Briançon, Ecrins, La Grave: Ski Touring in the Alps

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local ski touring guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 6 days of skiing in the Briançon, Ecrins and La Grave areas of the French and/or Italian Alps (depending on weather conditions and skill levels of the group)
    • Lodge accommodation in lodge-style rooms (usually with 3 people) for 5 nights — hotel-style double and single rooms are available for an added fee
    • Half-board at the lodge (breakfasts and dinners) and lunch picnics during skiing touring excursions
    • Trip logistics & organization upon arrival
    • Minibus transfers upon arrival from the indicated meeting point (Briançon train station)
    • Avalanche safety equipment is provided if you don’t have your own
    • Safety & rescue equipment training/reviewing
    • Azimut welcome pack

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation and from the meeting point in Briançon
    • Accommodation before and after the adventure — if applicable
    • Meals
    • Ski lift fares
    • Ski touring equipment — can be rented
    • Medical/accident insurance — required
    • Drinks (including those with meals at the lodge), personal extras, and any other personal expenses
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel insurance —recommended
• How fit do I need to be?

  To participate in this ski touring adventure in the Briançon, Ecrins, and La Grave areas of the Alps, you should be an advanced alpine skier with beginner to intermediate ski touring skills. The slopes may feature some short steep sections, and you should feel comfortable with ski touring techniques and skiing on various types of snow. Some of the skiing may take place on glacier terrain, so mastering uphill kick turns without hesitation is essential.

  Regarding stamina, a good physical condition is required, as some uphill sections may need to be done on foot. Expect ascents and descents ranging from 800 to 1,000 meters (2,625 to 3,281 feet) per day. Even if you don’t have ski touring experience, you can still join the adventure, but you must be able to confidently handle black ski runs and navigate different types of terrain.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the ski touring equipment (can be rented) you need to bring:

  • • Ski touring skis with appropriate bindings (we advise freeride-type skis so you can enjoy powdery descents and skiing on all types of snow)
    • Ski skins
    • Ski crampons
    • Ski poles
    • Ski touring boots
    • Avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel and probe)
    • Backpack (40L — avalanche airbag backpacks are highly recommended)

  Here’s a list of clothes that you need to bring:

  • • Warm hat or buff/scarf
    • Ski goggles (2 pairs) and sunglasses
    • Helmet (strongly recommended)
    • Under layer: breathable long-sleeved tops to maintain heat (merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics)
    • Middle layer: a light polar or synthetic jacket for an extra layer of heat during breaks
    • Outer layer: a Gore-tex or similar type of lightweight jacket with a breathable waterproof membrane
    • Bottom layer: trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) with long side zips allowing air to flow
    • Light fleece or soft shell gloves and a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath
    • Warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane
    • Swimming gear (avoid swimming shorts or bermudas)
    • Ski socks (merino wool or synthetic)
    • Slippers / crocs — recommended to wear in the evenings

  Other things you need to bring:

  • • 1-liter flask (Thermos or Camelback)
    • Pocket knife
    • Duct tape
    • Sunscreen (50 SPF)
    • Duffle bag holding up to 110 liters (to leave at the hotel or in a vehicle) — don’t bring a suitcase
    • Personal toiletry bag
    • First aid kit, please find all relevant information on the Ifremmont website.
• Can I rent equipment?

  If you prefer not to bring your own ski touring gear, you can rent all necessary equipment from your guide. The full ski touring rental package, which includes skis, boots, skins, poles, and ski crampons, is available for an additional fee of $235. Alternatively, individual items can be rented separately. Avalanche safety equipment is available free of charge; you can simply leave a note for your guide during booking if you need it.

• What will the accommodation and meals be like?

  During the ski touring adventure in the Briançon, Ecrins, and La Grave areas, accommodation will be provided at a lodge nestled in the village of Cervières, at the foot of the Col d’Izoard. You host Isabelle and her team will ensure an exceptional welcome and offer a peaceful living space for quality relaxation. Rental equipment is conveniently located under the hotel, and the agency and team are just a short distance away.

  The lodge comprises cozy “lodge” rooms that can accommodate up to three guests, with shared toilets and showers. Additionally, hotel-style rooms with private toilets and showers are available for those seeking more privacy. Guests might share a room with someone of the opposite sex, depending on the group’s composition. Triple rooms may also be used based on group configuration and availability. If the lodge is unavailable, a comfortable gîte in the area will be provided.

  The lodge serves simple, natural, high-quality food, complemented by a selection of good beers and wines. Meals include breakfast and dinner at the lodge, with picnic lunches eaten during ski touring excursions and made up of quality produce such as cold meats, bread, cheese, chocolate bars, fruit or dried fruit, and seeds.

• Can I have a room to myself?

  The lodge you’ll be staying at offers cozy lodge-style rooms that accommodate three guests and come with shared bathrooms, included in the price. For those seeking more privacy, the lodge also provides hotel-style double and single ensuite rooms. Double rooms are available for an additional $130 per person, while single rooms can be booked for $325 per person.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 5 people for this tour to operate, while the maximum number of participants is 8.

  Ski touring in Briançon, La Grave, and Ecrins areas of the French and Italian Alps can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Briançon, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Turin Airport or Grenoble Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. Given the limited train and bus connections to Briançon, the most convenient option is often a private transfer.

  You will meet your guide at the Briançon train station around 8am on Day 1. Keep in mind that you should be wearing your ski outfit. We recommend arriving in Briançon at least one day prior to the tour to allow yourself time to rest and recover if you are traveling from a distant location.

• Safety measures in the French and Italian Alps

  Participants are required to have medical and accident insurance that covers this tour. Additionally, we highly recommend securing travel insurance.

  With medical/accident insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.