Chamonix Ski Touring

“A pair of skis are the ultimate transportation to freedom.” Warren Miller

Guided

Experience Chamonix ski touring, learn the skills, avalanche safety as well as off-piste skiing techniques to deal with difficult snow conditions.

We’ll guide you to the best ski tours in the Chamonix valley for your level. Perfect ski touring for beginners and experts alike can be found in the Mont Blanc range with the most spectacular views possible.

Chamonix is a great base for accessing many different ski tours. We often ski tour from the lifts like the Aiguille du Midi, Grands Montets, Brevent or Flegere which allow us to access remote terrain more easily. We may also hop over to Switzerland or Italy with a short drive to areas such as Verbier and Courmayeur. As well as lift access ski touring, we also do road accessed tours to take full advantage of the snow conditions at the time.

In the evenings you get to relax in one of the many comfortable accommodation options in Chamonix. Chamonix is a vibrant, fun town and a great place to try some local French cuisine, buy off-piste, ski touring or mountaineering equipment. Everywhere is the Chamonix valley is accessible with a free bus service. Our accommodation recommendation is Chalet Les Pelerins.

What you’ll learn:

How to plan a ski tour.
Avalanche theory and practical partner rescue exercises.
Better skinning and skiing technique.
How to use your gear optimally.
How to stay comfortable and safe in a tough winter environment.

Most of all enjoy some great days of ski touring in Chamonix.

The ski touring is always adapted to the group’s capabilities, we start fairly easily and builds in intensity.

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Gallery

Practical Details

Price
€ 500 per group (up to 3 ppl, €30 per extra person)
Pricing details
Included
Guiding
In- Valley Transport
Avalanche safety equipment: transceiver, shovel, probe.
Not Included
Transportation to Alps
Accommodation & food
Lift pass
Personal ski equipment: skis, boots, skins, backpack etc. Ski Hire can be arranged.
How many people in a group
6 Clients per guide maximum
Fitness and ski level
Beginner – Advanced
You should have off-piste skiing experience, able to get down in most snow conditions. Ski touring experience is not necessary. Some basic fitness is needed.
Fitness level: F2 to F4
Ski level: S1 to S4
The activities will be adapted to the group level.
When
December to end April
1 – 7 Days Guiding
Nearest Airport
Geneva

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Sample Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday)

Arrive in Chamonix, settle into your accommodation, meet your mountain guide, check your gear and plan the next day’s ski touring. Sleep in Chamonix.

Day 2 (Sunday)

Day 3 (Monday)

Day 4 (Tuesday)

Day 5 (Wednesday)

Day 6 (Thursday)

Day 7 (Friday)

Day 8 (Saturday)

FAQ

What equipment do I need?

We will mail you an equipment list on booking. Ask us if you have any specific questions.

How dangerous are these activities?

Are these activities risky?

Studies done by the Swiss on annual risk of death in mountain sports compared to annual risk of death in road transport in Switzerland came up with the following conclusions:

High Mountain Sports ≈ 2 × the risk of death in road transport
Rock Climbing ≈ risk of death in road transport
Ski Touring ≈ risk of death in road transport
Mountain Hiking ≈ 5 × less risk of death compared to road transport

A professionally qualified Mountain Guide will try to keep the risks down to what our guides associations consider to be socially acceptable risk levels. We carefully consider the conditions, terrain, group capabilities and aptitudes. We work to reduce the consequences of an accident (e.g. Avalanche transceivers) and build redundancy into our systems (e.g. 2 points on a rock climbing belay)

However, this does not eliminate the risk! Like driving your car, there are residual risks even if your car is serviced, you drive within the laws and take due care, you can still have a mortal accident.

The mountains are not a controlled environment, there are objective dangers. i.e. Seracs, Avalanches, Rock Fall and more.

Responsibility

Anyone considering participation in these activities must understand that these are adventure sports with real risks. You must take responsibility for your own participation.

What if the mountain conditions aren’t good?

Generally it is possible to still have a good day in the mountains when the weather is bad or conditions aren’t optimal.

Skiing in average snow conditions is part of high mountain skiing and often we learn a lot in average snow conditions. We don’t cancel or refund due to snow conditions.

Climbing and Mountaineering courses will always run regardless of the weather or conditions. We will do our best to find appropriate routes for the conditions. We can train skills, do a hut approach, or occasionally indoor climbing if the weather is very bad.

What if I hurt myself half-way through the trip?

We can’t offer a refund due to injured participants. We recommend a good travel insurance that covers such eventualities.

Am I expected to tip the guide?

If you felt a guide went out of their way and gave you a great experience, a tip is much appreciated. Guides don’t expect tips and understand that it’s easier for some guests to offer a tip than for others.

What to do in case of an accident?

It’s good to keep track of where you are on the mountain. Ask the guide questions so as to take an active role in the team and understand where you’re going.

In case of an accident of any kind always think about keeping yourself safe first and then take your time to consider secondary action.

Call: 112 in Europe

Tell the rescuers where you are, what happened, how many victims there are, what the weather is like there. They will generally guide the questioning. Keep calm and speak in short clear sentences.

Often the guide will carry a radio for rescue.

If you have a victim remember: Airway, Breathing, Recovery Position

Then very important: the COLD will put an injured person into a hypothermic state very quickly. Protect them from the elements.