Weekend freerando - beginners' course - Chamonix Mont blanc

Please be wearing your ski outfit upon arrival. 

We always do our best, but can't guarantee the exact time of arrival at the train station (due to traffic or weather conditions). Azimut is not responsible for the loss of transport tickets in the event of delays. 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.

Getting there

Train & TGV access: www.voyages-sncf.com 

Car access: www.mappy.fr 

Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr

Group size

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.

Meet our guides just around the corner.

Getting around

How technical does it get ? How fit should I be ?

• Skill level

You should be at ease skiing in any type of snow. We ski every day at a good pace. Slopes can include some short steep sections. Short climbs with skins involved, 45 min to 1 hr max per day. You will not be expected to have previous ski touring experience.

• Stamina level

A good physical condition is expected, as we skin approx 45 min per day and ski the entire day at a steady pace.

Good to know: if you don't have the level required, the guide may 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 !

Pricing and insurance

Price

The price includes

• Trip logistics
• Minibus transfers upon arrival at one of the indicated meeting points
• 2 nights in a hotel on half-board basis
• Safety & rescue equipment training/reviewing
• Guiding by a certified and expert mountain guide for 3 days (all his expenses are included: meals, accomodation, transportation, ski lift fares)
• Group security, safety & rescue gear
• Use of our safety equipment (tracking device, shovel and probe) if you don't have your own
• Harness for the days on glacier
• Extra fees for Xmas & New-Year 
• AZIMUT welcome pack

The price does not include 

• Transportation to/from the meeting point
• Ski lift fares
• Equipment rental if required
• Personal insurance
• Lunches and all drinks (including those with meals at the hotel), and personal extras
• Any other expenses not mentioned under the above section “the price includes”

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 that is 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.

Accommodation and meals

• Depending on the size of group, you might share a room with someone of the opposite sex.
• Accommodation in a 3* hotel in a twin room to share, private bathroom and toilets. Bed sheets and towels are supplied. Depending on the group size we may use triple rooms.
• Single supplement: € 220 according to availability
• Breakfast and dinner are served in the hotel
• Lunches are open, leaving all options open for the group to choose where participants wish to have lunch. Food is one of the highlights of this skiing trip in Italy, we know all the best trattoria and small hideouts ... Just trust us !

Before & after ski touring trips

Once we've received your booking, we'll provide you with a list of accommodation in case you need to book accommodation before or after the trip. All accommodation on the list is close to the meeting points and you may often benefit from preferential rates.

Phone & Wifi

In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (a phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.

Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.

Wifi is available in our accommodation.

Good mobile & 4G coverage.

Equipment - Clothing and gear

Make sure to wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge ! 

Skiing material (all in excellent condition)

• Fat freeride skis (or freeride rando skis) with ski touring bindings
• Ski skins and crampons
• Ski poles
• Ski boots. We recommend you to opt for ski touring or freeride skiing boots, that able for more ankle flex. You alpine skiing boots will also do the job since climbs are short.
• A 30 litre backpack. 

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. Azimut guides use them. We encourage to use them too and can rent them at a very competitive price.

• Avalanche kit: transceiver, shovel and probe (please let us know if you have your own, if not we lend them free of charge)
• Harness for glacier skiing - we lend them free of charge

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, also includes excess bagage fare - your rental gear will be handed over on site):

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.

Clothes

This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes it may be good to bring with you. No need to have the latest brands nor the latest gear, but if you need to refresh of refill your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.

Headwear

• Warm hat or buff/scarf
• 2 pairs of ski goggles and sunglasses with UV factory 4 protective lenses. Photochromic glasses adapt to light intensity, and have filter index up to category 4, they are incredibly useful
• Ski helmet (strongly recommended)

Bodywear

• Under layer: breathable long sleeved tops to maintain heat. A tip: merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics. Take this into consideration if you need to update your wardrobe.
• Middle layer: a light polar or synthetic jacket for an extra layer of heat during breaks
• Outer layer: a Gore-tex or similar type of jacket with a breathable waterproof membrane. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack
• Bottom layer: trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) with long side zips allowing air to flow, recommended on climbs
• Hands: light fleece or soft shell gloves, a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath, warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane. Mittens are always a good idea for really cold days of for those of you who feel the cold !
• Swimming gear: it takes up such little space, it would be a shame not to bring it just in case. Avoid swimming shorts or bermudas, they are not usually allowed. 

Footwear

• Ski socks: merino wool socks are breathable and have anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to smell as opposed to those made of synthetic fabrics. Think about them if you need to stock up.
• Slippers / Crocs recommended for evening wear.

Odds & ends

• 1 litre flask (Thermos or Camelback)
• Pocket knife
• Duck tape
• Suncream, UV factor 50 
• Duffle type bag holding up to 110 litres to leave at the hotel or in the vehicle. No suitcases.  

Toiletries and first aid kit

• Personal toilet bag
• To make up a first aid kit, please find all relevant information on the Ifremmont website. 

Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:

• SCOTT
• Arva
• Fitschi swiss bindings

Don't forget to

• Leave contact details with your friends and family
• Bring your papers and I.D. (passport and visa if necessary)
• Bring your contract number and documents related to your insurance (if you've chosen not to have insure coverage with us)
• Bring your “carte vitale” and your European health card (EU member states) - if you don't have one you can order one for free online  www.ameli.fr
• Check that you have the right equipment
• Take spare batteries and a charger for your electronic devices (camera, video recorder, tracking devices etc)
• Bring some cash and your credit card
• Leave in a good frame of mind: we're going to have a great time even if we may not happen to not make it to the summit !
• Before leaving: water the plants, empty the rubbish bin, turn off water and gas, and tell your partner that you're going to have a good time (please not by text message), that you've well deserved... If you don't follow the latter recommendation, you'll most probably kick yourself when you get back!

See you on the slopes ! Have great runs with AZIMUT !