Cabane du Vélan CAS – High-Alpine Hut & Summit Base Guide

The Cabane du Vélan CAS is a compact, high-alpine hut dramatically set beneath Mont Vélan, on the Italian–Swiss border above the Val d’Entremont. Remote and clearly mountaineering-focused, it is primarily used as a summit base for Mont Vélan and nearby alpine routes. This is a serious hut intended for experienced alpinists rather than general hikers.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Val d’Entremont / Mont Vélan sector, Canton of Valais, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,642 m

  • Type: Serviced CAS alpine hut (with winter room)

  • Capacity: Approx. 24–28 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-June to mid-September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (CAS)

• Access & Approaches

  Reaching the Cabane du Vélan involves a long and alpine approach, reflecting its isolated position.

  • Main approach: From Bourg-St-Pierre (Val d’Entremont)

  • Ascent time: ~4.5–5.5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~1,200–1,400 m

  • Terrain: Alpine trails, moraines, rocky slopes, snowfields

  • Difficulty: T4 / alpine

  • Requirements: Sure-footedness, route-finding skills, alpine experience

  Early-season snow can significantly increase difficulty.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Facilities are minimal but functional, consistent with a small high-alpine CAS hut.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Drinking water (often snowmelt)

  • Indoor toilets

  • Limited electricity for lighting

  The winter room is basic and intended for fully autonomous use.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is quiet and focused.

  • Simple, energy-rich alpine meals

  • Guests are primarily alpinists planning early summit starts

  • Evenings are calm, with attention on weather and conditions

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard CAS hut prices

  • Discounts: CAS member discounts apply

  • Booking: Recommended due to small capacity

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Cabane du Vélan is chiefly a summit base:

  • Mont Vélan (3,727 m) – classic ascent via glacier and snow

  • Alpine routes on surrounding ridges and cols

  • Cross-border traverses linking Switzerland and Italy (conditions permitting)

  All objectives require glacier travel and full alpine equipment.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Conditions: Cold nights, fast-changing weather

  • Main risks: Crevasses, rockfall, storms, altitude effects

  Stable forecasts and early starts are essential.

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced mountaineers and alpinists

  • Strong alpine climbers

  • Ski mountaineers (spring, conditions dependent)

  • Not suitable for casual hikers or beginners

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,642 m, the Cabane du Vélan CAS offers an authentic, no-frills gateway to one of the Valais’ less frequented high-alpine summits. Its isolation, intimate scale, and direct access to Mont Vélan make it a rewarding base for alpinists seeking commitment, solitude, and classic glacier terrain away from busier routes.