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Ski touring Introduction in the Italian Val Ferret
Duration:
2 days
Price from: 390€
Fitness:
Infobulle physique
Physical Level 1: For individuals who engage in occasional physical activity, positive elevation gain up to 300m.
Physical Level 2: For individuals who engage in regular physical activity, positive elevation gain up to 600m.
Physical Level 3: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain up to 900m or ascents to altitudes above 3500m.
Physical Level 4: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain up to 1300m or ascents to altitudes above 4000m.
Physical Level 5: For individuals who engage in intensive endurance activities, positive elevation gain exceeding 1300m.
Technique:
Infobulle technique
Technical Level 1: For occasional off-piste skiers who want to discover ski touring along the edge of pistes.
Technical Level 2: For regular off-piste skiers, capable of skiing in all snow conditions on wide, gentle slopes, and who want to discover ski touring.
Technical Level 3: For occasional ski tourers (2 to 5 recent outings), capable of skiing in all snow conditions on wide, gentle slopes.
Technical Level 4: For regular ski tourers (5 to 10 recent outings), capable of skiing in all snow conditions on varied slopes with some technical sections, mastering kick turns, and possessing basic knowledge of using crampons and an ice axe.
Technical Level 5: For experienced ski tourers (more than 10 recent outings), capable of skiing in all snow conditions on varied and exposed slopes with technical sections, mastering kick turns and the use of crampons and an ice axe.
General information
An Introduction to Ski Touring in Val Ferret
On the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif, Val Ferret offers spectacular views of Mont Blanc, the Grandes Jorasses and the Dent du Géant. Its peaceful atmosphere and gentle slopes make it an ideal setting for your first ski touring experience. Accompanied by your guide, you will learn the essential techniques of ski touring, from using climbing skins and performing kick turns to avalanche safety and improving your downhill skiing. This two-day introduction combines accessible terrain, breathtaking mountain scenery and a comfortable overnight stay at the welcoming Bonatti hut.
Our Ski Touring Trips in the Aosta Valley
The Aosta Valley offers a wide variety of ski touring opportunities, combining exceptional mountain scenery with the warm hospitality of its mountain huts. Discover our other trips in the region, including ski touring from the Magia hut, a ski touring adventure in Val de Rhêmes, or an ascent of Gran Paradiso in the heart of the national park.
Group booking
Our group trips bring together participants who may not know each other. They offer an attractive price for a set itinerary on fixed departure dates. This option is ideal for those who enjoy the friendly atmosphere of a group
Dates
See the group booking section below
Price 2027
440€ per person, based on a minimum of 4 participants. Participants aged 16 or 17 must be accompanied by an adult
✅ The price includes
- IFMGA-certified mountain guide
- Half-board at the mountain hut (dinner, breakfast and overnight stay)
- Transfers mentioned in the itinerary
- Use of an avalanche safety kit: transceiver, shovel and probe
❌ The price does not include
- Drinks at the hut and personal expenses (bring euros)
- Lunches
- Travel to the meeting point
- Personal technical equipment
- Assistance and repatriation insurance and cancellation insurance
Private booking
Private guiding is the traditional way to explore the mountains with a guide. Whether you are travelling alone or with your own group, your guide can adapt the experience to your specific needs. You are free to choose your departure date (subject to hut availability), and the itinerary can be adjusted to suit your expectations
Prices 2027
2 people: 960€ per person
3 people: 675€ per person
4 people: 530€ per person
5 people: 445€ per person
6 people: 390€ per person
✅ The price includes
- IFMGA-certified mountain guide
- Half-board at the mountain hut (dinner, breakfast and overnight stay)
- Transfers mentioned in the itinerary
- Use of an avalanche safety kit: transceiver, shovel and probe
❌ The price does not include
- Drinks at the hut and personal expenses (bring euros)
- Lunches
- Travel to the meeting point
- Personal technical equipment
- Assistance and repatriation insurance and cancellation insurance
Further information
In this section, you will find all the practical information about this trip. To help you prepare, please refer to our guides' tips for expert advice and recommendations
Meeting point
8:30 am at the Compagnie des Guides office in Chamonix. Minibus transfer to the starting point and return to Chamonix by minibus
Itinerary
The itinerary is provided as a guideline and may be adjusted according to the group's ability and mountain conditions
Technical level
For skiers confident skiing off-piste in all snow conditions. No previous ski touring experience is required
Fitness level
For people who take part in regular physical activity. Up to 900 m of ascent per day, with 4 to 5 hours of physical effort each day
Group size
4 to 6 participants per guide. Participants aged 16 or 17 must be accompanied by an adult
Accommodation
During the trip: half-board at the comfortable Bonatti hut, known for its warm welcome and traditional cuisine. Before and after the trip: preferential rates at our partner hotels in Chamonix
⚠️ Insurance and documents
Assistance and repatriation insurance is mandatory. If you are not insured, we offer repatriation and cancellation insurance when booking. A valid identity document is required
Documents available for download
Equipment
We recommend paying particular attention to your choice of equipment, as it plays an important role in the success of your trip. Weight is a key consideration: aim to find the right balance between comfort and the weight of your pack
Equipment
- A 35-litre backpack with ski attachments
- Ski touring skis and boots, available to rent
- Climbing skins and ski crampons compatible with your skis, available to rent
- Ski poles with large baskets, available to rent
- An avalanche safety kit: transceiver, shovel and probe (provided by your guide and under your responsibility)
Clothing
- A warm hat
- A sun hat or cap
- A neck warmer or Buff
- A long-sleeved technical base layer, available to rent
- A fleece jacket
- A waterproof hooded jacket, such as Gore-Tex, available to rent
- A lightweight down jacket
- Thermal leggings
- Ski touring trousers
- Ski touring socks
- Lightweight leather or fleece gloves
- Warm ski gloves or mittens
- Spare clothing as needed
Accessories
- A sleeping bag liner, available to rent at the hut (3€)
- Category 4 sunglasses
- Ski goggles
- A headlamp with spare batteries
- A water bottle with a capacity of at least 1.5 litres
- An insulated flask
- A small personal first-aid and toiletries kit, including sunscreen, lip balm, earplugs, blister plasters, headache medication and toilet paper
- A waterproof pouch for your identity document and euros
Our Rental Partners
You can rent equipment at preferential rates from our partner shops: Millet (excluding crampons, ice axes and helmets), Ravanel & Co, Sanglard Sports and Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners
Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel and Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1
Planpincieux - Lavachey - Bonatti Hut
Transfer from Chamonix to the Italian Val Ferret through the Mont Blanc Tunnel. We put on our skis in the hamlet of Planpincieux (1,580 m), then make our way up Val Ferret to Lavachey (1,642 m). The ascent continues through the forest to the Malatra alpine pastures, where we catch sight of the Bonatti hut (2,025 m). The afternoon is dedicated to learning the essential ski touring techniques, particularly kick turns, as well as mountain safety and avalanche rescue
Ascent: 445 m
Day 2
Malatra Valley - Col d’Entre deux Sauts or Col de Malatra
We follow gentle slopes through the alpine pastures to a shepherd's hut, then enter the wide Malatra valley. Depending on conditions and the group's preferences, we can head for either the Col d’Entre deux Sauts (2,524 m) or the Col de Malatra (2,928 m). An enjoyable descent takes us back to the hut and then down into the valley. Transfer to Chamonix, arriving in the middle of the afternoon
Col d’Entre deux Sauts: ascent 500 m / descent 950 m
Col de Malatra: ascent 900 m / descent 1,350 m
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Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 26 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 26 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 2.6€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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