This is an example itinerary for a typical ski mountaineering course; however, the exact program may vary depending on weather and snow conditions. Your mountain guide will adapt the plan to ensure you get the most out of your ski touring experience in Chamonix, always prioritizing safety and enjoyment.
Welcome Meeting – Chamex Office
You will meet your guide and the rest of the group at the Chamonix Experience office on the evening before the course begins to discuss the plan for the week ahead.
Day 1: Warm-Up Ski Tour & Avalanche Awareness
The course begins with a warm-up ski tour, giving your guide the opportunity to assess everyone’s skiing and ski touring ability. You’ll refine your touring techniques and receive practical tips to improve efficiency and movement in the mountains.
You will also take part in a simulated avalanche rescue exercise, practicing transceiver search techniques using your beacon, shovel, and probe.
Day 2: Steep Skiing & Ropework Practice
This day focuses on developing steep skiing techniques on couloirs and open slopes. Areas such as Brévent and Le Tour provide ideal training terrain, with short approaches and safe slopes that allow you to practice essential safety skills and jump turns.
Throughout the day, you’ll refine key techniques for navigating steep and challenging terrain. Instruction includes setting up belays, abseiling, using a short rope to secure partners, and applying practical safety systems to build confidence and competence in steep skiing scenarios.
Day 3: Technical Ski Tour
On this day, you’ll put your newly acquired skills into practice on a more technical ski tour. Possible objectives include ascents such as the Col de Beugeant, Col du Tacul, or Pointe Percée.
Your guide will select the most suitable itinerary based on the group’s ability, weather forecast, and snow conditions, ensuring both progression and safety.
Day 4: Transfer to Gran Paradiso & Ascent to the Mountain Hut
By now, you should feel confident skiing in varied alpine terrain — so it’s time for a true two-day ski mountaineering adventure.
We’ll set off early for Gran Paradiso National Park, traveling by vehicle to the starting point of our tour. From there, we begin the climb toward either the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II or the Rifugio Chabod, depending on conditions and logistics.
The approach to the hut is a rewarding ski tour through beautiful alpine landscapes. You’ll glide through forests and wide-open valleys before moving higher into the dramatic heart of the national park. The ascent to the refuge typically takes 2–3 hours, depending on snow conditions and the group’s pace.
Upon arrival, you’ll settle into the hut, enjoy a hearty meal, and relax. The evening is dedicated to rest and preparation for summit day, with an overnight stay to help you acclimatize and recharge.
Day 5: Summit of Gran Paradiso (4,061m)
An early alpine start sets the tone for summit day. Our objective is Gran Paradiso (4,061m). While not highly technical, the climb requires confidence on glaciers and exposed snowy ridgelines.
The ascent begins on gentle snow slopes before continuing across the glacier. Higher up, a short rocky ridge leads to the summit. Expect the climb to take approximately 4–5 hours.
Standing on the summit of Gran Paradiso — the highest peak located entirely within Italy — is a special moment. As the sun rises over the Alps, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views across countless peaks. It’s a true highlight of the course.
The ski down through pristine alpine terrain is both exhilarating and memorable. Then we return to Chamonix.
