Discovering the Alps on ski touring, venturing to summits over 4,000 meters high and admiring the beauty of nature. I've had the privilege of tasting the pleasures of mountaineering for several years now. But I started with easily accessible peaks, because the mountain is unforgiving. I invite you to discover three summits to climb on ski touring, ideal for beginners to mountaineering.
Ski touring ascent of Grand Paradis via the normal route
Culminating at 4061 meters above sea level, Gran Paradiso is one of the most accessible 4000-meter summits in the Alps, and one of the most famous mountaineering routes. I love this mountain for its logical, low-key route. I love this summit for its sublime route: from larch forests to the austere confines of rock and ice, the path unfolds breathtaking panoramas. At the summit, the view is divine: it stretches from Mount Viso to the Monte Rosa massif, lifting climbers' spirits to unsuspected heights. If you're comfortable ski touring and want to taste the pleasures of 4000-meter peaks, Grand Paradis is an excellent summit for beginner mountaineers. The climb to Gran Paradiso from the Vittorio Emmanuele II hut requires a total ascent of 1330 meters. Depending on your physical condition, the climb can take from one to three days. Your mountain guide will tailor the itinerary to your wishes, making this adventure a personal legend.
The ski touring ascent of Gran Paradiso starts at the 1961 parking lot, on the Next road to Valsavarenche. After just one kilometer, you cross a bridge. The trail continues through a larch forest to the Vittorio Emmanuele II refuge. You can choose to sleep at the refuge, or continue your ascent. Allow yourself at least a moment's respite near the hut. Let your gaze wander over the immensity of the massif, a spectacle of rare splendor. Meditate, contemplate nature's handiwork and breathe in the pure mountain air.
From the refuge, head north, then right up the combe. At the Becca de Montcorve, at 3870 m altitude, the slope becomes steeper. But the effort is rewarded by the view of the summit Grand Paradis. On the glacier, you find yourself immersed in a tableau of almost unreal beauty. The last 30 meters of the ascent are made on foot, walking on the rocks. Leave your skis at the col, at 4030 m altitude, and make your way to the statue of the Virgin Mary at the summit.
The long-awaited moment of ski descent finally arrives, promising more than 1,300 meters of vertical drop. In the face of this panorama, the sensations of sliding are unique. If you get tired, you can spend an extra night at the Vittorio Emmanuele II refuge. The hut is manned from March 27 to May 4. If you're planning your ascent before March, the winter part of the refuge remains open outside the guarding periods.
Ski touring ascent of the Strahlohorn via Britanniahütte
Rising to the summits the Alps holds unparalleled emotions. The Strahlhorn, culminating at 4190 meters in the Mischabels range, embodies this promise of immensity. This exclusively glacial ascent has long been a magnet for high-mountain enthusiasts. The reason? The beauty of the route and the splendid views of the Swiss Alps. But despite its technically easy route, the climb requires impeccable physical condition to be able to cover 1400 meters of positive ascent and 2600 meters of negative ascent. I advise you to divide the race into two days to take full advantage of the wild and intimate atmosphere of the high mountains. The day before your outing, check the avalanche bulletin and talk to your mountain guide. This will guarantee the success of your ascent.
The first day starts in Saas Fee. From the parking lot, head up the slopes for 1200 meters of ascent, or use the lifts to Felskinn, then the Egginerjoch. Then reach the Britannia hut. Built at an altitude of 3030 meters, it is one of the most visited huts in the Alps. In spring, it opens its doors from March to May to hikers eager to climb. From the hut, admire the view of the Alpine giants: Fluchthorn, Strahlhorn, Rimpfischhorn, Allalinhorn... These summits rise like a wall between the world of man and that of the heights. After an overnight stay at the Britanniahütte, you'll make your way up the Allalin glacier to the Adlerpass, before taking a gentle slope to the summit .
Ascent of the Bishorn via the normal route
At 4151 metres, the Bishorn overlooks the Tracuit hut. It is reputed to be one of the easiest summits over 4,000 metres to climb. This ascent, often regarded as a gentle introduction to mountaineering, takes place on a gentle glacier. But what particularly captivates skiers is the promise of a breathtaking view of the Weisshorn. Endowed with exceptional charisma, the summit invites us to contemplate its imposing stature. If you're looking for the thrill of a 4,000-meter summits on ski touring, I recommend climbing the Bishorn via the normal route.
The route begins with an ascent along the Navisence, then towards the Chiesso. Then on to the Roc de la Vache pass and the Tracuit hut. Here, a foretaste of the great theater of the peaks unfolds before you: the Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, Dent Blanche and, in the distance, Mont Blanc rise like titans. As if from another world, they tell us their age-old story. On the second day, the climb to the summit takes between 3 and 4 hours. Cross the Turtmann glacier, then climb the steep slope leading to the saddle between the two Bishorn summits . Finally, turn right to climb the last steep slope. Take care on the last leg, as a single fall could be fatal.
As I describe the route up the Bishorn, I relive the day I photographed it with its neighbor, the Weisshorn. The snow was abundant and the mountains reflected the light intensely. These two summits seemed so powerful and imposing! Even today, when I contemplate this work of art created in 2020, I lose myself in the infinite details it reveals.
Now it's up to you to choose the summit that most appeals to you for your ski touring outings. It's up to you to write your own story in the quest for the 4000 meters of the Alps. Each summit is unique and will provide you with a memorable adventure.
