Chamonix off piste skiing
| country: | France |
| location: | French Alps |
| departures: | 2009: 18 Jan, 1 Mar, 5 Apr |
| price: | From £925 (8 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK |
read 2 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
Ever dreamt of leaving the crowds of the piste behind and exploring the mountains beyond the boundary rope?
This specially designed week based in the off-piste mecca of Chamonix will take you there, introducing the freedom and excitement of the backcountry. Skiing challenging terrain, untracked powder and ascending deep into the mountains using ski-mountaineering techniques will take your skiing to the next level and open up a whole new world of alpine adventure.
During the first half of the week you will benefit from first-class coaching from an ISTD qualified ski instructor, developing your ski technique to handle a wide variety of off-piste conditions.
Applying these new skills, you will then enjoy the company and experience of a UIAGM mountain guide learning the essential techniques and tactics for ski-mountaineering and safe off-piste travel.
On each day, you will discover the wild and dramatic mountains of the Mont Blanc region which rightly make Chamonix one of the great places to ski in the world.
This year we are offering two introduction courses and one new advanced course. The introduction course is aimed at those looking to learn off piste skiing and ski touring techniques for the first time, whilst the advanced course is geared towards those who have taken the introduction course or whose skiing is already at a high standard and are looking to move to the next level.
This specially designed week based in the off-piste mecca of Chamonix will take you there, introducing the freedom and excitement of the backcountry. Skiing challenging terrain, untracked powder and ascending deep into the mountains using ski-mountaineering techniques will take your skiing to the next level and open up a whole new world of alpine adventure.
During the first half of the week you will benefit from first-class coaching from an ISTD qualified ski instructor, developing your ski technique to handle a wide variety of off-piste conditions.
Applying these new skills, you will then enjoy the company and experience of a UIAGM mountain guide learning the essential techniques and tactics for ski-mountaineering and safe off-piste travel.
On each day, you will discover the wild and dramatic mountains of the Mont Blanc region which rightly make Chamonix one of the great places to ski in the world.
This year we are offering two introduction courses and one new advanced course. The introduction course is aimed at those looking to learn off piste skiing and ski touring techniques for the first time, whilst the advanced course is geared towards those who have taken the introduction course or whose skiing is already at a high standard and are looking to move to the next level.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive Chamonix. Welcome dinner. |
| Day 2: | Les Grand Montets. A day to improve our on-piste and learn about off-piste technique. |
| Day 3: | Brévent-Flégère. Amazing views of the Mont Blanc massif as we continue to improve our off-piste style. |
| Day 4: | Le Tour. Last day of ski instruction, with feedback and advice |
| Day 5: | Les Grand Montets. Full day off-piste with our UIAGM guide. Focus on safety and avalanche awareness. |
| Day 6: | Flégère, Col Cornu & Col de la Gliere. Learn about skiing technique on the ascent to the Col de la Gliere. |
| Day 7: | Le Vallée Blanche. For many this is the highlight of the week - a descent of nearly 20km with over 2,800m of vertical. |
| Day 8: | Depart. Following breakfast, we will depart for Geneva Airport to allow plenty of time for return flight connections. |
travellers' tales
This was the best holiday I have been on in a very long time and I came home with a huge sense of achievement. I went from a confident piste skier, terrified of off-piste, to managing jump turns down almost vertical terrain. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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Ski-mountaineering is an inherently sustainable activity and arguably the ultimate way to travel through the mountains in winter. Rather than using ski lifts and resorts, it relies on human power to journey through the mountains in an inspiring and unobtrusive way.
Since the beginning of our business six years ago, we have been committed to the principles of sustainable and responsible tourism. Responsibility to the environments, the communities and economies in which we operate has always been and will continue to be at the very core of our business. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |