one-day ski touring - intermediate level

Technical level
Mountain range : Ecrins Est (Ailefroide)
1 day
1 - 8 people (departure is confirmed from 1 people)
Prices : from 70,00 €

This day outing is for skiers with at least some ski touring experience. ROC ÉCRINS guides are local specialists who know the best ski touring routes in the Pays des Ecrins, the Briançonnais and the Guillestrois. In these vast areas, they will be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting the summit best suited to the weather and snow conditions at the time. Of course, you can also share your route ideas with us....
Join us in our offices, we’ll get you kitted out and after a cup of tea or coffee, you’re off for a great day’s skiing!

Private booking is also available on the date of your choice, alone or with friends or family, price on request.

Your trip day to day

The guide welcomes you to our premises for a coffee, tea or yogi tee.
We then check everyone’s equipment and bags and distribute the equipment hired. For those who want to add to their equipment, our small shop has a great range of specialist mountain gear and clothing.

We’ll choose the day’s destination according to your wishes, regarding the risk of avalanche and the quality of the snow, so that you can ski in the safest conditions. The guide will show you the itinerary on the maps. Our daily expertise in the field will enable us to offer you the best snow available on the most beautiful peaks in the Écrins massif.

During the day, you’ll be able to assess your level and, depending on this, the guide will suggest areas for improvement, from kick-turn techniques to downhill powder snow skiing. The aim is also to help you become more independent through a review of mountain safety concepts and tools (use of the safety pack, assessing snow quality, route choice, etc.). He will cover these technical elements according to your actual level and your expectations.

End of our skiing day at the meeting point late afternoon.

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 participants.

min/max people

8 participants maximum. Departure is guaranteed from 3 participants. You will be notified at least 48 hours 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.

Equipment : gear and clothing

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, climbing bags, headlamps, mountaineering helmets and climbing helmets, ropes ...)
  • 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, second-hand 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...)

High mountain : special warning

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.

Health condition

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.

Skills and stamina level

To get the most out of this day, you need to have a very good physical condition and practise an endurance sport on a regular basis.

This day is aimed at skiers who are at ease on red runs and in all types of snow, and who master the equipment and specific techniques to ski touring.

Guiding

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.

Insurances

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.

Transport and carbon footprint

Meeting point

Meeting time:

8:30

at our office in L’Argentière-La Bessée, 5 minutes walk from the SNCF station.

Getting there

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. Take the shuttle to Briançon then 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.

Price

Price per person depending on the number of participants
Number of participants
Price per person
1
450,00 €
2
225,00 €
3
150,00 €
4
115,00 €
5
90,00 €
6
75,00 €
7
70,00 €
8
70,00 €
Price includes:
  • Supervision by a mountain guide
Price does not include:
  • Picnic on the first day
  • Personal expenses: snacks, drinks, etc
  • Individual technical equipment rental
  • Liability, repatriation and cancellation insurances
  • Transport to and from meeting point

Any other expenses not mentioned under the above section “the price includes”.

Our little extras

  • 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)

Savoir vivre en montagne

Lorsque nous allons en montagne, nous sortons de la société que nous connaissons pour nous retrouver dans un milieu encore un peu épargné par les activités humaines.
La montagne est singulière puisqu’elle est le symbole d’une liberté. En effet c’est un lieu où quiconque peut s’exprimer, gravir, sauter, glisser, vivre, partager et plus encore. Que notre objectif soit un sommet, une ligne ou simplement la découverte des paysages, nous profitons tous d’un moment privilégié avec la Nature.
Pour garder cet espace de vie aussi beau et le conserver, il faut aussi en prendre soin et savoir vivre avec tous les acteurs de la montagne.

UN ENVIRONNEMENT FRAGILE. Pour le préserver quelques simples règles de bonne conduite : rester sur les sentiers, ne rien prélever, ne rien jeter et se faire discret tant vis à vis de la faune qu’à l’égard des autres randonneurs et alpinistes. La montagne est l’un des derniers lieux silencieux, et ce silence est un trésor à chérir, à respecter et à partager !
EN MONTAGNE, vous ferez cordée avec votre guide, vos amis ou d’autres personnes que vous ne connaissez pas, tous unis par un même objectif.
L’entre-aide est de mise, au sein du groupe mais aussi vis à vis de quiconque aurait besoin d’aide. Pensez au sens de « circulation » : Ceux qui descendent laissent passer ceux qui montent.
EN REFUGE aussi, il est important de respecter certaines règles de savoir-vivre pour garantir une cohabitation harmonieuse. Vous devrez vous déchausser pour monter dans les dortoirs, des crocs sont prévus à cet effet. N’oubliez pas que les réveils sont en général très matinaux alors soyez discret. Au réveil, il est d’usage de plier sa couverture.
Au moment du DÉBRIEFFING de la journée, il est d’usage d’offrir un verre au groupe pour apaiser les moments de doutes, de peurs, et/ou fêter le sommet, revivre les moments forts, drôle et joyeux de la journée. Et si le cœur vous en dit, à la fin de votre séjour, vous pouvez remercier votre guide avec un petit pourboire, une tradition ancienne mais bien sûr non obligatoire.

How to book

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.

Gear rental and Extras prices

  Equipment

Title Details Price
Ski touring Full Pack : skis, ski boots, poles, ski skins, crampons 1 day
Ski touring skis
Poles
Boots
Ski skins
Crampons
49.00 €
Ski touring Pack : skis , poles, ski skins, crampons 1 day
Ski touring skis
Poles
Ski skins
Crampons
35.00 €
Poles 1 day
Poles
11.00 €
Ski touring boots 1 day
Ski touring boots
12.00 €
Helmet 1 day
Helmet
9.00 €
Safety kit : avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe 1 day
Avalanche transceiver
Shovel
Probe
19.00 €
Aluminium light crampons 1 day
Aluminium light crampons
9.00 €
Ice axe 1 day
Ice axe
11.00 €
Harness 1 day
Harness
8.00 €
Airbag Backpack 1 day
Airbag Backpack
20.00 €
Backpack 1 day
Backpack
7.00 €
Gore-tex jacket 1 Day
Gore-tex jacket
13.00 €
Gore-tex overpants 1 day
Gore-tex overpants
14.00 €
Soft shell jacket 1 day
Soft shell jacket
12.00 €
Sunglasses 1 day
Sunglasses
8.00 €

  Accommodation

  Other