Three Days of Ski Touring in the Val Saint-Barthélemy
Set off for three days of ski touring in the Aosta Valley, in the heart of the wild and unspoilt Val Saint-Barthélemy. Staying for two nights at Maggia Hut, you will explore the surrounding summits and mountain passes each day with a qualified mountain guide.
Located at approximately 2,000 metres above sea level, on the edge of a larch forest, the hut provides an ideal base for enjoying the early-season snow and discovering one of the Aosta Valley’s lesser-known ski touring areas. Its location allows for a hut-based itinerary: you can ski with a lighter backpack during the day before returning to the comfort of the same accommodation each evening.
This trip is designed for intermediate ski tourers who have already completed several day tours. You must know how to use your equipment, perform kick turns while climbing and ski confidently in different types of snow.
With daily ascents ranging from approximately 600 to 850 metres, this trip provides an excellent introduction to multi-day ski touring without the constraints of changing huts every night.
Important: this trip is not an introduction to ski touring. Previous experience and the ability to perform kick turns are required.
Trip Highlights
- Three days of ski touring in the Aosta Valley
- Two nights at Maggia Hut in the Val Saint-Barthélemy
- A hut-based itinerary allowing you to ski with a lighter backpack
- A wild and relatively uncrowded mountain area
- Routes suitable for intermediate ski tourers
- Progressive daily ascents of approximately 600 to 850 metres
- Descents of up to approximately 1,200 vertical metres
- Immersion in the larch forests and mountain landscapes of the Aosta Valley
- A staffed mountain hut with showers
- Supervision by a UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide
- Loan of avalanche safety equipment
- A trip that may be possible from the first significant snowfall, depending on conditions
- An ideal first multi-day ski tour without changing huts every night
Why Choose the Val Saint-Barthélemy for a Ski Touring Trip?
The Val Saint-Barthélemy is located in the Aosta Valley in Italy. Less frequented than the neighbouring major Alpine valleys, it provides an excellent setting for ski touring.
Its alpine pastures, mountain bowls and larch forests offer a variety of possible routes that can be selected according to the snow cover, weather and ability of the group. The terrain also offers several alternative routes and options, allowing the guide to adapt the programme each day.
The area surrounding Maggia Hut offers another advantage: thanks to its altitude and terrain, ski touring may be possible from the first significant snowfall, provided there is sufficient snow cover. The trip can therefore be organised early in the season, with the programme adjusted to the actual conditions encountered.
This ski touring trip combines:
- The experience of skiing in Italy
- Wild and unspoilt mountain scenery
- Routes suitable for intermediate ski tourers
- Two nights in the same accommodation
- The friendly atmosphere of a staffed mountain hut
- Professional supervision by a qualified mountain guide
A Hut-Based Ski Tour with Two Nights in the Same Hut
Unlike a traditional point-to-point ski tour, this trip is based around Maggia Hut.
You reach the hut on the first day and stay there for two nights. On the second day, you set off directly from the hut for a return ski tour. On the third day, you leave the hut via a different route to return to the starting point.
This format offers several advantages:
- You do not have to carry all your overnight equipment during the second day
- You stay in the same accommodation for two nights
- You enjoy a more comfortable pace
- You discover several routes starting directly from the hut
- The programme can be adapted more easily to the conditions
- You gain experience of the organisation and rhythm of a multi-day ski tour
This format is particularly suitable for ski tourers who want to discover a multi-day trip without immediately committing to a point-to-point journey requiring a different mountain hut every night.
Maggia Hut: A Base Camp in the Heart of the Aosta Valley
Located at approximately 2,000 metres above sea level in the Val Saint-Barthélemy, Maggia Hut stands in a peaceful setting on the edge of a larch forest.
Its location makes it an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding cols and summits. After each day of ski touring, you return to the hut’s welcoming atmosphere, a hot meal and the comfort of staffed accommodation.
The hut also has showers, a particularly welcome facility during a multi-day mountain trip. Accommodation is in a shared dormitory, which may include bunk beds.
This arrangement allows you to enjoy the full experience of an Italian mountain hut while keeping the logistics simple and your backpack reasonably light during the day tours.
Aosta Valley Ski Touring Programme
Day 1: Col de Beauregard and Arrival at Maggia Hut
After meeting the group, presenting the trip and checking everyone’s equipment, we set off for our first day of ski touring in the Val Saint-Barthélemy.
