Ski touring and nights at refuge des Aiguilles d'Arves

Ski touring and nights at Les Aiguilles d'Arves mountain hut with an instructor/guide

We suggest you spend 2 whole days in the mountains and enjoy an evening far from the usual standards: touring and skiing under the aesthetic Aiguilles d'Arves and sleeping in the refuge of the same name at an altitude of 2260 m. An instructor/guide to supervise you and help you discover the snow-covered slopes of the famous Aiguilles de Maurienne on skis.

Ski touring with nights at refuge des Aiguilles d'Arves

Day 1 | Refuge des Aiguilles d'Arves - 2260 m

M+ 600 to 1200 m ; M- 0 to 900 m ; 4 to 6 hours

Meet at Bonnenuit car park above Valloire village.

Depending on your shape, your desires and the snow conditions, we can cover the 590 m of elevation gain that separates us from the refuge and then lighten up a few things to go higher. Or, hike to a first summit from the car park: Pointe des Ratissières (2865 m), and ski its south face before putting on the skins to climb the 200 m drop that will take us to the refuge.

Day 2 | Aiguille de l'Épaisseur - 3230 m

M+/M- 500 to 1500 m ; 4 to 6 hours

The next morning, from the refuge we can reach the summit of the Aiguille de l’Épaisseur (3230 m), a breathtaking panorama of the Aiguilles d’Arves with its 360° view.

Day 3 | Col des Aiguilles d'Arves - 3163 m

M+ 600 to 1500 m ; M- 1200 to 2100 m ; 4 to 6 hours

On the last day we will venture to the foot of the Aiguilles d’Arves before descending to the car park. Col des Sarrasins (3126 m), Col de Petit Jean (3065 m), or even that of the Aiguilles d’Arves (3163 m) from which a long descent awaits us. For experienced skiers it is even possible to ski some couloirs on the northern slopes of the valley, including the imposing couloir of the Aiguille d’Argentière (3237 m) and its 1000 m of vertical drop, that of the Col des Trois Pointes (3043 m) and others.

Les Aiguilles d'Arves refuge

We cannot recommend this refuge highly enough to spend 2 days (or more) on skis in the mountains! Camped on the flanks of the Aiguille de l'Épaisseur in the middle of the Combe des Aiguilles, it benefits from an ideal location and playground for the practice of ski touring. Located halfway between passes and peaks over 3000 m in altitude, it makes possible ski descents from 1300 m to 1500 m of negative elevation for practitioners of all levels. Not all refuges are guarded in winter, knowing that a heated place with half board awaits us at nightfall is a privilege that we would be wrong to do without.

Ski touring courses at Les Aiguilles d'Arves refuge

Courses dates 2024/2025

Ski Instructors - Mountain Guides

"Mountain professionals to guide you."

You would like to go ski touring and spend a night or more at Les Aiguilles d'Arves refuge? Contact us via the contact form and we will offer you a tailor-made outing.