Discover freeride skiing in the best spots of La Grave, Piémont & the Ecrins
6 days from 1295 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 5 people
Comfort 
FRSF604 FRALPSF604 
Maximum altitude 3000 m
Stamina level : 2 
Direct train from Paris Pros
- The ultimate freeride itineraries off the beaten track & on glaciers
- Freeride ski lessons with a specialised freeride instructor/guide
- Extremely flexible program, with many secret & hidden spots
- Comfortable and welcoming accomodation
- No worries: our minibus is used to get around and about over the entire trip; if you've rented gear it'll be waiting for you upon your arrival
In a nutshell
Let’s get something straight: if you’re into freeride skiing and you’ve never been to La Grave then you’ve really missed out on something unreal.
Luckily we’re here to put that right. Made in the Hautes-Alpes, La Grave is the only place entirely dedicated to off-piste skiing in Europe. Skiers from across the four corners of the globe come here every year to experience an absolutely magnificent ski area in an outstanding setting. Everyday we take you to explore our secret garden. A little further afield is the Queyras, a powder barn when heavy snow falls come from the East. And if snow comes from the West, then Puy Saint Vincent (or PSV among us) is the place to go. And what if it hasn't snowed for two days ? No worries, Serre Chevalier is just around the corner, for classic but also great powder runs.
From our comfortable basecamp, a small, simple, cosy hotel nestling in the Izoard Pass valley, we travel around and about for 6 days long to simply ski the best places in the area. Our guide knows the area off hand and in the evening over a cold drink and nice salty peanuts, we decide together where to make a hold up the next day. The program is extremely flex so we can make the most of it. But that’s not all, one of the great things here is the weather: we get heaps of sun and heaps of snow. So come with us, ski in the stunning forest and make the most of freeride skiing whilst making new friends !
Day to day
Day 1 - Warm up in Sestriere
Get together at Briançon train station or at the Lodge in Cervières. Meet up with the guide and the adventure starts. To warm up on day 1 we’ve chosen to ski itineraries in Sestriere so the guide can evaluate participants' level and go over the use of security equipment and skins for those who've never used them before. Transfer to our accomodation at the end of the day.
Meals included: dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Day 2 - Freeride Serre Chevalier
Freeride skiing options are limitless in this immense ski area, there's something for everyone: forests, hidden couloirs and huge slopes. You can ski here until you're fed up ! At the end of the day we can chill out at the Grands Bains of Le Monêtier and relax after a hard day’s skiing !
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Day 3 - Freeriding in the Queyras
Today we head off for some great freeride skiing in the Queyras. Beware of Abriès, Ceillac and Molines: when it snows here, it's worse than in Japan. Fat skis only ! A snorkel may also be useful for skiing in this powder paradise.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Day 4 - Great runs in Puy Saint Vincent & Pelvoux
This is easy to find: we go there nearly every lunch break, there's always one or another slope to trace, some forest or area to run, it's our favorite place on a white day.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Day 5 - Freeride wonderland, La Grave
Legendary skiing awaits us off-piste on the glaciers and down the couloirs of La Grave set beneath La Meije. Be prepared for major itineraries and highly rewarding skiing.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Day 6 - Let's go crazy in Montgenèvre
An average size ski area on the Italian border that offers memorable off-piste itineraries. We'll go to our favorite places for lunch in Italy. At the end of the afternoon, we bring you back to Oulx and Briançon. End of this freeride skiing trip.
Meal included: breakfast
Please note this itinerary is an example of a freeride ski trip in La Grave and other great ski areas in the Oisans and around Briançon. Please note 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 these, 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.
Meeting and leaving
Meeting points
-
Briançon in front of the Train Station
Meeting time: 8:30 am
Leaving time: in the afternoon, at the same meeting place
-
Cervières - in front of our Lodge Le Petit Cerf
Meeting time: 8:10
Leaving time: in the afternoon, at the same meeting place
Get together - Practical information
Arrival and departure
Please be wearing your ski outfit upon arrival.
- 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).
Group size
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.
Meet our guides just around the corner.
Getting around
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!
Daypack
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. We strongly recommend that you wear an airbag (we rent some if you need).
Ski lifts
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 € 300 for a 6 day ski lift pass.
How technical does it get ? How fit should I be ?
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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!
Pricing and insurance
Price
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”
Payment
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.
Insurance
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
Tipping is no obligation. However participants often hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.
Accommodation and meals
During the trip
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
- Breakfast and dinner are taken in the hotel restaurant.
- Lunches are free, leaving the group free to choose between different formulas or locations. The food is one of the strong points of freeride ski trips, we know all the good addresses of trattorias, nice little restaurants etc... Trust us!
- Snacks: Details are important, especially during the effort. We've 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.
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.
Equipment - Clothing and gear
Make sure to wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge!
Skiing material (all in excellent condition)
- 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):
|
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
- 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.
In partnership with
Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:
And last but not least...
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!