Shopping Cart

Activities

Ski touring to Capanna Margherita

Level: 2
Season: Winter
Duration: 2 days
Participants: Max 5

My goal

Reach Capanna Margherita on skis, at 4,554 metres on Punta Gnifetti. A high-altitude ski touring ascent where preparation, acclimatisation and energy management matter right through to the end of the descent.

Where you’ll go

Across the glaciers of Monte Rosa to Capanna Margherita, the highest mountain hut in Europe. From the summit, the views extend across Valsesia, the Po Valley and the Alps. The ascent route and descent are chosen according to snow and mountain conditions.

What it requires

Good fitness, ski touring experience and the ability to ski with control on different types of snow. At altitude, you need a steady pace and careful attention to your energy levels: reaching the summit is only part of the day, and you must also be prepared for the return.

How you’ll be guided

Together with the Monte Rosa Mountain Guides, we will assess your experience and the preparation needed for the ascent. Along the way, your guide manages the pace, route and glacier travel, adapting the programme to the conditions and how participants respond to the altitude.

View the Monte Rosa webcams →

1 skier: €1,220.00
2 skiers: €720.00 per person
3 skiers: €540.00 per person
4 skiers: €460.00 per person
5 skiers: €410.00 per person

Travelling alone and want to join a group? Click here.

The price includes

  • IFMGA Mountain Guide for both days
  • Return lift pass to Punta Indren
  • Half board at Capanna Mantova for you and the guide
  • Technical equipment: climbing harness and crampons.

The price does not include

  • Avalanche safety kit with transceiver, shovel and probe: €20.00
  • Personal insurance
  • Drinks
  • Personal ski-touring equipment
  • Anything not listed under “The price includes”.

Day 0 – Meet your guide and prepare for the ascent

A briefing with your mountain guide, either at our office or remotely. We will discuss your experience and fitness, check the equipment needed and confirm the meeting details. Weather and snow conditions will shape the programme.

Day 1 – Ascent to Rifugio Mantova

Meet your guide in Alagna or Gressoney, check equipment and collect the technical kit. We will take the lifts to Punta Indren before beginning the approach to Rifugio Mantova.

We will move at a steady, unhurried pace: we are already at high altitude, and this first day is also an opportunity to become familiar with the surroundings and how we move through the terrain. Dinner and overnight stay at the hut.

Day 2 – Capanna Margherita, 4,554 m

We will set off at dawn towards Punta Gnifetti, ascending the glaciers of Monte Rosa and adapting our pace and progress to the terrain conditions and how participants respond to the altitude.

After reaching Capanna Margherita, we will take a short break before beginning the descent. The guide will choose the return route according to snow cover, conditions and the group’s ability, using the lifts where necessary.

Destination altitude: 4,554 m.
Overnight stay: Rifugio Mantova.
Duration: 2 days, with a preparatory briefing.

  • 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? Is the summit guaranteed?

The summit is not guaranteed. Weather and snow conditions are assessed right up until departure. If the ascent to Capanna Margherita is not feasible, the mountain guide may adapt the programme and suggest an alternative route. The guide may also turn back before the summit, even in good weather, depending on glacier conditions, how participants are coping with the altitude and the safety margin needed for the descent.

FAQ #2 – What skiing ability and fitness level are required?

This is a Level 2 programme. You need previous ski touring experience, must know how to use climbing skins and ski crampons, and be able to ski with control on different types of snow. Good fitness is required for several hours of ascent at high altitude while keeping enough energy for the descent. Before you book, we ask about your recent outings to assess whether the programme is suitable for you.

FAQ #3 – Can I join on my own? How many participants will there be?

Yes. You can book a private programme or view our Capanna Margherita group ski ascents and join other ski tourers. Private programmes accommodate up to 5 participants per guide. Group departures have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 participants and are confirmed once the minimum number is reached.

FAQ #4 – How is the group’s pace managed?

The guide sets a pace everyone can sustain and monitors how participants are coping throughout the ascent. We ascend and return together: if someone becomes tired, feels unwell or encounters difficulties, the guide may adapt the programme or decide that the whole group should turn back. This applies to both private programmes and group departures.

FAQ #5 – Do I need high-altitude experience? Where do we stay?

Previous high-altitude experience is useful for understanding how you respond to exertion at altitude. The trip includes one night at Rifugio Mantova with half board. Capanna Margherita is the destination on the second day; we do not stay overnight there. One night at a mountain hut does not guarantee full acclimatisation. If you have never been to similar altitudes, please discuss this with us before booking.

FAQ #6 – Do I need all the equipment? Is an ABS backpack compulsory?

You must bring the equipment listed in the programme. A harness and crampons are included in the price. An avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are compulsory: if you do not have your own, you can reserve a kit in advance for an additional €20. An ABS backpack is not compulsory. During the briefing, we will check your equipment and confirm any items we need to provide.

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

Ski touring to Capanna Margherita

€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.