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 29 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 fine French meals and wine and beer provided.

AVAILABILITY & REQUIREMENTS

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AVAILABILITY

Max 6

EXPERIENCE

Participants must be advanced to expert level skiers or snowboarders, with at least 1 year touring experience. Participation does not require formal avalanche safety certification. Basic ski mountaineering experience—such as climbing in boot crampons and using an ice axe—is recommended but not required.

GEAR

Splitboards are required for snowboarders. All participants must provide personal touring gear and avalanche safety tools (transceiver, probe, shovel), as well as mountaineering tools such as a harness, crampons and ice axe. We will distribute a mandatory gear list closer to the expedition start date.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Participants must be in excellent physical condition, and comfortable touring for long distances carrying their own backcountry packs.

VISAS

Most visitors to France need only a valid passport. Learn more about French visa requirements here .

2025 DATES

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JANUARY 18-26

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 with ski trailer 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: a private chalet located next to Ptor’s house in the quaint alpine village of Ventelon. The 4 bedroom “Chalet Berghuis Vertical” features a sauna and a beautiful dining room with a table for 10, set in front of a massive window overlooking La Meije, the second tallest peak in the Massif des Écrins. For meals, think traditional French mountain food, paired, of course, with fine French wine.

The guide team for this trip is legendary. Lead IFMGA guide, Joe Vallone, might be a transplant from Colorado, but his knowledge of skiing La Grave is truly top-shelf. Touring from the terminus of the Téléphérique is Joe's specialty, and why riders from around the world come to the valley specifically to be guided by him. Add Ptor to the mix, and you really couldn't ask for a better guided La Grave experience.

While we're planning one big day off the Téléphérique with Joe and Ptor (lift tickets included), the vision for the trip is to have all possibilities for skiing in the valley on the table. Day tours may begin directly from the chalet and take us through neighboring villages en route to the +3,000m peaks that rise above. Or 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 the chalet 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 the La Grave Legends, you’ll be on your way back to Lyon, with hotel accommodation arranged for your final night in France.

PHOTO GALLERY

As words just don't do it justice, be sure to scope the full (hut-based) Ptor’s Backyard photo gallery and search the hashtag #ptorsbackyard.

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, Joe Vallone. Meet our guides.

BOOKINGS

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USD $3,585/PERSON*

7 DAYS RIDING/9 DAYS TOTAL

*Previous year’s pricing. May be adjusted for 2025.

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ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE REQUIREMENTS

Participants will need to arrive at Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (airport code LYS) on or before January 18 and depart on or after January 26. For arrivals in Lyon earlier than the specified start date and departures later than the specified end date, accommodation will need to be arranged on your own.

PRICE INCLUDES

40 Tribes Lead and Co-Guides; Airport pickup/drop off and round trip transportation between Lyon and La Grave on specified arrival/departure dates; 7 nights private lodging at the Chalet Berghuis Vertical in Ventelon—fully catered w/ wine and beer included—nights of January 18-24; 1 night hotel accommodation in Lyon night of January 25; 1 day pass for the Téléphérique; Transportation around the valley as needed for daily ski objectives; 7 days of epic guided skiing/splitboarding!

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Airfare to/from Lyon, France and baggage fees; Additional Téléphérique passes if the group decides on more than one day skiing the resort; Meals, alcohol and entertainment outside of the chalet—e.g. in La Grave and 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.