Learn how to ski tour around the Chazelet ski resort, and spend a night in the cozy Pic du Mas Refuge for a true mountain experience
Setting off for two days around Chazelet is a perfect way to get familiar with the practice of ski touring. This small family-friendly resort is located at 1740 meters (5,708ft) of elevation, with an ideal south-facing balcony location over the stunning Meije massif. While the impressive north face of la Meije remains in the shadow most of winter, here you will able to fully soak up the sun. During these two days, we will ski in a magnificent environment of small valleys and wide open slopes. We will both use ski lifts and skins, which will allow us to do several descents. It will be the opportunity to learn the basic techniques of ski touring, such as how to properly use your equipment (putting your skins on your skis, using your ski crampons, positioning the heel risers on your bindings for the way up, and more). We will also learn other important things such as how to make an efficient skin track and do kick turns. The slopes are east and west facing, allowing us to make the most of snow quality according to the time of the day and weather conditions. We will enjoy fun easy descents through untracked snow, and spend the night in the cosy Pic du Mas de la Grave mountain hut (1944m / 6,377ft), which has been recently renovated and offers beautiful views of la Meije across the valley.
Day 1 :
Free hike from the Chazelet ski lifts and climb to the refuge
We go from La Grave and in a few minutes by personal car to the station of Chazelet. From there, we take advantage of the ski lifts of the resort to gain beautiful descents by short ski touring approaches, so many opportunities to learn the technical gestures essential to the practice of ski touring: Equip your skis with the famous skins of seal, learn to mount your knives, feel your support and have the right stride rhythm uphill…
Night at the Pic du Mas de la Grave refuge, with the added bonus of the possibility of enjoying a Finnish sauna (at an additional cost) at the refuge and the lounge area to relax!
Day 2 :
ski touring day
The next day, to reach Le Chazelet, many options are possible, depending on the conditions and the motivations of the troops: we have the choice of Le Petit, le Gros Têt, la Petite Buffe or other!…
This program remains indicative, we will have to adapt to the forecasts of the weather, the mountain conditions and the participant’s level. In the last resort, the guide remains the unique judge of the program that he can modify due to security requirements
Outing with a certified mountain guide or instructor
Professional Civil Liability Insurance
Group technical gear (rope…)
Transceiver, shovel, probe, harness
Ski touring skis, skins, ski crampons, ski touring boots, poles
Meal costs for clients and guide
Lift Pass
Picnic for during the day
Lodging costs for clients and guide
Personal Accident Insurance
Appropriate clothing for your activity (long-johns, fleece/softshell jacket, down jacket, gore-tex jacket, ski pants, ski socks, warm hat, warm gloves, thin gloves)
Ski goggles, sunglasses, sunscreen
Water Bottle or thermos, food and snacks
helmet
Avalanche airbag backpack
backpack that can fit your shovel and probe INSIDE the pack (around 35L)
Small first aid kit for your personal needs and that contains material in case of blisters
Sleeping bag liner (to be used with the provided blankets at the refuges) and small toiletry kit (no showers in the refuge)
Club Alpin ID card, insurance card or information, Alpine Club card (if you have one)
You are able to descend a red piste in a ski area and you sometimes ski on the non-groomed edges of the piste. While climbing, you are able to walk between 3 to 4 hours with around 800m of gain.
You are able to walk 2 to 4 hours with a light day backpack.