First Hut-to-Hut Ski Tour in the Cerces – 4 Days

Here is a sample itinerary to give you an idea of what the tour involves. In the mountains, the route always needs to be adapted to the conditions, so the programme may change depending on the snow, the weather and which huts are open at the time of the tour.

Day 1 – Pont de l’Alpe to the Clot des Vaches Hut

We set off from Pont de l’Alpe du Lauzet for a relaxed first day. The idea is to ease into the tour, find your feet on skis again and get to know the group. Depending on the conditions and how everyone feels, we'll explore the slopes around the Clot des Vaches hut for a first descent. It will also be an opportunity to go over the basics of winter mountain safety and the use of avalanche rescue equipment.

Ascent: around 800 m

Night at the Clot des Vaches hut.

Day 2 – Pointe Ulysse and the Ricou Hut

We cross the ridge separating the Guisane and Clarée valleys before enjoying a beautiful descent into the Vallon du Chardonnet. We may stop at the Chardonnet hut for a break or something to eat, but our day is still far from over!

We continue down to the valley floor before putting the skins back on, crossing to the other side of the valley and climbing up to the Ricou hut.

Ascent: around 800 m

Night at the Ricou hut.

Day 3 – Rocher de la Petite Tempête and the Laval Hut

We head for the Rocher de la Petite Tempête and its south-facing slopes. The landscape opens up, with superb views across to the Écrins massif. A day in the wide-open spaces of the Cerces, with that wonderful sense of scale that gives this area so much of its character.

We then ski down towards the upper Clarée valley to reach the Laval hut for our final night in the mountains.

Ascent: around 800 m

Night at the Laval hut.

Day 4 – Col des Béraudes and Return to Pont de l’Alpe

For our final stage, we climb towards the Col des Béraudes, surrounded by almost Dolomite-like scenery beneath the Pointe des Cerces.

A steeper section takes us up to the col before we drop over onto the other side. From there, all that's left is to enjoy a beautiful long descent through a wide valley back to Pont de l’Alpe, bringing our hut-to-hut tour to a close.

Ascent: around 800 m