skiweekend

Backcountry Skiing Taster Weekends

Three days of off piste skiing and backcountry skiing around Chamonix. Great as a refresher, or as an introduction, to the essential ski touring and backcountry skills. Also perfect as a short but action filled break, skiing further from the crowds...

A perfect stepping stone into the backcountry and our week long ski tours and backcountry weeks, or just a great short break!

Who is it for? Off piste skiers keen to make the most of a long weekend and learn/brush up on essential backcountry skills. You do not need to be an expert off piste skier but you should be able to link turns in most snow types and be fit enough to ski all day including upto 2 hours of uphill work each day.

Chamonix has truely world class off piste skiing, and we will make the most of it, skiing as much variety of terrain as possible looking for the best snow around.

Typical Itinerary

Day 1 Exploring the epic back bowls of le Tour with a descent to Trient village in Switzerland and avalanche transceiver training. Up to 1.5 hours uphill bootpacking today.

Day 2 Ski touring in the Aiguilles Rouges. About 2.5 hours of 'skinning' gives us great views of the main massif and accesses a great north facing descent down to the village of le Buet. A short train ride brings us back to Cham. We cover the basics of skinning, route choice and avalanche awareness today.

Day 3 Skiing from the famous Aiguille du Midi. We skin for up to 2 hours today to make the most of the snow and terrain available. We finish by skiing down the Vallee Blanche glacier. We cover essential glacier skiing skills today.

Meet We meet on Thursday evening in Chamonix to go through the plan for the next 3 days. We finish skiing on Sunday afternoon with enough time to catch a late evening flight home.

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.

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.

Price: £560

Course Only: £325

Ratio: 1:6 guide:client

Level: Intro to Advanced

Dates: 15-17 Jan, 22-24 Jan, 5-7 Feb, 19-21 Feb, 12-14 Mar

the best course for you?

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Price includes: guiding, guides expenses, 3 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, equipment rental, drinks/snacks, evening meals in Chamonix (it's nice to explore the town!)

Course Only includes: guiding, guides expenses.

QUICK LINKS

arctic norway / lyngen alps

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