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Activities

Ski mountaineering at Giordani peak – (Group)

Level: andvanced
Season: winter
Duration: 1
Participants: Max 4

My goal

Your first 4,000-metre peak on skis, in a small group

From Punta Indren to Punta Giordani with an IFMGA Mountain Guide.

Your first 4,000-metre peak can also be an experience you share.

On this group ascent of Punta Giordani, you can join on your own and meet other skiers with a similar level and goal. There will be no more than five participants: a small enough group to move steadily and share a day of high-altitude ski touring.

The altitude, glacier and length of the ascent will call for effort, careful management of your energy and a willingness to move at the group’s pace. Your guide will assess the group and plan the day around the conditions and everyone’s abilities.

Punta Giordani is a starting point for future objectives in Monte Rosa: Piramide Vincent, Capanna Margherita and the other 4,000-metre peaks on skis.

If you’d like to reach your first 4,000-metre peak on skis with other skiers, you can start here.

Where you’ll go

The ascent begins at Punta Indren, at 3,275 metres, reached by the Monterosa Ski lifts.

From here, you’ll enter Monte Rosa’s glaciated terrain. The route follows broad slopes towards Punta Giordani, gradually steepening up to around 3,800 metres. Above this point, the angle eases and the terrain opens out towards the summit.

Near the top, you’ll leave your skis and cover a short section on foot, using crampons if conditions require them. From the summit, at 4,046 metres, you’ll have views across the main peaks of the massif.

The standard descent follows the glacier slopes back towards Punta Indren. If the snow, visibility and ability of the whole group allow, your guide may consider a longer variation towards Alagna or Gressoney.

What you’ll need

Punta Giordani is rated Level 01 Explore, but the route crosses a glacier and reaches above 4,000 metres.

To take part, you’ll need to:

  • ski black runs confidently;
  • control your speed and line on off-piste snow;
  • know how to use climbing skins;
  • be able to climb around 770 metres;
  • maintain a steady pace for an ascent of approximately three hours;
  • be willing to move at the group’s pace.

You’ll need good fitness and previous experience skiing off-piste. The altitude may make the ascent feel harder than the height gain alone suggests.

You don’t need advanced mountaineering experience. Your guide will manage the glacier crossing and advise when to use a harness, crampons or other technical equipment.

How your guide will support you

You’ll be accompanied by an IFMGA Mountain Guide.

During the briefing, your guide will check each participant’s experience and equipment. On the day of the ascent, they’ll check your gear, provide the technical equipment included in your booking and set a pace the whole group can sustain.

Throughout the route, your guide will assess the snow, visibility, glacier conditions and how each participant is doing. They’ll manage the group’s spacing and movement, and make any necessary changes to the plan.

On a group ascent, everyone plays a part in how the day unfolds. Your guide will aim to keep the group together and may adapt the route or decide to turn back if conditions or a participant’s wellbeing require it.

Level: 01 Explore
Duration: one day, preceded by a briefing
Highest point: 4,046 metres
Group size: minimum 3, maximum 5 participants per guide
Season: ski touring season, depending on snow cover and lift operations

€200.00 per person

The trip will be confirmed once the minimum of 3 participants has been reached.
Maximum group size: 5 participants.

The price includes: a local IFMGA Mountain Guide, the lifts specified in the programme, ski pass, technical equipment (harness and crampons), and an avalanche safety kit (transceiver, shovel and probe).

Not included: anything not listed under “The price includes”.

Group ascent dates

  • 14 February
  • 7 March
  • 14 March

Day 0 — Briefing and group preparation

In the late afternoon, you’ll meet your guide in person or via chat. We’ll let you know the time and format before the trip.

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 and expected snow conditions.

At the end of the briefing, we’ll confirm where and when to meet the following morning.

Briefing duration: approximately 15–30 minutes

Day 1 — Ascent of Punta Giordani

We’ll meet in time to take the first lifts. The exact meeting point will be confirmed during the briefing, taking into account where participants are travelling from and which lifts are operating.

After an equipment check, you’ll travel up to Punta Indren at 3,275 metres. Here, you’ll put on your skis and skins and begin the ascent with the group.

The first section follows a broad slope. It gradually steepens up to around 3,800 metres, calling for a steady pace and careful management of your energy. Your guide will set a pace that keeps the group together.

The terrain eases in the upper section. Near the summit, you’ll leave your skis and cover the short final stretch on foot. Depending on conditions, your guide may ask you to use crampons and a harness.

After reaching Punta Giordani at 4,046 metres, you’ll return to your skis and begin the descent towards Punta Indren.

Your guide will choose the line according to the snow, visibility and ability of the whole group. If everyone has the necessary skills and conditions are favourable, your guide may suggest a longer descent towards Alagna or Gressoney.

Ascent: approximately 770 metres
Ascent time: approximately 2½–3 hours
Total duration: approximately 5–6 hours

– 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)

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 – Can I join on my own?
Yes. This group trip is also designed for people booking individually. Before confirming your place, we’ll ask about your experience to check that your level is compatible with the other participants.
FAQ #2 – How is the group formed?
We aim to bring together participants with compatible skills, fitness and expectations. The ascent will be confirmed with at least three bookings, with a maximum of five participants per guide.
FAQ #3 – What skiing ability do I need?
You must be able to ski black runs confidently, control your speed and line on off-piste snow, and know how to use climbing skins. You don’t need advanced mountaineering experience, but you should already be used to skiing off-piste.
FAQ #4 – How fit do I need to be?
You’ll climb around 770 metres over approximately three hours, reaching an altitude of 4,046 metres. You’ll need good endurance and the ability to maintain a steady pace. The altitude may make the day more demanding than a route with the same height gain at a lower elevation.
FAQ #5 – What happens if participants move at different speeds?
Your guide will set a pace the group can sustain and check how everyone is doing throughout the ascent. On a group trip, we move at the pace of the slowest participant. If differences in pace or fatigue make it difficult to continue, your guide may adapt the route or decide that the group should turn back.
FAQ #6 – Can I hire equipment?
You can hire ski boots, poles, helmets and ice axes in Alagna, Gressoney and Champoluc. Before arranging a hire, check which equipment is already included in the price of your trip. Personal clothing is not available to hire, so please plan ahead.

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Ski mountaineering at Giordani peak – (Group)

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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.