Ski touring
Insiders are unanimous: Pralognan-la-Vanoise is one of the most beautiful ski touring sites in Savoie and in France. At the foot of the largest ice cap in the Alps and in the heart of the protected massifs of the Vanoise National Park , the area is immense and the panorama breathtaking. Every two years, it is also the playground of one of the most famous ski mountaineering races in France: the Transvanoise. In Pralognan, the journey is at the tip of your skis !
Pralognan-la-Vanoise, ski touring resort in Savoie
The smallest resort in the Tarentaise region, dominated by the Grande Casse (3,855 metres) and the highest peaks in Savoie, Pralognan-la-Vanoise has retained its wild character . With a 9,000-hectare playground labelled “Land of Mountaineering ” by UNESCO (along with the nearby communes of Le Planay and Champagny-en-Vanoise), Pralognan is a must-see destination for ski touring in the French Alps.
Marked routes near the ski area for gentle introductions, free hiking for experienced skiers, accompanied ski touring outings with resort guides, from discovery to multi-day glacier raids, including freerando outings … Pralognan-la-Vanoise offers endless possibilities for ski touring enthusiasts, from December until the end of April/beginning of May (depending on snow conditions).
Marked routes to discover ski touring in Pralognan
To discover ski touring gently, improve your skills or simply train in complete peace of mind, 2 marked routes are located near the alpine ski slopes . The advantage: get your legs going in a world that is both wild and safe, with an easy return to the resort .
Le Rosset: introduction to ski touring, close to the slopes
Starting from the top of the ski lifts, at 2350 meters, the marked Rosset route allows you to progress in a wild environment, a stone’s throw from the slopes. Indeed, offering numerous escapes to the ski area , this natural route towards the Col de Rosset, allows you to reach the resort’s slopes at any time. Ideal for a gentle introduction to ski touring , in Pralognan-la-Vanoise.
Le Moriond: a marked, technical and wild ski touring route
The Moriond route provides ski touring access to the Barmettes refuge , the gateway to the Vanoise National Park. Steeper and more technical than the Rosset route, the Moriond route runs largely through the forest . The ski area is less easily accessible, so this ski touring route requires commitment and perseverance . This outing is recommended before ski touring in the great outdoors.
Pralognan-la-Vanoise ski touring package
The Pass’Randonneur allows ski tourers to more easily access the summits of the slopes. Edelweiss and Genépi chairlifts or Mont-Bochor cable car : depending on the route chosen, gain altitude to quickly begin your ascent. The result: reduced effort and more fun!
| Winter 2025-2026 rates | Adult / Reduced |
| 1 ascent (reserved for ski touring only) | €15,00 |
Price excluding the cost of the support: €2.00.
Guided ski touring trips in the Alps
Introduction to ski touring, advanced training and legendary multi-day races (with overnight stays in a refuge), freerando… The wild environment of the Vanoise National Park allows you to discover all the facets of ski touring. So, whatever your level, the instructors and guides of Pralognan offer you fascinating ascents to the peaks of the Vanoise, followed by unforgettable descents . They also share their knowledge and love of the mountains, between two encounters with the masters of the place: chamois, ibex and bearded vultures. A 100% natural ski-in/ski-out adventure .
Discover ski touring in Vanoise
Every week, the Pralognan-la-Vanoise guides office – one of the largest in France – offers a varied program for discovering ski touring for a day . With 70% of its territory located in the heart of the Vanoise National Park , Pralognan offers ski mountaineering enthusiasts a true immersion in nature.
Head to the Col de la Vanoise or the Chavière valley , to escape into a preserved mountain environment. While the ascent to the legendary Col and its high reliefs takes place in a high mountain atmosphere, the Chavière sector, more hilly, leads skiers to a wild and immaculate slope. Pointe du Dard, Épaule de la Réchasse, Pommier Blanc, Pointe de Villeneuve… So many climbs that favor the pleasure of skiing, with very beautiful descents . In the white immensity, each skier makes their mark. Magical!
Required level: be able to descend a black run and have a minimum of physical condition and endurance (600 to 700 meters of positive elevation gain).
Advanced ski touring in Pralognan-la-Vanoise
The Pralognan guides offer experienced ski tourers itineraries in the glacial areas of the Vanoise massif: Col de la Grande Casse, Pointe de la Réchasse, Couloir des Rochers de la Vive … On the program for these day trips: 1000 to 1200 meters of positive elevation gain, a friendly picnic break and a memorable descent. Ideal for lovers of thrills and steep slopes!
These “improvement” outings are also accessible after a few discovery outings, depending on each person’s level.
Freerando or off-piste skiing in Savoie
Located in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley , close to the large ski areas of the 3 Valleys and Paradiski, Pralognan-la-Vanoise is the ideal base camp for expert skiers or freerando enthusiasts. This discipline, which favors beautiful off-piste descents, uses ski lifts to discover new routes and access the best slopes , in the heart of nature. Thus, skiers combine short ascents on ski touring with long descents in the powder.
Alongside the Pralognan guides, descend legendary couloirs: the Brèche Portetta and its 45° slope, the Gébroulaz Glacier , a true little white valley, the Bellecôte Glacier or the Cul du Nant Glacier.
Excursions with a private guide in the Northern Alps
The guides of Pralognan-la-Vanoise accompany you on group outings or “on a commitment” basis , for a tailor-made hike in a small group. Among the largest guide companies in the Northern Alps and in France, the Bureau des guides de Pralognan offers a wide variety of possibilities to explore the immense territory of the mountain resort. From the discovery of ski touring to raids of 2 to 5 days on the glaciers of the Vanoise , with nights in the guarded refuges of Pralognan, the high mountain guides of the village will help you discover the most beautiful peaks of the Vanoise massif. Sport and sensations, contemplation and wonder, sharing and emotions: with the Pralognan guides, live an unforgettable experience !
Pralognan, a pioneering ski touring resort in Savoie
Starting point of the high road to the Vanoise glaciers, Pralognan stands out as one of the best ski touring resorts in Savoie and the Alps. Its immense territory in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, the largest protected area in Western Europe (with the Gran Paradiso National Park, with which it is twinned), has retained a completely wild character . In addition, on the edge of the national park, the ski lifts provide access to extraordinary higher sites for ski touring (such as the Col de la Vanoise, in the heart of the Park).
In the Alpine village, “ski touring”, the ancestor of ski touring, appeared in the 1900s . Then, the first company of “ski guides” was created, and the first winter races were offered: Col de la Vanoise, Col de la Grande Casse, crossing of the Chasseforêt glaciers and Dôme de Polset. From these beginnings of “spring skiing” , the Pralognanais have retained the passion and know-how, passed down through the guiding profession for generations . Passionately attached to their valley and their mountains, the resort guides maintain this deep attachment to their traditional guiding activity and this determination to share their love of the mountains with you, in the best possible conditions of discovery and safety .*
*Source: Pralognan-la-Vanoise Guides and Accompanists Office
