Ski Touring Arolla
The Arolla valley is often passed through on the Chamonix-Zermatt
Haute Route but it is worth taking time here and exploring
some of the fantastic ski tours in the area. Arolla has a unique
ambience being developed in the late 19th century by Victorian
alpinists, giving the feel of having stepped back in time.
Our base in the valley is the Hotel Kurhaus which
is
one
of
the Victorian hotels which has been very lovingly
renovated. It has kept the old world charm but with the comforts
of the 21st century (WiFi etc).
Our first trip to the mountains takes us to the comfortable
Aiguilles Rouge hut which is situated just below the strikingly
pointed Aiguilles Rouges (red needles). From here we make a
beautiful glaciated ascent of the Pointe de Vouasson which
gives us a descent of 2km vertical to Evolene.
The second part of the week takes us to the Cabane de Dix
in the Dix Valley. From folklore the Dix (French for 10) is
due to the 10 raiders who used to live in this valley and steal
from the lower farms (like Ali Baba and his
40 thieves). The Dix hut is a great touring venue having three
excellent high ski touring peaks to climb (La Luette, Mont
Blanc de Cheilon and the Pigne d’Arolla). Each of these
offers a great 'ski mountaineering' day with long and exhilarating
descents on usually pristine snow.
The course convenes in Leysin and begins
with a briefing at the Hotel Grand Chalet at the usual time
of 7pm on the Sunday evening before the first activity day.
From here we travel 1 ½ hours by road
to Arolla.
Typical Itinerary
Day 1 We make an
early start from Leysin so that we can ski on the Arolla lift
system to work on off-piste ski technique and ski touring skills.
A short ski down and skin gives takes us to the Cabane des
Aig
Rouges.
Avalanche
rescue
protocol
and
transceiver practice session in the late afternoon at the hut.
Night in hut.
Day 2 From the hut, a
gentle three hour walk takes us to the Pointe de Vouasson.
A magnificent ski descent down the glacier to the north takes
us to Evolene. Bus or taxi back to the Kurhaus.
Day 3 The second part of the week is spent
ski touring on the high glaciers in this region. We approach
the Cabane des Dix (2900m) over the Pas de Chevres (impassable even for
goats!). This col has a 20m vertical wall on its west side,
and our descent is aided by some insitu iron ladders. After
taking lunch at the Cabane des Dix, we climb the small peak,
La Luette, which is a 2 hour walk behind the hut (time allowing).
This summit gives spectacular views of Mont Blanc de Cheilon
and the Pigne d’Arolla.
Day 4 An alpine start
(5 am) so that we can climb the winter summit of Mont Blanc
de Cheilon. We traverse below the west face of the peak then
wind our way up the steep glacier to a col below the summit
cone, where we use crampons for the final ascent. The descent
of 900m to the Dix hut is a phenominal ski in magnificent surroundings.
Day 5 We make another alpine start so that
we can traverse the Pigne d’Arolla. The ascent is long
and interesting, with some steep slopes to negotiate and the
view expanding all the time. From the summit we are rewarded
with another fantastic ski down to the Vignettes hut, and then
another glacier leads down into the Arolla valley when we return
to Leysin for a night out at the Lynx bar.
Maps: Arolla 283 S 1:50 000
Ski ability required: Prior ski-touring experience
is essential and you should have effective turns off-piste
in a variety of snow conditions. A high level of fitness is
very important and you should be able to comfortably sustain
a climb at a rate of 300 vertical metres an hour. A typical
day will involve up to 4 hours of uphill skiing (up to 1000m
of ascent).
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