backcountry skiing details

Kit List
skis with touring bindings - we recommend skis that you will enjoy skiing on, but are not too heavy, eg Rossignol B2 with fritschi bindings. With skins and ski crampons.
Poles - NOT collapsable
Boots - these must fit and be comfortable. We feel it is best not to rent boots. Rather buy some and have them fitted professionally - this will make your week much more comfortable, fun and blister free! 'Fit' is more important than whether a boot is 'stiff enough' or not. I use a touring boot that is designed to ski well, rather than ultra light. You can also use your regular ski boots.
Rucksack - 30l. with ski straps
Waterbottle - not platypus type - they freeze and leak.
Transciever, probe, shovel, crampons, ice axe, harness, 1 screw gate karabiner
sunglasses, goggles (2 pairs useful after a wipeout), sunhat, sunscreen, lip salve/block
Regular ski wear, including spare gloves and thin gloves for skinning in.
Personal first aid - blister kit, ibuprofen.
Remember kit should be lightweight but functional - you have to carry it! We can help with equipment rental in Chamonix.

Backcountry weeks are an ideal way to learn the essentials of backcountry/offpiste skiing and ski touring, but they are also a perfect ski holiday for those wanting to make the most of the conditions (it's what we do best!). Our intro week is best for those fairly new to off-piste who are looking for a great week's backcountry skiing, learning the essentials on the way. The Adventure week is for better off-piste skiers looking for a faster paced week, on more demanding terrain. The Extreme week is just that. For expert skiers looking to ski some of Chamonix's famous extreme lines.
You can expect to be skiing from first lift each day. Most days you can expect to do some uphill work to get to the descents. Lunches will either be taken in a mountain restaurant/snack point, or packed lunches (bought locally). If this all sounds like hard work, don't worry! It's your holiday and the pace is up to you - but a sniff of fresh powder and it's often "maybe just one more run..."! There is also the option of a day's heliskiing to open up more terrain (at additional cost)...

Included in the price: guides fees and expenses, travel during the week.
Not included in the price: Travel to and from Chamonix at the start/end of trip, accommodation in Chamonix, equipment rental, insurance, meals and drinks, lift passes.
Meet: We meet Sunday evening at 6pm in Chamonix to deal with any equipment rental, buy ski passes and run through the plan for the week. We finish up Friday after skiing.

contact us if you are not sure which week would suit you, or if different dates would be better...
See links page for Chamonix accommodation and airport transfers from Geneva.