Available trips
| Sat 12th Feb 11
- Sat 19th Feb 11 |
8 Days |
| Guide TBC | £ 925 |
| Book Now | |
Skill: ***/*
This trip is an ideal trip for newcomers to ski touring. Endless long downhill runs and relatively short climbs. The group
will use the ski lifts as much as possible, although there will be climbs on skins of 2 to 4 hours per day.
Participants must be competent off-piste skiers, experienced in all kinds of snow conditions, you are able to do parallel
turns in powder snow, and linked stem turns in more difficult snow. The skiing is generally not too technical but there my be
the occasional steep section and so you need to have the right attitude to challenge yourself and go outside your comfort zone.
The challenge comes from managing the different snow conditions and trying to preserve your energy.
Previous ski touring experience is useful but not essential, during the week you will learn the basic technical ski touring skills.
Stamina: ***/*
Stamina-wise, you need to be able to ski all day for 6 consecutive days at a steady pace. On these courses the maximum
skinning will be 3 - 4 hours per day. Ski touring is hard work and we do find most newcomers are surprised by just how
physically demanding it can be! These tours differ from the beginner level tours in that ascents & descents will be more
demanding – i.e. longer & steeper.
To get maximum enjoyment from these trips you need to be working on your fitness well in advance of the tour which means
plenty of aerobic exercise like running/cycling/swimming.
The Queyras is one of the most beautiful of the French National Parks. Despite this it remains almost untouched by modern
life and the unspoilt villages and hamlets have retained a traditional and authentic charm. Our tour is a traverse of the park
taking in a number of summits with breathtaking views.
The skiing is varied with open slopes mixed in with skiing through larch and fir.
This is ski touring off the beaten track where you are likely to see more Chamois than fellow ski tourers!
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Montdauphin. Welcome meeting and briefing with your guide. Stay overnight in the 17th Century Auberge de
L'Echauguette.
Day 2
Short transfer by road to Ceillac. Warm up morning on the slopes above the village. In the afternoon take the lift to Lac
de St Anne. Ascent of the "Tête de Favière" (2866m). This is followed by an easy descent to the Gite du Cime Mélézet (1822 m)
where you spend the night.
Vertical ascent: 440m. Descent: 1000m. Climbing time: 2 hours.
Day 3
Today our goal is the La Tête de Jacquette (2757m) and the village of Saint Veran, at 2050m the highest village in
Europe. We’ll stay here for 2 nights.
Vertical ascent: 1100m. Descent: 900m. Climbing time: 3 hours.
Day 4
Carrying only light sacks we depart for today’s goal, La Tête du Longet (3146m). Fantastic views from the summit followed
by a great descent through larch trees and firs. Return to Saint Velan for a second night.
Vertical ascent/descent: 1190m. Climbing time: 3-4 hours.
Day 5
Another big day as we climb back up the Aigue Blanche valley before branching off to ascend to the Le Pic de Cornivier
(2869m). The descent is via the Vallon de Clausis and the Aigue Agnelle valley which we follow until we reach the Refuge
d'Agnel (2580m).
Vertical ascent: 1275m. Descent: 695m. Climbing time: 3-4 hours.
Day 6
Depending on the weather and the group’s stamina (!), you can either ascend Pain de Sucre (3208m) or take the climb to Le
Pic de Foréant (3081m). Weather permitting views from both peaks will be stunning. Look out for the Chamois on the descent to
the Gîte de la Monta (1700m) above Ristolas.
Ascent: 700-800m. Descent: 1720m. Climbing time: 3 hours.
Day 7
Our final day and our goal is La Tête de Clôt Lapierre (2730m). The ascent starts from the door of the Gite!
From the summit it’s a great descent all the way back to Ceillac. Return to the Auberge in Montdauphin for the final
night.
Ascent: 1050m. Descent: 1150m. Climbing time: 3-4 hours.
Day 8
Depart after breakfast.
Note: This itinerary is subject to weather and snow conditions. There are lots of alternative routes and we’ll pick the most suitable route based on the level of the group and the prevailing conditions.
Additional Information
Price
Price includes 6 guided day with all guide fees and expenses, 7 nights half-board accommodation in gites and hotels.
Price does not include travel to/from Montdauphin, personal insurance, equipment hire, local taxis, uplift costs, lunches
and drinks.
Group Size
Minimum group size is 4. Maximum group size is 12 with 2 guides
Guides
This trip will be led by one of our team of Pro Mountain Guides.
Accommodation and meals
On the tour you stay in comfortable gites and refuges. Most have good facilities including showers. They are all very
friendly and welcoming. Food is plentiful and nourishing. At the start and end of the tour you will stay in a stunning 17th
Century Auberge in Montdauphin. Any items not required on the tour can be left here and collected on your return.
Equipment
A copy of our
recommended kit list will be sent to you at the
time of booking.
For this trip you will need alpine touring equipment with touring boots and skins and ski crampons. Confused about what
skis, boots and binding combination to bring with you, then read our
Ski Equipment page to find out more.
Boot crampons, ice-axes and harness are not required for this trip.
All skiers will need to carry a rucksack (30 - 35 litres) with safety gear and personal items.
Everyone is expected to ski at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment: transceiver,
shovel and probe. If you ski off-piste regularly we recommend you purchase your own set and we have a special offer on BCA’s
excellent DTS Tracker. Please ask us for details.
Equipment Hire
Equipment can be hired in Ceillac at Tin Tin Sports. It is essential that you contact them in advance to reserve kit.
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 45 08 70.
CEILLACMEUBLE@aol.com
Getting there
The nearest airports are Grenoble and Marseilles. It is about a 4 hour train journey from both airports to the station at
MontDauphin-Guillestre. Check the timetable at
www.sncf.com. The meeting point on the first night is a short taxi ride from the train
station.
Recommended Maps
IGN 3537 ET Guillestre - Vars - Risoul - PNR du Queyras - Ceillac (1:25.000)
IGN 3637 OT Mont Viso - St. Véran - Aiguilles - PNR du Queyras - Abriès (1:25.000)
IGN 3536 OT Briançon - Serre Chevalier - Montgenèvre (1:25.000)
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured for ski touring covering personal accident, rescue and third party
risks. You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.
If you are looking to purchase insurance for your trip we recommend
SNOWCARD. They specialise in travel insurance for adventure sports particularly skiing
and snowboarding. Their rates for both single trip and annual policies are very competitive.
For details on their policies and to get a quote CLICK HERE or contact our office for further details.