Shopping Cart

Activities

Punta Giordani Ski Touring: Your First 4000m on Skis

Level: 1
Season: Winter
Duration: 1 day
Participants: Max 5

My goal

Your first 4,000-metre peak on skis in Monte Rosa

Your first 4,000-metre peak on skis changes the scale of the day. The altitude increases, the terrain becomes glaciated, and every decision requires more care — from your pace on the ascent to how you manage your energy for the descent.

Punta Giordani is one of the most accessible first 4,000-metre objectives on skis in Monte Rosa, for skiers who are already comfortable off-piste and ready to move into high-altitude ski touring.

From here, you can begin exploring Monte Rosa on skis and look ahead to your next objectives: Piramide Vincent, Capanna Margherita and the other 4,000-metre peaks on skis.

If a 4,000-metre summit on skis is your next step, Punta Giordani is a good place to begin.

Where you’ll go

We’ll take the lifts to Punta Indren at 3,275 metres, where the ascent begins.

From there, we’ll put on our skins and climb across the glacier, following the broad slopes towards Punta Giordani. The route gains around 770 metres and gradually steepens through the middle section.

For the final metres, we may need to leave our skis and continue to the summit on foot.

The standard descent returns towards Punta Indren. Alternative routes via the Bors Glacier, the Valsesian couloirs, Canale dell’Aquila, Canal Grande, Stolemberg or Colle della Salza may be considered only when snow, visibility and participants’ abilities make them appropriate.

What you’ll need

You should be able to ski black runs confidently and ski off-piste with control, managing your speed and choosing your line as snow conditions change.

You’ll need the fitness to climb around 770 metres at a steady pace over approximately 2½ to 3 hours.

You should already have used climbing skins and be familiar with the basic techniques of ascending on skis. The route has no particularly complex mountaineering sections, but it crosses glaciated terrain and reaches above 4,000 metres.

Punta Giordani can be your first 4,000-metre peak on skis. It should not be your first experience of off-piste skiing.

How your guide will support you

You’ll be accompanied by an IFMGA Mountain Guide.

Before setting off, your guide will check your personal equipment, avalanche safety kit and technical gear. During the ascent, they’ll set an appropriate pace, choose the route and assess how the group is responding to the altitude and conditions.

Your guide will manage the glacier crossing and decide when equipment such as crampons, harness or ice axe is required.

For the descent, they’ll choose the route best suited to the snow, visibility and the group’s abilities. Variations towards Alagna or Gressoney will only be considered when conditions make them appropriate.

Ascent: approximately 770 metres
Ascent time: approximately 2½–3 hours
Total duration: approximately 5–6 hours
Descent: varies according to the route chosen

1 participant €560.00
2 participants €320.00 per person
3 participants €230.00 per person
4 participants €190.00 per person
5 participants €170.00 per person

Solo but want to join this trip? Check the groups section.

The price includes: IFMGA guide of Monte Rosa, Monterosaski day skipass, technical equipment (harness, crampons), safety kit (shovel, ARVA, and probe)*.

*subject to availability

Not included in the price: accident insurance (recommended), meals not specified for yourself and the guide, everything not listed under “the price includes”

Day 0 — Briefing and equipment check

In the late afternoon, you’ll meet your guide in person or via chat to prepare for the following day.

You’ll discuss your ski touring experience, your ability on off-piste snow and the activities you’ve done recently.

Your guide will check the equipment you have and let you know what you need to bring or hire. You’ll also review the weather forecast, snow conditions and lift operations.

At the end of the briefing, we’ll confirm the meeting place and time.

Briefing duration: approximately 15–30 minutes

Day 1 — Ascent of Punta Giordani and descent

We’ll meet in time to take the first lifts. After meeting your IFMGA Mountain Guide, we’ll check your personal equipment and provide the technical gear included in your booking.

We’ll take the lifts to Punta Indren at 3,275 metres. Here, we’ll put on our skins and begin the ascent towards Punta Giordani.

The route starts on broad slopes. It gradually steepens up to around 3,800 metres before easing in the upper section. Your guide will set a steady pace and choose the route according to the snow and glacier conditions.

Near the summit, we’ll take off our skis. A short final section, climbed in ski boots or crampons, will bring us to the top of Punta Giordani at 4,046 metres.

After a break, we’ll begin the descent. The first section follows the broad slopes back towards Punta Indren.

Your guide will decide how to continue. We may return using the lifts or ski on towards Alagna or Gressoney when snow cover, visibility and the group’s ability allow for a longer descent.

