2 Days
Intermediate
4 people
English, Français, Italian
Ski mountaineering on Gran Paradiso is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and rewarding tours in the entire Alpine range. Standing at 4,061 meters, this majestic mountain rises at the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, a protected and pristine area between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont. It is the only 4,000-meter peak entirely within Italian territory, making it especially iconic for mountain enthusiasts and ski mountaineers.
With its harmonious shape, wide slopes, vast glaciers and unspoiled atmosphere, Gran Paradiso is an ideal destination both for those attempting their first 4000 on skis and for experienced ski mountaineers looking for a classic, safe and deeply satisfying ascent. The route winds through quiet woods, broad alpine basins, open snowfields and steeper stretches that lead toward the upper glacier, offering a continuous journey through landscapes of rare beauty.
As you climb toward the summit, the panorama becomes extraordinary: the Mont Blanc range, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, the Ecrins and many of the most iconic peaks of the western Alps. On the clearest days, the view extends as far as the Apennines and the distant shimmer of the Po Valley. Being inside Italy’s oldest national park adds even more charm to the experience, with the chance to spot ibex, chamois, foxes and golden eagles along the way.
Beyond its natural beauty, Gran Paradiso offers a wonderfully “balanced” ascent. The elevation gain is significant but evenly distributed; the slopes are skiable from the summit all the way down to the valley; and spring conditions often provide unforgettable descents on firn, powder, or velvet-like snow depending on the aspect. It is a mountain that feels designed for skiers, thanks to its broad, inviting terrain.
The presence of well-known mountain huts — such as the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II and Rifugio Chabod — makes the approach more comfortable and allows for a full two-day immersion in high-mountain atmosphere, hospitality and adventure. Spending a night in a hut amplifies the feeling of being in the wild heart of the Alps: the silence, the star-filled sky free of light pollution, and the glow of sunrise reflecting on the glaciers create a nearly magical ambience.
For ski mountaineers, Gran Paradiso represents the perfect balance between adventure, scenery, safety, technique and the poetic essence of the mountains. It is a journey that blends the effort of the ascent with the joy of the descent, the enchantment of a national park and the emotion of reaching one of Italy’s most iconic and beloved summits.
You must be an intermediate ski mountaineer with previous experience in this type of ascent. You must be in good physical shape and able to face 1500m of elevation gain with ease in lower altitudes. The height differences faced are high (2100m in two days) and the technical difficulties, even if not excessive, are present in the upper part, at an altitude of 4000m.
The leading Guide is a fully certified IFMGA Montain Guide.
You can book this activity in any date/dates within the availability periods. We tailor your experience to meet your every need, from your fitness level to your skiing ability.
Private Guiding:
Open Groups:
Although it is a tour of intermediate technical commitment, in case you want to undertake the ski tour, we recommend that you contact us and discuss the details and the program with our guides before the expedition.
In this part is possible to start walking without skis, depending on snow conditions. Total ascent elevation: 916m. Uphill ski/walking time: 2h30. Difficulty: Easy. After arriving to Pravieux park we will start the climb crossing the Savara torrent. The track will be easy and clear towards larch forest, small villages and open snowy slopes till the Chabod Refuge at 2750m, where we will stop for a breakfast. We will spend the rest of the day with a little safety course and techinical advices nearby the refuge. Dinner at Chabod.
Gran Paradiso Normal Route. Total ascent elevation: 1311m. Uphill ski/walking time: 4/5h. Difficulty: intermediate. Wake up early at about 4/5 am and breakfast. The climb from this side presents a wilder and more alpinistic scenario than the classic route from Vittorio Emanuel II Refuge, given by the Laveciau Glacier and by the presence of numerous crevasses. The view over the Becca di Montandaynè and Gran Paradiso North Face will brighten you during all the ascent. The descent will take place from the opposite side reaching the Vittorio Emanuel II Refuge where we will have a short breakfast or beer, ending the descent to Pont Valsavarenche.
Basic ski touring and safety equipment. Technical equipment (these items can be rented): harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons, mountaineering boots.Personal equipment: 30 litre backpack, 1 litre thermos, provisions (energy bars, chocolate, dried fruit, sandwiches), first aid kit, sun glasses (protection factor 3 or 4), goggles, gore-tex jacket and overpants, windstopper vest, gaiters, mountain pants, fleece jacket, breathable base layers, lightweight gloves, thick gloves, warm hat, bandana, sun screen factor 50. For the huts: sleeping bag liner, change of socks, headtorch and spare batteries, mountaineering club membership, toothbrush & toothpaste, small towel, wipes.
You must be an advanced ski mountaineer with previous experience in this type of ascent. You must be in good physical shape and able to face 1500m of elevation gain with ease in lower altitudes. The height differences faced are high (2100m in two days) and the technical difficulties, even if not excessive, are present in the upper part, at an altitude of 4000m.
The Federico Chabod Refuge - 2750m. The Federico Chabod Refuge (2750m) is situated at the foot of the north-west face of the Gran Paradiso, at the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park. The refuge is open in the springtime to cater for skiing (until mid-May) and reopens in mid-June until mid-September during the period of traditional climbing and hiking activities. Facilities provide for every comfort. In the summer, the refuge offers hostel services with 85 beds with toilets and shower en suite. The Chabod is the starting point for the standard Gran Paradiso route, offering a spectacular view of the entire massif, and is a stop-off point for route no. 4. It is linked to the Refuge Vittorio Emanuele by a scenic traverse where it is possible to admire and view the whole of the Valsavarenche. It takes two and half hours to arrive at the refuge from the valley floor, with an easy footpath dating back to the king’s hunting days which winds through a larch wood opening out to flowered pastures where animals can often be seen. A rock-climbing facility has been set up in the vicinity of the refuge. In October 2001, the refuge was granted the UNI EN ISO 14001 environmental certificate by Certiquality.
Member Since 2023
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