Ski touring — Great St Bernard Hospice
Ski touring Great St Bernard Hospice: the trip
One of the oldest places of welcome in the world, at the heart of endless ski tours.
Ski touring — Great St Bernard Hospice
The Great St Bernard Pass is one of the legendary places of the Alps. A historic crossing point, the Hospice of the Great St Bernard may be the oldest place of welcome and shelter in the world — open without interruption for almost a thousand years.
Still run by the Congregation of the Canons of the Great St Bernard, the hospice welcomes ski tourers in winter in a warm atmosphere that is unique at this altitude.
It sits at the heart of countless ski tours, ideal for learning the discipline and refining it. Moving between Italy and Switzerland, the options are almost endless, and your guide adapts to your wishes and your level to offer a fine outing each day.
Ski de randonnée — Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard
🗺️ The terrain stretches between Switzerland and Italy, depending on the conditions.
🏠 Two nights at the hospice, in dormitories with half-board: a place steeped in history, with a warm and unique atmosphere at 2,470 m.
⛷️ Ideal for getting comfortable with ski touring or taking your skills to the next level, with avalanche transceiver practice.
Ski Touring at the Great St Bernard Hospice : Booking
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Ski Touring Great St Bernard Hospice: Itinerary
Meet at the Super Saint-Bernard car park, heading for the east or west col of Barrason on the Italian–Swiss border. The climb is done out-and-back before reaching the hospice via the Combe des Morts — a day that builds according to each person’s experience. Avalanche-transceiver drill during the day. Half-board night at the hospice.
+800 m / 
-400 m
Heading into Italy for the ascent of Mont Fourchon (2901 m), which overlooks the head of the Swiss Val Ferret and the Italian valley of Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses. In the distance, the Mont Blanc massif and its main summits come into view. A fine out-and-back day from the hospice. Half-board night at the hospice.
📈 +800 m / 📉 -800 m
The final day depends on the group’s form, with several options according to conditions. Two summits above the hospice give access to fine descents leading back to the car park.
📈 +600 m / 📉 -1000 m
The objective, itinerary, distances and altitudes may vary depending on snow conditions, weather, terrain and the group’s ability level.
Level & fitness
This trip is suitable for independent ski tourers. It is also a great opportunity to build confidence in ski touring or improve your skills, as your guide adapts each outing to the group.
You should be comfortable skinning uphill and skiing downhill on ungroomed snow. Each day involves between 600 m and 800 m of elevation gain. Knowing how to use an avalanche transceiver is essential — a practice session is planned for the first day.
Not sure about your level? Get in touch with us before booking.
Included
- Accommodation: 2 nights in dormitories at the Hospice of the Great St Bernard
- Meals: 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners
- Guiding by an IFMGA mountain guide
- Return transfer from Chamonix
Not included
- Repatriation / search & rescue insurance (mandatory) and cancellation insurance (strongly recommended)
- Accommodation the night before (Day 0) and the night after (Day 3)
- Lunches, snacks, drinks and personal expenses
- Personal equipment
- Anything not listed under “Included”
Ski touring — Great St Bernard Hospice: the trip
⛷️ What is ski touring? Do I need any experience?
Ski touring involves climbing on skis with skins attached to the bases, before skiing back down on ungroomed snow. This trip is suitable for experienced, independent ski tourers, but it is also a great opportunity to become more familiar with the activity or improve your skills: your guide adapts each outing to everyone’s level.
❄️ What level of skiing and fitness is required?
Each day involves between 600 m and 800 m of elevation gain. You need a good level of fitness, be comfortable skinning uphill and skiing downhill off-piste.
🛜 Do I need to know how to use an avalanche transceiver?
Yes. An avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are essential. An avalanche transceiver practice session is planned for the first day, but some prior knowledge is expected.
🎿 What equipment do I need? Can I rent it?
Touring skis with skins, suitable ski touring boots, an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, plus your usual mountain gear. All equipment can be rented in Chamonix — just let us know if you need any help.
🏠 Where will we stay?
At the Great St Bernard Hospice, in dormitories with half-board. This historic place of hospitality sits at nearly 2,470 m and is run by the Congregation of Canons. Please note: accommodation on nights 0 and 3 is not included.
📍 Where is the meeting point?
The meeting point on the first day is at the Super-Saint-Bernard car park. The trip ends in Chamonix on the final day.
🗓️ Can the itinerary change?
Yes. In ski touring, the objective, itinerary and elevation gain are adapted to the snow conditions, weather, terrain and the group’s ability level. Your guide will choose routes between Switzerland and Italy depending on the conditions at the time.
👥 How many people are in the group?
The trip runs with a minimum of 3 participants. Contact us for private groups or different group sizes.
📑 What insurance do I need?
Search and rescue/repatriation insurance is mandatory. Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
💰 What are the deposit and cancellation terms?
For bookings made directly with Nuyama: a 35% deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 35 days before departure. Full cancellation terms will be provided upon booking.
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