Ski Level
Freeride Level
TouringLevel
Physical Effort
Accommodation
Mountain Touring in Switzerland/ Italy
Long weekend package 3 days – 3nights
Season runs from 01.01 to 30.04
Grand Saint Bernard region with one night at the Hospice and a long run down to Italy
max 5 pers/guide
max alti: 3000m
from 900chf/person
Up Swiss side, down Italian side
getting steeper
Border ridge
view on the Italian valley
From peak to valley in Italy
strange ice formation
Lunch in Italy
Gd St Bernard Hospice 2473m
Here is the Hospice
Hospice sunset
Impressive building
lets get out there
nice terrain above Hospice
View from Hospice Swiss side
view from the Hospice Italian side
welcome to the Hospice
Freeride from Grande Chenalette
Click on picture to navigate the gallery
St Bernard region
Swiss enchanting wilderness that reflects alpine scenery majestically, often compared to the Canadian mountains, yet neighbouring Italy.
Country of big mountains, of refined tastes, powerful and delicious as the local products.
A region where nature rules, protected and admired for the best mountain holidays with your family, friends or colleagues.
The Grand Saint Bernard Hospice
The Grand Saint Bernard pass is on the Swiss/ Italian boarder, the Hospice is is situated on the Swiss side at 2473m.
It welcomes hikers, skiers and pilgrims all year round. In 1045, St Bernard of Aoste founded the hospice to come to the rescue of travellers
exposed to the dangers of the mountain.
A thousand years of history, since then a religious community takes care of the welcome in this humanitarian refuge, the Saint Bernard Monastery.
A strategic pass, the col du Grand Saint Bernard, rich in human passage such as Napoleon or the romans.
Now frequented mainly by tourists touring in Switzerland, as there now exists the Grand Saint Bernard tunnel.
A mountain touring paradise
The Gd St Bernard region is famous for its wild nature, it’s mountains and for some of the best ski touring in Switzerland.
Terrain here offers all you can dream of or imagine and more.
Come and experience this epic package that sits on two countries.
Day 1
For those arriving by train
Meeting point anytime up to 11am at Orsières (Valais) train station.
Transfer by taxi to the St Bernard tunnel car park on the Swiss side (extra cost 60chf).
For those arriving by car
Meeting point 12am at the tunnel car park. Here we will take time to do a gear check with you.
We will provide you with a tutorial on the use of your avalanche safety gear and on mountain awareness.
At 1.30 pm we start, at 1918m, to hike up to the hospice at 2473m.
This will take around 2h30 for 555+m. Arrival at hospice about 4pm.
Settle into your room and visit the hospice.
Evening meal.
Short briefing for the next day. Rest
Day 2
Breakfast 8am. Meet outside ready to start at 9am.
Skin up, 500+m, to la grande chenalette or mont mort, 2 to 3h hike depending on itinerary, snow conditions, group size and fitness.
Ride down a -1000m vertical to the car park.
Arrive at car around 4.30pm , drive car or taxi (extra cost 60chf) to hotel max. 30mins drive.
Settle in to your hotel room. Evening meal. Rest
Day 3
Breakfast 7am. Meet outside, at 8am cars or taxi (extra cost 60chf) ready to drive to tunnel parking.
9am, start to skin up 860+m to Col nord de Menouve at 2775m, about 2h30/3h hiking.
Ride down, -1475m vertical to the village of Etroubles at 1300m in Italy.
Arrive in Etroubles around 2.30pm.
Briefly stroll the pitoresque village of Etroubles followed by lunch at the famous Italian restaurant La Croix blanche .
Return to Switzerland through tunnel via private shuttle, to the car park by 6.30pm and to the hotel by 7pm.
Evening meal and night at the hotel.
Day 4
Breakfast, end of program and check out by 11am.
Includes
- One WSA Swiss Pro ski/snowboard guide with avalanche safety training and mountain first aid. For three full days.
- One night at the Hospice: evening meal, breakfast and pack lunch
- Two nights at 2/3 star hotel with breakfast
- Transfer by private shuttle from Etroubles through the St Bernard tunnel, back to car park or to the hotel.
