Ski touring course Chamonix introduction

Welcome Meeting in Chamonix

You will meet with your group and mountain guide at the Chamonix Experience office on Sunday evening for a chat and to discuss plans for the upcoming week. At this point we can check that you have everything you need and answer any questions you might have. This is simply an example of a typical ski touring course – your week will very likely differ from what is listed below depending on weather and snow conditions. Your mountain guide will plan your course to give you the best possible experience of ski touring in Chamonix.

Day 1 – Les Grands Montets

You will start the day with a couple of warm-up runs to check everyone’s skiing ability and run through the basics of mountain safety and avalanche awareness at the famous ski area of Les Grands Montets. From the top of the lift station you will have your first introduction to skiing on glaciated terrain. Your mountain guide will assess the ability of everyone in the group and teach you all the correct techniques for using the ski touring equipment. A possible Grands Montets ski touring route is to put your skins on at the Argentière glacier and skin up the Glacier des Améthystes to the Col du Tour Noir.

Day 2 – Vallee Blanche Ski Tour

An exploration of the Chamonix Valley has to include a visit to the Aiguille du Midi and a ski tour of some of the most famous off-piste terrain in the world. You will cross the Vallée Blanche into Italy to reach Pointe Helbronner on the Italian side of Mont Blanc. Here your mountain guide will teach you some more glacier travel techniques before the fantastic off-piste descent down the Vallée Blanche back to Chamonix.

Day 3 – Aiguilles Rouges Ski Tour

Today you will discover one of Europe’s best ski touring areas, the Aiguilles Rouges. It offers so many ski touring possibilities, allowing your mountain guide to choose an excellent itinerary taking the snow conditions and ability of the group into account. Easily accessible from Flegere ski area, you will be in the Chamonix backcountry in no time. If this is your first experience of ski touring then you’ve already ticked off one of the dream routes by ski touring in the Aiguilles Rouges!

Day 4 – Overnight Ski Tour

This is where ski touring really comes into its own – skinning up to a remote refuge and spending the night in the mountains, then getting up bright and early the next day to ski off-piste before the rest of the world wakes up. Your mountain guide will choose the best mountain hut in Chamonix or nearby based on the weather, the snow conditions and the ability of the group. There may be a short drive to the start of the ski tour, depending on which route we take.

Day 5 – Full Day Ski Tour & Return to Chamonix

After waking up to breakfast in a mountain refuge, today brings an early start and a full day’s ski touring – an excellent introduction to multi-day ski touring. By this point you should be feeling confident both in your ski touring skills and your mountain experience. This last day will be a fantastic adventure far from the crowds found in lift-served areas. The course ends with a debriefing in the Chamonix Experience office on Friday evening.

• By the end of this ski touring course in Chamonix, you will have gained the essential skills, techniques, and confidence needed to begin your journey into ski touring and ski mountaineering.

  Equipment Use & Handling

  • How to use ski touring equipment including skins and couteaux (ski crampons)

  • Proper use of crampons and ice axe for climbing steep snow slopes and couloirs

  Essential Ski Touring Techniques

  • Efficient skinning techniques for uphill travel

  • Kick-turns for navigating steeper or technical terrain while ascending

  Avalanche Safety & Rescue

  • How to use avalanche safety gear (transceiver, shovel, probe)

  • Practice avalanche search and rescue techniques in realistic scenarios

  Tour Planning & Mountain Decision-Making

  • How to plan a ski tour using maps, weather forecasts, and avalanche bulletins

  • Basic navigation skills in alpine terrain

  • How to pack and prepare the right gear for day tours or overnight trips

You do not need any prior ski touring experience to join this introductory ski touring course in Chamonix. However, you should be a competent off-piste skier, confident skiing in a variety of snow conditions (powder, crust, spring snow) and able to descend slopes of up to 35° with control and fluidity.

Minimum Skiing Ability:

• Strong parallel turns off-piste
• Comfortable skiing in variable terrain and snow types
• Confident on steep sections (up to 35°)

Fitness Requirements:

Participants should have a good level of cardiovascular fitness and be capable of sustained physical activity in a mountain environment. You will be expected to undertake uphill climbs of 2 to 4 hours per day on touring skis while carrying a backpack with your personal gear.

Previous experience using skins, ski crampons, or avalanche safety equipment is not required—we’ll teach you all the basics during the course.

Not sure if this course is right for you?
Feel free to email us at info@chamex.com—our team will be happy to assess your experience and help you choose the right course.

Equipment hire

We highly recommend that you book any equipment with us at least 2 weeks in advance as the hire shops can have limited availability in the busy season.

You can collect your equipment the evening before the start of the course and return it in the evening at the end of your course.
We work with the following Chamonix ski hire and mountain shop:
Concept Pro Shop which is conveniently located directly next door from our office. Open 7/7 08:00-19:00

Airport transfers

We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.

To book your transfer, we will need the following:

• Your full name
• Mobile phone number
• Email address
• Your destination address
• Your flight details (date, time and flight number)

SHARED TRANSFERS

This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one way and 80€ per person for a return trip.

PRIVATE TRANSFERS

Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it’s a door to door service, so you won’t be lugging any bags very far.

Chamonix accommodation

If you need help to find a place to stay in Chamonix, don’t hesitate and let us know! We work with a network of excellent chalets, hotels, gites and B&Bs and we will find something to suit all tastes and all budgets.

Mountain rescue insurance

We don’t include the mountain rescue insurance in any of our courses. A rescue may be very expensive, particularly if helicopters are involved. Check with your travel insurance provider if you are covered for the specific activity you are going to do with us.

However, we can organise the mountain rescue insurance for you. Details of the insurance cover are different for EU and non-EU residents; please contact us for more information.

Q1. Do I need previous ski touring experience to join this course?

No prior ski touring experience is required. This is a beginner ski touring course designed for strong off-piste skiers who want to learn the fundamentals of touring in the Alps.

Q2. What level of skiing ability do I need?

You should be a competent off-piste skier, comfortable skiing in variable snow conditions and on slopes of up to 35°. This course does not include ski instruction, so solid skiing technique is essential.

Q3. How fit do I need to be?

A good level of fitness is required. Expect 2–4 hours of uphill skinning per day while carrying a backpack. You should be used to long days of physical activity in the mountains.

Q4. What equipment do I need?

You’ll need standard ski touring equipment including touring skis, skins, ski crampons (couteaux), avalanche safety gear (transceiver, shovel, probe), crampons, and an ice axe. A full kit list is provided in the EQUIPMENT section on this webpage and a downloadable file is in the DOCUMENTS TO DOWNLOAD section of this webpage. Rental is available in Chamonix, let us know what you need and we will book it for you in the Concept ProShop (located next door to our offices).

Q5. Is accommodation included in the course?

Accommodation in a mountain hut with a half-board option is included for one night during the course. Please note that if weather or snow conditions prevent the overnight stay, the hut night may be cancelled for safety reasons. Other nights are spent in Chamonix, and we’re happy to recommend local hotels or lodges upon request.

Q6. How many people are in a group?

Group sizes are typically 4–6 participants per guide, allowing for personalised instruction and safe group travel in alpine terrain.

Q7. What if the weather is bad?

Our guides will adapt the program based on weather, snow, and avalanche conditions to ensure a safe and valuable learning experience. Flexibility is part of the adventure.

Q8. What if I’m unsure whether this course is right for me?

Feel free to contact us at info@chamex.com with your skiing background, and we’ll be happy to advise whether this course suits your level or recommend alternatives.