Chamonix Ski Alpinism
Location - Chamonix
The lift accessed terrain and slack-country in Chamonix is like no-where else in the world. Here you can be dropping into your line within a couple of minutes of getting off the tram on the Aiguille du Midi, either on skis, or on rappel. With a little bit of skinning, the traffic decreases and we become more likely to find fresh runs.
Prerequisites
- Can perform jump turns on 45 degree slopes
- Can perform uphill and downhill kick-turns
- Be ready to deal with some exposure!
What to expect...
We will choose ski lines that require the use of boot crampons, ice axes and ropes to either access or descend. This is often also referred to as ski mountaineering. If the conditions are suitable, we will also try to ski some steep lines such as the Cosmiques Couloir, Glacier Ronde, North Face of the Aiguille du Toule, or Pointe Yeld/Glacier de la Noire. Many of the runs also require a fair amount of skinning to access. You can expect up to 1500m elevation gain some days, with up to 4000m or more of downhill skiing.
Itinerary - Chamonix
April 19th -24th 2025
Day 0 (April 18th): Meet in Chamonix at 6pm to finalize plans. Sleep in Chamonix.
Day 1: Ski the Vallée Blanche and spend the afternoon learning and practicing skills on the Mer de Glace including crampons, ice anchors, rappelling etc. Sleep in Chamonix.
Day 2: Ski objective from the Grands Montets. Sleep at the Argentiere Hut (2691m).
Day 3: Ski objective from the Argentiere Hut. Sleep in Chamonix.
Day 4: Ski objective from the Aiguille du Midi. Sleep at the Cosmiques Hut (3,613m).
Day 5: Ski objective from the Cosmiques Hut. Sleep at the Cosmiques Hut (3,613m).
Day 6: Ski objective from the Cosmiques Hut.
Please note: If weather and conditions are not suitable for the above itinerary, we may need to make alternate plans.
Guides - Chamonix
Alex Geary will be the guide for this trip. Since my first visit to Chamonix in 2006, I have returned several times to explore the wild lift accessed terrain and dramatic granite spires. I'm looking forward to showing you around this alpine paradise.
Getting to Chamonix
The easiest way to get to Chamonix is to fly to the Geneva Airport and catch the train. It takes about 1.5 hours from the Geneva airport to Chamonix.
Chamonix Ski Alpinism Dates
By request
2:1 ratio
$5,500 CAD (no tax)
Price for 2025
Please make sure you have read through the booking conditions before making a payment. This includes completing the Waiver and Registration Form.
E-Transfer to [email protected] is the preferred method of payment. Please contact us for alternate payment methods.
Included
- 4 days Mont Blanc unlimited lift pass
- 1 day single trip on the Grands Montets
- 2 nights half-board at the Cosmique Hut
- 1 night half-board at the Argentiere Hut
- 2:1 guiding ratio
- Group gear including ropes
Excluded
- Travel/medical/rescue insurance
- Accomodation and meals in Chamonix
- Lunches/snacks
- Extra expenses due to itinerary changes
Equipment List - Chamonix
- Shovel
- Probe
- Transceiver (3 antenna) and spare batteries
- Ski touring skis or splitboard (no ski bags)
- Skins
- Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
- Skin wax (or a candle)
- Ski touring boots/plastic snowboarding boots
- Boot crampons (compatible with your boots)
- Ski Crampons
- Ice axe x 2 (eg. Petzl Gully)
- Helmet
- Ski poles
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Sunglasses
- Goggles and/or spare sunglasses
- Personal first aid supplies
- Toque
- Sun hat
- Suncream
- Lip balm with UV protection
- 2 x 1L wide mouth water bottles or Thermos (NO bladders due to freezing, leaking and filling issues)
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
- Puffy jacket or two depending on thickness
- Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
- Thick gloves
- Thin gloves
- Spare gloves
- Harness
- 3 locking carabiners
- 4 non-locking carabiners
- 240cm sewn sling or equivalent
- Personal prussik
- 30-40L backpack
- Sleeping sheet (silk is lightest)
- Hand Sanitizer
- Toothbrush and toothpaste