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Backcountry Skiing Courses off piste skiing further into the backcountry Backcountry weeks are an ideal way to learn the essentials of backcountry/offpiste skiing and ski touring, but they are also a perfect ski holiday for those wanting to make the most of the conditions (it's what we do best!). Who is it for? Our intro week is best for those off piste skiers fairly new to 'earning their turns', who are looking for a great week's backcountry skiing - learning the essentials of avalanche awareness, glacier skiing and ski touring on the way. The Adventure week is for better off-piste skiers looking for a faster paced week, on more demanding terrain. We recap on all the essential skills on this week too. An Extreme week is just that. For expert skiers looking to ski some of Chamonix's famous extreme lines. You can expect to be skiing from first lift each day. Most days you can expect to do some uphill work to get to the descents. If this all sounds like hard work, don't worry! It's your holiday and the pace is up to you - but a sniff of fresh powder and it's often "maybe just one more run..."! There is also the option of a day's heliskiing to open up more terrain (at additional cost)... Meet: Your guide/resort hosts will meet you Saturday evening to deal with any equipment rental, buy ski passes and run through the plan for the week. We finish up Friday after skiing. We recommend you get a return flight on Saturday. Chalet Accommodation in Chamonix - we stay in one of our comfortable Adventure Base Chalets, literally 6 minutes walk from the town centre's restaurants and bars. Breakfast and packed lunch are included leaving the evenings free for you to explore the delights of Chamonix. Typical Itinerary Day 0 (Saturday) Arrive in Chamonix and settle in to the chalet. Day 1 (Sunday) Unguided warm up day for you to find your skiing legs. We meet in the evening Day 2 Exploring the epic back bowls of le Tour with a descent to Trient and avalanche transciever training. There will be up to 1.5 hours bootpacking Day 3 Ski touring in the Aiguilles Rouges. Introduction to uphill skinning, route choice and avalanche awareness...and a great descent to le Buet. A short train ride takes us back to Cham. About 2 hours of uphill today Day 4 Off piste skiing at the Grand Montets with crevasse rescue training. An afternoon descent of the classic Pas de Chevre powder run to the Mer de Glace. No uphill today! Day 5 Ski touring the Col du Passon route down to le Tour village. a classic tour with 2500m of descent for about 2.5 hours uphill skinning. Introduction to glacier skiing and further avalanche awareness Day 6 A day skiing from the Aiguille du Midi. We skin for about 2 hours to make the most of the great skiing in this region, finishing with a descent of the Vallee Blanche We may have to change this itinerary according to the prevailing weather and conditions (and we like to take into account your ambitions too!) | Price: £1070 Course Only: £600 Ratio: 1:6 guide:client Level: Intro to Expert Intro Dates: 4-8 Jan, 25-29 Jan, 8-12 Mar, 29 Mar-2 Apr Adventure Dates: 11-15 Jan, 8-12 Feb, 1-5 Mar, 22-26 Mar, 5-9 Apr, 19-23 Apr | ||||||||||||
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Price includes: guiding, guides expenses, 7 nights twin share chalet accommodation in central Chamonix on a B&B and packed lunch basis (very convenient!), in resort transport. Price does not include: insurance, travel to/from Chamonix, lift pass & helicopter (as these are very weather dependant), equipment rental, drinks/snacks, evening meals in Chamonix (it's nice to explore the town!) Course Only includes: guiding, guides expenses. | |||||||||||||
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Kit List skis with touring bindings - we recommend skis that you will enjoy skiing on, but are not too heavy, eg Rossignol B2 with fritschi bindings. With skins and ski crampons. Poles - NOT collapsable Boots - these must fit and be comfortable. We feel it is best not to rent boots. Rather buy some and have them fitted professionally - this will make your week much more comfortable, fun and blister free! 'Fit' is more important than whether a boot is 'stiff enough' or not. I use a touring boot that is designed to ski well, rather than ultra light. You can also use your regular ski boots. Rucksack - 30l. with ski straps Waterbottle - not platypus type - they freeze and leak. Transciever, probe, shovel, crampons, ice axe, harness, 1 screw gate karabiner sunglasses, goggles (2 pairs useful after a wipeout), sunhat, sunscreen, lip salve/block Regular ski wear, including spare gloves and thin gloves for skinning in. Personal first aid - blister kit, ibuprofen. Remember kit should be lightweight but functional - you have to carry it! We can help with equipment rental in Chamonix. | |||||||||||||
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Further Information: We will email you detailed 'Joining Instructions' on booking/request. These include advice on training, equipment, clothing, travel, and what to expect. email us: info@dream-guides.com | |||||||||||||
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