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I have some questions đEmbark on an unforgetable adventure with our 5-day ski touring course for beginners in the stunning Aosta Valley. This region is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, varied terrain, and a wide range of accessible day tours that cater to all skill levels.
Unlike the often crowded and expensive area of Chamonix, the Aosta Valley offers a more quite and intimate setting, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of these mountains.
Our course is led by our full IFMGA/UIAGM certified Mountain Guides and it's designed for those with little to no ski touring experience who want to learn this fantastic discipline, while being proficient off-piste skiers. Over the course of five days, youâll gain a solid foundation in essential skills for ski touring in high mountain environments, making this the perfect preparation for multi-day ski tours (for example, like the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt).
Throughout the course, you will learn fundamental ski touring techniques, including:
To enrich your experience, we will spend a night in one of the most beautiful mountain huts of this region, an unforgettable highlight of your ski touring adventure.
In addition to all the outdoor activities, you'll participate in a detailed evening lesson on snow transformation, which is crucial to understanding the mechanisms behind avalanche formation.
With our expert guidance, youâll develop the confidence and knowledge needed to tackle the stunning mountain terrain while enjoying the delectable flavors of Italian cuisine.
The day before the program starts, at 6 PM, meet at the Hotel with the Guide, who will introduce themselves, review your gear, and go over the week's program along with the latest weather forecast. This night at the Hotel is included in the price.
On our first day, weâll head to the small resort of Crevacol in the Great St. Bernard area, a quiet and scenic spot perfect for easing into the week. After a few runs on the pistes to warm up, your guide will assess your ski level and technique.
From there, weâll leave the lifts behind and begin a short ski tour towards the summit of Testa di Crevacol, with around 300 meters of elevation gain. This is a gentle and enjoyable ascent, ideal for getting comfortable with your equipment. Along the way, your guide will introduce and refine essential skills, with a particular focus on efficient kick turns.
After the tour, weâll ski back down and return to the hotel, where you can relax and prepare for the days ahead.
Today, we'll embark on a day tour. We have plenty of options to choose from, as there are many different valleys and peaks within a short drive from the Hotel. The Guide will select the most appropriate one based on the conditions and the group's skill level. We'll spend the day refining our kick turn technique while enjoying the mountains.
Back at the hotel. After dinner, you'll have the opportunity to attend a lesson about avalanches and their formation. We'll teach you about the mechanical processes of snow transformation - from the formation of snow crystals to their landing on the ground, and how they change shape and potentially form avalanches. These skills are fundamental to learn (and we don't know of other ski touring courses that teach them as thoroughly as we do). It's a crucial step in understanding how avalanches form and, of course, how to prevent accidents in the terrain.
Another day tour directly from the hotel, continuing to build both your confidence and your technical skills in the backcountry. While the objective is, of course, to enjoy a rewarding ski tour in beautiful surroundings, the day is equally focused on developing a deeper understanding of snow and mountain safety.
During the tour, weâll take time to dig into the snowpack and explore its different layers, learning how each one forms and what it means for stability. Your guide will introduce practical assessment techniques, including performing stability tests such as the Extended Column Test (ECT), helping you interpret results and apply them to real decision-making in the field. This hands-on approach is key to becoming a more independent and aware ski tourer.
The pace remains relaxed, allowing plenty of opportunities for discussion, questions, and skill refinement along the way. After completing the tour, weâll return to the comfort of the hotel for the night.
After dinner, we'll prepare our backpacks for the two-day adventure that awaits us in the final part of the course.
Today, we'll head to a mountain refuge where we'll savor the authentic experience of ski touring. This is just a taste of the longer hut-to-hut tours you might undertake in your future as a ski mountaineer. The hut that we are using as a base is one of the most charming and beautiful huts of the Alps, the Hotellerie du Giasson, located at the end of the incredible Valgrisenche (nicknamed the "Canada of the Alps", for a good reason....). The hut has been renovated in the last few years and is truly amazing: just five bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, larch ceilings with large exposed beams, brushed larch parquet floors, windows overlooking the surrounding nature, curtains made of natural materials, a barrel sauna made of cedar wood, with a panoramic window overlooking the valley and, finally, a typical stone vault, built in the 19th century, which keeps inside a wide selection of Aosta Valley wines, where we'll enjoy a great "Aperitivo".
After a satisfying breakfast at the hut, weâll set off on our final tour of the week, making the most of the quiet morning atmosphere in the mountains.
