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Off-Piste Adventure > Off-Piste Expert, Chamonix

Available trips

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Please contact us if you are intrested in future trips.

Skill: *****

Our Expert level off-piste adventure courses will be the most demanding trips suitable only for the advanced skiers capable of skiing the steepest slopes in the toughest conditions. Participants need to be supremely fit. You need to able to ski tour, be confident walking with crampons on and be familiar with abseiling/use of a rope to participate in these trips. These weeks will take place in renowned off-piste resorts e.g. La Grave and Alagna and will be led by mountain guides specializing in extreme skiing.

Stamina: *****

To participate on the expert level courses you need to have excellent fitness and endurance. These are demanding courses where you'll be skiing hard all day for a week. Ski touring/walking/climbing will be used to access the best runs during the week, a good level of aerobic fitness is essential. If you enjoy long lunches and plenty of breaks, this course may not suit you!

Off-Piste Expert, Chamonix

Chamonix is Europe's mecca for adventurous winter sports and is renowned for its snow-sure, high altitude skiing combined with stunning mountain scenery.
Our expert level week is an opportunity for the best off-piste skiers to explore the fabulous off-piste terrain in the company of one of the industry's best mountain guides.

Read more about Chamonix, France Enquire about this trip

Itinerary

Ski Programme
This week will be an opportunity for expert level skiers to spend a week skiing off-piste with one of our team of international mountain guides.
There is no set itinerary.
The week will start with a welcome meeting & briefing on the evening of the first day.
This is an opportunity to meet your guide and the rest of the group and to discuss the plans for the week.
The itinerary for the remainder of the week will be set by the guide based on the snow and weather conditions, his recommendations and your own preferences.

The week is intended to be fun with lots of thrilling skiing but always directed with maximum attention to your safety and the safety of others.

Ski area
The skiing area of Chamonix is generally considered to have some of the best off-piste skiing in the world. Much of this is accessible from the lift systems and includes descents of over 2000m. The Chamonix valley runs for 20kms and there are several separate lift systems and mountains which provide enormous variety and all are included on the Mont Blanc pass.
Numerous options including:
The Vallee Blanche - the longest off-piste ski descent in the world (24kms).
Pas de Chevre – ascend to the top of Grand Montets and ski down to the Mer de Glace and on into Chamonix.
Glacier du Toule – you can ski the Glacier du Toule down towards Courmayeur and then catch the cable car back up to the top of the mountain and ski the Italian side of the Vallee Blanche.
Le Tour - from the back of the Le Tour lift system there is fantastic off-piste skiing towards Vallorcine and Switzerland.

Some of the very best areas can only be reached with an hour's walk from the pistes. The effort expended is more than rewarded with the awesome skiing across untracked terrain.

In addition there are some great new heli-skiing opportunities available just through the Mont Blanc tunnel, only 20 minutes away from the town. These drops are not included in the price. Ask us for more details.

Additional Information

Dates & Duration
Trip duration is 7 days (6 days skiing)
Private group weeks are available from Xmas until end April

Prices
All prices are per person.
The price includes 7 nights half-board accommodation in Chamonix, 5 full days guiding, in resort transfers.
The price does not include: Lift pass, lunches, personal insurance, equipment hire, international travel and airport transfers.

Single-room occupancy may incur additional charges.

Group Size
The maximum guide:skier ratio is 1:3. The maximum group size is 6 (with 2 guides).

Accommodation and meals
For our 2009-10 courses we are once again teaming up with David at Chalet Les Pelerins, a comfortable catered alpine chalet with accommodation for up to 12 guests. The chalet is well located close to the centre of Chamonix and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. For further details click on www.chalet-in-chamonix.co.uk

Arriving in resort
You should aim to arrive in Chamonix sometime in the afternoon. If you are going to arrive before 1400 or after 1900 please contact the chalet to advise them. There will be an initial briefing with your Mountain Tracks guide on the first evening. This is an opportunity to meet the guide and the rest of the party, to discuss the plans and objectives for the week and to ask any questions you may have relating to the week’s itinerary.

Equipment
A copy of our  recommended kit list will be sent to you at the time of booking.
Alpine touring gear is essential for all the Chamonix off-piste weeks. All skiers will need to carry a small day sack (25-30 litres) containing their safety gear and any personal items e.g. camera.
Safety equipment: everyone is expected to ski at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment; transceiver, shovel and probe. If you ski off-piste regularly we recommend you purchase your own set.
We use and recommend the excellent DTS Tracker and can offer you these at a discounted rate. Contact us for further details.

Insurance 
It is a condition of booking that you are insured for off-piste skiing covering personal accident, rescue and third party risks. You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.
Mountain Tracks can arrange insurance cover for you at a cost of £42 per person for 9 days cover. Contact us for further details.

Getting There
Click on the Chamonix Page for recommended travel information.