La Grave - La Meije - Serre Chevalier - Sestriere - San Sicario
Explore untracked and wild ski itineraries between France and Italy.
When you arrive at La Grave you can see straight away that you are not in a classic ski resort. The old cable car provides access to the Girose glacier in the Meije massif at the gates of the Ecrins National Park. In a high mountain atmosphere, your guide will take you to ski long itineraries of 2000 mts of vertical drop to discover the valleys and wild couloirs that lead to the hamlets below.
A few kilometers away, just behind the Lautaret pass, Monetier-Les-Bains is linked to the Serre-Chevalier ski area. You will enjoy skiing between well-spaced century-old larches for a stopover on the road to San Sicario.
The last stage of this ski safari takes place in Italy, based in San Sicario, in an authentic 18th century farmhouse. Two days of skiing in the Piemont region will allow you to discover some peaks and ski routes of the upper valley of Susa and Sestrière. You will appreciate the Farinosa ( local name for powder snow) in the many ski itineraries of the immense Milky Way ski area.
What you will do during your trip
Off-piste skiing for six daysdiscovering the highest peaks and new valleys with small villages each day.
Performing descents from 1500 to 2000 meters of vertical, crossing the most beautiful summits and passes of the region.
Staying in a typical 18th century Piedmont farmhouse and enjoying delicious meals cooked with farm produce.
Frequently asked questions
The 9V guides use and recommend backcountry skis from 95 mm to 120 mm wide, depending on your size. Fitted with pin-type touring bindings with ski stops, these skis are fairly light, allowing you to ski with ease and save your legs in all types of snow. We recommend 4-hook freerando boots with 60° of travel.
Nop, we rather be slackcountry skiing. Slackcountry or sidecountry skiing is a mix of classic freeride/powder skiing with one or more short walks on foot or with skins from the top of the lifts. The aim is to quickly reach the beautiful powdery, trackless slopes, even when it hasn’t snowed for a long time. The emphasis is on the pleasure of the descent rather than the effort of the ascent.
Slackcountry skiing is THE powder guarantee!
TRAVEL BAG AND SKI BAG
As we travel by plane, boat, car or minibus, space is often at a premium. So it’s best to keep your luggage small and easy to carry. We advise you to travel with a soft duffel bag with wheels, a soft ski sleeve without wheels and a separate ski boot bag.
BACKPACK (25 / 35 liters with carrying strap for skis) for the day’s essentials:
– warm down jacket at the bottom of the bag,
– goggles with a screen for bad weather,
– neck warmer against wind, cold, powder and sun,
– high-protection sun cream for face and lips,
– spare gloves if you fall down a lot, or mittens if you’re afraid of the cold,
– thermos flask if it’s cold or camel bag if it’s mild,
– dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars,
– survival blanket, shovel and probe.
CLOTHING
You’ll spend a lot more time in ski clothes than in après-ski gear.
At any time of year, the weather can be fine and mild, or extremely cold, snowy or rainy.
Make sure you wear weather-appropriate clothing: During a snowstorm, skiing is fantastic in the forest. Pack an extra layer of clothing in your daypack to adapt to any changes in temperature. Temperatures vary with altitude, on the order of 10°C per 1000 meters. As a result, the difference in temperature between the valley and the summit can vary by 20° or more with the effect of the wind.
If you’re properly equipped, you’ll enjoy skiing whatever the weather. We ski in all weathers.
If you have an avalanche transceiver, we advise you to bring it with you. If it’s an old model, it’s a good opportunity to check that it’s working properly, and to practice with it. If it’s brand new, it’s important to use it as often as possible to familiarize yourself with its operation. Regular training is the only way to be efficient when you need it! If you don’t have a transceiver, please let us know on the registration form and we’ll provide you with one when possible.
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Program
DAY 1: Meet at the Hotel Edelweiss in the center of La Grave.