This last outing is a great opportunity to consolidate everything youâve learned over the past few days. Throughout the ascent, your guide will encourage active participation, discussing route choices, evaluating terrain, managing pace, and assessing conditions together as a team. Itâs a practical and engaging way to build confidence, while always having the reassurance of a professional overseeing safety and supporting decisions when needed.
The focus is on developing awareness and good habits that are essential for ski mountaineering, all within a supportive and controlled environment.
From the summit or high point, weâll enjoy a final scenic descent, making the most of the terrain and (hopefully) great snow conditions, before reaching the car park. There, weâll wrap up the experience with a well-earned drink together, celebrating the weekâs progress before saying our goodbyes.
For this 5-day ski touring course, participants need to meet the following technical and physical requirements:
Being based in the valley gives us a wide range of options throughout the week. The area offers numerous itineraries, allowing great flexibility when planning each day. Your guide will select the most suitable tours based on weather, snow conditions, and the groupâs level, ensuring the best possible experience.
This adaptability is a key advantage of the program: even if conditions are not ideal in one area, there are always alternative routes to explore. With so many possibilities available, we can consistently find enjoyable and rewarding tours, making the most of every day in the mountains.
The most convenient airports are Geneva, Milan Malpensa and Turin.
Absolutely! We have agreements with several local shops, where you will be able to rent all the technical gear you'll need: touring skis, boots, transceivers, shovels, probes, backpacks, and everything else essential for your course.
Important Note: If you plan to rent equipment, we recommend arriving early the day before the course begins, to ensure everything is properly fitted and ready for your first tour. This gives you peace of mind and lets you start Day 1 fully prepared!
The guiding ratio is a maximum of 1 guide for every 6 guests (1:6). The course is confirmed with 4 participants. This ensures personalized attention and safety while providing an optimal learning experience for everyone in the group.
For this ski touring course, ideally, lightweight skis are a great choice, but with enough width to provide excellent flotation in various types of snow (88mm - 95mm underfoot). As for bindings, modern lightweight bindings (such as Dynafit, ATK, and similar) are preferable. These types of bindings have now reached optimal levels of stability and performance. Having lightweight and high-performing skis and bindings is ideal, as it will help you save valuable energy.
We run this course from January to mid-April. During this time, the snow conditions are typically at their best, providing excellent opportunities for ski mountaineering and safe learning in the high mountain environment.
During a day out in the mountains, snacks are an essential part of your routine to keep your energy levels steady and stay fueled throughout the tour. We recommend bringing easily digestible, high-energy options such as energy bars, cereal bars, dried fruit, nuts, and chocolate, foods that are quick to eat and effective even during short breaks.
There are several supermarkets nearby where youâll be able to restock during the week. However, itâs important to arrive with snacks already prepared for Day 1, so youâre ready to go from the start. After that, youâll have plenty of opportunities to refill and adapt your choices based on your preferences and needs.
At the hut, meals are served Ă la carte, with Giasson renowned for its cuisine. In the Petit Restaurant, the kitchen celebrates the freshness of local products, reinterpreted with an international touch. Tradition meets innovation, seasonal ingredients pair with modern techniques, and every dish becomes a refined journey of taste. Vegetarian options and accommodations for food intolerances are always available.
We always recommend that clients have two types of insurance. One should cover search and rescue expenses and specifically include extreme activities like mountaineering. Additionally, we advise taking out cancellation insurance in case last-minute issues prevent you from participating.
We are always looking for innovative ways to satisfy our clients and stay at the forefront of the industry. That's why, in addition, we haev partnered with WetterHeld, a forward-thinking German insurance provider. Their parametric insurance is designed to automatically refund you if it rains during your course, ensuring that youâre covered no matter what nature throws your way. With this partnership, weâre making sure that your experience is as seamless as possible, even when the weather doesnât cooperate. Get a quote directly on their website by clicking here (please check the specific conditions on their website).
Training is essential for a safe and successful ski touring adventure. Ski touring demands a combination of fitness, endurance, and technical skills.
Thatâs why we partnered with Uphill Athlete, the leaders in mountain sports training, to support your preparation. Their science-based methods and expert-designed plans have helped countless athletes develop the strength, endurance, and confidence needed for ski touring adventures.
When you sign up for any of our courses, youâll receive a voucher for:
Ski touring boots should be lightweight for efficient climbing while offering solid robustness for descents. Look for models with a comfortable fit, excellent flex, and reliable buckles to ensure performance.
