to Vittorio Emmanuel hut. Rest, overnight and Half board in Hut
This day you’ll need a packed lunch, as we’ll be out in the backcountry all day.
1329m ascent - descent ~6.30-7hrs.
Day 4 - Thu
7.00am – 3.00pm: Flexible plan, Ski Summit.
There are many different interesting ski mountaineering itineraries and we pride ourselves on always doing something different to make the most of prevailing conditions. It’s a great opportunity to combine all the skills developed throughout the days before and quiz the Mountain Guide on any final burning issues.
End of Program
Day 5 - Sat
Return home.
After a night of well-deserved rest, departure from Courmayeur for your destination.