UKC

Hi, i am thinking of going to the Ecrins national park in France, just wondering what facilites are available at the refuges out of season. Drinking water? Toilets? Electricity?

Thanks!

have a look at this site

https://www.ffcam.fr/guide-des-refuges-et-chalets-de-montagne.html   find the Ecrins area, look for "Infos confort" showing for each refuge. The table shows what is available.

many refuges have their own webpage, for instance the Refuge des Bans. Their webpage shows a summary of what is available when the gardien is there - gardiennage and without - hors gardiennage ie https://refugedesbans.ffcam.fr/ Scroll down a bit and there is a table.

Thanks Andy, so the example above would indicate no running water available, i guess in season you can buy bottled water, but out of season, carry it all in? Would a water filter be useful i wonder, high in the Julian alps around triglav there was no surface water due to the  rock type.

Hi, 

When in particular are you thinking? in the winter and early spring for ski touring most refuges have winter rooms and in terms of water it's a case of melting snow. In the autumn some may not have a tap but a few like the refuge des Bans have access to a stream or river. 

none will have electricity but solar works well here. 

This site also has some information about some of the huts and some of the smaller cabins, although its not always up to date its a good starting point.

https://www.refuges.info/nav/18/massif/Ecrins/

If you let me know which huts and when I maybe able to give you an idea.

Cheers

Was thinking of the in the next few weeks. I am in France so getting there isn't a problem.

I think the glacier blanc and some of the others have started to open, or will have in a week or two.