Ski touring
Ski touring in the Alps: freedom, effort and breathtaking panoramas in the 3 Valleys and Paradiski
Le Nordic skiing, once reserved for seasoned mountaineers, has been experiencing a real boom in recent years. More than a sport, it is an intimate adventure with the mountains, which combines physical effort, discovery of nature and the sensations of gliding in untouched terrain, a quest for raw nature and freedom.
Immerse yourself in the world of Nordic skiing, explore the best routes in Savoie, in the most beautiful areas of 3 Valleys et Paradiski and enjoy a nature and sporting experience during your stay in chalet in the Alps.
What is ski touring?
Le Nordic skiing - also called " ski touring » – is a discipline that allows you to climb a mountain on skis, using your legs, and then slide back down on virgin or groomed snow. Unlike Alpine skiing classic, it does not involve (or very little) the use of ski lifts.
It's an activity that appeals for its immersive dimension, its total freedom, and its strong connection with nature. You climb at your own pace, far from the crowds, in silence, with the reward of magnificent landscapes and a well-deserved descent.
The origins of ski touring
Ski touring has its roots in the ancestral practices of mountain peoples, long before modern downhill skiing became popular. The first evidence of skis dates back over 5000 years in Scandinavia, where they were primarily used for traveling across snow for hunting or exploring. In Europe, the idea of skiing for pleasure and adventure really took off in the late 19th century, thanks in particular to Austrian and Swiss explorers and mountaineers.
Pioneers like French mountaineer Henri Duhamel and the Chamonix guides helped popularize this practice. The first major crossings, like the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route, initiated in 1911, marked the history of ski touring and laid the foundations for the discipline. Today, ski touring is a booming activity, driven by a desire to get back to nature and surpass oneself.
The atmosphere of ski touring: Freedom and communion with nature
There's something profoundly different about leaving the slopes to explore the untouched slopes. The air is cleaner, the sounds are more subtle, and the silence of the mountains is felt with every step. The absence of crowds, the crackle of skins on snow, and the rhythmic breathing of exertion create an almost meditative atmosphere.
Ski touring is also a human adventure. You share unique moments with your group, whether it's watching the sunrise from atop a ridge or laughing together during a powdery descent. Mutual support and solidarity are essential, because in the mountains, everyone's safety depends on the group.
Tips for Starting Ski Touring
To begin ski touring, you must first and foremost be in good physical condition and have a sense of adventure. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Learn Basic Techniques: Familiarize yourself with the use of skins, uphill conversions and downhill techniques in ungroomed snow.
- Training in Safety: Training in avalanche management and the use of safety equipment is essential.
- Choosing Suitable Routes: Start with simple, progressive routes before tackling more technical terrain.
- Surround yourself with experienced people: Going with a guide or more experienced friends is a great way to learn.
- Preparing for your Exit: Check weather conditions, avalanche risks and plan your route in advance.
How ski touring works: equipment and technique
Le Nordic skiing relies on specific equipment that is different from classic alpine skiing.
Basic equipment:
- Touring skis : lighter than alpine skis, often narrower, suitable for climbing.
- Specific fixings : the heels release when climbing to allow natural walking.
- Seal skins : adhesive strips to stick under the skis to prevent slipping backwards.
- Light shoes : articulated for ascent, lockable for descent.
- Telescopic poles : to adapt to the difference in level.
Safety equipment:
Ski touring requires specific equipment to ensure your safety in the mountains.
- DVA (Avalanche Victim Detector) : Essential for quickly finding a buried person.
- Shovel and Probe : Complement the DVA to locate and free a victim.
- Airbag Backpack : Useful in case of an avalanche to stay on the surface of the snow.
- Helmet and Technical Clothing : To protect you from the cold, wind and falls.
- First Aid Kit and Repair Tools : Always have something to treat yourself and repair your equipment in case of a problem.
- DVA, shovel, probe : avalanche safety equipment (mandatory off-piste).
The technique :
- Climb : we move forward in sliding steps, with the skins under the skis. The pace is slow but constant.
- Conversion : to change direction on a steep slope.
- Descent : once the skins are removed, the bindings are locked and the boots tightened, we ski as if we were downhill skiing – sometimes on virgin snow, sometimes in the forest or in a narrow couloir.
The best ski touring routes in the 3 Valleys
The domain of 3 Valleys is not only an alpine skiing paradise. It also offers magnificent ski tours, marked or off-piste, for all levels.
