PROGRAM
Rhêmes Valley, between Valsavarenche and Valgrisenche, offers spectacular tours for those who love the idea of ski touring surrounded by nature. This beautiful valley, which is still wild and far from mass tourism, is dominated by the Granta Parey massif.
There are less than 100 permanent residents, spreaded in a dozen small villages in a 5km area. We like to consider them the keepers of the small antique heritage of these valleys, probably the least known in Aosta Valley. Without large ski areas or luxury hotels, this hidden valley offers to those who pay a visit its traditions and its stunning mountains: Rutor, Great Sassière and Great Rousse.
Our package includes 4 days to discover the best itineraries of the area, taking base in the Benevolo and Bezzi menaged huts.
We also offer the possibility of adding 1 extra day, with overnight stay at the unique B&B Hotel Giasson, in the historical village of Usellieres, recently renewed with a traditional alpine style. The hut, equipped with an outdoor sauna and double rooms with private bathroom, offers a transfer service with a private quad to the RV parking area located in the Mondanges village.
GROUP DEPARTURES
Elevation gain: 1,300 m uphill
Max altitude: 3,024 m
Meeting point: public parking area of Thumel (AO), in Rhêmes Valley
Base: Refuge de Fond/Benevolo hut
- meeting with the Guide and group, equipment check.
- ascent to the Benevolo hut/Refuge de Fond with your ski and skins.
- coffee break at the hut: this will be the perfect occasion for a short refresher training about safety equipment for your trip (transceiver, shovel and probe)
- trip with skis and skins: ascent to Punta Paletta, at 3,024 m
- descent on wonderful snowy slopes, helped by the Guide’s advices about safety during off-piste descents
- lunch break at Benevolo hut before checking into your room
- relax time in the hut
- briefing with the Guide before dinner: 2nd day planning and program
- dinner and overnight stay at the hut, the perfect occasion to get to know the rest of the group, tasting the delicious mountain cuisine of Aosta Valley
Elevation gain: 1,300 m uphill
Max altitude: 3,024 m
Meeting point: public parking area of Thumel (AO), in Rhêmes Valley
Base: Refuge de Fond/Benevolo hut
- meeting with the Guide and group, equipment check.
- ascent to the Benevolo hut/Refuge de Fond with your ski and skins.
- coffee break at the hut: this will be the perfect occasion for a short refresher training about safety equipment for your trip (transceiver, shovel and probe)
- trip with skis and skins: ascent to Punta Paletta, at 3,024 m
- descent on wonderful snowy slopes, helped by the Guide’s advices about safety during off-piste descents
- lunch break at Benevolo hut before checking into your room
- relax time in the hut
- briefing with the Guide before dinner: 2nd day planning and program
- dinner and overnight stay at the hut, the perfect occasion to get to know the rest of the group, tasting the delicious mountain cuisine of Aosta Valley
Elevation gain: 1,061 m uphill
Max altitude: 3,346 m
Base: Refuge de Fond/Benevolo hut
- wake up and breakfast at the hut
- trip with skis and skins: ascent to Punta Galisia, at 3,346 m, in an alpine setting with a charming beauty; the ascent will take place on the Fond glacier, with moderate slopes, toward the peak, that will be reached after the last passage on a crest
- short photo break, on the summit, before the descent: from the top you can enjoy a wide and charming panorama
- descent to the Benevolo hut and lunch break
- relax time in the hut
- briefing with the Guide before dinner: 3rd day planning and program
- dinner and overnight stay at the hut
Elevation gain: 1,061 m uphill
Max altitude: 3,346 m
Base: Refuge de Fond/Benevolo hut
- wake up and breakfast at the hut
- trip with skis and skins: ascent to Punta Galisia, at 3,346 m, in an alpine setting with a charming beauty; the ascent will take place on the Fond glacier, with moderate slopes, toward the peak, that will be reached after the last passage on a crest
- short photo break, on the summit, before the descent: from the top you can enjoy a wide and charming panorama
- descent to the Benevolo hut and lunch break
- relax time in the hut
- briefing with the Guide before dinner: 3rd day planning and program
- dinner and overnight stay at the hut
Elevation gain: 1,211 m uphill
Max altitude: 3,496 m
Base: Rifugio Bezzi
- wake up and breakfast at the hut
- third trip with skis and skins: from the Benevolo hut you will ascend to the Golettaz valley, towards the Bassac Deré pass, at 2,895 m. Easy ascent eastward, until the base of the Traversière glacier, then on steep slopes reaching the altitude of 3,414 m: from there, by foot, with your skis on the backpack, you will continue on the crest, until reaching the summit, at 3,496 m
