Available trips
| Sat 2nd Apr 11
- Sat 9th Apr 11 |
8 Days |
| Guide TBC | £ 1095 |
| Book Now | |
Skill: ***/*
For the Backcountry explorer weeks you need to be a competent off-piste skier, 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.
On these weeks much of the uplift is lift-assisted but you will be using ski touring equipment and must be prepared for up
to 2 -3 hours skinning (slow pace) in order to access some of the better runs. Previous ski touring experience is recommended
but not absolutely essential and you'll learn the basic skills during the week.
These are ideal weeks for good off-piste skiers who want to join the backcountry revolution!!
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 2 - 3 hours per day.
If you have never ski toured before, you will find that climbing uphill on skins is hard work! Most newcomers are
surprised by just how physically demanding ski touring can be.
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.
Ste Foy is the jewel in the crown of the Tarentaise. Join us for this mixed touring & lift-accessed off-piste week...and
take your skiing enjoyment to the next level!!
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Ste Foy. The Auberge has touring equipment for rental and a ski workshop. On the first evening we’ll do
equipment fittings for those that need them. You'll meet the Auberge ski technicians and your guides who will give a briefing
on the plans for the week and distribute avalanche safety equipment for those that need it.
Day 2
We’ll start off with a warm up, primarily lift assisted, ski day in Ste Foy. We’ll use the Marquise chair to access Col
Granier and the fabulous north face of the Fogliettaz, taking us down into the Mercurel valley and round to Le Crôt for a mini
bus pick up at the snow line to take us back to the lift system. We’ll then go to the top of the Aiguille chair and put on
skins. The climb to the summit of the Fogliettaz takes around an hour and gives us the full descent of the north face – one of
the most iconic and rewarding ski descents in the world. The minibuses will meet us at the snowline again and take us back to
the Auberge. A really memorable ski day to start the week off. The beers in the hot tub at the Auberge will have been well
earned.
Day 3
We’ll use 4 X 4’s to get as close to the snowline above Le Chenal as we can. We’ll skin up through the deserted summer
farming villages. Glorious scenery as we’ll be in sight of the Archeboc and Ormelune summits and with the hanging glacier of
Les Balmes just beside us. We’ll then climb steadily via the cheese farm of Les Balmes, up to the wonderfully silent Lac Noir
and continue up to the Col du Lac Noir - the Italian/French border with stunning views across to the Grand Paradiso in Italy.
As picnic spots go, this is hard to beat! We’ll then descend back to the Vallon du Clou and carry on down for our pick up and
transport back to the Auberge. That evening we’ll look at some video footage the guides have taken during the day.
Day 4
Off to Val d’Isère! A 20 minute ride in the minibuses gets us to Le Fornet, where we use the lift system to the Pissalis
glacier. From the high point we ski down through the Pays Désert to the Pont de la Neige where we put on skins. From here it’s
a steady climb with sensational views across into the Maurienne up to the Col des Fours, for a picnic at the top. The descent
is on west and north west facing slopes past the Fond des Fours refuge and joining into the bottom of Cugnai. We’ll finish the
day making the most of our lift pass in Val d’Isère and ending with some quality après ski before returning to the Auberge.
Day 5
Today we’ll take an overnight back pack and take the minibuses to the snow line above Le Crôt. We’ll put on skins and
climb around Pierre Giret taking the very gently ascending track round to the Mercurel valley and Chapelle St Roch and
continuing on to the Archeboc refuge. Here we can leave our overnight kit, have a refueling brew and then head on up on 30
degree slopes towards the Italian border and the Col du Mont. The views here are stunning; both down the Valgrisenche and
looking back into France. We’ll ski down on west and north west facing slopes back to the refuge for our overnight stop.
Day 6
Breakfast in the refuge. Skins on straight away and an interesting and varied climb on south facing slopes to the
Montseti ridge and the Col de Montseti – probably continuing at the ridge up to the summit. The Col opens up spectacular
possibilities for descents on the north facing slopes down to the Ruitor refuge where we’ll stop for a picnic lunch. We are now
on the plateau below the Ruitor glacier with spectacular glacial scenery all around. The undulating descent out (IE some
requires skinning up!) takes in the Chapelle St Pierre and back around to Le Crôt for a minibus pick up. The massage jets in
the hot tub will be particularly welcome as will the celebratory return dinner in the Auberge.
Day 7
There will be no guiding today. The mini buses will be taking you the 15 minutes to Val d’Isère for a day of lift
assisted free-skiing (or non assisted if you prefer.) Après ski in Val d’Isère for those who would like to.
Day 8
Breakfast at the Auberge followed by outward travel.
This is a sample itinerary only and is subject to change depending on snow and weather conditions and the recommendations of your guides.
Additional Information
Prices
The price includes 5 guided days, 7 nights half-board accommodation, group airport transfers from Geneva or Chambery
Airport and daily ski transfers.
The price does not include: lunches, personal insurance, equipment hire, international travel, uplift costs.
Single room occupancy in the Auberge is limited and will incur an additional charge of £150. Contact the office for further
details.
Group Size
The minimum number is 4. The maximum group size is 12 with 2 guides.
Accommodation
6 nights chalet-board accommodation (twin rooms) in the Auberge Sur La Montagne just outside Ste Foy. One night during
the week will be spent in a high mountain hut for that authentic ski touring experience!
Your Guides
The trip will be led by our team of UIAGM Mountain Guides. We have been visiting Ste Foy for many years and our guides
know the ski area very well and will ensure that you have a fantastic week.
Equipment
For all our Backcountry Explorer trips you will need alpine touring gear (skis, boots & bindings), 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.
Harnesses, boot crampons and ice-axes are not required for this tour.
All skiers will need to carry a rucksack (25-30 litres) with safety gear and personal items. Our recommended kit list
will be sent to you at the time of booking.
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.
Getting to Ste Foy
Ste Foy is accessible by road, rail and air.
The nearest airport is Chambery with a 90 minute transfer time. Geneva and Lyon are both about 2½ hours away.
The chalet hosts provide group transfers to/from Geneva airport and Chambery airport which is included in the cost of the
holiday - minimum 4 people per transfer.
It is also possible to travel by train to Bourg St Maurice and new for 2010/11 ski season – a Eurostar direct day service
from London St. Pancras to Bourg St Maurice on Saturdays throughout the ski season starting from the 19th December, seats are
available from £149 return. Timetables and bookings are available at Eurostar
click here for details. Bourg St Maurice is only 10kms from the chalet and the train
offers a viable alternative to a flight and transfer. The chalet hosts provide a twice-daily pick-up and drop-off service at
the station.
Check with our office for detailed travel arrangements.
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.