4-day ski touring intro course in the Cerces massif

The guide will welcome you, check your bags and equipment. Transfer to Névache. We’ll put on our ski skins to reach the Buffère ( 2050m) refuge in 2 hours. After dropping off our evening stuff at the refuge, we’ll set off for skiing loop: the Echaillon ridge (2500m) followed by a fine descent to Lac Blanc and then back up to the Porte de Cristol and the refuge. .
During the lunch break, we’ll take time for a rescue exercice (how to use an avalanche transceiver) and an overview of the basics of snow analysis. We’ll have a picnic lunch on the mountain or at the refuge if the weather is bad.

Dinner and overnight at the Buffère refuge.

Difference in altitude: + 800 m / - 800m

During breakfast, the guide will suggest the most suitable route to the Chardonnet refuge. After dropping off your belongings at the Chardonnet hut (2223 m) and enjoying a comforting snack, back on the skis to go to the Col du Chardonnet or the Casse Blanche.

Meal and overnight at the Chardonnet hut.

Difference in altitude: + 800 m / - 800m

We’ll set off to climb the tête des Raisins, 2817 metres high. A beautiful summit from where you can admire the highest peaks of the Ecrins massif: la Meije, les Agneaux, la Barre des Ecrins...
We return to the refuge to collect our belongings before continuing our descent to the Fontcouverte chalets. We then climb back up to the fabulous Ricou refuge. From the terrace you can enjoy the most beautiful sunset over the Cerces massif.

Depending on your fitness level and the snow and weather conditions, the guide will suggest various options. Rocher de la Petite Tempête, 2973 metres or Pic du Lac Blanc, 2980 metres, with a return to Névache via the Chalets du Vallon. At the end of these four days, you will have had an overview of the main summits and refuges of the Cerces massif.

End of our trip late afternoon in L’Argentière-la-Bessée.

NB : The programme is intended as a guide only. It could be modified at any time by the mountain guide for safety reasons, weather conditions or regarding the physical and technical level of the participants.

The aim of this course is to teach you the basic techniques of ski touring in complete safety.

8 skiers maximum. Departure is guaranteed from 4 participants. You will be notified at least 7 days before departure in the event of cancellation. Where possible, an alternative solution will be offered.

NB : For cancellation conditions for privatised trips (made up groups) please refer to our conditions of sale.

Please note that we offer some of this equipment for rental, they are indicated by a * in the list below, you will find rental prices in the "Gear rental and extras prices" section.

Equipment rental and changes are only possible before payment of the balance of your booking (45 days before departure). We advise you to take the time, as soon as you register, to list the equipment you already have or which can be lent to you. Any equipment initially rented from ROC ECRINS even not taken on the day of departure must be paid for.

The head

• Sunglasses class 4*protective lenses
• Ski goggles
• A helmet*
• A warm hat
• Sunscreen high protection (30 and 50)

The body

• A mountain rucksack * suitable to carry skis if necessary, approx. 25 litres
• A long-sleeved top, prefer merino wool to synthetic fabrics as the are more breathable
• A fleece or soft shell jacket
• A warm down jacket
• A Gore-tex waterproof jacket*to protect against rain, snow and wind
• An avalanche transceiver + shovel* and probe*.
• Harness*

Hands

• A pair of thin leather ou fleece gloves and a warmer pair with a waterproof membrane

Legs

• Ideally a Gore-tex type ski trousers *with with long side zips. For cold days, a long warm underwear may be worn underneath

The feet

• Ski touring skis *
• Ski skins* in good condition
• Ski crampons* suitable for your bindings
• Ski touring boots
  
• Telescopic ski poles*
• A light ice axe*
• A spare pair of socks

Miscellaneous

• Bring containers for around 2 litres of water, ideally a one-litre bottle plus smaller ones to keep warm and close to your body in your jacket.
• Small knife
• Small thermos flask
• Camera
• Small first-aid kit adapted to your personal needs, also containing elastoplast and double-skin dressings for any blisters.

This list is not exhaustive and should be completed with all what you may specifically need.

We propose for sale a great range of technical gear and clothing for all mountain activities DIRECTLY on our premises in L’Argentière-La Bessée where we will welcome you on the first day . Don’t hesitate to ask us for advice or ask your guide on site.