- short photo break, on the summit, before descending to the Bezzi hut, at 2,285 m
- relax time in the hut
- briefing with the Guide before dinner: 4rd day planning and program
- dinner and overnight stay at the hut
Elevation gain: 1,211 m uphill
Max altitude: 3,496 m
Base: Rifugio Bezzi
- wake up and breakfast at the hut
- third trip with skis and skins: from the Benevolo hut you will ascend to the Golettaz valley, towards the Bassac Deré pass, at 2,895 m. Easy ascent eastward, until the base of the Traversière glacier, then on steep slopes reaching the altitude of 3,414 m: from there, by foot, with your skis on the backpack, you will continue on the crest, until reaching the summit, at 3,496 m
- short photo break, on the summit, before descending to the Bezzi hut, at 2,285 m
- relax time in the hut
- briefing with the Guide before dinner: 4rd day planning and program
- dinner and overnight stay at the hut
Elevation gain: 931 m uphill
Max altitude: 3,215 m
Base: Hotel Giasson – Chambre d’Hôte
- wake up and breakfast at the hut
- last trip with skis and skins: From the Bezzi hut you will follow the Truc Blanc itinerary up to the steep slope below the pass, to reach the Giasson pass at 3,154 m, and then the summit at 3,215 m
- short photo break, on the summit, before the descent
- return to the pass, descending north on the Giasson glacier: after reaching the moraines you will continue in the stunning valley below, up to pasture of Mont Fortchaz, at 2,180 m
- descend again towards the north-west in a stunning, and well-skiable, forest; reach the Arolla huts (1,921 m) and then the road back to the small village of Usellières
- lunch break in the unique and fabulous Hotel Giasson – Chambre d’Hôte B&B, toasting all together before the end of the tour
- descent and transfer to the starting point in Thumel by taxi (minivan)
- final greetings
EXTRA DAY (OPTIONAL)
Itinerary: variable
Base: Hotel Giasson – Chambre d’Hôte
This alternative provides the chance of spending the night in the Giasson Hotel, adding an extra day to the tour. The accommodation offers the possibility of relaxing in the outdoor sauna and visiting the antique wine cellar of the hut, to taste and try the traditional wines and liquors of the area, under the guidance of an expert, Alessio the manager of Giasson.
The return from Giasson hotel can be done on your skis or with a private quad, on demand.
Elevation gain: 931 m uphill
Max altitude: 3,215 m
Base: Hotel Giasson – Chambre d’Hôte
- wake up and breakfast at the hut
- last trip with skis and skins: From the Bezzi hut you will follow the Truc Blanc itinerary up to the steep slope below the pass, to reach the Giasson pass at 3,154 m, and then the summit at 3,215 m
- short photo break, on the summit, before the descent
- return to the pass, descending north on the Giasson glacier: after reaching the moraines you will continue in the stunning valley below, up to pasture of Mont Fortchaz, at 2,180 m
- descend again towards the north-west in a stunning, and well-skiable, forest; reach the Arolla huts (1,921 m) and then the road back to the small village of Usellières
- lunch break in the unique and fabulous Hotel Giasson – Chambre d’Hôte B&B, toasting all together before the end of the tour
- descent and transfer to the starting point in Thumel by taxi (minivan)
- final greetings
EXTRA DAY (OPTIONAL)
Itinerary: variable
Base: Hotel Giasson – Chambre d’Hôte
This alternative provides the chance of spending the night in the Giasson Hotel, adding an extra day to the tour. The accommodation offers the possibility of relaxing in the outdoor sauna and visiting the antique wine cellar of the hut, to taste and try the traditional wines and liquors of the area, under the guidance of an expert, Alessio the manager of Giasson.
The return from Giasson hotel can be done on your skis or with a private quad, on demand.
DETAILS
RATES
- the assistance of a UIAGM/IFMGA certified Mountain Guide
- the Mountain Guide’s expenses (transfers, meals and accommodation)
- liability insurance
- safety gear used by the Guide (eg rope)
- overnight stay in a refuge with half board
- booking assistance service (including assistance for refuges and lifts reservation)
The rate does not include
- research and rescue insurance with UVGAM coverage (recommended): €5 per person for 3 days
- the hiring of any personal equipment (avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and backpack): €30/day per person while supplies last
- the hiring of any personal equipment (harness, ice axe and crampons): €20/day per person while supplies last
- transfers, meals and accommodation
- anything that is not mentioned under "The rate includes"
