Best of Freeriding in La Grave, Piémont & the Ecrins Ski Tour
Overview
The mountains of south-east France & the Piedmont in Italy hold a multitude of wonderful ski areas, many of which you will never have heard of. Each has fantastic freeride powder skiing in common, but one that catches everyone’s attention is La Grave. La Grave is legendary worldwide as a place all freeride skiers need to experience at least once on their lives. A truly extraordinary place, it is not like any ski resort you will have been in before. Raw & unfettered adventure in epic, often technical terrain of huge proportions, La Grave has many freeride descents of over 2,000m vertical. In short, a place best sampled with an experienced guide in a group of like-indeed people. If this appeals to you, read on……
The Best of Freeriding in La Grave, Piémont & the Ecrins tour is led by an experienced local guide that knows the region like their own backyard. Utilising a single, centrally located base hotel, the group will travel by private minibus to a different ski area each day, using the local ski lifts & some skinning to seek out the best freeride powder in the region. Every night, once comfortable at the hotel, the guide will discuss with the group the options for the next day’s adventure over a few après ski drinks.
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Ski Resorts Visited
Away from La Grave, but within easy driving distance, the region holds a list of true freeride powder gems. In Italy, the Via Lattea’s Sestriere is consistently awesome. Between Sestriere & La Grave, Montgenèvre & Serre Chevalier has some of Europe’s best tree skiing, never mind the impressive alpine zones & backcountry descents! Nearby, & unknown to most international guests (sshh, don’t tell anyone!), Puys St Vincent (PSV to its friends!), Pelvoux & Queyras hold fresh snow when other resorts have been tracked out. For those wanting to spend more time exploring La Grave, a private tour can easily be arranged. See the Itinerary Tab for more.
Meeting Point & Transport
The meeting point for the tour is either of two train stations - Briançon (France) or Oulx (in Italy). Oulx is on the Paris-Lyon-Turin-Milan fast train line so is a handy way to get to the area. Once picked up, your group will have its own minibus to transport you to up to six different ski areas on the tour, including (but not limited to): La Grave, Sestriere, Montgenevre, Serre Chevalier, Puys St Vincent Pelvoux & Queyras. For more information, see the Itinerary tab.
Accommodation & Meals
Enjoy the hospitality, food & drink of a classic French mountain village for 5 nights. The accommodation for the duration of the tour is Le Petit derf Mountain Lodge in the village of Cervières, located in the southern Alps between Briançon & the Queyras. For more information, see the Accommodation tab.
Guides & Group Size
All guides are fully certified mountain guides with extensive local ski & mountaineering experience, plus their understanding of clients’ needs/wishes, and their teaching/organisational skills. The maximum number of guests per guide/group will be 7, but may be as low as 5, depending on conditions.
Technical & Personal Requirements*
Ski Ability
Participants must be experienced skiers (no splitboarders - sorry, this is a SKI tour!). Splitboarders can only be catered for in a specific group (please enquire!). You should be at ease with skiing on all types of snow at a sustained pace all day long. Slopes may include short steep & exposed sections (40o to 45o) plus couloirs. Skinning uphill will be involved, but will be no more than 45 min to 1 hour per day. No previous skinning/ski touring experience is required. All ski gear can be rented & avalanche safety gear is included in the tour price.
Fitness
Good physical condition is required, skinning or short ascents on foot will not exceed 45 min - 1hr/day. You should be prepared to ski all day long at a good pace, approx. 4 - 6 hrs skiing.
*Good to know: if you don't have the level required, the guide may ask you to leave if necessary for the well-being of the rest of the group. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to ask!
Ski Lifts
Considering the itinerary may be modified due to mountain and snow conditions, ski lift fares are not included in the price. They are at your own expense and are to be purchased on site in order to allow for flexibility. Hence in case of bad weather or snow conditions, the group can easily transfer to another spot to find the best conditions. Your guide will advise you on the type of ski lift pass to purchase (6 days or less). You should budget approx €220 for a 6-day ski lift pass.