Does not include
- All beverages except breakfasts
- Evening meals at Hotel
- Lunch meal at La Croix blanche restaurant, Italy
- Ski/touring & safety gear
- Insurances
- Anything that does not appear in the include section above
Accommodation – rating standard/comfort 2/3 star
At the hospice, you will be lodged in a single private room or shared lodgings both with shared facilities.
This depends on availabilities at your time of booing and how many people form your group.
In the valley hotel, you will stay in a 2/3 star hotel, this will depend on availability when you book.
Here is a list of the hotels used by WSA, which could be situated in Orsières, Bourg St Pierre or in Liddes.
- Hotel de l’Union http://www.chezjo.ch/
- Hotel Le Terminus http://terminus-orsieres.ch/
- Hotel Gd St Bernard http://www.hotel-gd-st-bernard.ch/
- Auberges des Alpes https://auberge-des-alpes.ch/index.php/fr/
Access
- by plane: the nearest international airport is Geneva.
- by train to Orsières Valais
2h30 from Geneva, 1h30 from Lausanne, 3h55 from Milan, 6h25 from Turin
+ 20 mins taxi drive from Orsières to tunnel car park (extra cost)
- by car to Gd st Bernard tunnel’s outside car park on the Swiss side
2h from Geneva, 1h20 from Lausanne, 2h from Turin, 2h35 from Milan, 1h20 from Chamonix, 45mins from Verbier
Insurances
- leisure and sports activities
- mountain rescue by helicopter with no altitude limit
- accidents / illness
- cancellations
- and whatever you feel necessary
Guide
You will accompanied by
One WSA Swiss Ski/Snowboard pro instructor/ freeride and mountain touring guide with avalanche safety training and mountain first aid.
For three full days.
Safety tips / Health
This is a Freeride / Touring package, you need to be able to ski powder and ungroomed snow comfortably.
A good physical health is needed, you will be active at high altitudes,
The hospice is at 2473m and you may be hiking up to altitudes as high as nearly 3000 meters.
No need to worry about Altitude sickness, you have plenty of time to adapt with your first day/night at the Hospice.
Please mention any health conditions, any allergies or serious medication you may be taking when you book with us.
Avalanche Risks and safety
Avalanche danger in mountains is always present.
The multiple of snow & weather conditions that make areas prone to avalanches are not fully comprehended but are recognizable.
We have years of experience at recognizing these areas to avoid them.
We will make sure that everyone has the adequate gear at the car park on the first day and check that everyone knows how to use it.
We will provide you with a tutorial on this topic.
Thought you must accept all the risks that come with skiing remote and uncontrolled areas.
The correct mountain attitude is of essence.
Rescue Evacuation Procedure
We do our very best to not encounter such a situation by being professional at all times.
By having small groups, a ratio of max.5 pers. to one guide, allowing our guest to ski safely in there comfort zone.
In the event of an accident that can not reasonably be evacuated by foot or by skiing.
WSA will contact mountain rescue to evacuate the victim by helicopter to the local hospital in Lausanne or Sion.
60 mins maximum from any of our position. (Of course weather dependent)
We have GPS positioning with us at all times.
Ski/Snowboard touring Gear
We advise you to use suitable gear :
- Skis : wide powder skis minimum 100mm width, mounted with touring bindings, adjustable poles, skins and snow knives.
- Snowboard : split board with compatible bindings, telescopic poles, skins and snow knives
or a normal board with snow shoes.
We can help you prepare your complete gear list, just contact WSA.
Mountain touring bag equipement
First aid box (with: Compeed plasters for rubbing, sports tape etc) safety blanket
Thin gloves and thicker gloves
Two hats
Thermo underwear and socks
Helmet and goggles
Sunglasses and high factor sunscreen
Thin fleece jacket
Thin down jacket for cold days and rest breaks on the summits
Shell pants and jacket (wind and waterproof)
Small thermos
water bottle
Avalanche safety gear
- The compulsory trio : shovel, probe and transceiver
- ABS bag, not compulsory but advised
