Group tour € 250,00 / person

The tour will be confirmed upon reaching the minimum number of participants, which is 3. The maximum number of participants is 4.

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
5:00 PM – Briefing with your UIAGM guide, either in the office, via call, or over the phone—whichever you prefer. We want to get to know you to ensure we understand your expectations. We will review the equipment details and prepare the plan for the following day, taking into account your training level, and weather and snow conditions.

Day 1
Meet your guide at Staffal ticket office in Gressoney. Together you will check the equipment and the guide will distribute the necessary technical gear. We will take the first lift to the Bettaforca Pass to start the ascent to the Quintino Sella Refuge, a journey of about 3 hours. Part of the route, approximately 30 minutes, involves carrying your skis along an equipped ridge.

After a short break at the refuge, we will continue the ascent to Felik Pass, at 4100 meters, which will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes of walking. If the snow conditions are favorable, we will proceed to the Felik peak. Here, we will leave our skis and, with crampons on, tackle the southeastern ridge, reaching the summit of Castore in about 20 minutes.

The descent of 2400 meters will be an amazing experience, making this adventure truly special.

– Safety kit: avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe
– Telescopic ski poles
– Skins
– Ski touring skis and boots
– Harness
– 1 locking carabiner
– Ski crampons
– Ice axe
– Sunscreen with good protection
– Knife
– Ski gloves
– Thermos
– Sunglasses + ski goggles
– 30 L backpack
– Sun hat + windproof hat
– Wool socks
– Layered ski clothing (breathable base layer, fleece, windproof shell, ski jacket, and pants with integrated gaiters)

Monte Rosa guides ascend Castore with a maximum of 4 skiers per guide

• Monte Rosa guides may modify routes and activity schedules based on weather conditions, accessibility of refuges, and the physical fitness of participants.
• The planned periods for activities may vary due to weather conditions and the physical state of the locations (snow coverage, terrain conditions, etc.).

Ascending on skis requires a combination of technical skills and physical endurance.

• Ability to ski on black runs: while it is not strictly necessary to ski on black runs for ski mountaineering, having good downhill technique is highly recommended. Off-piste conditions can be more challenging than black runs, with untracked, crusty, powdery, or icy snow.
• Physical endurance: ski mountaineering is a sport that demands significant endurance. Ascents can be long and strenuous, often involving substantial elevation gains. Maintaining good overall fitness and adequate cardiovascular endurance is essential.
• Leg strength: strong legs are crucial not only for ascending with skins but also for navigating descents on challenging terrain. Specific training to enhance leg strength, such as squats, lunges, and calf exercises, can be very beneficial.
• Breathing capacity: excellent respiratory capacity is vital, especially at high altitudes where oxygen is thinner. Activities like running, cycling, or swimming can improve aerobic capacity and endurance.

In Summary, while the ability to ski on black runs may indicate a good level of technical preparation, ski mountaineering also requires comprehensive physical fitness and the ability to adapt to the variable mountain conditions.