Ski touring in the Pyrenees, Spain
Mont of the year: march - april
Duration: 8-9 days
Scheduled departure: consult Avalco Travel
SKI MOUNTAINEERING IN THE PYRENEES SPAIN
The chain of the Pyrenees has a particular charm, thanks to many contrasting elements: the morphology, the vegetation, the rocky gorges, the pine forests and the snowfields of the highest peaks. A top destination not only for trekking, but also for ski touring.
In the proposed program we focus on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. In just over a week we will have visited the three areas of greatest interest and accomplished ski mountaineering tours that are exceptional for the landscape and the quality of the descents.
To reach the Catalan and Aragonese Pyrenees, one can choose between using the own car all the way to destination, or catch a flight to Toulouse or Girona and rent a car from there.
The proposed program includes visiting three areas, from south to north: the Nuria valley in the Catalan Pyrenees, then the Maladeta massif and the wild Ordesa y Monte Perdido range in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
Overnight stays are in small hotels in the valley, and in huts for the 2-day tours.
The peaks reach 3000 m altitude and beyond; the itineraries are of medium difficulty; among others, Pico de Aneto 3404 m, the highest peak in the Pyrenees, is an excellent ski mountaineering target.
Challenge: FITNESS 2 TECHNICAL 2 ADVENTURE 2
Accomodation: hotel, hostel, hut
Local transfers: car or minivan
Services included: all accomodatiosn in hotel/hostel/mountain hut; planning of the itineraries and maps; rental of car or minivan.
Optional services: flights; insurance; assistance of Avalco tour leader or mountain guide.
Special notes: The choice between reaching the destination by car/minivan or by plane, dipends upon various criteria (time available, flights schedule, number and place of residence of participants)- We may arrange both and gather all the team members at destination.
EARLY BOOKING is necessary due to limited places available in the mountain huts.
EARLY BOOKING is necessary due to limited places available in the mountain huts.
DAILY PROGRAMME
day 1
Road trip towards the destination with an intermediate stop for overnight. Alternatively: flight to Toulouse or Girona.
day 2
Arrival in the Nuria Valley (Catalan Pyrenees), from Arles about 380 km in 4 hours. From Toulouse about 220 km in 3 hours; from Girona about 100 km in 1 ½ hour. Accommodation in a hotel in the valley.
day 3
Ascent and descent to one of the peaks of the Nuria valley.
days 4-5-6
Transfer to the Benasque valley, about 260 km in 4 hours. We are in the Maladeta massif, in the heart of the Aragonese Pyrenees. Wide choice of trips all at altitudes over 3000 m, with overnight stay in a hut. Among the possible objectives: Posets 3375 m, Pico de Aneto 3404 m (the highest peak in the Pyrenees), Maladeta Oriental 3308 m.
day 7
Transfer from Benasque to Torla, a small mountain village in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. About 100 km in less than 2 hours. From the road above Torla (about 1320 m) we begin the long journey, partly on foot, to the Goriz hut 2160 m.
day 8
Ascent to the summit of Pico de Marboré 3248 m. Descent to Torla and accommodation in the hotel.
day 9
Return to the own place of residence, by car or by plane from Toulouse (about 265 km from Torla) or from Girona (about 400 km from Torla).
Possible variants or extensions:
> various peaks and crossings in the Vignemale, Aneto-Maladeta, Posets, Ordesa, Val d’Aran sectors.
With our experts we suggest you the most suitable itineraries, according to the team’s expectations and the snow conditions.
CONSULT US for a personalized programme:
–> visit to other valleys of the Pyrenees (even on the French side);
–> ski touring trips in different areas of Spain (Cordillera Cantabrica, Picos de Europa, Gredos, Sierra Nevada).
REQUEST INFORMATION FOR
Ski touring in the Pyrenees, Spain
Trip code: CL11006
Key Definitions
Trip dates, Duration, Departure
The period of time given in the trip description sheet is indicatively the most recommended for optimun conditions for the planned activities. Different periods are possible, especially during season with special climate situations. Duration is referred to the “standard” programme as per description sheet, however it could change according to the local conditions and/or the team’s requirements. If the trip is included in the Scheduled Trips list (yearly planner), the departure date is the one given in the planner; otherwise it will be decided according to the requests we have received. In any case we suggest to contact us for more precise information. In customized trips, departure date and duration are established according to customer’s request
Challenge scoring
By means of the scores given in the trip decsription sheet we wish to provide an indicative assessment of the challenges to be expected, divided in the following three categories:
FITNESS
Grade 1: adult performing a minimum sport activity (4-8 hours/week), or teenager in medium fitness conditions
Grade 2: adult performing sport activity (8-16 hours/week) or teenager in good fitness conditions
Grade 3: adult performing regular sport activity (16-20 hours/week) or teenager in very good fitness conditions
Grade 4: adult only, regularly performing sport activity and intense training (more than 20 hours/week)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Grade1: no prior experience in the activity is required, just a natural predisposition
Grade 2: prior experience in the activity as beginner to medium level
Grade 3: prior experience in the activity at medium to high level, with regular practice since min. 3-5 years
Grade 4: excellent technical skills with long experience in the activity (more than 5 years)
ADVENTURE:
Grade 1: no prior experience in adventure travel id required, just a positive attitude to adapt
Grade 2: prior, yet limited, experience in adventure travel, with a strong attitude to adapt and determination
Grade 3: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding
Grade 4: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding, strong determination to overcome unforeseen events
Accomodation
The type of accomodation as planned is indicated in the trip sheet (hotel, lodge, tents, etc..).
Transfers
The means of local transfers are indicated as planned (flight, bus, 4WD vehicle, ferry, etc.). Some changes are possible in relation to the actual availability on site and/or the terrain and wheather conditions.
Service included and Prices
We do not have a price list. Quotes are sent on request only. Details of services included, excluded, or optionally available, will be specified in the quote and confirmed at the time of booking. Prices depend on number of participants and on the specific requirements of the group. They will be definitely set at the time of booking after definiton of all trip details and confirmation of dates. Special prices can be granted according to number of participants, and/or for pre-established groups, clubs and associations, guides with own clients, active athletes, tour operators and travel agents, journalists, physicians, rescue operators, schools, staff of organization running an humanitarian or research project.