Intro to Ski Touring, Chamonix

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Adventure Hosted by Ella

Ski teaching chamonix
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Chamonix, France
4 days skiing
Max 8 per group
Mixed
Moderate

Adventure overview

Backcountry Bliss: Your Ski Touring Start - Forget the chair lifts, it’s all about earning your turns. Discover why ski touring is the hottest thing on the slopes right now.

Join us in Chamonix for an unforgettable introduction to ski touring, where you'll learn essential backcountry skills amidst some of the Alps' most breathtaking landscapes.

With this experienced guide, you'll master new techniques by day and share stories over hearty meals by night, surrounded by the stunning peaks of the French Alps.

Evening 1 - Arrival in Chamonix

  • Settle into a cosy backcountry ski lodge at our basecamp.
  • Meet the guide for a trip briefing.
  • Enjoy traditional Alpine cuisine in anticipation of the adventure ahead.

Day 2 – Developing Backcountry Skills

  • Head to Brévent or Flegere ski area for a full day in the Aiguilles Rouge.
  • Introduction to backcountry skiing and skinning techniques.
  • Learn about gear, avalanche risks, weather forecasting, and transceiver use.
  • Night spent at the Ski Lodge with dinner included.

Day 3 – Perfecting Skills

  • Explore new areas for off-piste practice, depending on conditions.
  • Further develop skills learned on Day 2.
  • Another fun-filled day with emphasis on skill enhancement.
  • Night and dinner at the Ski Lodge.

Day 4 – Mountain Hut Des Prés and Ski Touring

  • Transfer to Les Contamines and Val Montjoie.
  • Ski tour to a new refuge in the heart of the Contamines nature reserve.
  • Enjoy spectacular views facing the Mont-Blanc range.
  • Overnight stay and dinner in the mountain hut.

Day 5 - Ski Tour Descent

  • Morning ski touring session based on weather and conditions.
  • Descend to Les Contamines.
  • Return to Chamonix by car.
  • Note: Itinerary subject to change based on weather and safety conditions.

 

Picture this: you’re in the middle of the Mont Blanc Massif, waking up to views of remote mountainscapes out the window of your ski lodge, coffee in hand, ready to take on the day. Sound good? We think so. With some of the best ski touring routes in the French Alps, Chamonix never disappoints. This is a trip designed to channel your inner backcountry explorer; remote hiking meets off-piste downhill skiing in this up-and-coming new sport, and with world-class guides and like-minded people around you, it’s a trip you won’t forget. You’ll learn the art of ski touring as well as developing mountain safety and navigation skills.

Evening 1 - Arrival in Chamonix

Time to make yourself at home at our basecamp for the trip: a cosy backcountry ski lodge. We’ll meet our guide for a briefing and tuck in to some traditional Alpine food ready for a day of adventure tomorrow.

Day 2 – Developing backcountry skills

We head over to the Brévent or Flegere ski area for a full day of touring in the Aiguilles Rouge. This will give us an introduction to backcountry skiing and skinning, help us to familiarise ourselves with the gear and we’ll discuss avalanche risk, the importance of weather forecasting and practice using transceivers.

  • Night and dinner at Ski Lodge

Day 3  – Perfecting those skills

Depending on conditions, we’ll find a great area to keep practicing and learn new skills off piste with another full day out. We’ll work on the skills introduced yesterday, and most importantly - have some fun!

  • Night and dinner at Ski Lodge

Day 4 – Mountain hut Des Prés and ski touring

We'll transfer to Les Contamines and Val Montjoie, and ski tour up to a brand new ski refuge. It has a spectacular setting in the heart of the Contamines nature reserve, facing the Mont-Blanc range - spectacular views all round!

  • Night and dinner in the hut

Day 5 - Ski tour descent from the lodge

Depending on the conditions and weather we'll enjoy another morning of ski touring before heading back down to Les Contamines and back to Chamonix by car.

Please note: this itinerary is given as an indication; weather conditions and safety requirements may mean changes are made to the programme.

