Half day
For a First tour outing only
09:00 – 13:00
€390
Dare to try ski touring!
Physical and technical requirements
Physical level
- Practise an endurance sport at least once a week, on a regular basis.
- Be in good physical condition: ski touring places heavy demands on the back, the knees and the calves, but also on the arms and the upper body.
- Be able to carry a backpack of more than 5 kg.
- Ski touring brings together mountain walking and skiing. It is a discipline that calls for the will to push yourself, physically and mentally.
- Changing snow, altitude and mountain weather work the body and add an extra physical demand.
Technical level
- Be able to ski with parallel skis.
- Be comfortable in alpine skiing on groomed red and black pistes.
- Previous experience of off-piste skiing is essential. Recommended for an introductory course.
- The outings on offer will match your skiing level and your experience on the ground.
- For an introduction to ski touring, the same physical and technical requirements apply.
The experience in detail
From your very first taster close to the pistes to a multi-day ski raid in the mountains, our commitment rests on 3 pillars:
- Safety: Guiding by mountain professionals. State-certified ski instructors and guides, specialists of the terrain and trained for every eventuality.
- Progression: the continuous development of your skills. Planning a ski touring outing and packing your rucksack, using the equipment (boots, bindings, skis, skins, avalanche transceiver). Improving your climbing technique and kick turns, handling the descent in every type of snow, reading the terrain, how to behave and move in the mountain environment, decision-making…
- Enjoyment: A warm, reassuring and unforgettable experience.
Teenagers are welcome.
Which kind of ski tourer are you?
Choose the experience that suits you
First time ski touring, and you are already at home on the pistes.
A first experience, to discover the equipment ski touring calls for, the technique for going up and the sheer pleasure of moving through wilder natural surroundings.
A taste of what you will learn to master
- Setting up the equipment: adjusting your boots for the climb, handling the specific settings of touring bindings and fitting your skins properly.
- Climbing techniques: finding the right stride and getting used to the effort.
- Safety: getting familiar with the safety equipment (shovel, probe, transceiver).
- Managing the effort: expert advice to save your energy and keep a steady climbing pace.
- Managing transitions: mastering the key steps between the climb and the descent.
- Skiing back down: skiing close to the ski area, at the edge of the pistes, to test yourself in different snow conditions.
A typical day
The departure time and the meeting point are given the day before, according to the chosen route. That route is tailor-made to the snow cover and the weather.
A check of the equipment, the backpacks and the clothing.
- Half day (4 hours): at least 500 m of ascent — bring a drink and an energy bar.
- Full day: up to 1,200 m of ascent — bring your own packed lunch.
Ski the finest touring routes.
You enjoy skiing off piste regularly. Your first attempts at kick turns and skins went well, and you now want more confidence both on the way up and on the way down.
A taste of what you will learn to master
- More technical climbs: skin grip, kick turns, dealing with the different types of snow, managing the effort, eating and drinking, reading the terrain.
- All-snow, all-terrain skiing: Handle the descent while controlling lighter touring skis. Progress on every type of snow: fresh, hard, icy or crusted.
- Saving energy: Working on breathing and staying relaxed to ski demanding snow.
- Let yourself be guided and lay your own tracks in the powder fields, far from the pistes.
- The safety rules: Operating the safety equipment (shovel, probe, transceiver) and getting familiar with avalanche victim searches through exercises on the ground. Knowing how to move as a group in more committing terrain to stay safe.
A typical day
Full-day outings only.
Welcome and briefing
The departure time and the meeting point are given the day before, according to the chosen route. The route is tailor-made to the snow cover, the weather and your experience.
We meet over a coffee: weather briefing, equipment check and a presentation of the route before setting off.
- Full day: roughly 1,000 to 1,500 metres of ascent — bring your own packed lunch.
Ski touring in the high mountains and glacier tours.
Advanced to expert skiers: cross the glaciers and ski wild high-mountain itineraries. Longer routes, at higher altitude.
Good physical condition and a command of the techniques for going up as well as coming down are indispensable.
A taste of what you will learn:
- Build your resistance to fatigue.
- Ski long off-piste descents on every kind of slope.
- Get to grips with every kind of snow: powder, wet, crusted and heavy.
- Recognise the dangers and follow a set route.
Master ski touring!
A typical day
A full-day commitment only, or even several days.
Welcome and briefing
The departure time and the meeting point are given the day before, according to the chosen route. The route is chosen according to the snow cover, the weather, the avalanche risk and your experience.
We meet over a coffee: weather briefing, equipment check and a final look at the route before setting off.
- Full day: roughly 1,000 to 2,000 metres of ascent — bring your own packed lunch.
Prices
Private booking rates
- Base price: covers 1 to 4 people
- Extra person: +€30 per person (5 to 6 people maximum)
- Guiding: by a state-qualified ski instructor or high-mountain guide, depending on your level and the chosen route.
- High mountain: the price per guide on glaciers applies to 4 people maximum (this may be reduced depending on the route and safety conditions).
The price depends on the planned route and the overall project. Request a quote
For thorough follow-up and optimal safety, groups are capped at 6 people per mountain professional.
Full day
First tour and Escape
09:00 – 16:00
€560
- Prices valid from 1 September to 31 May each year.
- Prices exclude lift passes, equipment rental, transport, meals and drinks.
Frequently asked questions
F.A.Q. — Ski touring in Chamonix
For a First tour session, it is enough to be at ease on red runs, with a solid sideslip and the ability to ski varied snow. For the Escape and High mountain levels, complete mastery of all-terrain skiing (off-piste) and excellent physical condition are required.
Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe) is essential. Depending on the format and the route — on glaciers in particular — specific gear (harness, crampons) may be required. If you do not own your own equipment, our partner shops in Chamonix hire out recent kit that is perfectly suited.
As a ski instructor, I teach ski touring on the ski area and off piste on non-glaciated terrain. The emphasis is on technique, fitness and discovery. For High mountain itineraries and glacier tours (such as the Vallée Blanche or outings on glaciers), I work with certified high-mountain guides, so that you are looked after in complete safety.
Safety is the absolute priority. If the weather or the avalanche bulletin (BERA) does not allow the planned route to be skied safely, the outing is: either redirected to a more sheltered sector, postponed, or refunded in full if no alternative is possible.
Apply the three-layer rule, with breathable fabrics: a technical, breathable thermal base layer, a light fleece or a thin down jacket, a warm jacket at the bottom of your pack, and a waterproof shell (Gore-Tex type) for the descent or in the wind. Bring a 30 L backpack, a pair of thin gloves for the climb and warm gloves for the descent, sunglasses, sun cream, ski goggles, water (1.5 litres minimum) and energy bars.
Spots and areas: the Chamonix valley (Grands Montets, Brévent, Flégère, Le Tour, Les Houches), the Val Montjoie (Megève, Saint-Gervais, Les Contamines), Combloux and its summits… across to the Swiss and Italian sides. The itinerary is chosen according to conditions, to give you the best snow in complete safety.
Practical
The essentials for your trip
Check the key information before you click in!
Weather in Chamonix
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Ski passes
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Live webcams
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Bus network map
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Partners and good deals
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Keep exploring
Other ways to enjoy the mountains
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