Travel to Courmayeur, to arrive in time for the Evening Briefing. Your guide will run through safety routines and kit checks, as well as hand out rental equipment for the week, before we go on to a detailed discussion of everyones ambitions for the week, together with the current weather and mountain conditions and how these affect our planning. We’ll also have maps and guidebooks to show you, so if you’ve any further questions or last minute requests, then this is the ideal time to bring them up before we head on to dinner. PM Overnight in the valley.

Introduction to the week ahead and kit check. Brief revision of ski mountaineering skills and complete day tour with the aim of skiiing a substantial peak Punta Leissé in the center Valle d’Aosta. Opportunities to refresh skinning technique, avalanche emergency procedures and some basic mountaineering elements. Overnight in the valley.

Transfer from Courmayeur by road to the trailhead close to the village of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame. After an avalanche safety briefing there is a pleasant 2-3 hour skin to the Benevolo hut. On route there is a variety of terrain that will allow your guide to teach you a few simple tricks to make skinning and the all important kick turn easier. The hut is situated in an area that is great for building on and refining your avalanche transceiver skills. The hut is small and friendly with all the usual italian virtues; good coffee, good food and a welcoming and hospitable guardian. Overnight in the hut.

There are a number of excellent day tours to choose from; the ascent of Punta Basei (3338m), the Point de Galise (3346m), the tour to Gran Vaudalaz (3270m) or the Roc de Basagne (3219m). Overnight in the hut.

There are a number of excellent day tours to choose from; the ascent of Punta Basei (3338m), the Point de Galise (3346m), the tour to Gran Vaudalaz (3270m) or the Roc de Basagne (3219m). Overnight in the hut.

There are a number of excellent day tours to choose from; the ascent of Punta Basei (3338m), the Point de Galise (3346m), the tour to Gran Vaudalaz (3270m) or the Roc de Basagne (3219m). At the end of day 5 we ski back down to Rhêmes-Notre-Dame and transfer back to Courmayeur. Overnight in the valley. End of program.

After a night of well-deserved rest, departing from Courmayeur for your destination.