4-day freeride skiing in SERRE CHEVALIER valley and LA GRAVE

The guide will welcome you to our premises, close to the SNCF station, for a coffee, tea or yogi tee. If you’d like to add to your equipment, our small shop has a great range of specialist mountain gear and clothing.
Ascent to Pelvoux ski resort. We’ll start the day with some off-piste skiing in the forest, then take some time out for a safety exercise with avalanche transceiver and brush up on the basics of snow analysis. We’ll finish the day with some of the resort’s great routes on the north or south slopes, depending on the conditions. Lunch in a mountain restaurant.

We set off for a day exploring the off-piste area of Puy Saint Vincent. Ascent to the Puy St Vincent ski resort, 1400m. We’ll start in the forest, then ski off-piste runs including the Narreyroux couloirs and of course the fantastic Col du Bal with its incredible view over the Fournel valley and its wild descents in cold, powdery snow. Lunch in a mountain restaurant.

We set off for the day to discover the famous Vallons de la Meije from La Grave. We’ll ski the classic routes and then the Girose glacier from the summit of the Dôme de la Lauze (3559 m). The view over the Ecrins massif is exceptional. Depending on the conditions and the level of skiers, the guide will suggest routes that are more or less steep... Lunch in a mountain hut.

To finish off our stay, we’ll be exploring the off-piste itineraries of the Grand Serre Chevalier area: the splendid Montagnole vallon, the beautiful couloirs of the Cucumelle .... and all the other slopes, almost alone in this immensity... We’ll have lunch in a mountain restaurant.

End of our trip late afternoon in L’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 participants.. If snow conditions are better in other resorts (Risoul, Montgenevre...) the guide may suggest a different programme.

For our off-piste skiing courses, a specific learning programme has been drawn up (avalanche transceiver exercice, snow conditions analysis, route choice, powder snow skiing technique, etc.). Every day, the instructor will give you technical tips to help you achieve the objectives set individually at the beginning and during your stay. To help you progress, you will be filmed, if you wish, with a GO-PRO camera. Viewing in the evening at the gîte.

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 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 + shovel* and probe*.
• A harness*
• An Airbag backpack*

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

• free ride type skis* with varying widths depending on snow conditions
• Ski boots*.

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.

We propose for sale a great range of technical gear and clothing for all mountain activities 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...)

Freeride skiing 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.

Freeride skiing, 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.

By state-certified mountain guides or trainees mountain guides (aspirant guides) from 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.

As a travel agency, we have our own professional liability insurance.
To take part in one of our stays , you must have individual civil liability insurance, covering you in the event of damage caused to others. In addition, you must be properly insured for the chosen activity and covered for (rescue and repatriation costs) in the event of an incident or accident occurring during the course. It is your responsibility to check the cover offered by your personal insurance policy. If you do not already have such insurance, you can take out one of the policies we offer:

-* ASSISTANCE’ insurance, covering repatriation, rescue and search costs and interruption of stay, represents 2.6% of the price of the holiday. 
-* ‘MULTIRISK’ insurance covering rescue and search costs, repatriation, cancellation, loss of luggage and interruption of holiday, represents 5.6% of the price of the holiday. 
-* For non-European residents, ‘ASSISTANCE for non-European Union citizens’ insurance, covering rescue and search costs and interruption of stay, represents €10 per day.

In a gîte in Vallouise-Pelvoux. Overnight stays in rooms for four people, bed linen 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 come to the Hautes-Alpes area: make sure to bring suitable equipment for your vehicle (snow tyres or snow chains), MANDATORY on some of the roads used during your stay.

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 up to L’Argentière-la-Bessée..

• From Italy, take the A43 Maurienne motorway through the Fréjus tunnel, then the Col de Montgenèvre. Drive through Briançon towards Gap up to L’Argentière-la-Bessée..

• From the south, take the A51 motorway to La Saulce, then head for Briançon (RN 94).

• Mountain guiding service , including their meals, overnight accommodation
• Full board accommodation in a gite from the first evening to the lunch on day 4
• 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)

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.

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.