Haute Route ski touring in Vanoise
Entirely located in Savoie, the Vanoise massif is renowned for its huge glaciers making it a destination not to miss both in winter and summer.
Itinerary
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Day 1 Gébroulaz pass - Peclet-Polset refuge
We meet our guide early in the morning in Chamonix before leaving in a minibus to the Moutiers station from where we take the bus in direction of the Val Thorens ski resort.
From there, we join the Thorens pass using chairlifts. We will dominate the Maurienne : the Aiguilles de Peclet (3564m) and de Polset (3528m) will contemplate us, and we'll follow the path in their direction. The passage at the Gébroulaz pass, between both peaks, is particularly incredible : we are between Tarentaise and Maurienne. We then toggle on the Gébroulaz glacier and the curves leads us to the Lac Blanc and finally to the Peclet-Polset refuge, where we'll spend the night.Positive difference in altitude : around 450m | Negative difference in altitude : around 1050m | Accommodation : Peclet Polset refuge
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Day 2 Aussois pass - Parrachée refuge
Today we leave to join the Rosoire slopes in front of us, leading us afterwards to the Aussois pass. We can climb a little more after that to reach the Observatory Peak at 3012m.
Then comes the descent in the Fond d'Aussois valley until the refuge which has the same name. We'll have to put our skins back on for a few meters before reaching the Dent Parrachée refuge.Positive difference in altitude : around 880 | Negative difference in altitude : around 800m | Accommodation : Dent Parrachée refuge
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Day 3 Labby pass - Arpont refuge
Under the Dent Parrachée overcoming us, we'll start our day slowly climbing up the slopes of the Labby glacier until the pass at 3330m. Once more, we'll toggle on a valley that we must discover : the Mahure glacier is splendid, we'll have some fun making the most beautiful curves. Then, we'll cross the valley to join the Arpont glacier and the refuge with the same name.
Positive difference in altitude : around 850m | Negative difference in altitude : around 1050m | Accommodation : Arpont refuge
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Day 4 Chasseforêt Dome - Col de la Vanoise refuge
Today is a big day on the domes, the most intense of our trip !
After climbing up on the Arpont glacier, we'll arrive to the Chasseforêt pass at 3507m : a few meters left and we will reach the top at 3586m ! Between passes and domes, it is a succession of breathtaking panoramas and curves in the powdery and glistening white snow for a lot of sensations on a big descent, before reaching the Col de la Vanoise refuge.Positive difference in altitude : around 1400m | Negative difference in altitude : around 1200m | Accommodation : Col de la Vanoise refuge
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Day 5 Grand Casse pass - Champagny
Last day but not the least, we'll climb up the Grande Casse glacier, finishing on a really steep slope before arriving to the pass at 3091m : the landscape is incredible as we are under the Grande casse. We then start descending to Champagny, from where we'll hop back on the bus to rejoin Moutiers. A final minibus transfer to Chamonix, where we'll say goodbye !
Positive difference in altitude : around 650m | Negative difference in altitude : around 1600m
Dates & prices
Departures for French-speaking groups:
No departure for now
Trip code: SRVANO
Included
- The technical organisation of the trip
- A high mountain guide's supervision
- Accommodation in refuges full-board
- Planned transfers
- Picnics
Not included
- Individual transportation assured by your personal vehicle
- Individual technical equipment
- Skiing personal equipment
- Safety equipment
- Transfers to the meeting and dispersion points
- Registration fees
- Drinks & personal expenses
- Snacks (cereal bars, dried fruits, chocolate bars, etc.) according to your own convenience
- Insurance & assistance: cancellation, research and rescue by helicopter in high mountain (in France, Italy and Switzerland) hospitalization and repatriation
- Everything that isn't mentioned in the "included" section
International flights
Terms and conditions
Subscription
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- More than 30 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of 50€
- From 30 to 21 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of the deposit (30% of the trip’s price)
- From 20 to 14 days before departure, you will be charged for 50% of the trip’s price
- From 13 to 7 days before departure, you will be charged for 75% of the trip’s priceLess than 7 days before departure, you will be charged for the whole trip’s price
- Airline fixed costs: plane tickets are bought in advance to avoid too high airline prices, however they are non refundable in case of cancellation or plan changes. In that case, the charges above apply to the price of your trip without the plane ticket’s price
- Ground fixed costs: you will be charged for the fees that were paid early
- Insurance fees: Insurance fees will not be refunded if you have subscribed to a multi-risk or cancellation insurance. The specific conditions will be written on your subscription confirmationIf you have no choice but to cancel your trip before departure, you must inform Montagne Expeditions and your insurance provider with a written statement as soon as possible, you will get a receipt.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
- Lunch picnics
- Diners : meals prepared by shelter keepers
- Take some race food according to your own tastes (cereals bars, chocolate bars, dry fruits,…).
