VERBIER 4 VALLÉES - BRUSON - LA FOULY - VICHÈRE-LIDDES - GRAND SAINT BERNARD
Explore unspoiled and wild ski itineraries in Valais, Switzerland.
The Grand St Bernard region is an ideal playground. powder skiing and backcountry lovers will discover large snowfields at high altitude and countless off-piste itineraries hidden in the forests on the outskirts of the small village resorts typical of the Swiss Valais.
For this star ski safari which combines the use of 92 ski lifts in 7 village resorts and the resort of Verbier, our base is the terminus hotel in the village of Orsières.
For ski touring afficionados it is possible to spend an unforgettable evening and night with the monks of the famous hospice of the Grand Saint Bernard located in Switzerland on a border pass at 2473 mts high. Two thousand years ago, the Romans had already built there a temple dedicated to Jupiter.
What you will do during your trip
You will ski off-piste for six days, discovering the off-piste areas of Verbier and the 4 valleys preserved by the Grand Saint Bernard pass.
Performing descents of 1,500 to 2,000 meters of vertical drop in virgin snow crossing the summits and passes of Valais.
Skii touring to reach the Great Saint Bernard hospice for the pleasure of spending an original night with the monks!
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 Terminus in Orsières
Meeting at 6 p.m. – Meeting with the guide, checking of everyone’s equipment and distribution of the safety equipment provided. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: Bruson
Avalanche safety briefing, skiing from Bruson and at lunch, Grand picninc 9V consisting of all the regional specialties brought by the participants. Overnight at the Hotel Terminus.
DAY 3: Vichere-Liddes
Skiing in the “Vichères-Liddes” a small ski resort, a forest skiing paradise. Possibility of making a seal skin approach. Overnight at the Hotel Terminus.
DAY 4: La Fouly
Skiing on “La Fouly” ski area, a charming village in the forest. Overnight at the Hotel Terminus.
DAY 5: Grand Saint Bernard pass (optional)
Skinning up 500 mts vertical to reach the Grand Saint Bernard. Discovery of the hospice, meal in the company of the monks. Overnight at the hospice hostel.
DAY 6: Val Ferret
From the hospice, several touring itineraries are available to us. Choice of the itineraries according to the mood of the group and the snow conditions. Overnight at the Hotel Terminus.
DAY 7: Verbier
Discover the off-piste itineraries of the “Verbier” ski area. Overnight at the Hotel Terminus.
DAY 8: End of the safari after breakfast.
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
HOTEL TERMINUS Renovated in 2016, Hotel Terminus is housed in a historic building dating from 1910. The hotel is well located, in the heart of the Swiss village of Orsières, on the road to the Grand-Saint-Bernard pass and not far from La Fouly and Verbier. From the hotel, the 4 Vallées de Verbier ski areas are easily accessible by car, bus or train. Le Quai de l’Ours, the restaurant at the Terminus, offers for all kind of hunger simple and refined seasonal cuisine with authentic tastes, inspired by ingredients from local agriculture.
HOSPICE OF THE GRAND SAINT BERNARD In the canton of Valais, the Entremont valley is the region where Saint Bernard of Aosta created in 1050 a high altitude hospice to welcome and protect the many travellers who use this passage through the Alps. Built just a century ago, the hospice hostel completes the age-old hospitality of the monks by offering a comfortable welcome (private rooms with bathroom), in a non-religious setting. All its profits go to the Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard, an organization recognized as being of public utility. At the hostel table, regional products and specialities from the Valais are in the spotlight.
Included
Included 9V GUIDES
Full time supervision for 6/7 people by a UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guide or a fully certified ski guide specialist of the region.
LIFT PASSES
6 days ski pass for all the ski resorts we cross.
ACCOMMODATION
7 nights half board on a double room basis.
– 6 nights at the Hotel Terminus, with buffet breakfast and gourmet dinner.
– 1 night at the Hospice du Grand Saint Bernard, with Valais breakfast and dinner.
TRANSPORTATION
All transportation during the safari for participants.
SAFETY GEAR
RESCUE EQUIPMENT
Not included
Not included RESCUE INSURANCE
TRIP INSURANCE
SINGLE ROOM
BACKCOUNTRY / SIDECOUNTRY SKIS
LUNCHES
DRINKS
Often group members will pool their money for wine at the dinner table.
