Grand Paradiso ski traverse – 6-day tour

Set off on a full traverse of the Gran Paradiso massif, a six-day ski tour in the heart of the Italian national park. A complete and unspoiled itinerary linking the major huts of the range, ending with the ascent of the Gran Paradiso summit (4061 m). A unique alpine adventure through glaciers, cols, and Aosta Valley villages, offering a full immersion in the high mountains.

Program

The day before – Welcome in Saint-Gervais
Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the guides’ office. Meet your guide, followed by a briefing and gear check.

Day 1 – Vittorio Emanuele II Hut (2732 m)
Departure for Pont (1960 m) in the Aosta Valley. Ascent through larches and alpine meadows to the Vittorio Emanuele II Hut.
Elevation gain: +770 m.

Day 2 – Col du Gran Paradiso (3345 m) – Pontese Hut (2200 m)
Ascent to the Col du Gran Paradiso via the Moncorvé Glacier, then descent to the Ivrea bivouac and the Col du Becchi before reaching the Pontese Hut.
Elevation change: +613 m / -575 m / +220 m / -790 m.

Day 3 – Col Teleccio (3304 m) – Cogne (1534 m)
Ascent to Col Teleccio, descent of the Valeille Glacier, and arrival in the Cogne Valley, renowned for its icefalls.
Night in a hotel in Gimillian.
Elevation change: +1104 m / -1770 m.

Day 4 – Vittorio Sella Hut (2584 m)
South-facing ascent from Cogne up to the Vittorio Sella Hut, overlooking the Valnontey cirque.
Elevation gain: +1050 m.

Day 5 – Grand Serra (3552 m) – Chabod Hut (2750 m)
Ascent of the Grand Serra Col and, conditions permitting, the summit of the same name. Traverse of the Timorion Glacier, then descent to the Chabod Hut.
Elevation change: +786 to +968 m / -370 to -552 m / +400 m / -650 m.

Day 6 – Ascent of the Gran Paradiso (4061 m)
Ascent via the Laveciau Glacier to the summit ridge of the Gran Paradiso. Spectacular views across the Alps before a long glacial descent to Pont.
Elevation change: +1311 m / -2601 m.

The guides may adjust the program according to the weather, mountain conditions, and the participants’ level.

Photo gallery

Details

The Grand Paradiso Haute Route is a must-do ski traverse for lovers of wide-open spaces and high-altitude routes.
Over six days, you cross the massif from one side to the other, climbing glacial passes, traversing the valleys of the Aosta Valley, and discovering the diversity of its landscapes.

From the Vittorio Emanuele II Hut, the traverse follows a loop across the Moncorvé, Teleccio, Valnontey, and Timorion glaciers before reaching the summit of the Gran Paradiso. This trip blends endurance, immersion, and alpine aesthetics in a warm Italian atmosphere where mountain huts and gastronomy are part of the journey.

A complete, demanding, and unforgettable adventure, reserved for experienced skiers wishing to combine the pleasure of ski touring with the exploration of a preserved glacial massif.

Dates

From late March to early May depending on snow conditions and hut openings.

Registration and payment

Directly on our website or using the dated and signed registration form, accompanied by a 40% deposit and any optional insurance fees. The balance must be paid 60 days before departure.

Supervision and participants

Maximum 5 people per guide. Group departures guaranteed from 4 participants. You will be supervised by a mountain guide.

Physical and technical level

For strong skiers in good physical condition. Passages over cols and summits involve some technical difficulty. Prior ski touring experience is required. Feel free to contact us if you are unsure about the required level.

You will be traveling on an unmarked high-mountain route and must be aware of the risks inherent to this activity (crevasses, serac fall, rockfall, avalanches, extremely low temperatures).

Prices

Group rate:
€1470 per person (departure guaranteed from 4 participants)

Price for private groups:
1 participant: €3990
2 participants: €2290 per person
3 participants: €1790 per person
4 participants: €1510 per person
5 participants: €1370 per person
6 participants: €1790 per person

The price includes

  • Supervision by a mountain guide
  • The half-board accommodations in the mountain huts
  • Picnics
  • Mont Blanc Tunnel fee

The price does not include

  • Drinks, cereal bars, and other personal expenses
  • Your personal insurance
  • Your ski touring equipment
  • Transport from Saint Gervais to Pont in Italy (it is customary for clients to provide the guide’s transport)
  • Anything not listed under “price includes”

Insurance

Repatriation

Having “assistance–repatriation” insurance is mandatory to take part in our trips: it must cover you in high mountains for search and rescue by helicopter. If you do not have “assistance–repatriation” insurance, we can provide one at a rate of €5/day.

Cancellation

We also offer optional “cancellation” insurance at a rate of €12/day. This insurance does not take into account the sporting nature of our trips. It must be purchased at the time of registration to take effect.
As a reminder, cancellation insurance covers you from the moment you register until the start of your trip if something happens and you cannot attend. We apply cancellation fees as specified on our registration form and in our terms of sale. These fees may be reimbursed by the cancellation insurance if your reason for cancelling is covered.


If you pay by credit card, feel free to check the insurance included with it.

As a reminder, in the event of cancellation you must file your claim with the insurer within 5 days of the accident or reason for cancelling, otherwise it will not be valid (then check whether the reason for cancellation is covered).

Insurance fees are non-refundable.

Equipment list

Technical equipment

  • Backpack with a ski-carry system and sufficient capacity (approx. 35–40 liters)
  • Light ski touring skis with clean (waxed) bases and crampons compatible with the bindings
  • Skins sized to the width of the skis and properly glued
  • Ski touring boots. It’s important to protect friction areas (heels, etc.) with Compeed and Elasto from the first day.
  • Ski poles with large baskets
  • Avalanche transceiver, shovel, and collapsible probe
  • Harness with carabiner
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe

Technical equipment is available for rent from our partners:
For Saint Gervais : blanc-sport-saintgervais.com/ www.unlimited-saintgervais.com,
For les Contamines : www.intersport-lescontamines.com/

Clothing

  • Beanie/balaclava/fleece headband and neck gaiter (buff), plus a cap for sun protection
  • Modern-fiber base layers: long-sleeve and short-sleeve
  • Fleece jacket and lightweight down jacket
  • Thick down jacket for the bottom of the pack in case of severe cold
  • Waterproof, windproof Gore-Tex-type jacket
  • Gore-Tex–type pants: windproof and waterproof
  • Modern-fiber tights
  • Warm socks

Essential accessories

  • Category 4 sunglasses and ski goggles
  • Warm, waterproof ski gloves plus thin gloves
  • Over-mittens and/or a second pair of warm gloves
  • Light headlamp + spare batteries
  • Sleeping bag liner
  • Plastic bags to protect your belongings
  • Water bottle and/or thermos (1.5 L)
  • First-aid kit: Elastoplast, Compeed double-skin blister pads, sunscreen, lip protection, painkillers, earplugs, personal medication.
  • European Health Insurance Card, ID card and insurance documents, cash

Feel free to contact us if you need advice on physical preparation, gear selection, or organizing your trip.

Rendez-vous

You will meet the guides the day before departure at the Saint-Gervais Guides Office (43 rue du Mont Blanc, 74170 Saint-Gervais), located inside the tourist office in the village center, at 6:30 p.m. Please let us know if you cannot attend; the briefing can be done by phone.


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You can call us at (+33)4 50 47 76 55.