Ski Gran Paradiso

2008 DATES Click Dates To Book.... Week 15: 5 Apr - 12 Apr Full Skiing Programme Click Here COURSE DURATION 6 days, 7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE £845 Your course price covers: • Guiding + guides expenses • Full board + accommodation • All picnic lunches/snack food • All course transportation • All mechanical uplift • Loan of technical equipment Click here for Full Details RATIO Advanced

The Gran Paradiso region is one of the most beautiful national parks in the Alps. It provides the setting for the only 4000m peak wholly within Italy's borders - the Gran Paradiso (4060m). This protected area is famous for its flora & fauna having herds of ibex and chamois which are remarkably tame and approachable.

On this course we aim to complete a traverse through the Gran Paradiso range from the Val de Cogne to Val Savarenche. This is a ski-mountaineering tour taking in three important peaks including the Gran Paradiso itself - one of the best-known alpine four-thousander's. The actual summits are reached on foot and all require the use of ice axe and crampons, with approaches and part of the ascents done on ski. People without experience of using ice axe and crampons are welcome and will be given the necessary instruction.

Itinerary

Day 1 We drive from Leysin to the Val di Rhemes in Val d’Aosta. From here we skin to the Benevelo hut (2280m, 3 hours). This is most a civilised hut and famous for the quality (and quantity) of the food and wine, and is an excellent base for us to warm up and acclimatise.

Day 2 There are many exciting ski peaks to climb on ski from the Benevelo hut. The Pointe de Galise is an excellent ski peak and its north-facing glacier often provides excellent powder skiing. We have amazing views of the Gran Paradiso chain across the valley. We ski the glacier back to the Benevelo hut. Other possibilities are the Pointe de Calabre 3445m, the Grande Traversiere 3496m and the Pic de Golette 3291m.

Day 3 We make an ascent of the Grand Vaudala (3272m, 4hrs - great views of Gran Paradiso) and descend the Val di Vaudala to St Pantaleon. This is a fantastic ski run with lots of character, finishing in a narrow ravine (1000m of descent). We spend the night in the comfortable hotel at Pont, Val Savarenche.

Day 4 Today we start the classic traverse of the Gran Paradiso. We climb to the Refuge Fredrico Chabod (2750m, 3 ½ hrs). The first stage of the approach takes us through an alpine pine forest, until the mountain opens out to give superb views of the Gran Paradiso and its north face. This hut is very modern and comfortable. This valley is home to many chamois and ibex, sightings are usually frequent and at close distance.

Day 5 The classic traverse of the Gran Paradiso (4060m, 5hrs). Our route takes us through a complicated glacier under the north face of Gran Paradiso, we then join the more normal route from the Vittorio Emmanuelle hut. For the last 100m to the summit we have to cache our skis and rope up as the summit ridge is rocky and exposed. We now have a well-deserved 1300m descent to the Vittorio Emmanuelle Hut.

Day 6 After climbing to the Col de Tresenta we ski under the north face of the Ciarforon (3640m) heading towards the top of the Val Savrenche until we bypass a band of cliffs and make a huge ski descent of 1700m to reach the village of Pont (1960m) where we pick up our transport back to Leysin.

Maps: Valgrisenche Val di Rhemes Hiking Map 3 and Valsavaranche Gran Paradiso Hiking Map 9 1:25 000 (there is no specific ski map for this area)

Ski ability required: This is a demanding tour at altitude. Prior ski-touring experience is essential and you should have effective turns off-piste in a variety of snow conditions. A high level of fitness is very important and you should be able to comfortably sustain a climb at a rate of 300 vertical metres an hour. A typical day will involve up to 5 hours of uphill skiing (up to 1200m of ascent).

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