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Gran Paradiso Ski Tour 2024
Ski the highest peak situated completely in Italy, and its national park
Icicle group approaching the summit of Gran Paradiso 4061m
Course overview

If you dream of climbing a summit and skiing from it, this ski tour is for you! You summit the highest peak entirely in Italy, the 4061m Gran Paradiso, and have a ski descent with a vertical drop of over 2000m.

During the week you make undertake a hut to hut ski tour, set within the stunning Gran Paradiso National Park. No previous mountaineering skills are necessary, but any you have will allow you to take in more summits.
Normally two classic route choices are selected from, either the approach via the Benevolo to Val Savaranches and then the ascent of Gran Paradiso, or the circuit of the mountain starting in Val de Cogne. The exact choice of route is usually left until the last minute to take account of conditions and avalanche risks. Whatever option you go for, you are assured of some great ski touring in breathtaking scenery each day.

This is a challenging ski tour, with the ability to use some Alpine skills, such as ascents on crampons and the occasional easy abseil. Skiing ability should be good as although there is only a little steep skiing, the slopes can be icy or rutted in places, with breakable crusts. There is often plenty of powder on the descents!

On the tour you are based in comfy mountain huts, including a three course cooked evening meal and breakfast. This course will also appeal to those wishing to escape the hustle of the Alpine valley towns, and yet not escape the creature comforts too much. Many of the huts in this region have an impressive wine list!
You will also develop your technical abilities, such as crossing crevasses, route finding, crevasse rescue, and becoming efficient at avalanche prediction and avalanche tranceiver searches.
Dates: these are listed in the column on the right, and they show the live availability from our secure online booking system. When you book online, you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice.

Icicle group on the summit of Gran Paradiso 4061m

Brief Course Itinerary
Sun Travel to Chamonix to arrive for the 17:00 check-in followed by and course safety and itinerary briefings. There is time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings are over by 19:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany the group to pre-dinner drinks. Night in Chamonix.
 
Itinerary 1: Hut-to-Hut
Itinerary 2: Circuit
Mon
Drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to the Val di Rhemes, and from there skin up to a summit such as the Punta Pallato 3050m, before skiing down to the Benevolo mountain hut for the night.
After a short drive from Chamonix to Cogne, you ski up the wooded valley famed for its ice climbing, before ascending above the treeline to the Sella refuge high above the valley. Night in mountain hut.
Tue
From the hut you set off very early to ascend another classic ski tour summit such as the Gran Vaudale 3400m, descending by skis all the way to the Benevolo hut for the night.
From the hut, you ascend towards the watershed col separating the Cogne and Savaranches valleys. The traverse and descent from the col is steep, leading down to the Chabot mountain hut.
Wed
A typical day would be to traverse from the Benevolo to the Chivasso mountain hut, and this ski tour is through complex terrain, which is very challenging in poor visibility.
Today is the big ascent day to reach the summit of Gran Paradiso 4061m. You can ski to within about 100m of the summit, then scramble to the top. Long ski descent to Victor Emmanuel hut.
Thu
From Chivasso you ski down into the head of the Val Savaranches, and from there skin up to reach the Victor Emmanuel hut, where you stay for the night in preparation for the big day tomorrow.
Here you enter into the most remote section of the route, passing Tresenta to pass to the south of paradiso massif. Don't worry, as today doesn't involve much uphill! Night in mountain hut.
Fri
Today is the big ascent day to reach the summit of Gran Paradiso 4061m. Ski to within 100m of the summit, then scramble to the top. Then the long ski descent to valley, and return to Chamonix.
The final stage of this classic circular route as you descend to Cogne again by a different valley system. After a final Italian coffee, you return to Chamonix for a celebratory meal and drinks.
Sat Breakfast then the accommodation check out is by 10:00. Most arrange their airport transfers to leave around this time, to catch a flight from Geneva about midday. Depart for home.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered. Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to the types of route / activity that you will attempt.

Course Prices
Standard course
5 full days IFMGA guiding, 1:6 max ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday
£1499
Live availability
Click on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Latest Availability
Secure online booking system
Standard Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guides for five days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Pre course information booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 5) Two nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. bedding & towels), 6) Up to four nights half board accommodation in mountain huts including three course cooked evening meals. 8) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 9) Road transport in Chamonix valley and to and from Italy.
Exclusions: 1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars (not usually required), 3) Ski hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 5) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges, 6) Sunday pre-dinner drinks & Friday celebratory meal & drinks.
Group sizes: 3 - 6 people per IFMGA mountain guide. For group sizes of over 6 people, there are multiple guides, and the teams travel independently of each other.
Upgrade options
Avalanche Skills Training
£75 (throughout the season)
To learn avalanche prediction, reutschblocks and use of avalanche tranceivers. Course is available on any dates, either scheduled or private, details.
Skiing down from the summit of Gran Paradiso towards Valsavaranches
Current course availability

Course Dates
Gran Paradiso Tour
  • No Dates Available
NOTE: This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are four who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
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Price: £1499 Book online

Preparatory trips
Intro Ski Touring

Aosta Ski Tour

Alternatives
Haute Route to Zermatt
Monte Rosa ski tour


Next trips
Ski Mount Elbrus
Ski Mont Blanc
Client feedback


It was so good to get to the summit on skis, and to enjoy the long ski down. As you can imagine, this kind of tour is a dream in my country! Great week

Anders P , Gran Paradiso Tour

Pass on my thanks to Stefano for being such a great guide, and for finding great snow all week. A total legend

Pete D , Gran Paradiso Tour

Such a brill week, and a fun group. Didn't want the week to end, and being back at work now is hard!

Bertie S , Gran Paradiso Tour

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Location data for this trip
The trips all start in Chamonix valley in the French Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed via a 90 minute transfer from Geneva airport.
Time Difference
GMT +1hr
Local Currency
€ Euros
Travel from UK
1hr flight
Skis & equipment advice
Because we know it is so important to you to have the most suitable equipment and clothing for off piste skiing and touring, we have devoted a page especially to it, which you can access by clicking on the image, or by clicking here. This page outlines the key equipment you should bring, and gives examples of skis that are suitable for the course. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Suggested reading and kit
View full course equipment list, with examples of kit, click here
So why choose us?
We are true specialists in ski touring. See our blog, by clicking on the logo (on the right).
Icicle Blog
Itinerary flexibility to allow you to take full advantage of the weather and conditions each day, so that you maximise the amount of time spent skiiing each day.
Our prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so that you can budget accurately.
We have a team of over 30 IFMGA guides, and a resort support team, who all want you to have the best skiing possible! For more details on the guiding team and qualifications, please click here.
Any further questions?
A key part of choosing a company is being able to come and talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know our clients value speaking to real people, getting open and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are British, and our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere in the English Lake District.



Get in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee to discuss your course in person with a trip advisor. Many people opt for this service, and it is an integral part of what we offer, as we are keen to ensure that you are prepared as possible, and that you select a course that is suitable for you. It makes it easier and more enjoyable for you and us, if you are on the right trip.


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