The route takes us towards Col de Beauregard before descending through the larch forest to reach Maggia Hut.
This first day allows everyone to settle gradually into the rhythm of the trip, assess their level of comfort and review the essential ski touring techniques:
- Using climbing skins
- Managing pace and effort while climbing
- Performing kick turns
- Selecting an efficient uphill track
- Completing equipment transitions
- Skiing in ungroomed snow
- Organising personal and technical equipment
Depending on the conditions, schedule and energy levels of the group, the guide may suggest an alternative route or add some extra ascent before reaching the hut.
On arrival, we settle in for two nights. The day ends with a friendly evening meal at the hut.
Ascent: approximately 600 metres
Accommodation: Maggia Hut
Day 2: Ski Touring Towards Col de Livourneyaz
After breakfast, we leave the hut directly on our skis and head towards Col de Livourneyaz.
This return tour allows us to make the most of the terrain surrounding the hut without carrying all the equipment required for the full trip. We ski with a lighter, more comfortable day pack.
The route provides an opportunity to improve uphill technique, kick turns and energy management. Depending on the snow quality and the selected route, the descent also enables you to develop your skiing in natural and sometimes variable conditions.
We then return to Maggia Hut for a second peaceful evening in the Val Saint-Barthélemy.
Ascent: approximately 850 metres
Descent: approximately 850 metres
Accommodation: Maggia Hut
Day 3: Col de Chaleby and Return via Chavalary
For the final day, we leave the hut and head towards Col de Chaleby.
The route then takes us towards Chavalary before returning to the starting point. This traverse provides a fitting conclusion to the trip, with a longer descent than on the previous days.
The programme offers a balanced progression: an initial approach to the hut, a hut-based day tour with a lighter backpack, followed by a final traverse back to the valley.
Ascent: approximately 700 metres
Descent: approximately 1,200 metres
The programme is provided for guidance only. The guide may modify the route, objectives or organisation of the trip according to the weather, snowpack, avalanche risk, skiing conditions and the technical or physical ability of the participants.
Who Is This Ski Touring Trip For?
This trip is designed for intermediate ski tourers who have already completed several day tours.
It is not an introductory course. You must understand how your equipment works, know how to use climbing skins and be able to perform kick turns while climbing.
This trip is particularly suitable if you would like to:
- Experience your first three-day ski touring trip
- Spend two nights in a staffed mountain hut
- Try a hut-based ski touring format
- Become more efficient while climbing
- Improve your kick turns
- Develop your downhill skiing in different snow conditions
- Learn how to manage several consecutive days in the mountains
- Prepare for longer or more technical ski touring trips
Required Level
Uphill Technical Level
You must have completed several ski touring outings and know how to:
- Attach and remove your climbing skins
- Use your heel risers
- Travel efficiently along an established uphill track
- Perform kick turns
- Complete the main equipment transitions
- Manage your equipment with a reasonable degree of independence
Your guide will help you improve your technique and efficiency. However, you must already have learned and practised the fundamental skills before joining the trip.
Downhill Technical Level
You must be able to ski confidently in off-piste terrain and in a variety of snow conditions, including:
- Powder snow
- Tracked or chopped-up snow
- Crusted snow
- Firm or compact snow
- Moguls and uneven terrain
- Spring snow
The required level is rated S3 – Intermediate, with slopes that may reach approximately 35 to 40 degrees.
You must be able to control your speed and adapt your turns on ungroomed slopes. Confidence on red pistes alone is not sufficient: previous off-piste skiing experience is required.
Fitness Level
You must be able to:
- Climb for between two and four hours with your equipment
- Complete up to approximately 850 metres of ascent
- Maintain an uphill pace of approximately 300 to 400 vertical metres per hour
- Carry a backpack weighing approximately 4 to 5 kg, or more on the first and final days
- Complete three consecutive days in the mountains
- Manage days lasting up to approximately six hours, including the ascent and descent
Regular participation in a physical or endurance sport is recommended.
This Trip Is Suitable for You If…
- You have already completed several ski touring outings
- You can perform kick turns
- You can use your climbing skins independently
- You regularly ski away from groomed pistes
- You are confident skiing in different types of snow
- You can complete between 600 and 850 metres of ascent per day
- You would like to experience your first three-day ski tour
- You prefer to stay in the same hut for two nights
- You are looking for a wild and relatively uncrowded area
- You would like to progress with a qualified mountain guide
This Trip Is Not Suitable for You If…
- You have never tried ski touring before
- You cannot perform kick turns
- You are unfamiliar with ski touring equipment transitions
- You are only confident on groomed pistes
- You have little or no experience skiing in ungroomed snow
- You cannot manage three consecutive days of physical activity
- You are looking for a complete introduction to ski touring
In this case, we recommend completing one or more guided day tours before joining this trip.
