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Steep skiing course Chamonix

Venture into the exciting world of steep skiing in Chamonix, extreme skiing capital of the world. We will prepare you for the challenges of steep skiing and equip you with the essential skills to go steep and deep in the world-famous Chamonix backcountry.

SKI INSTRUCTION & GUIDING

Our steep skiing instructors are both ENSA ski instructors and UIAGM mountain guides, meaning that they are fully qualified not only to teach but also to guide you on high mountains and glaciated terrain.

SMALL GROUPS

Maximum 3 participants per guide to allow flexibility and fast progression.

AVALANCHE SAFETY AND ROPE WORK SKILLS

Learn avalanche rescue skills and rope work skills for safe skiing in the Alpine environment.

INTRODUCTION COURSE TO STEEP SKIING AND BIG MOUNTAIN SAFETY SKILLS

Chamonix is well known for its steep skiing backcountry terrain – the famous slopes of the Posettes couloirs from Le Tour, the ENSA couloir and Hotel Face at Brevent, the Grand Envers and Cosmiques couloir on the Vallée Blanche – need we say more?

The goal of the Chamonix Experience steep skiing course is to improve your off-piste skiing skills and push your ski technique up to the next level. In the safe hands of our UIAGM mountain guides and ski instructors you will gain confidence and strengthen your technique to tackle steeper and more challenging terrain than you’ve ever skied before.

More than just a week of off-piste guiding, you will receive expert tuition in steep skiing skills such as learning how to handle all types of terrain, how to ski safely down couloirs, how to perform jump turns on steep faces, how to control your speed on icy snow, how to use your skis as an anchor, and much more besides. We’ll also cover essential off-piste skills that could save your life such as avalanche safety and rope work. This course will teach you more in 5 days than most people learn in a whole season.

We will choose slopes that will be challenging for you but not too far above your limits, so that you progress at a steady rate over the 5 days of your steep skiing course in Chamonix.

Our Chamonix steep skiing course is divided into two parts: 2 days of technical training and 3 days of focussed ski tuition whilst riding the most amazing couloirs and slopes around Chamonix and Courmayeur.

You will benefit from the advantage of a small ski group, as we only accept a maximum of 3 clients per mountain guide. This not only ensures greater safety but also enhances your enjoyment of the course as you will be skiing with people of a similar standard and level of experience as yourself, meaning that you’ll all make maximum progress.

If you’re not quite ready for this course but want to improve your off-piste skiing skills, we recommend our Chamonix off piste introduction course – a 5 day course where you will learn all the essentials of skiing off-piste terrain in all snow conditions right here in the Chamonix valley.

Off-Piste in Chamonix

Chamonix has incredibly varied terrain, making it the perfect place to learn to ski steep off-piste. It has a world-wide reputation for extreme skiing and challenging backcountry. Over the 5 days of this course you will learn how to handle different conditions and types of snow whilst maintaining control in steep couloirs, deep powder bowls, dense forests and amongst glaciers.

Les Grands Montets and Aiguille du Midi give access to fantastic off-piste options that will both challenge and exhilarate you. You can ski the Vallee Blanche down one of the many less frequented and more formidable routes such as Grand Envers, or get the adrenaline pumping in the notorious couloirs of the Argentiere basin.

Chamonix’s unique location on the border of three countries means that you can experience skiing the best of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps; depending on conditions we may take you over the border for a taste of off-piste skiing in one of our neighbouring resorts such as Verbier or Courmayeur.

Off-Piste Progression

We offer a full programme of off-piste ski courses in Chamonix, with our steep skiing course being one of the most advanced. In order to build up to this level we recommend that you start with our Introduction to Off Piste Skiing before joining our Off Pitse Performance Clinic. Once you have mastered the required skills and are confident on all types of terrain, you’ll be ready to explore the limitless options of the Chamonix valley on our Chamex’Plore off-piste ski safaris.

