Freeride Skiing Aosta Valley & Monte Bianco Italy Tour
Overview
The upper Aosta valley ends abruptly at the massive bulk of Monte Bianco (a.k.a. Mont Blanc), the home of some of the world's best ski descents. Down valley from Mont Blanc, the ski resorts of Courmayeur & La Thuile provide stellar resort skiing & classic Alps backcountry access. On this tour you will discover the amazing freeride powder ski descents on the Italian side of Mont Blanc & in the superb Aosta Valley resorts of Courmayeur & La Thuile as well as the interconnected French resort of La Rosiere. The incredible descents off Monte Bianco are best sampled with an experienced guide in a group of like-indeed people. If this appeals to you, read on……
The Freeride Skiing the Aosta Valley & Monte Bianco Italy tour is led by an experienced guide that knows the region like their own backyard. Utilising a single, centrally located base hotel, the group will travel by private minibus to a different ski area each day, using the local ski lifts & some skinning to seek out the best freeride powder in the region. Every night, once comfortable at the hotel, the guide will discuss with the group the options for the next day’s adventure over a few après ski drinks.
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Ski Resorts Visited
In addition to skiing in the magnificent local resort Courmayeur, the group will visit several other areas in both Italy & France to provide the best skiing experience of the upper Aosta valley. La Thuile & its delightful backcountry will be visited on a few days, as well as its interlinked French ski resort of La Rosiere. A descent of the Valle Blanche will give the group a taste of the amazing Chamonix. near Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc, the impressive Skyway Monte Bianco will provide upward transport for some of the best freeride descents in the region. See the Itinerary Tab for more.
Meeting Point & Transport
The meeting point for the tour is either of two train stations - Briançon (France) or Oulx (in Italy) or alternatively one can make there way directly to Courmayeur village & meet the group there. Oulx is on the Paris-Lyon-Turin-Milan fast train line so is a handy way to get to the area. Once picked up, your group will have its own minibus to transport you to up to all the different ski areas on the tour. See the Itinerary Tab for more.
Accommodation & Meals
Enjoy the hospitality, food & drink of a classic, stylish Italian village for 5 nights. The usual base is the fabulous town of Courmayeur. It is central to all the ski areas on the tour, but flexibility, weather & snow will dictate the best place to stay. Suffice to say, everyone will be comfortable wherever you rest your head! See the Accommodation Tab for more.
Guides & Group Size
All guides are fully certified mountain guides with extensive local ski & mountaineering experience, plus their understanding of clients’ needs/wishes, and their teaching/organisational skills. The maximum number of guests per guide/group will be 7, but may be as low as 5, depending on conditions.
Technical & Personal Requirements*
Ski Ability
Participants must be experienced skiers. Splitboarders can only be catered for in a specific group (please enquire!). You should be at ease with skiing on all types of snow at a sustained pace all day long. Slopes may include short steep sections (40o to 45o) plus couloirs. Skinning uphill will be involved, but will generally be no more than 45 min to 1 hour per day. No previous skinning/ski touring experience is required. All ski gear can be rented & avalanche safety gear is included in the tour price.
Fitness
Good physical condition is required, skinning or short ascents on foot will for a total of up to 2½hr/day. You should be prepared to ski all day long at a good pace, approx. 4 - 6 hrs skiing.
*Good to know: if you don't have the level required, the guide may ask you to leave if necessary for the well-being of the rest of the group. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to ask!
Ski Lifts
Considering the itinerary may be modified due to mountain and snow conditions, ski lift fares are not included in the price. They are at your own expense and are to be purchased on site in order to allow for flexibility. Hence in case of bad weather or snow conditions, the group can easily transfer to another spot to find the best conditions. Your guide will advise you on the type of ski lift pass to purchase (6 days or less). You should budget approx €200 for a 6 day ski lift pass.