TOUR OF LA MEIJE

TOUR OF LA MEIJE

Stunning skiing from La Grave

READY TO SKI ?

La Meije is the 3982m mountain forming the dramatic backdrop to the village of La Grave. On the edge of the Ecrins National Park in the French Alps, this is one of the biggest off piste skiing sites in Europe. The region is characterised by rocky peaks, steep sided narrow valleys and huge areas of glacier. There are gaping crevasses, steep descents, long climbs, narrow passages and good snow until the end of May. While La Grave is well known for its off piste skiing few people go beyond the itineraries accessible with the cable car. Our ski tour takes you from here in a circular traverse of the area, spending six nights in the region’s guarded refuges.

 

• Start and finish in La Grave
Superb mountaineering peaks with steep technical climbs
• Testing all your skills

 

GRADE : D3 : A3 : F3
see our grade coding here

 

BUDGET

1450€pp

 

This price includes :

• 6 days guided ski touring with a qualified UIAGM high mountain guide

• 7 nights accomodation

• All dinners, breakfasts & picnic lunches

• Transfer from/to Briançon

Extras:

• Lift passes

• Equipment hire

BOOK NOW AT sian@pyrenees-mountains.com or +33(0)5 62 92 81 52

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Rendez-vous in Villar d'Arène near La Grave. Meet with your guide to discuss the week ahead and check equipment before dinner and a good night's sleep.

DAY 2

Transfer to the Pont d'Arsine (1669m) from where we head off towards the Refuge of Villar d'Arène (2077m).  Leaving some equipment at the refuge we then tackle the 500m ascent to Chamoissière and practice crevasse and avalanche rescue for the afternoon.

DAY 3

Leaving the refuge, again only with day packs, we head towards the Col de la Grande Ruine (3249m), coming back to spend another night in the Refuge de Villar d'Arène.

DAY 4

Leaving the Refuge de Villar d'Arène we first climb to the Refuge Adèle Planchard (3169m) and leave our bags. We continue to the Grande Ruine summit (3765m) then have a wonderful descent back to the refuge where we spend our fourth night.

DAY 5

After one night at Adèle Planchard we leave, first crossing the Col des Neiges (3348m) and then the Col de la Casse Déserte (3483m). Following this we then tackle the steep descent towards the Refuge du Chatelleret (2240m) before a final climb to the Refuge du Promontoire (3082m).

DAY 6

Today is the most difficult and technically demanding day of the tour: We first cross the Breche de la Meije (3357m), afterwards plotting a complicated route through some of the most heavily crevassed glaciers. We continue - sometimes on skis, sometimes on crampons - to the Passage de Serret du Savon (3399m). Keeping the same altitude we traverse to the Refuge de l’Aigle (3450m). This is one of the most spectacular refuges in the Alps.

DAY 7

Yesterday there was almost no downhill skiing but today is another story: Starting with the ascent of the Pic Oriental of la Meije (3891m) we then have a long ski down the steep Glacier de l’Homme to the Pont d'Arsine. What a finish !

DAY 8

Departure from the hotel in Villar d'Arène after breakfast. Transfer for your homeward journey.