BRANDS ON SALE :

• BEAL (Climbing and mountaineering harnesses, slings, descenders, carabiners, quickdraws, belay gloves, climbing bags, headlamps, mountaineering helmets and climbing helmets, ropes ...)
• CAMP (Climbing and mountaineering axes, liquid chalk and chalk)
• SALEWA (Mountaineering shoes)
• CASSIN (Mountaineering crampons)
• ALTITUDE EYEWEAR (Sunglasses category 3 & 4)
• YYVERTICAL (Climbing safety glasses)
• NATURAL PEAK (Technical T-shirts in wood fibre, long and short sleeves and leggings)
• ICEBREAKER (Merino wool technical T-shirts, long and short sleeves and leggings)
• DYNAFIT (Ski touring boots, second-hand and new ski touring skis)
• LES BATONS D’ALAIN (Hiking poles and ski touring)
• LABORATOIRE BIARRITZ (ecological sun cream, body, face & lips)
• COMPEED (Double skin plaster to prevent blisters ...)
• BOULES QUIESS (Ear plugs for good nights in refuges...)

Ski touring is dependent on different factors that we can sometimes neither anticipate nor control; we may therefore have to modify the programme of our high mountain holidays before or during the stay for various reasons:

• if the weather and/or snow conditions make it impossible to carry out the planned programme and/or
• if there is a delay in the opening or early closure of a ski lift or refuge

In these cases, we will offer you an alternative programme, sometimes on the day of departure, which you may not refuse.

Ski touring, as all mountain activities have some level of risk particularly of avalanche or injury in the event of a fall.
To reduce the hazards that they are exposed to skiers must follow the safety instructions given by the instructor.

You must be aware of these risks and accept them when booking.

No medical certificate required to take part in our trips, but it may be useful to check with your GP that you have no contraindications (particularly in the case of chronic illness) to physical activity in the high mountains.

If you are undergoing any particular treatment, please let us know so that we can take appropriate measures if necessary.

Altitude can cause acute mountain sickness when you are not sufficiently acclimatised, also known as AMS. In most cases, it is accompanied by headaches, nausea and a general feeling of discomfort, but in the most serious cases it can lead to pulmonary or cerebral oedema, requiring an immediate descent.

Ski touring is physically demanding.
With an average 800m daily ascent, it’s important that you arrive in very good physical condition to get the most out of these 4 days.
If you do an endurance sport on a regular basis, that’s perfect; if you don’t, we advise you to train in the weeks/months leading up to your stay. Running, hiking, cycling or swimming at high intensity are perfect sports to improve your stamina and fitness.

This stay is open to all good skiers who are comfortable on red runs.

N.B.: If you do not have the required level, the guide may ask you to leave the course for the safety of the whole group.

By state-certified mountain guides or trainees mountain guides (aspirant guides) from the Roc Écrins team. They will have a VHF radio connected to the emergency services, a satellite phone or a mobile phone. They will also have a collective first-aid kit.

*A trainee mountain guide is a guide in training who is authorised to work and supervise climbs from their third year of training. They are not beginners, as it takes several years of practice and training to build up a list of routes and have the experience and technical level required to enter the mountain guide training course.

To take part in one of our stays, you must be properly insured for the chosen activity (rescue and repatriation costs) in the event of an incident or accident occurring during the stay. (We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover). It is your responsibility to check the cover provided by your personal insurance policy. If you do not have such an insurance, you can take out the EUROP ASSISTANCE contract when you sign up. The amount of the "ASSISTANCE" insurance covering repatriation, rescue and search costs represents 2.4% of the price of the stay. MULTIRISK" insurance covering assistance, cancellation, loss of luggage and interruption of holiday, represents 5.6% of the price of the holiday.

The first refuge is located in the Vallon de Buffère. This former mountain pasture chalet has been comfortably renovated by Nadette and Claude, and offers rooms with 2 to 6 beds, equipped with blankets and duvets (bring your own sleeping sheet). For your comfort: 3 toilets and 1 dry toilet, 3 bathrooms with hot showers (bring your own toiletries), 1 lounge with games and a library by the fire. We are particularly fond of this refuge because the food is healthy and based on organic fruit, vegetables, eggs, bread, etc. Electricity is generated by a micro-turbine on a nearby waterfall.
The refuge du Chardonnet welcomes you in a spacious common room with a fireplace. Hot showers and rooms for 4 people. The south-facing terrace invites you to relax.
Le refuge de Ricou is situated on the adret slope. It overlooks the upper Clarée valley and offers a unique view. Attractive 4-bed rooms, hot showers and hearty meals await you.

This accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking.

Transport provided by Roc Écrins. If none of our vehicles are available, we may ask you to organise car pooling with other participants. In this case, travel expenses would be refunded to the person using their vehicle.

• To come to the Hautes-Alpes area: make sure to bring suitable equipment for your vehicle (snow tyres or snow chains), MANDATORY on some of the roads used during your stay. >HAUTES-ALPES.FR

That’s the CO2 produced by our travels during your stay!

To join us :

Why not car pool or take the train ?

For information:

• Paris - L’Argentière-La Bessée (710km) by overnight train !

1. By train : 2,53 kgCo2
2. By car : 137 kg CO2
3. By electric car : 14,1 kgCO2

• Lyon - L’Argentière-La Bessée (250 km)

1. By train : 1,22 kgCo2
2. By car : 48,4 kg CO2
3. By electric car : 4,96 kgCO2

• Marseille - L’Argentière-La Bessée (259km)

1. By train : 0,88 kgCo2
2. By car : 50,1 kgCO2
3. By electric car : 5,13 kg CO2

Carpooling ? We can put you in touch with other participants. Contact us by email or telephone. https://www.blablacar.fr/

Offset your carbon emissions !

For every tree planted, 150 kg of CO2 are stored !
https://www.reforestaction.com/plan...

The Pays des Ecrins region has excellent transport links.

If you’re coming by train,

The SNCF provides direct daily services from Paris, Marseille and Grenoble to L’Argentière-la-Bessée station.
PLEASE NOTE: the Pays des Ecrins station is called "L’Argentière les Ecrins". You must specify the full name of the station when booking, otherwise you may receive a ticket for "l’Argentière" station in Savoie.

• TGV connection, Paris-Turin. Get off at Oulx then take the shuttle to Briançon and l’Argentière.
• TGV connection, Paris-Valence or Paris-Grenoble with bus connections
• Night trains from Paris and the East of France. Information www.sncf.connect.fr
• from Nice, Marseille or Gap, regular bus services (www.autocars-scal.fr - 04 92 51 06 05)

If you are coming by car,

• From the north, take the A48 motorway to Grenoble, then the Col du Lautaret (RN91). Drive through Briançon towards Gap up to L’Argentière-la-Bessée..

• From Italy, take the A43 Maurienne motorway through the Fréjus tunnel, then the Col de Montgenèvre. Drive through Briançon towards Gap up to L’Argentière-la-Bessée..

• From the south, take the A51 motorway to La Saulce, then head for Briançon (RN 94). You enter the Pays des Écrins at La Roche de Rame.

• Mountain guiding service , including their meals, overnight accommodation
• Full board accommodation in mountain hut from the first evening to the lunch on day 4
• Transport during your stay
• Organisation and reservations (accommodation, guide, equipment) of your stay

• We welcome you to our premises for a cup of coffee or tea and equip you on site
• Free parking is available at the meeting point
• You can have a shower at the end of your stay
• You have free access to a relaxation area with Wifi, toilets, microwave, etc. while you wait for your train (5 minutes’ walk from the station)
• You can leave a bag with your personal belongings on the ROC ÉCRINS premises during your stay
• You will receive a 10% discount on our entire sales area (ROC ÉCRINS customers only)

To book your trip :

• complete the pre-registration form online
• You will receive a booking contract by email. It sets out the details of your booking as well as the schedule and payment terms.
• On receipt of this contract, the deposit of 30% must be payed within 4 days in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the contract. Your registration can only be confirmed when the deposit has been payed.
• The balance must be paid 45 days before the departure. Please note that any balance not paid within 45 days of departure will be considered as a cancellation of your booking. Financial withholding would therfore be applied in accordance with our terms and conditions of sale.
• For a of a booking made less than 45 days before departure, the total amount of the booking must be paid on receipt of the booking contract in accordance with the terms and conditions set out therein.