Lightweight touring skis (88-95mm underfoot) offer the perfect balance of agility and flotation in various snow conditions. Modern lightweight bindings are essential for energy efficiency.
Ski poles for touring should be lightweight and durable, featuring adjustable or fixed lengths. Look for ergonomic grips and large baskets to enhance performance in soft snow.
Opt for models with a back clip attachment and and strong glue to prevent them from coming off during frequent changes. A mohair-nylon mix offers the best grip-to-slide balance.
A transceiver, shovel, and probe are essential for backcountry safety. The shovel should be metal (not plastic) for durability, and the probe must be at least 270 cm for effective snow burial rescue.
Lightweight crampons are essential, offering secure traction on icy, steep terrain. Choose durable, 10-12 point models compatible with your boots for efficient climbing.
A 30-40 liter backpack is ideal, providing enough space for essentials while remaining lightweight. Look for a pack with secure attachments for skis and an ice axe.
A ski-touring helmet provides protection while remaining lightweight and well-ventilated. Choose a comfortable fit with easy adjustments to enhance your experience on the Haute Route.
Ski crampons are designed to attach to your specific bindings, providing essential traction on icy slopes. Choose lightweight models with aggressive teeth to enhance performance.
Bring sunglasses with high protection (grade 3 or 4) to protect your eyes from intense sunlight and glare at high altitudes, ensuring clear vision and reducing eye strain.
Bring ski goggles to protect your eyes from blizzards, strong winds, and cold. They ensure clear vision and shield your face from harsh weather conditions.
Pack a down jacket to ensure warmth in cold conditions. Its insulation traps body heat, making it ideal for high altitudes and freezing temperatures, while remaining lightweight and compressible.
Your hardshell jacket must include a hood for full protection from wind, rain, and snow. Waterproof and breathable, it serves as a critical outer layer, ensuring comfort and mobility in harsh conditions.
Bring full-finger thin gloves for dexterity and light protection. They offer warmth in mild conditions while allowing precise hand movements.
Full-finger hardshell gloves are essential for protection against wind and light moisture. They offer warmth, durability, and flexibility, ensuring ease of movement while handling gear in cold conditions.
A buff is versatile and provides essential protection against wind, cold, and sun. It can be worn around the neck, over the face, or as a head covering, offering warmth and comfort in changing conditions.
A warm hat is crucial for retaining heat during cold conditions. It provides insulation for your head and ears, ensuring comfort while climbing in low temperatures and protecting against wind chill.
A sun hat is essential for protecting your face and neck from harmful UV rays. It offers shade and breathability, keeping you cool and comfortable during long hours in sunny conditions.
Lightweight leggings are ideal for base layer during cold days. Merino wool is preferable for its moisture-wicking properties and comfort, providing warmth without adding bulk and helping regulate temperature.
Stretch softshell pants offer flexibility and comfort. They provide a balance of breathability and weather resistance, allowing for ease of movement while protecting against wind and light moisture.
Hardshell waterproof pants are vital for protection against rain and snow. Choose ones with full-length separating side zippers for easy access and ventilation, ensuring comfort and mobility.
A lightweight long-sleeve sun top is essential for UV protection. Opt for merino wool or synthetic materials instead of cotton for better moisture management and comfort.
Pack three pairs of ski touring socks, long ones, for added protection. They help prevent blisters and ensure your feet stay comfortable throughout your trip.
A midlayer top is essential for insulation and must fit comfortably over your baselayers. It provides warmth while allowing for breathability, making it ideal for varying temperatures during your tour.
A hydration system with at least 1 liter capacity is essential, depending on your drinking habits. Camelbacks work well but may freeze in cold conditions, so plan accordingly to stay hydrated.
A personal care bag is essential for your trip. Include a toothbrush, toothpaste, first-aid tape, Band-Aids and any personal medications or prescriptions for a safe and comfortable journey.
Sunscreen with SPF 50 is essential for high mountain conditions, providing superior protection against harmful UV rays. Apply generously to all exposed skin to prevent sunburn during the tour.
A high-protection lipscreen is essential for shielding your lips from UV rays and harsh weather in the mountains. It helps prevent chapping and sunburn, keeping your lips moisturized and safe.
Earplugs are a must-have for your trip, especially if you find yourself in a hut with a neighbor who thinks they're auditioning for a snoring competition. Enjoy some peace and quiet!
Keep your personal documents in a waterproof bag to protect them from moisture and damage. This ensures that essentials like your ID, permits, and insurance information stay safe.
