Guided Ski Touring in Chamonix
Explore the backcountry around Chamonix with a local IFMGA mountain guide.
Ski touring allows us to leave the busy resorts behind, summit spectacular peaks, and find untracked powder long after a snowfall. In Chamonix, immense high-mountain terrain becomes accessible by hiking relatively short distances, thanks to the cable cars that takes us off the valley floor. Skinning from the top stations—and occasionally climbing short sections on foot with crampons—allows us to cross high mountain passes into hidden valleys unreachable by lifts alone.
Ski Touring in the Mt Blanc Massif
Whether you want to cruise down wide-open bowls or tackle steep couloirs, on or off the glaciers, there are routes here for every ability level. A full day of ski touring offers a truly peaceful escape into the stillness of nature. From mid-winter onward, we also offer the option to plan multi-day tours, spending unforgettable nights in traditional mountain huts.
We work exclusively with a select group of local Chamonix guides who spend the entire season in the Mont Blanc massif and know exactly where to find the best snow. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn kick-turns and avalanche safety, or an experienced ski mountaineer chasing the perfect line, we will design a custom program tailored entirely to your goals.
Best time
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Day Trips Ski Touring from Chamonix
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A day of ski touring may involve both lift skiing and hiking. It can be one or many hours of climbing.
Having the option to walk even just 30min over the nearest ridge, increases our options for possible terrain, aspects and altitudes to ski in. It also adds to the safety when being in the back-country and in avalanche terrain.
However, when walking for a couple of hours, you really get into the rhythm, the peacefulness of the mountains and an experience different to the off-piste skiing in a resort. We can travel far and get over to adjacent valleys such as the Berard valley in the Aiguilles Rouges natural reserve, over the Vallee Blanche to Italy or up to Glacier Grand in Switzerland.
Some classic expamples of 1 day ski tours:
– Col de Crochues and then the Berard Traverse (500m up, 1430down) or another variation such as Glacier du Mort or Breche de l´Aiguille du Berard
– Col du Belverdere (680m up, 1600m down)
– Col de La Floria (900m up, 1900m down)
– Col du Passon (750m up, 2500m down)
– Breche Puiseux (1040m up, 3000m down)
…and many more!
The final decision where to go will be made based on your level of skiing and mountaineering, snow conditions and avalanche safety aspects.
Price: | Group size: 1-2 3 4 5 6 | Price per day: 590 € per group 220 € per person 170 € per person 140 € per person 130 € per person |
Included
– private guiding by IFMGA mountain guide
– Glacier safety equipment (harness, ropes, if needed)
Not included
– Lift passes (prices at Compagnie du Mt Blanc )
– Mountain Rescue Insurance
– Avalanche safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe, and backpack are obligatory and can be rented for 20€/kit/day)
Multi day Ski Touring from Chamonix
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An example of a multi-day ski tour
Program
Day 1
Lift to Grand Montets, descent onto the Agentiere Glacier, col d´Argentiere, night in Argentiere refuge
Day 2
Over the col du Chardonnet, the col du Salaina, the glacier du Trient and along the vallee du Arpette down to Champex, night in Champex
Day 0
Helicopter to from Champex to plateu du Trient, climb up to Aiguille du Tour, ski the glacier du Grande down to Trient back to Chamonix.
This is just one example of a splendid 3 day ski tour, packed with excellent skiing in remote mountains. Our mountain guides will guide you through the endless possibilities and find the right runs for your ability! Contact us for your tailor made program for 1-day or multi-day tours.
FAQ’s
If you are used to off-piste skiing and don't want to compromises on your skiing performance, you will find boots, bindings and skis with touring mode, that meet your demand for speed and stability. The weight may very well be reasonable. On the other end of the spectrum there are ultra light set-ups for Skimo-racing, and of course a lighter set-up makes the ascent easier. So it is a balance and personal choice. Since we are passionate about powder skiing and seeking a maximum of pleasure during the descents, we recommend a ski that is fun to ski in variable snow conditions (at least 100mm under foot) and a stable boot that matches your skiing ability. Some weight can be saved rather on choosing a light pin-binding.
Where we ski each day depends on your climbing and skiing level, current snow and weather conditions, and what you would like to do.
All mountain and ski guides working with us are fully qualified by the UIAGM / IFMGA / IVBV mountain guide association. All guides working with us live in Chamonix and these are our home mountains.
If interested in ski mountaineering expeditions to exotic places, check out our ski touring in Lyngen and ski touring Svalbard.