Off the Beaten Piste in the Queyras – 3 Day Intermediate Ski Touring Escape

This is a carefully crafted itinerary, designed to offer a rich and rewarding 3-day ski touring experience, with a balance of scenic climbs, satisfying descents, and immersion in the wild beauty of the Queyras.

As with all true backcountry adventures, nature sets the terms. Avalanche risk, weather, and snow conditions can all influence the exact route. Your UIAGM guide will assess the conditions daily and may adjust the plan to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the group — whether that means altering the order, changing huts, or adapting the terrain.

That said, the aim is always to stay true to the theme and level of this intermediate tour: steeper ascents than beginner routes, more technical terrain, and quiet, high-altitude landscapes far from the pistes.

It’s important that all participants have the required fitness and ski touring ability for this level. For safety reasons, the guide reserves the right to refuse to continue the tour with any skier who is not adequately prepared or capable. If you're unsure about your level, we’re happy to advise — and our beginner ski tour is an excellent stepping stone.

While the details may shift, the experience — ski touring through remote alpine valleys, resting in high mountain refuges, and travelling under your own power — stays the same.

Your adventure begins at Pont de Lariane, just outside Molines-en-Queyras, where there’s convenient parking for those arriving by car. If you’re coming by train or without your own transport, your guide can collect you en route from Guillestre–Montdauphin — just let us know in advance so we can coordinate.

Please note: the tour begins today, so if you’re travelling from further afield, you’ll need to arrive the night before. We’re happy to help you arrange a comfortable stay nearby.

The tour begins with a steady climb through open terrain to the Col de Longet, a gentle warm-up with beautiful views. From there, the ascent steepens as you tackle the final climb to Pic Traversier — your first proper test of kick turns and edge control on steeper ground. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping panoramas and a fabulous descent through open slopes and quiet powder fields.

You’ll arrive at the Refuge de la Blanche, nestled in a high valley near the Italian border, where warm food and a rustic mountain welcome await.

• Ascent: ~900m

• Distance: ~8km

• Overnight: Refuge de La Blanche

Today’s tour weaves through some of the most striking high-altitude scenery in the Queyras. From Refuge de la Blanche, you’ll skin up to the Col de la Noire, with a steady ascent that opens into a vast, snow-covered valley beneath the flanks of Rocca Bianca.

After a short descent back into the Vallon de la Blanche, you’ll climb again to Point 2959, a wild and remote spot with a commanding view of the surrounding peaks. From here, a fun and sustained descent and then scenic traverse leads across to the Col Saint-Véran (2,884m), the gateway to one of the day’s most memorable sections: a spectacular ridge climb to the summit of Pic de Caramantran (3,025m). The ridge is broad but dramatic, offering airy views across the Italian border and deep into the Queyras.

From the summit, you’ll descend via the Col de Chamoussière, enjoying a long, flowing run into the valley below and the welcoming Refuge Agnel, nestled beneath towering peaks.

If conditions and energy levels allow, there’s an optional final climb to the Col de l’Eychassier, offering bonus views and a satisfying sting in the tail for those keen to squeeze out every metre.

• Ascent: ~1,000m (plus optional ~200m to Col de l’Eychassier)

• Distance: ~10km

• Overnight: Refuge Agnel

The final day of your tour delivers one of the best climbs and descents in the Queyras — a fitting finish to this intermediate adventure. From Refuge Agnel, you’ll skin back up to the Col de Chamoussière, but this time from a new perspective, climbing into the morning light.

From the col, the route ascends steadily toward the Pointe des Sagnes Longues (3,037m), a proud summit in the heart of the Queyras. It’s a challenging climb, with steeper sections that demand good, failsafe kick turns and a steady rhythm — but the rewards are immense: expansive views and a thrilling final descent.

The descent begins with a steep gully — exciting but manageable for intermediate tourers — which soon mellows out into gentler terrain, offering a joyful, flowing run all the way back to Pont de Lariane.

It’s the perfect finish: remote, scenic, and utterly satisfying.

• Ascent: ~850m

• Distance: ~11km

• Finish: Pont de Lariane

  After three unforgettable days in the high mountains, it’s time to say goodbye — for now. If you need help arranging a final night’s accommodation, just let us know. We’re also happy to give you a lift back to Guillestre to catch your train or continue your journey.