6 days from 1295 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 5 people
You're in for a true backcountry immersion, an intro to ski touring, gear use, safety training and glacier skiing, all in one! This aim of this course is to go over and teach you all ski touring basics. Spend an entire week in the backcountry, far away from your the daily routine, without travelling to the other side of the world, with the Mont Blanc under your eyes everyday! Be sure to turn around and keep your eyes open ! Isn't life great in Chamonix ?
This trip is the comfort version of our intro to ski touring in Chamonix, and offers double room hotel accommodation. Welcome on board this unforgettable backcountry experience around Chamonix !
Pick up either at Bossons (Taconnza) train station, at our hotel or in Chamonix.
Please be wearing your skiing outfit upon arrival.
Meet up with the guide and transfer per minibus to Le Tour ski area. Pour first day together is quite easy going and is meant to get to know each other, hand out gear, assess your level, help get back at ease on your skis. No worries, we'll do heaps of skiing the coming days. Today we have on and off piste sessions to warm up, learn or revise safety techniques. A first uphill session with skins will allow you to see what it's all about.
End of afternoon: transfer to hotel.
Ascent/descent: + 50 m/ - 1500 m
Meals included: picnic and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
French-Swiss day today, after a short transfer to the foot of the Emosson Lake, we climb up this wild valley up to the Col des Terrasses (2648 m). Today's descent is easy and beautiful, just ideal to adjust techniques and test your skills.
Ascent: + 800 m
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Short transfer to the Flégère cable car for a beautiful day in the mountains. We slowly glide down to the Col de Crochues linking with a nice loop to Le Buet village. After a nice drink (not compulsory but highly recommended), we go back to Chamonix on the train. If you're motivated, you have the option to visit the Chamonix Thermal baths.
Ascent/descent: + 700 m / - 1100 m
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Departure for the mythical Vallée Blanche. This day is dedicated to off piste skiing in all kinds of snow, you'll also discover glacier skiing, depending on conditions.
We travel on our skis amidst the glaciers up to the Entrèves mountain pass, in a highly impressive mountain atmosphere.
Ascent/descent: + 400 m / - 2200 m to - 3000 m depending on snow conditions
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Departure for the Vallorcine cable car, that we use to get high up in altitude. A nice Southernly orientated descent takes us to the foot of the climb up to the Col des Autannes (2777 m).
Ascent/descent: + 650 m / - 1500 m
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accommodation included: hotel
Short transfer to the Grands Montets cable cars, from where we access to the Argentière glacier, and climb up to the Col du Tour Noir. An impressive panorama at the foot of famous big walls is the ultimate place to go skiing ! A long descent awaits to round off this fabulous week of ski touring.
End of afternoon, end of trip in Chamonix or in Les Houches.
Ascent/descent: + 900 m / - 2300 m
Meals included: breakfast and picnic
Please note this itinerary is an example of a ski touring trip in the Mont Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges mountain ranges. The guide may adjust certain itineraries and ski areas according to weather and snow conditions as well as participants' abilities. We kindly ask you to respect such decision. We may also change accommodation, maintaining the same standard, according to logistics and availabilities.
In case practices and customs defined by the local guide authorities change, estimating the reasonable number of clients per guide, for safety reasons, Azimut respects these, even last minute, decisions. Such cases are rare and mostly related to exceptional conditions in the mountains. Therefore some compensation may be requested from your side due to less participants per guide.
Please be wearing your ski outfit upon arrival.
We always do our best, but we can't guarantee the exact time of arrival at the train station (due to traffic or weather conditions). Therefore we strongly advise you to buy train tickets that can easily be modified. If you're travelling by car, we'll meet you at the arrival point, or at one of the drop of points where you'll be able to leave your car for the entire trip.
The last day, we try to make it back to Oulx by 5 pm, but we cannot guarantee this.
Train & TGV access: www.voyages-sncf.com
Car access: www.mappy.fr
Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr
Free public parking can be found in Briançon and Oulx (both unattended) or just in front of our accommodation.
5 to 8 participants
Azimut qualified mountain guide.
All our mountain guides are certified. We choose them for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.
Azimut's minibus is used throughout the whole trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and open: we can chat, sleep and listen to our own music !
Bring a small day pack large enough to carry your personal belongings for the day such as (extra) layers, a few snacks, your picnic and security equipment. We strongly recommend that you wear an airbag (we rent some if you need).
Considering the itinerary may be modified due to mountain and snow conditions, ski lift fares are not included in the price. The definite day to day itinerary will depend on local conditions. For this trip you should budget approx € 150.00 for ski lift fares.
The slopes may have some short steep passages. You should be at ease with ski touring techniques and skiing on all types of snow. We may also ski on glacier terrain. You should master uphill kick turns without hesitation.
Good physical condition is required, some uphill sections may have to be done on foot. Ascents and descents vary from 800 to 1000 metres per day. Depending on the chosen itinerary, there may be two outings per day. If you're eager you can continue skiing, if you're tired you can rest and relax.
Good to know: if you don't have the level required, the guide will be able to ask you to leave for the well-being of the rest of the group if necessary. If any doubt, please do not hesitate to ask us !
The price includes
The price does not include
A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance due latest 30 days prior to departure.
We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.
Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of insurances on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur.
Tipping is no obligation. However participants usually hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.
Depending on the size of group, you may share a room with someone of the opposite sex.
Once we've received your booking, we'll provide you with a list of accommodation in case you need to book a night before or after the trip. All accommodation listed is close to the meeting points. You may often benefit from preferential rates.
Make sure to wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge !
Security advice: avalanche airbag backpacks are highly recommended.
They help to stay on the surface in case of avalanche and minimize the risk of burial. Our guides use them and we highly recommend you to opt for high quality and reliable gear. If you don't have an avalanche airbag we rent them out at a very competitive price.
If you don't have the adequate equipment for the trip, don’t worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip ! Our equipment is relatively new, if not brand new, of good quality and adapted to your choice of activity.
Prices of rental equipment during the entire trip (these competitive prices only take into account the number of days of the trip):
Full Pack (ski, boots, skins, ski-crampons, poles) |
215 € |
Skis (skis, skins, poles, ski-crampons) |
175 € |
Boots |
68€ |
Airbag Backpack |
120 € |
Helmet |
30 € |
You can choose to rent equipment when booking your trip, or lateron by clicking on “my account”. If any of the equipment that you’ve chosen is out of stock you’ll be notified and reimbursed.
This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes it may be a good to have with you. By no means do you need to have the latest brands or the latest gear, but if you need to renew your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.
Headwear
Bodywear
Footwear
Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:
Don't forget to:
See you on the slopes ! Have great runs with AZIMUT !