Steep skiing course Chamonix
SKI INSTRUCTION & GUIDING
SMALL GROUPS
AVALANCHE SAFETY AND ROPE WORK SKILLS
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 €
Expert
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Fitness level 4/5
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Guiding ratio 1:3
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Groups of 3 maximum
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5 days course
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Available January – April
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 13 January 2025
|
Friday 17 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 January 2025
|
Friday 24 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 January 2025
|
Friday 31 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 February 2025
|
Friday 7 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 February 2025
|
Friday 14 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 February 2025
|
Friday 21 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 February 2025
|
Friday 28 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 March 2025
|
Friday 7 March 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 March 2025
|
Friday 14 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 March 2025
|
Friday 21 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 March 2025
|
Friday 28 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 31 March 2025
|
Friday 4 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 April 2025
|
Friday 11 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 April 2025
|
Friday 18 April 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 13 January 2025
|
Friday 17 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 January 2025
|
Friday 24 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 January 2025
|
Friday 31 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 February 2025
|
Friday 7 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 February 2025
|
Friday 14 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 February 2025
|
Friday 21 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 February 2025
|
Friday 28 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 March 2025
|
Friday 7 March 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 March 2025
|
Friday 14 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 March 2025
|
Friday 21 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 24 March 2025
|
Friday 28 March 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 31 March 2025
|
Friday 4 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 7 April 2025
|
Friday 11 April 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 14 April 2025
|
Friday 18 April 2025
|
Guaranteed
|
1390 €
| Make enquiry |
Itinerary
Pre-Course Warm-Up
We highly recommend that you arrive in Chamonix a day or two before the steep skiing course to have some warm up days. This is also the best way to check your equipment – particularly if you haven’t skied for a while or you have rental equipment. There is nothing worse than to miss out because your boots don’t fit properly or your bindings are not set correctly. It is also strongly recommended to have your skis serviced prior to the steep skiing course. If you need to hire skis or to have your own skis serviced please ask us for recommendations of ski shops in Chamonix.
Meeting in Chamonix
The week begins with a welcome meeting at the Chamonix Experience office in Chamonix Sud, where you will meet the other members of your group and your mountain guide / ski instructor. You will have the chance to check your equipment with your mountain guide and ask any last minute questions about the steep skiing course. Your Chamex mountain guide will brief you on the itinerary, the weather and the prevailing snow conditions, giving you an idea of what to expect for the week ahead. The itinerary below is given as an example of a typical week, your week may be entirely different depending on weather and snow conditions. Your mountain guide will plan your course to give you the best possible experience of skiing steep off-piste in Chamonix.
Day 1 – Assessment Day & Avalanche Safety Training
The first day of this course is dedicated to preparing you for skiing on progressively steeper terrain. Your guide will analyse your technique and propose corrections to your ski position so that you feel increasingly more confident on your skis. The afternoon will include an avalanche search and rescue training session.
Day 2 – Jump Turns & Side Slipping
Your mountain guide will take you skiing on short steep sections where you can practice jump turns and controlling a side slip. The psychological aspect of steep skiing means that it is important to get used to the exposure of steep slopes and be able to navigate them calmly and confidently. You will learn basic rope work and how to rappel safely with skis.
Days 3 to 5 – Steep Slopes & Couloirs
The last 3 days of the ski course are dedicated to practice the steep techniques on steeper runs and couloirs. Chamonix has a lot to offer in this aspect and your guide will choose runs with the best snow for you enjoy – such as, Col du Belvedere, Couloir du Chapeau or Couloirs de Trient. You will use your ski touring equipment to access some of the runs.
Learning outcomes
Above all, mountain safety is our highest priority, which is why as well as steep skiing techniques we also teach you how to ski off-piste safely. Avalanche awareness and transceiver search are essential to your skill set as a confident off-piste skier, especially when skiing the Chamonix backcountry routes that can take you far away from the patrolled ski areas. You’ll also learn more advanced safety techniques such as:
- Jump turns, controlled side slipping on steep slopes and other steep specific ski techniques
- Ropework, different rappeling techniques and building anchors
- Use of crampons and ice axe
Our instructors are all qualified UIAGM mountain guides with all the knowledge and experience needed to teach you the essential mountain safety techniques.
Level requirements
Technical level
This course is for expert off-piste skiers only and you will need to:
- Ski both side country and backcountry often, and at a high level
- Be steady and comfortable on any terrain and on snow of varied quality
- Ski couloirs (gullies) up to 40° and would like to improve your steep skiing and mountain skiing skills
- Be experienced in using ice axes and crampons
- Be experienced in using ski touring equipment
- Prepared to climb up steep couloirs and abseil with your skis attached to your rucksack
Physical fitness
You are in excellent physical and cardio vascular shape. You can ski a full day, off-piste, in all types of snow. You can link multiple long descents without taking long breaks, over consecutive days, with the proper equipment. (backpack, shovel, probe, snack, water, etc.)
Preparation and training
Our Chamonix steep skiing course is physically demanding and so it is essential that you prepare yourself. Regular practice of any kind of endurance sport such as ski touring, hiking, running, biking or swimming is the best kind of training. We also recommend core strength exercises – Pilates and yoga are perfect.
Additional services
Lift Passes
CHAMONIX LIFT PASSES – FREE BOOKING & COLLECTION SERVICE
You can easily avoid the morning queue for the lift tickets – order your lift passes with us and then just pick them up the day before! We’ll collect your lift passes and have them ready for you, free of charge.
For this course you will need the 5 days Mont Blanc Unlimited lift pass, please contact us for further details.
Airport transfers
We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well-established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.
To book your transfer, we will need the following:
- Your full name
- Mobile phone number
- Email address
- Your destination address
- Your flight details (date, time and flight number)
SHARED TRANSFERS:
This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one-way and 80€ per person for a return trip.
PRIVATE TRANSFERS:
Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it’s a door-to-door service, so you won’t be lugging any bags very far.
Mountain rescue insurance
We don’t include mountain rescue insurance in any of our courses but we strongly recommend that you have it. Mountain rescue may be very expensive, particularly if helicopters are involved. Check with your travel insurance provider if you are covered for the specific activity you are going to do with us.
However, we can organise the mountain rescue insurance for you. Details of the insurance cover are different for EU and non-EU residents; please contact us for more information.
Chamonix accommodation
If you need help to find a place to stay in Chamonix, don’t hesitate to let us know! We work with a network of excellent chalets, hotels, gites and B&Bs offering Chamonix accommodation to suit all tastes and all budgets.
Equipment hire
We highly recommend that you book any equipment with us at least 2 weeks in advance as the hire shops can have limited availability in the busy season.
You can collect your equipment the evening before the start of the course and return it in the evening at the end of your course. We work with the following Chamonix ski hire and mountain shop:
• Concept Pro Shop that is conveniently located directly next door from our office. Open 7/7 08:00-19:00
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.