Meet your guides

Our Steep Skiing courses are run by double-qualified UIAGM mountain guides and ENSA ski instructors. This ensures an excellent level of tuition, as well as unparalleled mountain safety. Our team is permanently based in Chamonix and we carefully select all our guides for their extensive knowledge of the local ski terrain.

From: 1390 €

Price per person for groups of minimum 3 skiers

Expert

You ski often, and at a high level. You ski both side country and backcountry, as well as ski-alpinism. You are steady and comfortable on any terrain. You ski couloirs (gullies) up to 40° and would like to improve your steep skiing and mountain skiing skills. You are familiar with avalanche companion rescue techniques and glacier safety methods. You have previous experience with crampons on ice and mixed ground, and can belay and rappel. You have some ski touring experience.
  • Fitness level 4/5
  • Guiding ratio 1:3
  • Groups of 3 maximum
  • 5 days course
  • Available January – April

Dates

Steep skiing course Chamonix
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 24 February 2025
Friday 28 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 3 March 2025
Friday 7 March 2025
Guaranteed
1390 €
Monday 10 March 2025
Friday 14 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 17 March 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 24 March 2025
Friday 28 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 31 March 2025
Friday 4 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 7 April 2025
Friday 11 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 14 April 2025
Friday 18 April 2025
Guaranteed
1390 €

Dates

Steep skiing course Chamonix
Start dateEnd dateSpacePrice
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 20 January 2025
Friday 24 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 27 January 2025
Friday 31 January 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 3 February 2025
Friday 7 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 10 February 2025
Friday 14 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 17 February 2025
Friday 21 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 24 February 2025
Friday 28 February 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 3 March 2025
Friday 7 March 2025
Guaranteed
1390 €
Monday 10 March 2025
Friday 14 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 17 March 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 24 March 2025
Friday 28 March 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 31 March 2025
Friday 4 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 7 April 2025
Friday 11 April 2025
Two more to guarantee
1390 €
Monday 14 April 2025
Friday 18 April 2025
Guaranteed
1390 €
Clothing
Warm hat
Clothing
Thermal underwear
Clothing
Fleece or woollen layers
Clothing
Light puffer jacket
Clothing
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Clothing
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Clothing
Warm gloves
Technical gear
Climbing harness
Technical gear
Ski goggles
Technical gear
Screwgate carabiner x3
Technical gear
60 – 120 cm tape sling
Technical gear
Free ride skis
Technical gear
Ski boots
Technical gear
Ski poles
Technical gear
Crampons
Technical gear
20 – 30 litres rucksack with attachment loops for skis / snowboard
Technical gear
Ski / splitboard skins
Technical gear
Ski touring boots
Technical gear
Ski touring skis
Safety Equipment
Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
Safety Equipment
Ski or snowboard helmet
Other essentials
Sunglasses
Other essentials
Water bottle – Ideally two 1L bottles
Other essentials
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Included in price

Guiding & Tuition

5 days of mountain guiding and ski tuition by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.

Avalanche Training

Specific avalanche awareness tuition including assessment of the conditions, correct use of a transceiver and how to carry out a rescue using shovel and probe.

Group Equipment

Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.

Local Transport

Any local transport that is required during your course.

Office Support

Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguillle du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.

Not included in price

Skis / Snowboards

The price does not include skis/snowboards, boots or clothing. If you do not have your own we can help you organise rental, please ask us for details.

Personal Equipment

Please see the “Equipment” tab to find out what you will need on this trip / course.  For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your personalised kit list.

Lift Passes

We will advise you on which lift passes you will need prior to your trip. If lift passes are required we can preorder them for you on request.

Insurance

Travel insurance including a mountain search and rescue insurance is mandatory on all our trips (we can organise the mountai search and rescue insurance for you on request). We highly advice to have a policy covering the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

Food & Drink

The price does not include lunch or snacks. You can bring your own food and we can stop for a picnic, or there may be the option to buy lunch at a mountain hut. Please make sure that you are carrying sufficient water and snacks as we will be in the mountains for a number of hours.

Accommodation in Chamonix

Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.

Travel to Chamonix

The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.