INTRODUCTION TO SKI TOURING: 3 days in the Ecrins massif

The guide welcomes you at our office, right next to the SNCF train station, with a coffee, tea or yogi tea. We then check everyone’s equipment and bags. For those who want to complete their equipment, our small shop offers a great range of specialist mountain gear and textiles.
Depending on the snow conditions at the time, we’ll choose the most suitable ski resort for a short off-piste session so that everyone can get to grips with the equipment. The instructor will then take you to the most suitable introductory itinerary on the outskirts of the resort.
This first day we will also go over safety in high mountains : how to use a an avalanche transceiver and how to assess snow conditions.

Meal and overnight in a gîte in Vallouise.

During breakfast, depending on how you feel when you wake up and how you felt on skis the day before, the guide will suggest the most suitable route.
The Crête de Reychard (2300m), for example, could be an interesting objective. We’ll start the ascent in the forest in the sunshine. From the summit, you can see the whole Vallouise valley in a single glance. We return to Vallouise on beautiful slopes of cold, light, powdery snow...
This route offers a very interesting ascent-descent ratio, as the descent is greater than the ascent (requiring a little organisation with the transport vehicles).

Meals and overnight in a gîte in Vallouise.

Difference in altitude: +800 m / - 1800m

To finish on a high note, we propose the ascent of the Tête de Fouran, 2460m. A varied itinerary, starting in the forest and ending on cleared slopes ideal for carving some beautiful curves.

Altitude difference: + 950m / - 950 m.

These itineraries are among the ’must-do’ runs in the Pays des Ecrins! However, if the snow conditions are better in other nearby massifs (Queyras, Cerces, Briançonnais...) the guide can suggest a different programme.

End of or trip late afternoon in Argentière-La Bessée.

NB : The programme is intended as a guide only. It could be modified at any time by the mountain guide for safety reasons, weather conditions or regarding the physical and technical level of the skiers.

The aim of this course is to teach you the basic techniques of Touring skiing in complete safety.

8 participants maximum. Departure is guaranteed from 4 participants. You will be notified at least 7 days before departure in the event of cancellation. Where possible, an alternative solution will be offered.

NB : For cancellation conditions for privatised trips (made up groups) please refer to our conditions of sale.

Please note that we offer some of this equipment for rental, they are indicated by a * in the list below, you will find rental prices in the "Gear rental and extras prices" section.

Equipment rental and changes are only possible before payment of the balance of your booking (45 days before departure). We advise you to take the time, as soon as you register, to list the equipment you already have or which can be lent to you. Any equipment initially rented from ROC ECRINS even not taken on the day of departure must be paid for.

The head

• Sunglasses class 4*protective lenses
• Ski goggles
• A mountaineering or skiing helmet*
• A warm hat
• Sunscreen high protection (30 and 50)

The body

• A mountain rucksack * suitable to carry skis if necessary, approx. 25 litres
• A long-sleeved top, prefer merino wool to synthetic fabrics as the are more breathable
• A fleece or soft shell jacket
• A warm down jacket
• A Gore-tex waterproof jacket*to protect against rain, snow and wind
• An avalanche transceiver (avalanche transceiver) + shovel* and probe*.

Hands

• A pair of thin leather ou fleece gloves and a warmer pair with a waterproof membrane

Legs

• Ideally a Gore-tex type ski trousers *with with long side zips. For cold days, a long warm underwear may be worn underneath

The feet

• Ski touring skis *
• Ski skins* in good condition
• Ski crampons* suitable for your bindings
• Ski touring boots
  
• Telescopic ski poles*
• A spare pair of socks

Miscellaneous

• Bring containers for around 2 litres of water, ideally a one-litre bottle plus smaller ones to keep warm and close to your body in your jacket.
• Small knife
• Small thermos flask
• Camera
• Small first-aid kit adapted to your personal needs, also containing elastoplast and double-skin dressings for any blisters.

This list is not exhaustive and should be completed with all what you may specifically need.

