PTOR’S BACKYARD

LA GRAVE, FRANCE

GUIDED SKI & SPLITBOARD EXPEDITION

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La Grave. For diehard ski and snowboard mountaineers, this sleepy little French mountain town is Mecca. But not in the same way as its more visited neighbor, Chamonix. Here, there’s a little less ego, a lot more rawness, far fewer tourists, and authenticity in the purest sense. For 40 Tribes lead guide, Ptor Spricenieks—who’s resume as a “professional skier” features premiere descents that have rarely, if ever, been considered by others—this was the place he wanted to call home. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Ptor’s ski partners in La Grave were none other than legends Doug Coombs, Colin Samuels, Jason Schutz and Troy Jungen. Now, after 30 years living in the valley, let's just say Ptor "has some ideas" for skiing in the area. From his home you can literally see every nook and cranny of the off-piste ski resort accessed by the famed Téléphérique. The mother of local peaks, La Meije (3,984m/13,071ft), feels like it’s across the table when you sit down for a cup or three of stovetop espresso in the morning. But what makes Ptor’s home in the tiny hamlet of Ventelon especially amazing is not the obvious. In his backyard, there's more than a garden buried under snow (which, by the way, produces tons of garlic and the biggest carrots you’ve ever seen); there’s skiing that 99% of those who have visited La Grave have never experienced. Routes and objectives that Ptor knows like the back of his…yard. Get the point? And while we won’t be staying at Ptor’s house, we’ll be right next door, in our own private chalet with another local legend serving up traditional French mountain food, with beer and wine provided.

2026 DATES

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JANUARY 5-13

7 DAYS RIDING/9 DAYS TOTAL

DETAILS

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First run as our inaugural Mystery Trip in 2020, this one was just too rad not to be added to our list of regular offerings. And so it was with another epic session carried out as soon as the COVID madness subsided in 2022. Since then, the only adjustment we’ve made is to accommodation. Now village-based vs. hut-based we have a lot more flexibility for chasing the best conditions, and while we didn’t think the food could get much better, we’re happy to report that with the change it has gone from super to magnifique!

Beginning in Lyon, you’ll be greeted by our private van and climb via Grenoble and the Romanche River Valley to the epicenter that is La Grave. Your home for the week is just a few minutes further and on the north (sunny side) of the valley, in the village of Ventelon. Not more than a stone’s throw from Ptor's house is our chalet. Perched directly across from La Meije, the second tallest peak in the Massif des Écrins, the chalet offers some of the most spectacular views in the valley. Any this isn’t just any chalet. It’s La Chaumine: an iconic landmark that served as the original home of Pelle Lang’s guiding service (Pelle being THE mountain guide who is largely credited for establishing La Grave as a freeride destination). It’s also where the legendary skier Doug Coombs used to base his Steep Skiing Camps. Even more incredible is that the chalet, which typically offers lodging for 36 guests, will be reserved exclusively for our group. The stay will be catered by local pro snowboarder Jean-Louis St. Arneault, who's been working as the house chef at La Chaumine for years. Per Ptor: "He's a total character and does it right."  We're planning on getting a keg of a choice local brew to have on tap, and have budgeted for wine with dinners as well. Did we mention there's a sauna?

The vision for the trip is to have all possibilities for skiing in the valley on the table. Included are lift tickets for two days skiing from the Téléphérique and one day at Chazalet, a family-style ski station that offers lift access to ridgelines where we'll be able to hike to some big, open alpine terrain, and literally ski directly back to La Chaumine. On other days, our tours may begin directly from the chalet and take us through neighboring villages en route to the +3,000m peaks that rise above. Across the valley is the northern edge of France's second largest national park, Parc des Écrins: 1,000 square kilometers of jagged peaks and glaciers. Skiing down from La Chaumine and climbing up into the park for day missions is one possibility, or a short 10-minute drive will give us access to other valleys. There's also the Col du Lautaret, a high mountain pass which drops you at 2,058m and offers 1,000m lines for some of the easiest road skiing anywhere. From the chalet there’s also no shortage of closer and more easily accessed terrain, which will be perfect for spinning laps or in the event of weather days. By night, our proximity to La Grave will allow us to take advantage of the local nightlife, if desired.

After a week of tagging lines with Ptor and other La Grave legends, you’ll be on your way back to Lyon, to arrive by evening. Depending on available flight times, you may need (or get) to spend a final night in Lyon to celebrate the end of an epic trip!

GUIDES

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You better believe the man, the myth, the legend, Ptor Spricenieks, is on board for this one! Ptor will be supporting our lead IFMGA guide, TBA. Meet our guides.

BOOKINGS

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USD $4,165/PERSON

7 DAYS RIDING/9 DAYS TOTAL

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ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE REQUIREMENTS

Participants will need to arrive at Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (airport code LYS) on or before January 5. We’ll return to Lyon by evening on January 12, meaning that—depending on available flight times—you may need to overnight and depart on January 13. If arriving Lyon early or staying the night of the 12th, accommodation will need to be arranged on your own.

PRICE INCLUDES

IFMGA Lead Guide, supported by Ptor; Airport pickup on January 5 and private transportation to La Grave; 7 nights private lodging at La Chaumine in Ventelon—fully catered w/ beer and wine included—nights of January 5-11; 2x day passes for the Téléphérique; 1x day pass for Chazalet; Transportation around the valley as needed for daily ski objectives; Private return transportation to Lyon, to arrive by evening on January 12; 7 days of epic guided skiing/splitboarding!

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfare to/from Lyon and baggage fees; Meals, alcohol and entertainment outside of the chalet—e.g. in La Grave and Lyon; Accommodation in Lyon; Medical/evacuation insurance; Tips for guides.

BOOKING POLICY

A 20% deposit is required to secure your spot, with the remainder due 4 months prior to the expedition start date. Our cancellation/refund policies can be found here.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Our general terms & conditions can be found here.

RELEASE & WAIVER OF RIGHTS

All participants are required to sign our Release and Waiver of Rights.