The Queyras is one of the most beautiful of the French National Parks. Despite this it remains almost untouched by modern life and the unspoilt villages and hamlets have retained a traditional and authentic charm. Our tour is a traverse of the park taking in a number of summits with breathtaking views.
The skiing is varied with open slopes mixed in with skiing through larch and fir.
Skill/Stamina
Skill: ***
The intermediate level hut-to-hut ski tours are aimed at newcomers to multi-day hut-to-hut ski touring. However participants should have completed some day tours and have basic ski touring experience – e.g. familiarity with using skins and skinning technique, conversions/kick-turns. You need to be confident walking uphill on steep and exposed slopes with boot crampons.
You need to be a competent off-piste skier capable of skiing 10-12 continuous turns off-piste on most slopes and with the confidence to tackle steeper pitches in tricky conditions.
These tours differ from the beginner level tours in that ascents & descents will be more demanding – i.e. longer & steeper.
Stamina: **
These holidays will involve a reasonable degree of physical effort for which you will need to have good cardio-vascular fitness.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Guillestre. Overnight in the Hotel la Maison du Roy. Welcome meeting and briefing with your guide.
Day 2: Short transfer by road to Ceillac. Warm up morning on the slopes above the village. In the afternoon take the lift to Lac de St Anne. Ascent of the "Tête de Favière" (2866m). This is followed by an easy descent to the Gite du Cime Mélézet (1822 m) where you spend the night.
Vertical ascent: 440m. Descent: 1000m. Climbing time: 2 hours
Day 3: Today our goal is the La Tête de Jacquette (2757m) and the village of Saint Veran, at 2050m the highest village in Europe. We’ll stay here for 2 nights.
Vertical ascent: 1100m. Descent: 900m. Climbing time: 3 hours.
Day 4: Carrying only light sacks we depart for today’s goal, La Tête du Longet (3146m). Fantastic views from the summit followed by a great descent through larch trees and firs. Return to Saint Velan for a second night.
Vertical ascent/descent: 1190m. Climbing time: 3-4 hours.
Day 5: Another big day as we climb back up the Aigue Blanche valley before branching off to ascend to the Le Pic de Cornivier (2869m). The descent is via the Vallon de Clausis and the Aigue Agnelle valley which we follow until we reach the Refuge d'Agnel (2580m).
Vertical ascent: 1275m. Descent: 695m. Climbing time: 3-4 hours.
Day 6: Depending on the weather and the group’s stamina (!), you can either ascend Pain de Sucre (3208m) or take the climb to Le Pic de Foréant (3081m). Weather permitting views from both peaks will be stunning. Look out for the Chamois on the descent to the Gîte de la Monta (1700m) above Ristolas.
Ascent: 700-800m. Descent: 1720m. Climbing time: 3 hours.
Day 7: Our final day and our goal is La Tête de Clôt Lapierre (2730m). The ascent starts from the door of the Gite!
From the summit it’s a great descent all the way back to Ceillac. Return to the Hotel in Guillestre.
Ascent: 1050m. Descent: 1150m. Climbing time: 3-4 hours
Day 8: Depart after breakfast
Note: This itinerary is subject to weather and snow conditions. There are lots of alternative routes and we’ll pick the most suitable route based on the level of the group and the prevailing conditions.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes: all guide fees, 7 nights half-board accommodation in gites and hotels.
Price does not include: travel to/from Guillestre, personal insurance, equipment hire, lunches, drinks, local transfers and uplift costs
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