ROC ECRINS proposes for sale equipment adapted to your activity and your stay DIRECTLY on our premises in L’Argentière-La Bessée where we will welcome you on the first day . Don’t hesitate to ask us for advice or ask your guide on site.

BRANDS ON SALE :

• BEAL (Climbing and mountaineering harnesses, slings, descenders, carabiners, quickdraws, belay gloves, ice pins, climbing bags, headlamps, mountaineering helmets and climbing helmets, single ropes and abseiling ...)
• CAMP (Climbing and mountaineering axes, liquid chalk and chalk)
• SALEWA (Mountaineering shoes)
• CASSIN (Mountaineering crampons)
• ALTITUDE EYEWEAR (Sunglasses category 3 & 4)
• YYVERTICAL (Climbing safety glasses)
• NATURAL PEAK (Technical T-shirts in wood fibre, long and short sleeves and leggings)
• ICEBREAKER (Merino wool technical T-shirts, long and short sleeves and leggings)
• DYNAFIT (Ski touring boots, used and new ski touring skis)
• LES BATONS D’ALAIN (Hiking poles and ski touring)
• LABORATOIRE BIARRITZ (ecological sun cream, body, face & lips)
• COMPEED (Double skin plaster to prevent blisters ...)
• BOULES QUIESS (Ear plugs for good nights in refuges...)

Ski touring is dependent on different factors that we can sometimes neither anticipate nor control; we may therefore have to modify the programme of our high mountain holidays before or during the stay for various reasons:

• if the weather and/or snow conditions make it impossible to carry out the planned programme and/or
• if there is a delay in the opening or early closure of a ski lift or refuge

In these cases, we will offer you an alternative programme, sometimes on the day of departure, which you may not refuse.

Ski touring, as all mountain activities have some level of risk particularly of avalanche or injury in the event of a fall.
To reduce the hazards that they are exposed to skiers must follow the safety instructions given by the instructor.

You must be aware of these risks and accept them when booking.

No medical certificate required to take part in our trips, but it may be useful to check with your doctor that you have no contraindications (particularly in the case of chronic illness) to physical activity in the high mountains.

If you are undergoing any particular treatment, please let us know so that we can take appropriate measures if necessary.

Altitude can cause acute mountain sickness when you are not sufficiently acclimatised, also known as AMS. In most cases, it is accompanied by headaches, nausea and a general feeling of discomfort, but in the most serious cases it can lead to pulmonary or cerebral oedema, requiring an immediate descent.

Ski touring is physically demanding.
To make the most of these 3 days, it’s important that you arrive in good physical condition.
If you do an endurance sport regularly, that’s fine; if you don’t, we advise you to train in the weeks leading up to your stay.

This holiday is suitable for all good skiers who are comfortable on red runs.

N.B.: If you do not have the required level, the guide may ask you to leave the course for the safety of the whole group.

By state-certified mountain guides or trainees mountain guides (aspirant guides) from the Roc Écrins team. They will have a VHF radio connected to the emergency services, a satellite phone or a mobile phone. They will also have a collective first-aid kit.

*A trainee mountain guide is a guide in training who is authorised to work and supervise climbs from their third year of training. They are not beginners, as it takes several years of practice and training to build up a list of routes and have the experience and technical level required to enter the mountain guide training course.

To take part in one of our stays, you must be properly insured for the chosen activity (rescue and repatriation costs) in the event of an incident or accident occurring during the stay. (We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover). It is your responsibility to check the cover provided by your personal insurance policy. If you do not have such an insurance, you can take out the EUROP ASSISTANCE contract when you sign up. The amount of the "ASSISTANCE" insurance covering repatriation, rescue and search costs represents 2.4% of the price of the stay. MULTIRISK" insurance covering assistance, cancellation, loss of luggage and interruption of holiday, represents 5.6% of the price of the holiday.