  • Safety kit: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
  • Telescopic poles
  • Climbing skins
  • Ski touring skis and boots
  • Certified ski helmet
  • Ski crampons
  • Harness
  • Crampons
  • Ice axe
  • High-protection sunscreen
  • Ski gloves
  • Thermos flask
  • Sunglasses + ski goggles
  • 30-litre backpack
  • Sun hat + warm windproof hat
  • Wool socks
  • Layered ski clothing:
    • breathable base layer
    • 2 fleece layers
    • windproof shell
    • lightweight down jacket
    • ski / ski touring trousers

Mountaineering, ski touring, off-piste skiing and trekking take place in a natural, uncontrolled environment.
Weather conditions, snow, ice, terrain, visibility, altitude and physical fatigue can change rapidly and directly affect the course of the activity. For this reason, there is always an inherent level of objective risk, which cannot be eliminated but only managed.

All our activities are led by IFMGA Mountain Guides and Certified Hiking Guides (AMM).
The guide continuously assesses environmental conditions and the physical and mental state of participants, sets an appropriate pace, manages progression and ensures the correct use of equipment. If conditions require it, the guide may modify the itinerary or interrupt the activity, always in the interest of individual and group safety.

Participants are required to be in good physical and mental condition, adequately prepared for the level of the activity, and to follow the guide’s instructions at all times.

Group activities

During group outings, the pace is set according to the slowest participant. In case of fatigue or discomfort, the guide may decide to adjust the programme or return early. In the mountains, the group ascends and returns together.

Learn more here

FAQ #1 – What happens in bad weather?

Weather and snow conditions are assessed right up until departure. If Punta Giordani is not suitable, the IFMGA Mountain Guide may adapt the programme and propose an alternative route that better matches the conditions of the day.

FAQ #2 – What skiing level is required?

You need to ski confidently on black runs and already have experience on off-piste snow. During the descent you may encounter hard, spring, crusty or uneven snow, so you must be able to control your speed and choose your line on variable terrain.

FAQ #3 – Do I need previous ski touring experience?

Yes. You should already have used climbing skins and be familiar with basic ski touring techniques. You also need the fitness to climb around 770 metres at altitude over approximately 2½ to 3 hours. If you are unsure about your level, contact us before booking.

FAQ #4 – Do I need an ABS backpack?

No. An ABS backpack is not required for this activity. You do need an avalanche safety kit with transceiver, shovel and probe. If you do not have one, we can provide it on request, subject to availability.

FAQ #5 – Will we descend along the same route as the ascent?

Not necessarily. The IFMGA Mountain Guide will choose the descent according to snow conditions, visibility and the group’s ability. Depending on the day, we may return towards Punta Indren or continue skiing towards Alagna or Gressoney.

FAQ #6 – Is Punta Giordani suitable as a first 4,000-metre ski ascent?

Yes. Punta Giordani is one of the most accessible first 4,000-metre objectives on skis in Monte Rosa, but it still takes place in a high-altitude glaciated environment. You need solid off-piste skiing skills, good aerobic fitness and previous experience using climbing skins.

Populate the form and secure your spot now!
Choose your departure date

Punta Giordani Ski Touring: Your First 4000m on Skis

€0.00


Insurance

Before departure, check that your insurance policy specifically covers mountaineering, glacier travel, altitude, trip cancellation, repatriation, and personal liability. For more information, read our complete guide to mountain insurance.

WINTER

Level 1 – Explore
First freeride experiences. Controlled turns and a relaxed pace on accessible terrain.

Level 2 – Advanced
Confident skiing on ungroomed snow and able to maintain a good pace throughout the day.

Level 3 – Technical
Regular freeride experience, including on steeper terrain and in more exposed situations.


SUMMER

Level 1 – First experience
You should be comfortable with normal mountain hiking. No previous mountaineering or glacier experience is required.

Level 2 – Basic experience
You should already have completed hikes of several hours on mountain trails. Previous glacier experience or use of crampons is not required, but you should be ready to use them for the first time.

Level 3 – Mountaineering experience
Previous experience using crampons and travelling roped together on a glacier is required. The route may include short exposed sections.

Level 4 – Advanced experience
Solid experience using crampons and travelling roped together is required. The route may include exposed ridges, steep slopes and mixed terrain.

Level 5 – Experienced mountaineer
Strong experience on technical high-mountain routes is required. The route may include very exposed sections, climbing on rock, ice or mixed terrain, and may require knowledge of the main rope techniques.

The level indicates the technical experience required, not the physical effort.
The actual difficulty may vary depending on mountain conditions and the route.