Progress with a UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide
The trip is led by a UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide from the Bureau des Guides d’Annecy. Professional guiding is included in the trip price.
Throughout the three days, your guide will help you improve:
- Your kick turns
- Your body position and efficiency while climbing
- Your pace and energy management
- Your choice of uphill track
- Your equipment transitions
- Your downhill technique in variable snow
- The organisation of your equipment
- The preparation of your backpack
- Your understanding of winter mountain terrain
- Your use of an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
All objectives remain subject to mountain conditions. The guide makes the final decision regarding the routes, always prioritising safety and the suitability of the programme for the whole group.
Practical Information
Duration
3 days and 2 nights.
Destination
Val Saint-Barthélemy, Aosta Valley, Italy.
Starting Point
Porliod area in the Val Saint-Barthélemy.
Accommodation
Two nights at Maggia Hut, at approximately 2,000 metres above sea level.
Accommodation is in a shared dormitory, which may include bunk beds. The hut has showers.
Supervision
One UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide.
Level
S3 – Intermediate ski touring level.
Prerequisites
- Previous experience of several ski touring outings
- Ability to use climbing skins
- Ability to perform kick turns
- Confidence skiing in ungroomed and variable snow
- Ability to climb at a pace of approximately 300 to 400 vertical metres per hour
- Ability to complete up to approximately 850 metres of ascent
- Regular participation in a physical activity or endurance sport
Approximate Ascent and Descent
- Day 1: approximately 600 metres of ascent
- Day 2: approximately 850 metres of ascent and 850 metres of descent
- Day 3: approximately 700 metres of ascent and 1,200 metres of descent
FAQ: Ski Touring at Maggia Hut
Is This Trip Suitable for Beginner Ski Tourers?
No. This trip is not suitable for anyone discovering ski touring for the first time.
You must have completed several outings, know how to use climbing skins, be able to perform kick turns and ski confidently in different types of snow.
How Many Ski Tours Should I Have Completed?
There is no strict minimum number.
However, you must be beyond the introductory stage and reasonably independent with the standard equipment transitions. Your ability to perform kick turns, maintain a steady uphill pace and ski in variable snow is more important than the exact number of tours you have completed.
What Level of Fitness Is Required?
You must be able to complete up to approximately 850 metres of ascent and climb for up to four hours at an average pace of 300 to 400 vertical metres per hour.
You must also be capable of completing three consecutive days of ski touring.
Is This a Point-to-Point Ski Tour?
The trip follows a hut-based format rather than a fully point-to-point itinerary.
You spend two nights at Maggia Hut. The second day consists of a return tour from the hut, allowing you to ski with a lighter backpack. On the third day, you leave the hut via a different route to return to the starting point.
Do I Have to Carry All My Belongings Every Day?
You must carry your overnight equipment to the hut on the first day and back to the valley on the third day.
On the second day, any items that are not required for the day tour can remain at the hut. You can therefore ski with a lighter backpack containing only the equipment needed for the outing.
Is Avalanche Safety Equipment Provided?
The loan of an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe is included. If you have your own equipment and know how to use it, you may bring it with you.
Does the Hut Have Showers?
Yes. Maggia Hut has showers.
Are Meals Included?
The package includes two dinners, two breakfasts and three lunches, according to the arrangements detailed in the trip information.
Drinks, mineral water, personal energy snacks and additional expenses at the hut are not included.
Is Transport from Annecy Included?
No. Transport and car-sharing arrangements from Annecy are not included.
Travel and car-sharing arrangements will be explained before departure.
Can the Programme Be Changed?
Yes. The programme is provided for guidance only.
The guide may change a route, select an alternative objective or interrupt the trip because of the weather, avalanche risk, snow conditions, the ability of the participants or any other safety consideration.
Is Insurance Compulsory?
Each participant must have insurance covering mountain search and rescue costs, emergency assistance and repatriation, including travel and activities in Italy.
Cancellation, trip interruption and baggage insurance are also recommended. These insurance policies are not included in the trip price.