In a gîte in Vallouise. Overnight stays in rooms for two to four people, sheets provided, bring your own towels. For dinner, home cooking with mountain specialities and good traditional recipes using fresh local and organic produce whenever possible.

This accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking.

Transport provided by Roc Écrins. If none of our vehicles are available, we may ask you to organise car pooling with other participants. In this case, travel expenses would be refunded to the person using their vehicle.

• To join us: Please bring suitable equipment for your vehicle (snow tyres or snow chains), MANDATORY on some of the roads used during your stay. >HAUTES-ALPES.FR

That’s the CO2 produced by our travels during your stay!

To join us :

Why not car pool or take the train ?

For information:

• Paris - L’Argentière-La Bessée (710km) by overnight train !

1. By train : 2,53 kgCo2
2. By car : 137 kg CO2
3. By electric car : 14,1 kgCO2

• Lyon - L’Argentière-La Bessée (250 km)

1. By train : 1,22 kgCo2
2. By car : 48,4 kg CO2
3. By electric car : 4,96 kgCO2

• Marseille - L’Argentière-La Bessée (259km)

1. By train : 0,88 kgCo2
2. By car : 50,1 kgCO2
3. By electric car : 5,13 kg CO2

Carpooling ? We can put you in touch with other participants. Contact us by email or telephone. https://www.blablacar.fr/

Offset your carbon emissions !

For every tree planted, 150 kg of CO2 are stored !
https://www.reforestaction.com/plan...

The Pays des Ecrins region has excellent transport links.

If you’re coming by train,

The SNCF provides direct daily services from Paris, Marseille and Grenoble to L’Argentière-la-Bessée station.
PLEASE NOTE: the Pays des Ecrins station is called "L’Argentière les Ecrins". You must specify the full name of the station when booking, otherwise you may receive a ticket for "l’Argentière" station in Savoie.

• TGV connection, Paris-Turin. Get off at Oulx then take the shuttle to Briançon and l’Argentière.
• TGV connection, Paris-Valence or Paris-Grenoble with bus connections
• Night trains from Paris and the East of France. Information www.sncf.connect.fr
• from Nice, Marseille or Gap, regular bus services (www.autocars-scal.fr - 04 92 51 06 05)

If you are coming by car,

• From the north, take the A48 motorway to Grenoble, then the Col du Lautaret (RN91). Drive through Briançon towards Gap. You enter the Pays des Écrins at Saint-Martin de Queyrières.

• From Italy, take the A43 Maurienne motorway through the Fréjus tunnel, then the Col de Montgenèvre. Drive through Briançon towards Gap.

• From the south, take the A51 motorway to La Saulce, then head for Briançon (RN 94). You enter the Pays des Écrins at La Roche de Rame.

• Mountain guiding service , including their meals, overnight accommodation
• Full board accommodation in a gite from the first evening to the lunch on the last day
• Lift passes
• Transport during the stay
• Organisation and reservations (accommodation, guide, equipment) of your stay

• We welcome you to our premises for a cup of coffee or tea and equip you on site
• Free parking is available at the meeting point
• You can have a shower at the end of your stay
• You have free access to a relaxation area with Wifi, toilets, microwave, etc. while you wait for your train (5 minutes’ walk from the station)
• You can leave a bag with your personal belongings on the ROC ÉCRINS premises during your stay
• You will receive a 10% discount on our entire sales area (ROC ÉCRINS customers only)

To book your trip :

• complete the pre-registration form online
• You will receive a booking contract by email. It sets out the details of your booking as well as the schedule and payment terms.
• On receipt of this contract, the deposit of 30% must be payed within 4 days in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the contract. Your registration can only be confirmed when the deposit has been payed.
• The balance must be paid 45 days before the departure. Please note that any balance not paid within 45 days of departure will be considered as a cancellation of your booking. Financial withholding would therfore be applied in accordance with our terms and conditions of sale.
• For a of a booking made less than 45 days before departure, the total amount of the booking must be paid on receipt of the booking contract in accordance with the terms and conditions set out therein.