ski touring: dômes de la Vanoise traverse

Welcome, bag and equipment check. We take the Trois Vallées gondola and the Val thorns lift up to the Col de Thorens at 3095m. Short descent to the Chavière glacier, that we will climb up to the Col de Gebroulaz at 3417m. Descent on the Gebroulaz glacier to the 2950m mark. Picnic lunch. Weather and snow conditions permitting, we climb back up to the Dôme de Polset at 3497m. Descent to the Peclet Polset refuge (2530m). This is a high-mountain route over glaciers with occasional crevasses.

Altitude difference: + 1000m / - 1450m; Ascent time: approx. 4 hrs 30 mins. Total stage time: 7/8 hours

We’ll head for the Brèche de la Croix de la Rue (2885m). We’ll need to carry our skis through the couloir, 100 metres at 30/35 degrees. From the Brèche, we descend the beautiful eastern slopes before reaching the Col d’Aussois at 2914m ; we then climb to the Pointe de l’Observatoire at 3016m. Fantastic views on the Alps. A fine descent down the south-facing slope to the Fond d’Aussois refuge before climbing back up to the Dent Parrachée refuge at 2515m where we spend the night.

Altitude difference: +1350m / -900m; Ascent time: approx. 4h / 5h . Total stage time: 7/8 hours

Early in the morning we will reach the Col de Labby 3324m. This col will give us access to the large Mahure glacier, which extends as far as the Dôme de Chasseforêt glacier; then a fabulous descent of over 1000m on the steady slopes of the Mahure glacier will take us to the Arpont refuge 2309m where we spend the night.

Altitude difference: + 1000 m / - 1000 m; Ascent time: approx. 4 hrs. Total stage time: 6/7 hours

Well rested by this stopover in this comfortable refuge, we will climb back up the Arpont glacier to the summit of the Dômes de la Vanoise, the Dôme des Nants at 3553m. From the summit, there’s a 360° view on the Vanoise National Park, the Mont Blanc massif and the Ecrins. Incredible descent down the north-facing slope to the Chavière valley to reach the Roc de la Pêche refuge at 1890m where you can enjoy a bubble bath or hammam in this unusual refuge.

Difference in altitude: + 1350 m / - 1650 m; Ascent time: approx. 4 h. Total stage time: 6/7 hours

We return to the Maurienne via the Col de Chavière at 2796m. To reach it, we’ll climb up the long, beautiful valley that leads to the pass. A long descent back into the valley via the Grand Planay. A taxi will take us back to Orelle.

Difference in altitude: + 900 m / - 1100 m; Ascent time: approx. 3 h 30 / 4 h. Total stage time: 5/6 hours

End of our trip late afternoon in Orelle on the car park of the trois vallées cable car.

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.

7 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*.
• Bathing suit if you wish to use the sauna or jacuzzi (€12 per person)

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
  
• A light ice axe*
• 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.

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 GP 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.

The long stages and steep gradients (up to +1350m) mean that you need to be in excellent physical condition. This tour is aimed at sportsmen and women who practise an endurance activity on a very regular basis.

This is a high mountain itinerary on glaciers with crevasses (sometimes), on slopes that can be steep. You will need to be able to ski on all types of unpacked snow and master all the techniques of ski touring, especially kick turns.

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.

On the first evening you will be welcomed to the heart of the Vanoise National Park by Gérald, the keeper of the refuge de Peclet-Polset (2474m) which belongs to the Club Alpin Français. Overnight accommodation in rooms of 4 (blankets provided, bring your own sleeping sheet), shared toilets and washbasins, no showers in the refuge. Hearty, hearty meals, picnic lunch.

On the second night we’ll be guests of Franck, at the refuge de la Dent Parrachée. The atmosphere is relaxed, particularly when Franck launches into mountaineering stories with great verve...

The night at the refuge de l’Arpont will enchant you on the third evening. The renovation of this former refuge by the Vanoise National Park has been a success. All the modernity integrated into a traditional architecture that retains all its charm. Hot shower, new bedding, large bright dining room, tasty meals.
On the last evening, we’ll be at the refuge du Roc de la Pêche. Built in 1996 on the ruins of an old mountain pasture chalet run by monks, this refuge is located in the heart of the Chavière valley in the commune of Pralognan la Vanoise at an altitude of 1911 m. Overnight accommodation in rooms of 4 (duvets and sheets provided) with shared toilets. Washbasins and showers in the rooms. Tasty meals. Sauna, jacuzzi, hammam (€12/person on request).

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

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

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.