Chamonix Ski Mountaineering
Ski Mountaineering Above the Chamonix Valley with the Mont Blanc Massif Beyond
Chamonix is a world mecca as a base for ski mountaineering. This 5 day course gives you the opportunity to sample a superb variety of demanding ski journeys. By making use of Chamonix's famous high mountain lifts some spectacular high glacier routes can be completed as day tours from the valley. We can also visit some quieter and less well know parts of the Italian Valle d'Aoste & Swiss Rhone Valley, both easily accessible from Chamonix. This course includes one hut night and is designed for folk wanting longer and tougher days than offered in the Ski Touring course (up to c. 9 hours).
Course Aims
- Complete some classic medium to long length ski tours both in the Chamonix Valley and surrounding area.
- Spend a night in a mountain hut allowing a good journey to be made and early start to complete a long tour.
- This course has less structured training than the Ski Touring in Chamonix course and is aimed at folk already competent in the basic ski mountaineering skills. Whilst these skills will be revised and their will be ongoing training throughout the course, the emphasis will be on getting some big journeys and great skiing done.
- Meet up with other like minded ski mountaineers who you may be able to ski with in the future
Sample Itinerary
- Day 0. Arrive in Chamonix, sort equipment.
- Day 1. Kit check and introduction to the week ahead (see note 1* below). Brief revision of ski mountaineering skills and complete a short ski tour out of one of the Chamonix Ski resorts e.g. interesting ski journey from 'Le Tour' to the Swiss village of 'Trient' and get the bus / train back.
- Day 2. High glacial tour such as the Col d'Argentiere or Col du Passon & Tete Blanche from the Grands Montets Ski station
- Days 3 & 4. Ski journey with overnight stay in a Mountain Hut, see below for suggestions
- Day 5. A big day tour to finish the week with a good tough day e.g Mont Buet (3096m) in the Aiguille Rouges, The 3 Cols Ski Tour from the Grande Montets lift or a day tour in the Val Veny just through the Mont Blanc tunnel.
Possible Huts for a 2 day Ski Tour
- Conscrits Hut - superb ski mountaineering on the Domes de Miage etc
- Benevolo Hut - e.g. ascent of the impressive Punta Basei (3338m)
- Grand St. Bernard Monastery - An excellent variety of summits and touring on both the Italian and Swiss sides of the Frontier
Superb quality and value coffee and warm Italian Hospitality, a great pit stop!
- Bonatti Hut. A tour can be completed in the Italian Valle d'Aoste, such as Mont Colmet, followed by an evening skin in to this superb hut which provides a fine base for further touring in the Val Feret on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Alternative Options
Can always be provided according to snow and weather conditions and if group members have done a specific tour before and would like to try something different. Here are a few further suggestions:
- Pointe Ronde or 'Le Genepi' (2884m) from the Col de la Forclaz
- Cols, Cicle, Chasseurs, Bonnehomme variations in the Contamine Valley
- Cols Passon, Midi & Glacier Grand to Trient
- Col de la Terrasse (2648m) in the Perrons chain between France and Switzerland
- 'Trous de la Mouche' (2467m), Massif des Aravis
- The classic 3 cols route linking the Grandes Montets with Le Tour via the Col du Chardonnet, Fenetre de Saleina and Col du Tour
Fitness and Ski Experience Pre-Requirements
Good general fitness is required if you are keen to complete some of the longer tours like Mont Buet and the Breche Puiseaux (an ability to comfortably maintain an ascent rate of 300m/hr on skins for up to 5 hours). Effective off-piste skiing is also required. This means the ability to make linked short radius turns in a variety of steep off-piste snow conditions. Some ski touring experience is also required so if you don't have this check out our introduction to ski mountaineering course first (you could do it the week before!).
2012 Dates
5 days, 12 - 16 March, Monday - Friday Inclusive Places Available
Cost
£555
Minimum group size 3, maximum 6
What’s included in the Price?
- 5 full days ski touring training & off-piste skiing with a Mountain Guide
What’s not included?
- Accommodation. We recommend that you stay at the Hotel Chaumiere in Chamonix. If this is full or you would like an alternative style of accommodation please see our recommended list for places to stay in Chamonix.
- Lift passes. As we will use the best place for the day depending on the weather and snow we ask you to leave buying your pass until the first morning of the course. Cost of a day pass in Chamonix is C.50 Euros and any other venues we use will be cheaper than this.
- Flights and transfer from the airport to Chamonix.
- Food and drink during the course
- Ski equipment. Check the kit list below
Course Notes
1.* Please note that the detailed kit list, given via the link below must be followed and all hire kit including boots, skis, skins, ski crampons, poles, transeiver, shovel, probe must be hired in advance or arranged in advance with us.
Ski Mountaineering Kit List
Please use this list in a modular form according to what type of ski mountaineering you are doing e.g non glacial tours may not require harness, ice screws etc. Aim to 'pack light' and ski with a small, light pack as mu... more>
2. Please note that we can provide this course for small groups or individuals on a private basis. Please contact us to discuss dates.
Further Information:
For more details on our terms & conditions, to fill in a booking form and make a payment, please visit our booking page via
the link below:
Contact
We are always delighted to hear from past, current and future clients so whether you have a booking enquiry, want a conditions report, or some mountaineering advice please do get in touch.
In the meantime, Good climbing / skiing ! Rob.
High Mountain Guides
Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France
Mobile: + 33 (0) 670 819 250
Tel: + 33 (0) 450 53 56 08
Email contact via the form below
Ski Monte Rosa Video, May 2011
Fine powder skiing on the N. Facing descent from the Silbersattel on the Dufourspitze, Swiss Alps
Snowy Early Season Ski Touring in The Arve Valley
Skiing off the Croisse Baulet and in to the Le Plan lift system
Off-Piste Ski Jump
French ESF Ski Instructor goes for it in the soft powder at Gavarnie, French Pyrenees
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