Spring Ski Summits 🇮🇹 🇨🇭 & Mont Blanc 🇫🇷 2022

This is a seriously inspiring and seriously physical 6 + 3 day guided ski mountaineering team programme offering the chance to do multiple demanding physical and moderately technical high altitude ski journeys and peaks culminating in the ski ascent of Mont Blanc.  In 2022 we have an ambitious programme attempting to complete a massive ski journey through the Swiss & Italian side of the Monte Rosa Massif with the possibility to ski a 4000m peak every day after the warm up day.  Even by the normal tough standards of this course,  this year is very physical and presents a very sustained yet inspiring week!

So if you have good ski, touring & mountaineering experience and excellent mountain fitness, we hope you can join us in the high mountains this spring…

Course Aims

• Ski some classic spring ski mountaineering journeys & summits (including major 4000m peaks) in the Swiss / Italian Alps according to conditions.  See itinerary below…
• Spend 5 nights in high mountain huts allowing early starts for long summit days
• Progress from previous ski touring trips and develop your ski mountaineering skills
• Meet up with like minded ski mountaineers for a challenging yet enjoyable & sociable ski week in the high mountains
• Benefit from your acclimatisation at the end of this course to Ski Mont Blanc

Plan A Itinerary

Liable to change according to weather, snow conditions and group dynamics

Pre Course Preparation

Day 1. Ski mountaineering, acclimatisation & training in the Mt Blanc Range, generally from the Skyway Monte Bianco or Aiguille du Midi.

Day 2. Approach the Monte Rosa Hut from Kl Matterhorn with the option to ski the Breithorn en route.

Day 3. Ascent of the mighty Grenz Gletscher & descent to Rifugio Gnifetti, at 3625m. We also aim to ski Piramid Vincent (4215m).

Day 4. Return leg back up Lys Glacier to the high point of the trip at 4554m.  Descent to the superb new Monte Rosa Hut.

Day 5. Another big day, they keep coming, so we need to keep going…with the aim of crossing the Stockhorn & Adler Passes (3382m & 3785m) & ascent to the summit of the Strahlhorn (4190m). Descent down to our last hut night base camp at Brittaniahutte (3027m).

Day 6. From Brittaniahutte we work our way through the big & complicated Fee Glacier towards the Alphubeljoch at 3772m with the aim of skiing the Alphubel itself (4206m) before the ski descent to Tasch.

Day 7 & 8. 2 days off!

Days 9 – 11.  Ski ascent of Mont Blanc, with one spare poor weather day / opportunity to do a final day tour.

A superb and very physical ski mountaineering programme! More details on the Spring Ski Summits & Ski Mont Blanc pages.

Fitness, Ski, Touring & Mountaineering Experience – Pre-requirements

A very high level of mountain fitness is required for this course in order to complete multiple long summit ski days in a row.  Thus an ability to comfortably maintain an ascent rate of 400m/hr on skins or foot for up to 5 hours with regular transitions, which also require effort and energy!

Very strong and effective off-piste skiing ability is also required with an ability to ski in all types of snow conditions including steep (at least 40 degrees) and exposed terrain.

Significant ski touring experience is also required to ensure you have a strong and reliable kick turn and ability to use ski crampons and make very efficient transitions.

Existing mountaineering experience with ice axe and crampons is also required.  If you are keen to join this programme and don’t have quite all the skills listed here, please contact us to arrange other courses and private guiding to offer a suitable and inspiring progression or some private guiding prior to this course.