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Ski mountaineering at Punta Giordani: the first 4000

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Level: 1

Season: Winter

Duration: 1 day

Participants: Max 4

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 calls for more care, from your pace on the ascent to how you manage your energy for the descent.

Punta Giordani is a starting point for skiers who are already comfortable on off-piste snow and want to take their first step into high-altitude ski touring with a clear, achievable objective.

It is a summit from which to 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 peak on skis is your next step, you can start here.

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 in height and gradually steepens through its middle section.

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

The main descent takes us back towards Punta Indren. Routes via the Bors Glacier, the Valsesian couloirs, Canale dell’Aquila, Canal Grande, Stolemberg or Colle della Salza will only be considered when conditions and the participants’ abilities allow.

What you’ll need

You must be able to ski black runs and off-piste snow with control. You should be able to manage your speed and choose your line as the snow changes.

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

You must have used climbing skins before or be familiar with the basic techniques for ascending on skis. The route has no complex mountaineering sections, but it crosses a glacier 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 snow.

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 the pace, choose the route and assess how the group is responding to the altitude.

Your guide will manage the glacier crossing and advise when to use crampons, a harness or an ice axe.

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

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

Price

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”

Program

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.

Equipment required

– 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)

Please, pay attention here

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

F.A.Q.

FAQ #1 – What happens in bad weather?

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

FAQ #2 – What skiing level is required?

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

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

Previous experience with climbing skins and ski touring equipment is recommended. You should have good physical fitness and be able to manage an ascent of around 800 metres of vertical gain at altitude. 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, but you should request it in advance because last-minute availability cannot be guaranteed.

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 quality, snow cover, visibility and the level of the group. Depending on conditions, we may descend towards Alagna or towards Gressoney.

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

Yes. Punta Giordani is one of the most accessible routes for approaching a 4,000-metre ski tour, but it still takes place in a high-altitude glacial environment. You need solid skiing skills, good aerobic fitness and the ability to manage a full ski touring day on ungroomed snow.

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Ski mountaineering at Punta Giordani: the first 4000

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Categories: Activities, Ski touring, Ski Mountaineering Monte Rosa

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.

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Ski mountaineering at Punta Giordani: the first 4000

My goal

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

Where you’ll go

What you’ll need

How your guide will support you

Price

Program

Equipment required

Please, pay attention here

F.A.Q.

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