(I.e. 1. The Iron Rock in Méribel
- Elevation : M 600
- Duration : 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Level : intermediate
- feature : superb 360° view at the summit, notably of Mont Blanc.
- Access : departure from the Altiport of Meribel, a busy but quiet loop.
(I.e. 2. The ascent of the Col de la Chambre from Val Thorens
- Elevation : M 800
- Duration : 3h approximately
- Level : confirmed
- ambience : high mountains, very few people. Go early to enjoy the absolute silence.
- Descent : possibility of skiing in the virgin valleys if the conditions are good.
(I.e. 3. Tougnète Loop from Les Menuires
- Elevation : M 450
- Duration 1h30
- Level : beginner to intermediate
- strong point : marked and secure route, perfect for learning ski touring.
- View : panoramic view of the Belleville valley.
(I.e. 4. Millet Ski Touring Courchevel
- Start date : Courchevel Le Praz (1300 m)
- Check-in : Courchevel 1850
- Positive elevation : 500 m
- Distance : 3,2 km
- Level : Intermediate to advanced
- Description : This marked and groomed route crosses a picturesque forest, offering a sustained climb up to Courchevel 1850. It is renowned for having hosted Vertical Race events during the French Championships and World Cups.
Ski touring in Paradiski: between forests and glaciers
The Domain Paradiski, who links La Plagne, Peisey Vallandry et Les Arcs, offers a variety of exceptional ski touring routes, from the most accessible to the wildest.
(I.e. 1. Route of the Aiguille Grive Les Arcs 1800
- Elevation : M 650
- Duration : 2:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Level : confirmed
- Setting : sublime, between forest and rocky ridges.
- Descent : possible in several valleys, depending on the snow conditions.
(I.e. 2. Mont Saint-Jacques in La Plagne
- Elevation : M 500
- Duration : 2h
- Level : intermediate
- Asset : breathtaking panorama of the Vanoise Park and Mont-Blanc.
- ambience : very quiet, little frequented.
(I.e. 3. Foran Loop to Peisey-Nancroix
- Elevation : M 400
- Duration 1h30
- Level : beginner
- Type : marked loop, very suitable for beginners.
- Bonuses : possibility of observing ibex and chamois.
The golden rules for a successful outing
Le Nordic skiing is a demanding activity, requiring preparation and vigilance. Here are some key tips:
- Check the weather and the BERA (Avalanche Bulletin).
- Never go alone, especially off-piste.
- Know how to use the DVA, shovel and probe (training recommended).
- Prepare your route in advance: elevation, duration, escape routes.
- Dress in layers to manage temperature variations.
- Leave early: the snow is more stable, and the morning light is unforgettable.
Ski touring and the chalet experience: a perfectly complementary duo
After the effort, the comfort. ski touring is physically demanding, and returning to a warm alpine chalet is the best reward.
1. Comfort and recovery
Un chalet with sauna, spa or Nordic bath is ideal for relieving leg pain. We can even offer sports massages at the chalet after your ski touring outing.
2. Mountain cuisine after the effort
Imagine a homemade tartiflette, a stew, or an invigorating soup overlooking the mountains. You'll enjoy returning to the chalet; you're at home, with all the comforts, and sometimes even a private chef.
3. Panoramic view at sunrise
In the morning, from your balcony, you can already see your next climb. No need for a car, just go. skis on, heading for the summits.
Three ideas to enhance your ski touring stay
1. Avalanche safety workshop in your chalet
A mountain guide can come to your home for an interactive workshop on the use of DVA, rescue techniques and reading the snow cover.
2. Tobogganing evening
After a day of hiking, have fun on the nighttime toboggan runs, guaranteed to be a great atmosphere for young and old.
3. Torchlit snowshoe hike
If you love adventure, end your day in the mountains with a torchlit snowshoe hike and extend the magic with intoxicating natural landscapes.
Reconnect with the mountains with ski touring
Le Nordic skiing is much more than a sport: it is a state of mind, an authentic and conscious way of discovering the mountains. Whether you are a novice or an enthusiast, the routes of the 3 Valleys and Paradiski offer an exceptional playground to experience this adventure in complete safety.
And to enhance the experience, nothing beats a stay in an alpine chalet : comfort, warm atmosphere and immediate proximity to nature.
