Skiing
Chamonix Freeride Skiing
This is a unique trip built for skiers with a high level of previous experience who are looking to ski some of the best lines around Chamonix. Five days packed full of amazing ski lines, backcountry education, avalanche awareness and much more. This trip is led by pro skier Tom Grant, one of the best ski guides in the industry who will share his experience and tales of first ski descents around the world.
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Duration
5 days
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Start Location
Chamonix, France
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Date(s)
January 2022
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Price
€1650
Adventure Snapshot
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ABOUT CHAMONIX + SKI ABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Chamonix is a freeride skiing Mecca made world famous by its amazing and accessible freeride terrain. It is situated in the highest mountain range in the Alps at the foot of Mont Blanc (4808m). The whole ski area, including neighbouring Courmayeur across the border in Italy, attracts freeride skiers from all over the world each winter to tackle the classics. During this trip we'll use the cable car access from the Aiguille du Midi, Skyway Cable Car and Grands Montets to make the most of the skiing possibilities.
The Chamonix valley is full of skiing history. From hosting the first winter Olympics in 1924 to featuring regularly on the Freeride World Tour. Some of the best freeride and steep skiers were born in the Mont Blanc area, making some of the most daring ski descents on the peaks that dominate the Chamonix skyline. Chamonix is a bucket list destination for all freeriders. The beauty of this trip is you'll be skiing with someone who knows the area best.
The primary ingredient for the trip to be successful is you sign up with the appropriate ski level. You will need to have a good few years of ski experience, with the ability to ski efficiently in different snow types off-piste. It's also important to be able to tackle sections up to 40-45 degrees and have a high level of overall ski fitness (previous experience ski touring is also useful).
ABOUT TOM
Professional skier and IFMGA mountain guide
Tom is a passionate and dedicated skier, alpinist and all round climber. He has pursued the art of freeride and steep skiing leading him to ski first descents in the Alps, New Zealand, B.C. Canada, Norway and Baffin Island. Tom hold the highest recognised guiding qualification (IFMGA).
Being a pro skier and having made Chamonix his home since 2009, Tom brings an incredible amount of experience to this trip which he will share in the form of backcountry education, avalanche awareness and general skiing skills that will help you make the most of what Chamonix has to offer.
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Duration
5 days
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Start Location
Chamonix, France
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Date(s)
January 2022
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Guide Ratio
4:1
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Ability
Level CLevel C
You have a fair amount of experience climbing, hiking or skiing more technical terrain. You’re comfortable on sustained adventures and you call yourself a ‘hardened’ adventurer. You're not quite George Mallory but you subscribe to his 'because it there' attitude.
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Price
€1650
Adventure Overview
Kit & equipment required for this adventure
We recommend quite a particular set up for this trip. The ideal is to have a pair of all mountain skis with ski touring bindings like the Salomon Shift or Marker Kingpin. This will allow us to spend most of the time freeriding lift accessed descents, but be able to ski tour if necessary. Most of the items below are available to rent or buy in Chamonix on arrival.
Please note this is a guide and you may be required to rent or purchase last minute equipment on arrival dependent on the weather and changes in itinerary.
All Mountain Skis
Somewhere in-between 95-110mm underfoot is recommended.
All Mountain Touring Bindings
Something like the Marker Kingpin or Salomon Shift
Ski Boots
Ski Helmet
Ski Backpack
30-40L skiing backpack
Ski Poles
Tranceiver
Probe & Shovel
Goggles
Just in case you hit bad weather
Warm Hat
Ideally thin and single layered so it can fit under the helmet.
Hardshell Jacket
GORE-TEX® or Similar
Softshell Jacket
Light technical jacket, ideally with a hood.
Hardshell Trousers
GORE-TEX® or similar
Thermal Tops
Keep them light and thin.
Thermal Bottoms
Keep them light and thin.
Thermal socks
Good walking socks are required
Lightweight fleece
Something light and thin.