  • 3 nights at lodge in double rooms with half board, 1 night at hut in dorm with half board
  • The hotel is comfortable, fun, and cosy.
  • You can literally step onto the mountains and into the magic of the valley, only a few minutes walk away from Chamonix downtown.
  • Enjoy a delicious, hearty dinner with a mix of international classics and local delights in a home-cooked style. After dinner, swap stories of the day in the relaxed bar.  During the high season, they are happy to make takeaway lunches so you can immerse yourselves in the mountains all day.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Guide - 4 days with a Fully certified ski instructor or mountain guide
  • Accommodation - 3 nights at lodge in double rooms with half board, 1 night at hut in dorm with half board
  • Meals - breakfast and dinner
  • Ski passes
  • Transfers from Chamonix to Les Contamines and return to Chamonix

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • Transport to and from Chamonix
  • Lunch and drinks at dinner
  • Personal insurance - you'll need this to join
  • Personal equipment - this is very personal so you can bring your own or we can help you hire
  • Tips (optional)
  • You'll need to make your own way to Chamonix.
  • The closest airport is Geneva and Chamonix is also well supported by a rail network.

IS THIS THE RIGHT TRIP FOR ME?

Is this a good trip if I'm travelling solo?

  • Absolutely! Many solo adventurers, couples, and groups join us. It's a fab way to meet awesome folks.
  • More than half of our guests book on solo, so you’ll be in good company.

What's the typical age range?

  • We see a mix, from 20s to 50s.
  • Don’t focus too much on this though…

Is there a minimum age for this trip?

  • 18 years old

How good a skier do I need to be?

  • This course is specifically designed as an introduction to touring so you don't need any prior ski touring experience. You should be a decent off-piste skier but don't worry if you haven't been for a little while, we'll get you back up to scratch ASAP.
  • If you already have some skills, our April course will help you take things to the next level.

How hardcore is this going to be?

  • This is all about giving you a friendly intro to ski touring so don't worry, we won't be dangling you from any cliffs.

What skiing skills will we be working on?

  • We'll be taking your skiing skills and applying them to the world of touring - how to move efficiently and safely.
  • Already a skier? The April trip is designed with intermediate skiers in mind so we'll work on areas you want to improve.

What mountain skills will we be working on?

  • This is all about being safe on the mountains - how to read snow conditions, assess avalanche risks, how to navigate, make sense of the weather forecasts and how that impacts us as skiers. You’ll spend time practicing with transceivers, to ensure that if the worst happens you have the skills to deal with it.
  • We'll also work with you to take your skills to the next level.

Do I need travel insurance?

  • Yes, check that it covers the trip you’re interested in
  • We recommend Campbell Irvine
  • We also recommend you get some personal insurance to cover you for injury or any personal loss or damage.

Is the guide insured?

  • Yes, our guiding partners are insured for all the activities they offer, but you’ll still need to take out your own travel insurance.

KIT

Is equipment included?

  • Not on this one. We want to keep the price as competitive as possible and allow people to bring what gear they already have. We can help you arrange hire locally for everything you need.
  • A premium touring set-up with skis+touring bindings+skins and poles cost about £55 per day.
  • And the avalanche safety pack including a transceiver, a shovel and probe cost about £15 per day.

ACCOMMODATION

What's the ski lodge like?

  • The hotel is comfortable, fun, and cosy.
  • You can literally step onto the mountains and into the magic of the valley, only a few minutes walk away from Chamonix downtown.
  • Enjoy a delicious, hearty dinner with a mix of international classics and local delights in a home-cooked style. After dinner, swap stories of the day in the relaxed bar.  During the high season, they are happy to make takeaway lunches so you can immerse yourselves in the mountains all day.

OTHER

Who's our guide?

  • Ella is your guide for this trip
  • Swiss Snowsports Instructor with Federal Certificate of Higher Vocational Education and Training
  • Expert in skiing, Swiss Snowsports
  • UIMLA – Mountain Leader and Member of ASAM, Swiss Alpine hiking guide T4
  • Skier for the Swiss National Ski team until 2007
  • Languages: German, English, Spanish, French
  • Free cancellation or date change up to 65 days before departure
    Deposits are non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled by us, then you'll get a full refund

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Free date changes up to 65 days before departure, no questions asked

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1% of all our revenue (not profits) goes to fund leading environmental and social projects
£1,008 / Person (inc deposit)
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