Ptor's Backyard - La Grave Ski & Splitboard Expedition
Overview
La Grave. For diehard ski and snowboard mountaineers, this sleepy little French mountain town is Mecca. But not in the same way as the more visited Chamonix. At La Grave, there’s a little less ego, a lot more rawness, far fewer tourists, and authenticity in the purest sense. For local guide, Ptor Spricenieks, who’s resume as a “professional skier” features premiere descents that have rarely, if ever, been considered by others, this is home. From his home you can literally see every nook and cranny of the off-piste ski resort accessed by the famed Téléphérique. The mother of local peaks, La Meije (3,984m/13,071ft), feels like it’s across the table when you sit down for a cup or three of stovetop espresso in the morning. But what makes Ptor’s home in the tiny hamlet of Ventelon especially amazing is not the obvious. In his backyard, there's more than a garden buried under snow (which, by the way, produces tons of garlic and the biggest carrots you’ve ever seen); there’s skiing that 99% of those who have visited La Grave have never experienced. Routes and objectives that Ptor knows like the back of his ... backyard. Get the point? And while you won’t be staying at Ptor’s house, you'll be right next door, in your own private, fully catered chalet with fine French meals and wine & beer provided.
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Expedition Highlights
- World class mountain freeride terrain.
- Certified ski/splitboard guides with years of local guiding & riding experience for a 1:3 guide to guest ratio.
- Fully catered chalet accommodation that includes wine & beer with traditional French mountain cuisine.
- Ski/ride the legendary La Grave - a once in a lifetime experience for many.
- Explore French Alps mountains & valleys rarely visited by others in winter.
- Hosted & guided for the tour duration from the moment you are met at Lyon airport.
Itinerary
After flying in to LYON (LYS) airport in France you will be transported to your chalet above La Grave to begin your adventure. While the vision for the trip is to have all possibilities for skiing in the valley on the table, there will be at least one big day off the Téléphérique at La Grave (lift tickets included), with more possible. Otherwise, day tours may begin directly from the chalet or across the valley in France's second largest national park, Parc des Écrins. Skiing down from the chalet and climbing up into the park for day missions is one possibility, or a short 10-minute drive will give us access to other valleys. There's also the Col du Lautaret, a high mountain pass which drops you at 2,058m and offers 1,000m lines for some of the easiest road skiing anywhere. From the chalet there’s also no shortage of closer and more easily accessed terrain, which will be perfect for spinning laps or in the event of weather days. By night, our proximity to La Grave will allow the group to take advantage of the local nightlife, if desired.
See the full 9-day program via the Itinerary tab.
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Lodging & Meals
Your home for the week is just a few minutes up the mountain side above La Grave, on the north (sunny) side of the valley in a a private chalet located next to the Ptor’s house in the quaint alpine village of Ventelon. The 4 bedroom “Chalet Berghuis Vertical” features a sauna and a beautiful dining room with a table for 10, set in front of a massive window overlooking La Meije, the second tallest peak in the Massif des Écrins. For meals, think traditional French mountain food, paired, of course, with fine French wine.
All meals whilst staying at the lodge are included, plus wine & beer.
Ability Level & Fitness
- Participants must be in excellent physical condition, and comfortable touring for long distances carrying their own backcountry packs.
- Participants must be advanced to expert level skiers or snowboarders, with at least 1 year touring experience.
- Participation does not require formal avalanche safety certification.
- Basic ski mountaineering experience, such as climbing in boot crampons and using an ice axe, is recommended but not required.
Equipment
- Splitboards are required for snowboarders.
- All participants must provide personal touring gear and avalanche safety tools (transceiver, probe, shovel), as well as mountaineering tools such as a harness, crampons and ice axe.
- A mandatory gear list will be given to participants prior to the expedition start date.
Guides & Group Size
The guide team for this trip is legendary. Lead IFMGA guide, Joe Vallone, might be a transplant from Colorado, but his knowledge of skiing La Grave is truly top-shelf. Touring from the terminus of the Téléphérique is Joe's specialty, and why riders from around the world come to the valley specifically to be guided by him.
Add Ptor Spricenieks to the mix, and you really couldn't ask for a better guided La Grave experience. For Ptor, who’s resume as a “professional skier” features premiere descents that have rarely, if ever, been considered by others, La grave was the place he wanted to call home. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Ptor’s ski partners in La Grave were none other than the likes of Doug Coombs, Colin Samuels, Jason Schutz and Troy Jungen. Now, after nearly 30 years living in the valley, let's just say Ptor "has some ideas" for skiing in the area. From his home you can literally see every nook and cranny of the off-piste ski resort accessed by the famed La Grave Téléphérique.
The size of the group is limited to a maximum of 6 skiers/splitboarders.
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