Cabane FXB à Panossière – High-Alpine Hut & Grand Combin Base Guide

The Cabane FXB à Panossière CAS is a modern, high-alpine hut spectacularly positioned on a rocky promontory above the Glacier de Corbassière, directly beneath the Grand Combin massif. Purpose-built for serious alpinism yet remarkably comfortable, it is one of the principal bases for ascents of Grand Combin peaks and for demanding glacier routes in the western Valais.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Panossière / Grand Combin massif, Val de Bagnes, Canton of Valais, Switzerland

  • Altitude: 2,641 m

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

  • Capacity: Approx. 90–100 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-June to late September

    • Winter room: accessible outside the guarded season

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (CAS)

• Access & Approaches

  Approaches are long and alpine, with glacier exposure depending on the route and season.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Fionnay (Val de Bagnes) via the Corbassière valley

    • From Cabane de Valsorey or Bourg-St-Pierre (alpine variants)

  • Ascent time: ~4.5–6 hours (route-dependent)

  • Elevation gain: ~1,200–1,500 m

  • Terrain: Alpine trails, moraines, glacier margins, exposed rocky sections

  • Difficulty: Alpine (T4 / PD)

  • Requirements: Glacier travel skills, good fitness, alpine experience

  The final approach offers continuous views over the Corbassière Glacier.

• Facilities & Comfort

  The FXB Panossière is among the best-equipped huts in the Valais.

  • Spacious dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals

  • Drinking water (often snowmelt, managed supply)

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity, lighting, and charging points

  The winter room is functional but intended for fully autonomous use.

• Food & Atmosphere

  The atmosphere is professional and expedition-oriented, yet welcoming.

  • Energy-rich alpine meals

  • International mix of alpinists and guided parties

  • Evenings focused on weather, glacier conditions, and early starts

  Despite its size, the hut retains a focused alpine rhythm.

• Prices & Booking

  • Rates: Standard CAS hut prices

  • Discounts: CAS member discounts apply

  • Booking: Essential during the summer season

  • Payment: Cash preferred

• Best Routes From the Hut

  The Cabane FXB à Panossière is a premier mountaineering base:

  • Grand Combin de Grafeneire (4,314 m) – classic ascent

  • Grand Combin de Valsorey (4,184 m) – via demanding glacier routes

  • Glacier traverses across the Corbassière

  • Alpine link-ups toward Cabane de Valsorey and Italian routes

  All objectives require full alpine and glacier equipment.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Conditions: Cold nights, rapidly changing weather

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

  Stable forecasts and early departures are mandatory.

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced mountaineers and alpinists

  • Guided alpine parties

  • Strong glacier trekkers with technical skills

  • Not suitable for casual hikers or beginners

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,641 m, the Cabane FXB à Panossière CAS represents the modern face of high-alpine refuge design combined with classic Grand Combin seriousness. Its commanding position above the Corbassière Glacier, high comfort level, and direct access to major 4,000-metre objectives make it one of the most important and impressive huts in the western Valais.