Ski Touring Adventure in the Remote Valpelline Valley

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get in this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Six days of backcountry ski touring

  What’s not included:

  • • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Transportation to and from Chamonix
    • Airport transfers — we recommend Mountain Drop-Offs
    • Food and snacks
    • Accommodations in mountain huts (reserved by the guide)
    • Ski passes
• How fit do I need to be?

  To enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for 6 full days, covering miles of glaciated terrain every day. You will need to manage controlled ascents and descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs, and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain. You also need to be adept at using glacier gear, such as crampons and an ice axe. 

  For the enjoyment and safety of everyone involved, participants must be approved to participate in advanced backcountry skiing tours either through a previous trip with the guiding service or through recommendations. 

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  To participate in this tour, you need to have ski touring experience. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on challenging terrain for 6 full days. Your guide will take care of the planning, oversee your technique, and teach you how to better manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training necessary to keep you safe.

  If you’ve never backcountry skied before, we suggest joining a guide for a day of beginner-friendly ski touring or a 5-day avalanche education and ski touring course in Chamonix.

• What equipment do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Harness, ski touring ice axe, and crampons for glacier travel
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Gloves and hat
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Water bottle and 1L of water
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • First aid kit
    • Sunscreen
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent: 

  • • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe from Sanglard Sports. 
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from Sanglard Sports.
    • Splitboards can be rented from Sanglard Sports.
    • Glacier gear and helmet can be rented from Snell Sports.

  Gear rental locations are in Chamonix and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing:

  • • For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. All prices are per person.
    • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows. 

  Ski touring in the Valpelline Valley can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors aren’t permitted to join this tour.
• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA), one hour away. Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make airport transfers hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at a hotel in Chamonix on Day 1 of the tour, so make sure to arrive in Chamonix before 6 pm. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

• Covid measures in the Valpelline Valley, Italy

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Valpelline Valley in Italy, Chamonix in France, and Geneva, Switzerland please refer to the Official Italian Tourism Website and the Swiss Information Website. 

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. 

  • • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. 
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide. 
• Travel and Medical Protection
  57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.