- Water is not for free in refuges (from 5 to 8 euros one bottle). We advise you to bring some water purification tablets (Aquatabs or Micropur) in order to drink tap water.
- Personal drinks are not included in the trip's price
- Bring cash for coffees, fruit juices, coke or beers during breaks… Shelters usually don’t accept bank card payments and Euros.
Accommodation
- Every refuges of this itinerary are comfortable and warm. Dormitories are equipped with blankets for the night (plan to bring your personal bed sheet for hygiene reasons).
- Slippers are at your disposal : no need to bring trainers.
- We advise you to bring protection against noise (ear plugs).
- A few electrical plugs are available in refuges, but plan to bring an external battery to charge your camera and switch off your phone during the day.
Transportation
Budget & exchange
Tips
Supplied equipment
- Collective equipment (ropes)
- Slippers and blankets while in refuges
- Individual safety equipment (beacon, probe and shovel) : thank you for letting us know if you have your own
Vital equipment
- 1 pair of ski touring skis, light and with adapted fixations as well as a break or safety strips, and sharpened
- 1 pair of ski touring shoes with VIBRAM soles
- 1 pair of adhesive seals skin adapted to your skis
- Knifes adapted to fixations
- Poles with large disks
- Safety equipment : beacon, probe and shovel
- crampons with "Antibott" system
- Ice axe
- Harness and carabineers
- Survival blanket
- 1 headlamp with extra batteries and bulb
- Pocket knife
- Thermos
Material
- Windstopper bonnet
- Hat or cap
- Neck scarf
- Sunscreen (high protection) for skin and lips
- Sunglasses for glacier category 4 + ski goggles
- 2 technical breathable long sleeve underwear type "Carline" (no coton which dries too slowly)
- 1 technical and breathable shirt to put under your jumper
- 1 thick fleece jacket
- 1 fuzz jacket
- 1 wind stopper and waterproof jacket type Goretex
- 1 pair of wind stopper mittens (fleece or wool)
- 1 pair of undergloves
- 1 technical and breathable pair of tights type "Carline"
- 1 pair of comfortable mountain trousers
- 1 pair of wind stopper and waterproof trousers type Goretex
- 2 pairs of socks : 1 thin and 1 thick
- 1 bed sheet for refuges
- 1 small toiletry bag with 1 fast drying towel
- Cream for sunburns (Biafine)
- Biodegradable toilet paper
- 1 or 2 100L plastic bags and an overbag to protect your belongings and your bag
- 1 waterproof pouch in which you will put your identity paper, your phone, your money and your insurance/assistance contract with all of your emergency numbers
Luggage
- A comfortable 40L backpack with straps for your skis
- A second bag which will stay at the hotel with your changing clothes
Medicine
- Personal medicine
- Pain reliever (preferably paracetamol)
- Double skin
- Elastoplast
- Local disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-vomiting
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Eyewash
- Light sleeping pills
- Earplugs
- Broad spectrum antibiotic
- Vitamins C
Passport
Visa
- Up to 90 days visit in France : citizens from most countries do not need a visa to visit France.
- Over 90 days visit in France : non-EU or non-EFTA citizens must have a visa to visit France over 90 days.
Identity card
Mandatory vaccines
Health information & recommendations
Weather
Electricity
Local time
Sustainable tourism
- Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
- France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
- Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
- Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
- Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.