Ski mountaineering | Dauphiné - Barres des Écrins - La Grave

Around and on the southernmost 4000 metre peak in the Alps in the spectacular and wild mountain world of the Dauphiné - a challenging and impressive ski tour crossing!

Technics
Endurance
To the dates and registration
Ski tours Rotondo

The Dauphiné is a wild mountain range. Together we will undertake a magnificent week of ski touring around and on the southernmost and westernmost four-thousand metre peak in the Alps. The mountain range is surrounded by peaks with gullies and couloirs. We undertake two ski tour rounds in this impressive area. On the first tour, we ski around the impressive massif of La Meije. We cross some steeper passes and have some magnificent descents. The second tour leads south to the Barres des Ecrins. Here too, longer ski tours with up to 1500 metres of altitude difference are on the programme. The view from the Dome de Neige des Ecrins is unrivalled! We spend the night in rustic mountain huts and walk from hut to hut. Longer ski tours with approx. 1500 metres of altitude and steeper passages on skis are part of this touring week! We travel together in carpools from Switzerland and back.

  • Venue & meeting point

    • Area: Dauphiné - Barres des Écrins
    • Tour itinerary:
      • Meeting point in Switzerland and joint journey to La Grave short ascent to the Refuge de l'Alpe de Villar-d'Arêne
      • Tour via the Pointe des Aigles to the uniquely situated Refuge du Promontoire
      • Round trip (if possible around the Meije) to Refuge Alpe Villards
      • Tour to the Refuge des Ecrins
      • Tour of the Dome du Neige of the Barres des Ecrins to the Refuge Glacier Blanc
      • A short tour to the ski resort of le Monetier and a taxi back to the car and home.

  • Requirements

    • Mastering the ski touring technique (skins, hairpin turns).
    • Safe downhill technique in open terrain and in different types of snow.
    • You have experience with ice axe and crampons.
    • Condition for ski tours with up to 1500hm at a normal pace (~300-350hm/h).
    • Condition for 1500m descent in different types of snow.
    • In addition, there are sections where we carry the skis and trudge through the snow.

  • Group size

    • Takes place with 4 guests per mountain guide.

  • Price and services

    • CHF 2390.-
    • Including overnight stay in a hut with half board
    • Including planning and realisation with mountain guide and his travel expenses.
    • Excluding travel costs in car pools
    • Excluding any train tickets, personal consumption.

  • Material and equipment

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, preferably via the Contact form. 

That's what our guests say:

Laura Tassone

From the tour registration to the realisation of the tour, I was particularly struck by Jonas' friendly professionalism. With Jonas and Simon, the group was travelling with two very well-trained, strong and likeable mountain guides in a wild and steep mountain range. It was simply brilliant. Thanks to the good conditions, we were able to do the Tour de la Meije and explore other parts of the Dauphiné. The very varied terrain offered many a technical treat. Unfortunately, the time passed far too quickly. I took a lot away with me and will therefore treasure this experience forever. Thank you for that.

Impressions: Dauphine-Ecrins

    The Barres des Ecrins
    The Barres des Ecrins
    Refuge Ecrin and the Barres des Ecrins in the background
    View on the La Meije round tour
    Two happy ski tourers in the Dauphine
    Ascent on skis on the glacier
    Abseiling to the Cabenne des Ecrins
    Skiers in the Dauphine
    Ski tours to the Barres des Ecrins
    Glacier in La Grave
    Ski mountaineering in La Grave
    Ascent in the couloir in the Dauphine
    Skiing in La Grave
    Refuge du Promontoire at sunset
    Couloir in the Dauphine
    Glacier in winter on the ascent to Barres des Ecrin
    Refuge de l'Aigle in winter
    The Barres des Ecrin

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Search for your dream tour

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Information on endurance and technique

Here you will find the organisation of our tours as a guideline. If you are unsure which level suits you best, feel free to get in touch - We can help you!

Technics

Technology 1 - for beginners

Easy tours, suitable for beginners. The terrain is easy and moderate. No previous mountaineering experience is necessary.

Ski toursSafe skiing on the black piste in the ski area. No previous knowledge of ski touring necessary.

Technique 2 - Leisurely tours

Easy to slightly challenging tours with short, steeper sections that we master together and with coaching. You are ready for this level after a basic or taster course.

Ski toursFirst off-piste experience up to approx. 30° slope gradient. You have mastered the basic techniques of ski touring and have some experience of hairpin bends.

Technique 3 - Medium tours

Medium-difficulty tours with short, technical sections that are easy to do with some previous experience. You have already done a few tours and feel confident with your equipment and technique.

Ski toursYou are confident in off-piste terrain up to a slope angle of approx. 35° and are proficient in hairpin bends in a variety of terrain. 

Technique 4 - First big tours

Challenging tours with longer, steeper passages that require a good level of experience and skill. We secure these sections with ropes and coach you through difficult sections. Suitable for adventure-seekers with solid basic training.

Ski toursSafe skiing in steep off-piste terrain (up to approx. 40°), solid hairpin technique. First experience with rope manoeuvres, such as roping up on the glacier and abseiling.

Technique 5 - Grand tours

Very demanding tours, with technical passages that require a good level of experience and skill. These are secured, but smooth, rapid progress is required. For experienced climbers with plenty of experience and a thirst for adventure.

Ski toursYou are a very safe skier on steep, unsecured terrain. You are a master of hairpin turns in difficult conditions and have experience with rope manoeuvres and glacier equipment.

Endurance

Endurance 1 - Easy tours

Easy tours with plenty of time to take a break and enjoy.

  • Elevation gain: approx. 500 - 800 metres per day, 
  • Pace: approx. 250 - 300 m / h.
Endurance 2 - Leisurely tours

"Normal" tour at a leisurely pace with 800 - 1000 vertical metres per day, ~300 hm / h.

Endurance 3 - Medium tours

Longer tours at a steady, fluid pace. A solid basic level of fitness is required here.

  • Elevation gain: approx. 1200 metres per day
  • Pace: approx. 350 m / h.
Endurance 4 - First big tours

Long and challenging tours at a brisk but constant pace. Ideal for active sports enthusiasts.

  • Elevation gain: up to 1500 metres per day
  • Pace: approx. 350 m / h.
Endurance 5 - Long tours

Very long tours with more than 1500 metres in altitude per day. Requires very good fitness and stamina.

  • Elevation metres: 1500 m + per day
  • Pace: approx. 400 m / h.

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