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: Revision of Ski Mountaineering skills in Courmayeur Ski Area (Italy)

Introduction to the week ahead and kit check. Brief revision of ski mountaineering skills and complete some ‘micro-ski-tours’ out of one of the Courmayeur resort e.g. various interesting skinning journeys from Courmayeur ski area. Opportunities to refresh skinning technique, avalanche emergency procedures and some basic mountaineering elements.

Day 2 - Tue

9.00am – 4.00pm: Grand Saint Bernard Monastery - Mont Fourchon Ski Summit 2902m.

Transfer from Courmayeur to Super Saint Bernard - Switzerland via Gran San Bernardo tunnel.
From here in three hours ascent through the 'Combe de Mort' we reach the Monastery. After a little rest, we ascent Mont Fourchon (2902m), the classic ski-touring peak of the area giving breath-taking views of Mont Blanc and the Grand Combin.
Retourn to the monastery for the mid afternoon. Rest, overnight and Half board in Monastery
This day you’ll need a packed lunch, as we’ll be out in the backcountry all day.
1240m ascent - 450m descent ~7-8hrs.

Day 3 - Wed

9.00am – 4.00pm: Pointe de Barasson Ski Summit 2963m.

From the Monastery descent along the ascent route of the day before up to 2276m. Turn right and go up the immense, narrow Combe de Barasson until we reach the Col de Barasson est. From here, with crampons on, we proceed along the southwest ridge to the top of the Pointe de Barasson.
This day you’ll need a packed lunch, as we’ll be out in the backcountry all day.
700m ascent - 1240m descent ~5-6hrs.

Day 4 - Thu

9.00am – 4.00pm: Flexible plan, location and 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.

Day 5 - Fri

9.00am – 4.00pm: Ski Mountaineering: From Grands Montets ski Area to Le Tour Village via Col du Passon 3028m

This superb ski mountaineering traverse to the Le Tour glacier and down to the village of Le Tour is very popular and rightly so. With the Argentière lifts we reach the top of Bochard. From here in ski mountaineering continue to the Col de la Rachasse. A descent on a glacier will allow us to reach the moraine located at the base of the slope that climbs to Col Passon. Going up the slope and, with crampons, the last couloir we will reach Col Passon where the wonderful descent that leads to Le Tour village begins.
This day you’ll need a packed lunch, as we’ll be out in the backcountry all day.
750m ascent - 1750m descent ~5-6hrs.

End of Program

Day 6 - Sat

Return home.

After a night of well-deserved rest, departure from Courmayeur for your destination.