Intermediate ski touring holiday in France

Planet

PLANET

CARBON REDUCTION

Ski touring is one of the lowest-carbon ways to experience the winter mountains. Instead of relying on ski lifts, artificial snowmaking, piste grooming and large resort infrastructure, guests travel under their own power, using skins to climb and natural terrain to descend. The trip is entirely human-powered once in the mountains, with several days spent ski touring from refuge to refuge through the Queyras.

We encourage guests to reduce the carbon impact of their journey to the Alps wherever possible. We provide practical advice on rail travel options to the region and help guests plan lower-carbon routes rather than defaulting to flying. Once guests arrive in the valley, transport requirements are limited, as the itinerary is based around a hut-to-hut journey through the mountains.

Accommodation is in traditional high mountain refuges rather than large resort hotels. These refuges are simple, small-scale mountain accommodations where energy and water use are naturally limited by the remote setting. Meals are hearty and practical, with vegetarian options available, and regional ingredients used where possible.

Behind the scenes, we also work to reduce unnecessary resource use. Trip information, itineraries and practical details are shared digitally through a smartphone travel app rather than printed documents, helping us operate a largely paper-free office.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

This trip takes place in the Queyras Regional Natural Park, a protected mountain area known for its traditional villages, quiet valleys and rich biodiversity. Travelling in small groups helps reduce pressure on fragile winter environments and limits disturbance to wildlife at a time of year when animals are particularly vulnerable.

Our groups are led by fully qualified high mountain guides who understand the terrain, weather, snow conditions and environmental sensitivities of the area. They help guests travel safely and responsibly through the mountains, choosing appropriate routes and encouraging low-impact behaviour in the natural environment.

We provide guests with clear information before and during the trip about respecting mountain environments. This includes staying with the guide, avoiding unnecessary disturbance to wildlife, taking all litter away, respecting refuge practices and understanding that winter habitats are sensitive.

Each booking also contributes to nature recovery through our partnership with Mossy Earth, supporting rewilding and biodiversity restoration projects. This allows the trip to contribute beyond low-impact travel by helping fund work that restores natural habitats.
We encourage low-carbon travel to the Alps wherever possible and help guests plan journeys by train. Once in the valley, transport needs are minimal as the tour moves hut-to-hut through the mountains.
Behind the scenes, we operate a largely paper-free office. Trip information, itineraries and practical details are shared through a smartphone travel app rather than printed documents.
Finally, each booking contributes to rewilding initiatives through our partnership with Mossy Earth, supporting projects that restore natural habitats and biodiversity.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Our ski touring holidays are designed to support the communities that live and work in the Alps year-round. Guests travel with a fully qualified UIAGM high mountain guide, supporting highly skilled local professionals whose livelihoods depend on the mountain environment.

Accommodation is in traditional high mountain refuges, often family-run and deeply rooted in local mountain culture. Staying in these refuges supports small alpine businesses and the networks of guardians, suppliers and local workers who maintain access to remote mountain areas.

We prioritise local suppliers wherever possible, including guiding, accommodation, transport and food. This helps ensure that the economic benefits of tourism remain in the region rather than leaving the valley.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

The trip is LGBTQ+ friendly and guests are welcomed with the same respect, professionalism and care regardless of background, nationality, gender or sexual orientation. Our focus is on creating a safe, friendly and well-organised mountain experience for all participants.

The trip is led by qualified mountain professionals and supported by local accommodation providers who are paid fairly for their services. We work with trusted partners who meet the professional standards required for guided winter mountain travel.

As this is a ski touring holiday in remote winter mountain terrain, it requires a good level of fitness, previous off-piste skiing experience and the ability to move safely in variable snow conditions. For this reason, it is not generally suitable for people with significantly limited mobility, although we are always happy to discuss individual needs and advise honestly on suitability.

Small group sizes allow for a more personal experience and help create respectful connections between guests, guides, refuge guardians and the mountain communities that host the trip.