Refuge du Col de la Vanoise
Refuge du Col de la Vanoise is a backcountry alpine hut run by the Club Alpin Français in the Vanoise (2518 m). It has 129 sleeping places, with 13 dormitories; winter capacity is larger when the refuge is on seasonal operations, and outside the guarded season it offers 26 sleeping places.
You must reserve both during the guarded period and outside it; online booking is available, while reservations less than 48 hours in advance during the guarded period are handled by phone. The refuge has no running water, so you need to melt snow. Bivouac is not allowed at the refuge. During the winter season, the winter refuge is equipped with gas, dishes, a dry toilet, and a wood stove (bring firelighters). The general area sits on the GR55 traversing the Vanoise glacier circuit and the Grande Casse tour. The refuge is guarded in winter from late January to early May (continuous in 2026), with additional weekend guarding in May depending on weather, and guarded in summer from early June to mid-September.