Fleece windproof gloves
Water bottles
You must be able to carry at least 2L of water in your backpack
Cash / credit card
For extra costs such as drinks and snacks
First aid kit
Blister kit, paracetamol, etc
FINER DETAILS
YOUR ADVENTURE PACKAGE
On arrival day you meet with your fellow skiers at the accommodation for a welcome briefing and dinner with Tom and the Adventure Base team in the evening. Here you will have an opportunity to sort out any last minute questions and kit items.
What's Included?
- 5 days freeride skiing
- All guide costs and expenses
- 5 nights Chamonix accommodation
- All breakfasts
- Welcome dinner on the first night
- All road transport within the trip
What's not Included?
- Flights and airport transfers
- Evening meals in Chamonix
- Uplifts (approximately €50 per day)
This trip is running on the following dates
| MO | TU | WE | TH | FR | SA | SU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
What to expect from your accommodation
We know the importance of having a comfortable and cosy base to return to after each day of skiing. That's why we've chosen a mountain lodge with super comfortable rooms and a warm atmosphere. With a cosy bar area and a delicious restaurant we're sure you'll enjoy staying here and warming your toes after a cold day of skiing.
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Chamonix Base
Our charming ski lodge in Chamonix is an excellent base for this trip. With stunning views of the mountains, it's well placed and just a few minutes walk from Chamonix centre. Rooms are on a twin share basis with en suite bathrooms. There is a bar and restaurant for the evenings, with some lovely social space to relax in after the hard days skiing. You will spend every night of the trip here. Single room supplement is available (request in advance)
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Duration
5 Nights
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Internet
Wifi included
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Beds
Twin share en suite
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Food
Breakfast and welcome dinner
WHAT TO EXPECT
HERE'S YOUR ITINERARY
The itinerary is set for 5 full days of skiing with Chamonix being the base of the trip. We'll return to our hotel each evening to refresh and make plans for the following day. One of the evenings Tom will give a presentation and talk about his ski trips around the world, sharing stories about his various first ski descents and other amazing adventures.
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Day 1:
Arrival Day
Arrive in Chamonix. Get to know Tom and other members of the group over a delicious 3 course evening meal. Overnight in the lodge in twin rooms.
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Day 2-6
Ski the best that Chamonix has to offer
We'll take the cable car at Les Grands Montets, Aiguille du Midi, Skyway and Courmayeur ski resort and dive into some of the classic off piste routes in the area. We'll also spend time covering transceiver, shovel and probe avalanche skills, backcountry education and avalanche awareness to make sure everyone is up to speed and learning as we go.
Some examples of ski descents:
Plan de l'Aiguille > Chamonix valley
One of the best powder fields in the area, endless tree runs all the way down to Chamonix town.
Vallée Blanche > Chamonix valley
Starting from the famous Aiguille du Midi cable car at 3842m, there are numerous power fields on the glacier down the vallée blanche such as the Grand Envers providing more challenging and enjoyable routes than the classic version.
Courmayeur, Italy (Skyway Monte Bianco)
The Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massif always delivers epic snow, particularly the back bowls of the Courmayeur ski area and the futuristic Skyway Monte Bianco cable car. There's also the option to ski from Italy down the vallée noire back down to Chamonix. Skiing across country borders is always fun. Start the day with an Italian coffee and finish with a French beer in town.
Les Grands Montets
This huge north facing ski area always holds excellent snow. The vertical is impressive and with a short ski tour we will access the backside to ski down to the glacier d'Argentiere.
Once our legs are done each day we'll return to the hotel to refresh and you're free to discover some of the many delicious local restaurants.
On one of the evenings Tom will give a presentation on his ski adventures all over the world.
Hotel accommodation is provided the first 5 nights in twin rooms with breakfast each morning. The last night is left open for those that wish to make onward journey plans either in Chamonix or elsewhere in the Alps.
Day 6 is our final ski day. We will end the trip with a celebration drink in one of the famous apres-ski bars in Chamonix.
