WELCOME MEETING IN CHAMONIX
On the evening before the trip begins, you will have the opportunity to meet your guide and the rest of the group. This welcome meeting is the perfect time to go over the itinerary, discuss current mountain conditions, and ask any questions you may have before setting off.
Your guide will also use this opportunity to check everyone’s equipment and help you prepare everything you will need for the first day. If you have booked rental equipment, please bring it with you to the meeting. We also recommend bringing along any technical clothing or equipment you would like your guide to check before the start of the trip.
DAY 1: SPLITBOARD SKILLS & REFRESHER DAY IN CHAMONIX
The first day is dedicated to warming up, getting comfortable on your splitboard, and refreshing your mountain skills.
Your guide will take the time to check everyone’s equipment, assess your riding ability and technical skills, and introduce you to the fundamentals of using an avalanche transceiver (DVA/ARTVA). The day will take place on an accessible itinerary using the local lift system, allowing you to fine-tune your technique while getting familiar with the equipment and the group.
You will return to Chamonix at the end of the day, giving you the opportunity to make any equipment adjustments, exchange rental gear, or pick up anything you may need before heading into the mountains for the following three days.
DAY 2: TO REFUGE DES PRÉS (1,937M) VIA COL DE LA CICLE (2,377M)
An early start takes us from Chamonix to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge gondola in Les Contamines-Montjoie.
Using the lifts allows us to optimise the ascent-to-descent ratio and make the most of the spectacular scenery on the edge of the Beaufortain massif. From the top of the lifts, the climb towards Col de la Cicle (2,377m) is generally gentle and progressive.
The descent on the northern side of the col is a completely different proposition: significantly steeper and known for holding cold snow well into the season, it offers some excellent splitboard terrain.
A final short ascent brings us to Refuge des Prés (1,937m), which will be our base for the next two nights.
Depending on conditions and energy levels, the end of the day can be devoted to an avalanche rescue exercise around the refuge, followed by a briefing and preparation for the following day’s route.
Elevation gain: +600m
Elevation loss: -750m
Duration: Approx. 5 hours
DAY 3: TÊTE SUD DES FOURS (2,665M) VIA COL DU BONHOMME
We’re willing to bet that the comfort, atmosphere, and good food at the refuge will have worked their magic and helped you recover from the first two days in the mountains.
Today, you’ll also enjoy the advantage of a lighter pack, with everything you don’t need left safely at the refuge.
After an early traverse—which can be tricky in places and may require the use of ski crampons—we head towards Col du Bonhomme (2,350m).
From here, several options are possible depending on the snowpack and conditions.
If the snow has remained cold and powdery, it may be worth continuing towards Col des Fours before dropping down its northern face—a descent that can provide exceptional riding.
From the summit, the panorama over the Beaufortain and Tarentaise is breathtaking, with views towards iconic peaks including Mont Pourri, Grande Casse, Grande Motte and Pierra Menta.
If conditions are more spring-like, your guide may instead choose the beautiful and steep eastern face of the Thovasseys.
Whichever option we choose, crampons may be useful as the terrain becomes noticeably steeper and more technical during this stage.
After the descent, approximately 45 minutes of traversing the same route we followed in the morning brings us back to the refuge.
If the sun is shining, the afternoon is all about enjoying the terrace and preparing the next day’s route. There will be time to work through the maps, ask your guide any remaining questions, and—of course—enjoy the traditional, well-earned mountain nap.
Elevation gain: +900m
Elevation loss: -900m
Duration: Approx. 6 hours
DAY 4: MONTS JOVETS, MOUNTAIN LAKES & DESCENT OF THE ROMAN ROAD
For our final day, several options are available depending on the snow and weather conditions.
Your guide may choose to take you towards Monts Jovets (2,500m), where you can enjoy beautiful turns on snow that has been perfectly softened by the sun. From there, we follow the ancient Roman Road all the way down into the valley.
Along the way, we’ll make stops at the impressive Roman Bridge and the beautiful Baroque chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge, adding a touch of history and culture to the final descent.
Alternatively, your guide may choose the route via Col de la Fenêtre (2,245m) towards Rochers des Enclaves (2,389m). From there, we descend through the Combe Durand canyon before taking the lifts from Hauteluce back up towards the top of the Contamines ski area.
From the top of the ski domain, the perfectly slushy pistes provide an enjoyable final ride down to the vehicle. From there, it’s approximately an hour’s drive back to Chamonix.
Once back in Chamonix, we’ll finish the adventure with a relaxed group debrief and a chance to look back on four days of splitboarding, mountain exploration, and adventure.
Elevation gain: +600m
Elevation loss: -1,300 to -2,000m
Duration: Approx. 5–6 hours
A 4-DAY SPLITBOARD ADVENTURE IN THE MONT BLANC REGION
From a skills refresher in Chamonix to hut-based touring in the Beaufortain, this itinerary combines technical splitboarding, spectacular alpine scenery, avalanche awareness, and classic mountain descents.
The exact routes on Days 3 and 4 will remain flexible, allowing your guide to adapt the itinerary to snow conditions, weather, avalanche risk, and the group’s ability. This flexibility is an essential part of travelling safely and making the most of the best conditions the mountains have to offer.
