Introduction to Ski Touring in Chamonix
Ski Tour on the Italian Side of the Mont Blanc Massif
An increasing number of skiers and mountaineers are realising what fantastic experiences ski journeys away from the pistes and in to the mountains can give. Aesthetic and efficient in ascent and fast and stylish (sometimes!) in descent; the ski mountaineer is able to mix the fun of off-piste skiing with the deeply satisfying environment of the mountaineer. On this introductory 5 day course course we aim to train you in the essential skills required for safely and smoothly completing some classic alpine ski tours.
2012 Course Dates
Course Aims
- Provide good quality training so that you develop the skills for off-piste skiing and ski touring safely and effectively
- Complete some enjoyable, medium length ski tours and explore the superb variety of venues accessible from a base in Chamonix
- Prepare you for further off-piste and ski touring adventures either with a Guide or independently (e.g Skiing The Haute Route)
- Meet up with other like minded ski touring folk who you may be able to ski with in the future
From our base in the Chamonix valley we can utilise a range of nearby lifts to access a wide variety of superb ski touring terrain. The start of the week will focus on training and becoming efficient with...
Essential ski mountaineering skills:
- Effective (and enjoyable!) skiing techniques for different types of off-piste terrain
- Understanding your ski touring bindings and becoming efficient in their use
- Skinning - How the skins work, putting them on and taking them off, picking a line, easy angled turns and steep turns (Kick turns)
- Avalanche awareness and safe travel techniques
- Becoming skilled in the use of your essential avalanche equipment, shovel, probe and transceiver
- Managing 'transitions' (e.g. being efficient transferring from skinning to skiing modes)
- Storing skis on your rucksack if you need to travel on foot
- Familiarising with your mountaineering equipment - ice axe, crampons, harness.
- Using the rope whilst mountaineering for ascending / descending steep cols
- Introduction to skinning and skiing roped together for glacier travel
- Crevasse Rescue training
- Use of maps, GPS and guide books
There is a lot to take in for the newcomer to ski touring so we try and distill things to the essentials and drip feed information throughout the week. We will also aim to get out and do some good day tours in and around the Chamonix Valley. If weather and conditions allow we can cross the border in to neighboring Italy or Switzerland to sample some of the superb ski touring available there too.
Sample Itinerary (Subject to change according to weather, snow conditions and group aims)
- Day 0. Arrive in Chamonix, sort equipment.
- Day 1. Equipment check and introduction to the course. Off-piste skiing and skills training (see above) at Le Tour at the head of the Chamonix Valley
- Day 2. Further training during a quality ski tour e.g Punta Croce, an excellent 'powder tour' through the trees of the Val d'Aosta to a superb viewpoint
- Day 3. Relevant training during a glacial ski tour such as the crossing of the Vallee Blanche in to Italy or a high col above the Argentiere Glacier
- Day 4. A ski mountaineering day introducing further training whilst climbing to a steeper pass or summit, e.g Chamonix Aiguilles Rouges
- Day 5. Finish with a longer classic Chamonix based Ski Tour putting all the skills together and asking any final questions e.g. Col du Tour Noir
There are a huge amount of excellent alternatives which can be considered at the time according to the weather, snow conditions and aspirations of the group.
General Chamonix Ski Touring / Mountaineering
Fitness and experience pre-requirements:
Ski touring is like many other activities in that the better you are, the less energy you use. Therefore whilst we will not be aiming to complete huge days (up to around 7 hours maximum) beginners should be prepared for a tough and physical week with a fair bit of falling over, getting up and dusting the snow off! (Sense of humour obligatoire!) Folk with a ski background can soon be instructed in basic mountaineering techniques but the same can not be said for mountaineers wishing to start skiing. This is a course for folk who can already ski with linked short radius turns on pisted red runs and can descend in a controlled manner off-piste.
2012 Dates
5 days, 20 - 24 Feb, Monday - Friday Inclusive Places Available
5 days, 5 - 9 March, Monday - Friday Inclusive Places Available
Course 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.
2 Please note that we can provide this course for small groups or individuals on a private basis. Please contact us to discuss dates.
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>
More Details
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
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