Meeting at 6.30 p.m. – Meeting with the guide, checking of everyone’s equipment and distribution of the safety equipment provided. Meal and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: Ski La Grave – La Meije
In the morning, the Grave cable car takes you in 30 minutes to an altitude of approximately 3200 mts, dropping you in a unique setting of large glacial expanses, steep couloirs where you can leave you tracks far from the marked trails and ski lift towers. You will start the day with an off-piste safety briefing. At noon, get ready for the famous “Grand 9V Picnic”. From Les Vallons de La Meije, ski back all the way down to the river La Romanche, then a short walk will take us back to the Hotel Edelweiss.
DAY 3: Ski from La Grave towards St Christophe en Oisans
Wide open spaces and virgin snow for this endless descent to the hamlet of St Christophe. 2000 mts of powder skiing in a wild valley. Return by taxi to the hotel. Overnight in Edelweiss.
DAY 4: Ski la Grave
Once again your guide will carefully choose some ski route with good snow for this last day in La Grave!
DAY 5: Ski Serre-Chevalier – Pelvoux
Depart early in the morning for a 30-minute drive to reach the village of Monetier-Les-Bains. A day of great skiing with a long descent to the typical village of Pelvoux in the Vallouise valley. Return by taxi to our cars followed by a 40-min drive to San Sicario. Overnight in Barbagust.
DAY 6: Ski San Sicario – Sauze d’Oulx
A great day of skiing through the vast and mosty untracked area of the Milky Way. You will love the Italian farinosa snow! Overnight in Barbagust.
DAY 7: Ski San Sicario – Sestrière
We will end this ski trip in style with a grand tour of the Milky Way ski area. Possibility of heli-skiing (option). You will then have traveled the most beautiful off-piste itineraries in one of the snowiest regions of the Alps. Overnight in Barbagust.
DAY 8: Breakfast – End of Ski Safari
The program is subject to change depending on the conditions on the ground and the fitness of the participants.
Hotels and Huts
Hotels and Huts
We have chosen typical accommodation in each valley, so you can experience the authentic mountain atmosphere. Run by local families, they have their own history in the valley. The hoteliers give us a warm welcome and the hotels comfort is remarkable. Each dinner will be like a well-deserved feast after a good day of skiing in the mountains! To cope with the two hotel changes, plan to pack practical and light luggage!
HOTEL EDELWEISS at La Grave. It is the meeting point for all lovers of off-piste skiing. The atmosphere is warm and mountainous and the comfort of the fully renovated rooms is worthy of a superior class hotel. The setting is exceptional and all the rooms have a beautiful view of the Meije glaciers…
BARBAGUST FARMHOUSE is located in the small hamlet of San Sicario in the middle of the mountains. It is accessible by car but also by skiing through fields. This 18th century farmhouse is still operated by the family patriarch who is now 90 years old. His children and grandchildren take care of the hotel and catering business … The rooms all have a bathroom and are decorated with traditional furniture. Each meal is prepared with products from the farm, accompanied by the owner’s wine and a tasty “Grappa”, typical italian liqueur.
Included
Included 9V GUIDES
Full-time supervision for 6/7 people by a fully certified UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guide specialist of the region.
LIFT PASSES
6 days ski pass for all the ski resorts we cross.
ACCOMMODATION
7 nights in comfortable hotels with half board on a double room basis:
– 4 nights at the Hotel l’Edelweiss, with buffet breakfast and gourmet dinner.
– 3 nights at the Barbagust farm, with breakfast and typical meal based on farm products, wine and liqueur included.
TAXI
To return to our base when we finish skiing in isolated hamlets!
SAFETY GEAR
RESCUE EQUIPMENT
Not included
Not included RESCUE INSURANCE
TRIP INSURANCE
SINGLE ROOM
BACKCOUNTRY / SIDECOUNTRY SKIS
AVALANCHE AIR BAG RUCKSACK
TRANSPORTATION
Personal car.
LUNCHES
DRINKS
Often group members will pool their money for wine at the dinner table.
