The best of freeriding in La Grave, Piémont & the Ecrins

• We always do our best, but cannot guarantee the exact time of arrival at the train station (due to traffic or weather conditions). Azimut is not responsible for the loss of transport tickets in the event of delays. Therefore we strongly advise you to buy train tickets that can easily be modified. If you're travelling by car, we'll meet you at the arrival point, or at one of the drop of points where you'll be able to leave your car for the entire trip.

Getting there

Train & TGV access: www.voyages-sncf.com 

Car access: www.mappy.fr 

Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr

Parking

Free public parking can be found in Briançon or in front of our accomodation (both unattended).

5 to 7 participants

Skiers only. Sorry, no splitboards accepted.

Guiding

Azimut qualified mountain guide.

All our mountain guides are certified. We choose them for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.

Getting around

How technical does it get ? How fit should I be ?

• Skill level

You should be at ease with skiing on all types of snow. We ski at a good pace all day long. Beware slopes may include short steep sections. Skinning involved will be no more than 45 min to 1 hr per day. We do not expect you to master ski touring techniques. 

• Stamina level

Good physical condition is required, skinning or short ascents on foot will not exceed 45 min/day. You should be prepared to ski all day long at a good pace.

Good to know: If you don't have the required level, the guide might ask you to leave the group for your own safety, that of the group or the well-being of the group as a whole. Don't hesitate to ask us if you have any doubts!

The price includes

• Trip logistics & organisation upon arrival
• Minibus transfers upon arrival at one of the indicated meeting points
• 5 nights in a hotel on half-board basis
• Safety & rescue equipment training/reviewing
• Certified and expert mountain guide services for 6 days (all his expenses are included: meals, accomodation, transportation, ski lift fares)
• Safety & rescue equipment sets are provided (tracking device, shovel and probe), if you don't have your own gear
• Harness for glacier use
• Extra fees for Xmas & New-Year
• Quality cereal bars 
• AZIMUT welcome pack

The price does not include

• Transportation to/from the meeting point
• Ski lift fares
• Gear rental if required
• Personal insurance
• Lunches and all drinks (including those with meals at the hotel) and personal extras
• Any other expenses not mentioned under the above section “the price includes”

A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance due latest 30 days prior to departure. 

We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.

Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of insurances on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur. 

Tipping is no obligation. However participants often hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.

This trip takes place in our Lodge nestled in the village of Cervières at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. The welcome is exceptional, and the living space has been designed to allow you to spend some quality time in peace and quiet. The food is simple, natural and of high quality, with a choice of good beers and wines. Hire equipment is located under the hotel, and our agency and team are just a stone's throw away. 

For this stay, you will be sharing a twin room, with toilet and shower facilities in your room (bed linen and towels provided). 

Depending on the composition of the group, you may be with someone of the opposite sex. On request, it is possible to be upgraded to a single room: 

- Hotel single room supplement: €155/person

Breakfasts and dinners are taken at the lodge, picnics at lunchtime, our picnics are made up of quality products, cold meats, bread, cheese, a bar of chocolate, fruit or dried fruit, seeds.
Snacks: Details are important, especially during exercise. We have chosen to provide tasty, high-quality cereal bars.
If the lodge is unavailable, the trip will take place in a comfortable gîte in the area. 

For the single room option, please ask us directly!

Before and after ski touring trips

As soon as you register, we'll send you the contact details of the Lodge so that you can book a night before or after your trip.

Telephone and Wifi

In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (his phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.

Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.

Wifi is available at the hotel.

Good mobile & 4G coverage.

• Freeride skis (or freeride rando skis) with touring bindings
• Ski skins and ski crampons (aka "couteaux")
• Poles
• Ski boots: opt for ski touring boots or freeride boots with good ankle flex and a better range of movement. Regular alpine ski boots will also do the job as climbs are relatively short.
• Avalanche safety kit: transceiver, shovel and probe (please let us know if you have your own, if not we lend them free of charge)
• Harness for glacier terrain (if you don't have one, you can borrow one)
• Daypack: capacity of 30 liters

Security advice: avalanche airbag backpacks are strongly recommended for you safety and security.

They help to stay on the surface in case of avalanche and minimize the risk of burial. Our guides use airbags. We highly recommend you to opt for high quality and reliable gear. If you don't have an avalanche airbag we rent them out at a very competitive price.

If you don't have the adequate equipment for the trip, don't worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip! Our gear is relatively new, if not new, of good quality and adapted to your choice of activity.

Prices of rental equipment during the entire trip (these competitive prices only take into account the number of days of the trip):

You can choose to rent equipment when booking your trip, or lateron by clicking on “my account”. If any of the equipment you've chosen is out of stock you'll be notified and reimbursed.

Clothes

This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes it may be a good to have with you. By no means do you need to have the latest brands or the latest gear, but if you need to renew your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.

Headwear

• Warm hat or buff/scarf
• Ski goggles (2 pairs) and sunglasses: UV factory 4 protective lenses. Photochromic glasses adapt to light intensity and are very useful
• Helmet (strongly recommended)

Bodywear

• Under layer: breathable long sleeved tops to maintain heat. A tip: merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics. Take this into consideration if you need to update your wardrobe.
• Middle layer: a light polar or synthetic jacket for an extra layer of heat during breaks
• Outer layer: a Gore-tex or similar type of jacket with a breathable waterproof membrane. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack
• Bottom layer: trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) with long side zips allowing air to flow, recommended on climbs
• Hands: light fleece or soft shell gloves, a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath, warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane. Mittens are always a good idea for really cold days of for those of you who feel the cold !
• Swimming gear: it takes up such little space, it would be a shame not to bring it just in case. Avoid swimming shorts or bermudas, they are not usually allowed.

Footwear

• Ski socks: merino wool socks are breathable and have anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to smell as opposed to those made of synthetic materials. Think about them if you need to stock up.
• Slippers / Crocs recommended for evening wear.

Odds and ends

• a 1 litre flask (Thermos or Camelback)
• a pocket knife
• duck tape
• factor 50 sun cream
• a duffle bag holding up to 110 litres to leave at the hotel or in the vehicle. No suitcases.

Toiletries and first aid kit

- Personal toilet bag

- To make up a first aid kit, please find all relevant information on the Ifremmont website. 

Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:

• Arva
• Fritschi Swiss bindings
• SCOTT

Don't forget to

• Leave contact details with your friends and family
• Bring your papers and I.D. (passport and visa if necessary)
• Bring your contract number and documents related to your insurance (if you've chosen not to have insure coverage with us)
• Bring your “carte vitale” and your European health card (EU member states) - if you don't have one you can order one for free online  www.ameli.fr
• Check that you have the right equipment
• Take spare batteries and a charger for your electronic devices (camera, video recorder, tracking devices etc)
• Bring some cash and your credit card
• Leave in a good frame of mind: we're going to have a great time even if we may not happen to not make it to the summit !
• Before leaving: water the plants, empty the rubbish bin, turn off water and gas, and tell your partner that you're going to have a good time (please not by text message), that you've well deserved... If you don't follow the latter recommendation, you'll most probably kick yourself when you get back!

See you on the slopes! Have great runs with AZIMUT!