6 days from 1495 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 5 people
- Fantastic itineraries in a grandiose and diversified setting
- Comfortable accommodation, Italian gastronomy and unforgetable hospitality
- An opportunity to ski on the Italian side of Mont Blanc
- No worries: our minibus takes you around and about over the entire trip; if you've rented gear it'll be delivered at the start of the trip
- No booking fees
When you think of the Aosta Valley, this probably reminds you of the delicious ham* ? Right, same for us ! But that’s not all it has to offer. You’re going to love the trip that we’ve come up with on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc. In fact, we could have called it “pizza & pasta ski trip” because it combines just the things we love when traipsing around and about: amazing freeride skiing on the Mont Blanc slopes and the “Vallée Blanche”, legendary itineraries that take us high up in the mountains above Courmayeur and La Thuile, outstanding routes to skin, and all this topped of with great Italian food. Andiamo !
*Yes Charlie, the Aosta ham, produced in the same way since 1397 comes from this valley where they also make wooden clogs, but they're a little harder to digest.
Get together at Briançon train station, or directly in Courmayeur.
After meeting the guide, we set off for Courmayeur in the minibus. Today, first day, is easy going, we get to know each other and warm up at La Thuile / La Rosière ski area on the French - Italian border (around the St Bernard mountain pass), a security briefing related to off-piste and freeride skiing is included. No need to overdo it, we'll be skiing all week long.
Meal included: dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
The highest point of this ski area stands at 2763 metres high. From the ancient "Arp" or "Youla" cable cars, some amazing itineraries Northernly orientated take us either down the Val Veny (1500 m), where a snow scooter may pick us and take us either to a typical restaurant of this area, or down to Dolonne village (1200 m), from we take the cable back.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
From Chaz Duraz (2579 m), a stunning descent takes us down the Pontailles valley from where we climb up onto le Mont Valaisan (2892 m). Followed by a 1h15 min skinning sesssion to reach the stunning Moulins valley above La Rosière.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
The new Entrèves cable car gives access to the Helbronner (3462 m). From there we head to the famous "Vallée Blanche” from the Italian side, reaching Chamonix with various options for the descent. Minibus transfer back to Courmayeur.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
From the Helbronner Point we head to the col de Toule via the Col des Flambeaux where a suspended staircase leads up to the glacier. Depending on the conditions, it might be necessary to descend onto the glacier using ropes. A spectacular descent to Entrèves (1300 m), boasts stunning panoramas over the Mont Blanc mountain range.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
We ski on itineraries in prime conditions, on the South face of the Mont Blanc facing the stunning scenery around the Grandes Jorasses….
Meal included: breakfast
Please note this itinerary is an example of a freeride ski trip around Courmayeur and the Mont Blanc. The guide may adjust certain itineraries and ski areas according to weather and snow conditions as well as participants' abilities. We kindly ask you to respect such decision. We may also change accommodation, maintaining identical standards, according to logistics and availabilities.
In case practices and customs defined by the local guide authorities change, estimating the reasonable number of clients per guide, for safety reasons, Azimut respects the latter, even last minute decisions. Such cases are rare and mostly related to exceptional conditions in the mountains. Therefore some compensation may be requested from your side due to less participants per guide.
Please be wearing your ski outfit upon arrival.
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 Briançonor in front of our accomodation.
5 to 6 participants
Skiers only. Sorry, no splitboards accepted.
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.
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.
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 level required, the guide may ask you to leave for the well-being of the rest of the group if necessary. If any doubt, please do not hesitate to ask us !
Bring a small day pack large enough to carry your personal belongings for the day such as extra layers, goggles, your picnic, a few snacks and security equipment.
Considering the itinerary maybe modified due to mountain and snow conditions, ski lift fares are not included in the price. They are at your own expense and are to be purchased on site in order to allow for flexibility. Hence in case of bad weather or snow conditions, we can easilier transfer to another spot and do our utmost to find the best conditions. Your guide will advise you on the type of ski lift pass to purchase (6 days of less).
You should budget approx € 200 for a 6 day ski lift pass.
The price includes
The price does not include
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.
Azimut's minibus is used throughout the whole trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and open: we can chat, sleep and listen to our own music !
During the trip
Depending on the size of group, you may share a room with someone of the opposite sex.
Before & after ski touring trips
Depending on your itinerary, it may be easier to join the guide at our logistics base in Cervières so that you can use our minibus to get to the starting point of the trip. On request, we can book you an overnight stay before or after your trip at the Lodge Le Petit Cerf, which is our basecamp located exactly at the same place as our agency.
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.
Make sure you wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge !
Technical equipment (all in excellent condition)
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):
Full Pack (ski, boots, skins, ski-crampons, poles) |
235 € |
Skis (skis, skins, poles, ski-crampons) |
210 € |
Airbag Backpack |
75 € |
shoes |
68 € |
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
Bodywear
Footwear
Odds & ends
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:
Official partner and service provider for Terres d'Aventure
Don't forget to
See you on the slopes !
Have great runs with AZIMUT !