Ski Mountaineering in the Chamonix Valley
Equipment List for Skiing in the Alps

Here we go! Heading down the exposed arête of the Aiguille du Midi lift on our way to the Grand Envers du Plan to secure a lifetime of memories. For every skier there is the dream of spending a week in the Chamonix valley taking in the stunning views, bountiful lines and amazing cuisine. Here are some examples of the tours that are very accessible from the major lifts in the Chamonix Valley.

Day 1 Ski the valle blanche, a must for every rider! We would do something like the Grand Envers du Plan 2000 meters 12k descent as quick as we can to hustle down the Montenveres train back to the village of Chamonix then back up the ag. du midi to hit the Cosmiques couloir all the way to the tunnel only 30 minutes of skinning at most the whole day.

Day 2 Ski off the Grand Montet lift down the to Argentiere glacier then back up for a run down the Rectillian couloir under the N face of Le Drus.

Day 3 Up the Midi down one of the Valle Blanche routes to ski tour up through the Breche Puiseux steep boot-packing up a couloir to ski the Mallet glacier down with the n. face of the Grandes Jorasses or up to the Col du Tacul and ski the North Couloir on the Capucin both routes end up down on the Mer du Glace to take the Montenverse train back to village of Cham.

Day 4 Up the Grandes Montets down to the Argentiere glacier and up the Aguille d' Argentiere back down and out, a classic big day.

Day 5 Up the Index lift to Lac Blanc to Col du Belvedere down then up to Co du Berard down and up to Col du Aguille d Verard (aka KeyHole Bresche) down the Berard valley into village of Le Beut, then 30 minute train back to Cham.

Day 6 Up the Grand Montet down to the Argentier Glacier up the Col du Passon down the Tour Glacier into village of Le Tour

Day 7 Up the Index lift up through the Col de Crouchues to the Berard traverse into Le Buet

Day 8 Up the Midi in the afternoon then 30 minutes to the Cosmiques hut

Day 9 Early start to climb the he Tos Montets route up Mt Blanc, traversing the three peaks of the massive the Tacul, the Maudit, the Blanc down either the North face all the way down to the mt blanc tunnel or descend the same route and hit the Cosmiques down to the tunnel

Ski skills and fitness level needed for an enjoyable outing:
Participants need to be solid intermediate to advanced skiers who are comfortable in variable snow conditions in a variety of terrain including avalanche terrain. There are some steep sections on some of these tours that we often boot up and side step or get lowered down on a rope. With that said we can make as much real steep skiing as possible or make it consists more of moderate angled glacier skiing. It is important to have the skills to manage speed and have control in variable surface conditions (powder, hard pack, breakable crust, corn and pack powder) while in glaciated terrain.

Having these following skills will make our tour more enjoyable as well as safer:

Backcountry ski touring experience including skinning on an AT or Tele set up in avalanche terrain while using a transceiver, shovel and probe and have basic understanding of this equipment.

Ability to make kick turns in hard pack and soft snow conditions in steep terrain. We will work on these skills day one on a tour but working experience prior will help not only proficiency but also safety.

Side stepping in 45-degree hard pack or soft snow conditions

Falling leaf (side slipping to and fro) in 45-degree terrain on hard pack or soft snow conditions

Link turns for speed control in exposed 40-degree hard pack conditions

Link turns in soft snow conditions while skiing fall line

Some of amazing ski terrain off the Ag. du Midi

Mid Cosmiques run

Glacier Noir into Mer de Glace

Dropping in off the GM heading to Col du Passon

Gateway to the Valle Blanche

Trip Cost and Dates:
Mid March to Mid April
Cost will be 400 Euro per day plus all Guides and Guests lifts, transportation and hut fees. Once a tailored itinerary is created I can create a cost outline for you

Trip Cost Does NOT include:
Air transportation to or from Geneva, Switzerland
Train transfers from Geneva to Chamonix
Lunch food or town food
Drinks and treats at huts (water is Very Expensive)
Rescue insurance see AAC www.americanalpineclub.org
Travel insurance (optional but highly recommended)
Delays due to unpredictable circumstances such as bad weather, transportation problems including trams and trains, sickness, lost baggage etc…

Terms and Agreement:
$500.00 Deposit per person is due at time of booking
Total payment due 60 days prior to departure date
Cancellations of 60 or more days prior to departure, A.G.I will charge $100.00 fee and refund the remaining amount.
No refund for cancellation made within 60 days of departure date! If you or I are able to resell your trip space we will refund all but $100.00 of the total amount.
If A.G.I. cancels the trip you can expect a full refund

Transportation to and from:
I suggest flying into Geneva, Switzerland, access Chamonix via one of the many shuttle services such as Chamexpress.com for the 1 hr. 30 Euro One way.


Other Ski Tours:
Chamonix Valley
Haute Route
Ortler Group Ski Tour
Berner Oberland Ski Tour
St. Elias Ski Mountaineering
Idaho Ski Touring

 

Alpine Guides International
Mark Puleio
[email protected]
101 Commonwealth Ave
Hyde Park, VT 05655