The given itinerary is a program realized with good weather and good mountain conditions. The guide may tailor the program to suit the needs of the group and the weather/ snow…

You arrive in Chamonix the day before starting the trip. In the evening, around 6, a briefing with your UIAGM certified mountain guide and the other course participants takes place in the Chamex office. The guide will present the trip plan, possible options or variations, and answer your questions. The guide will also take the time to verify your equipment and give advice on preparing your backpack for the tour. If you have reserved rental equipment we’ll visit the neighboring ski shop and acquire the needed gear.

Morning departure from Chamonix to maximize our time on the innumerable descents in La Grave- off-piste paradise! The lifts access 100% backcountry terrain (no groomed/ pisted runs on the entire slope). Pure freeride or free-rando (short tours from the lifts) depending on the group’s wishes. Warm hotel and a gourmet dinner in the mountain village of La Grave, at the foot of the Meije glaciers.

From the summit of the lifts in La Grave, we turn our skis toward the southern aspects of la Meije, and plunge into the heart of the Écrins national park. The guide will choose the timing- ideally skiing great snow on the beautiful and sustained slopes of the Selle valley. A traverse with skins and a descent of the couloir from the Brèche du Râteau (gained with ice axe and crampons) into the Étançon valley. The Promontoire hut is here, perched on the Meije’s south facing, sunlit granite. Nathalie and Fredi will reserve a welcome equal to the heights of this majestic hut!

Ascent 1000m / Descent 11000m

A demanding, technical, high alpine mountain day. First business- climb up the Brèche de la Meije and over to the La Grave side. High mountain ambiance awaits- an exposed traverse at the foot of La Meije’s impressive north face. Crampons and ice axes are again needed to climb the narrow Serret du Savon. On the glacier’s other side the mythic Aigle hut awaits, practically floating in the sky. Recently remodeled, but keeping it’s soul and it’s original feel, this alpine sanctuary is one of the oldest in France- and is thus a piece of history. The unique position and the storied nature of the refuge is enchanting- we’re walking in the footsteps of the Alps’ finest mountaineers…

Ascent 700m / Descent 400m

The last day! Departure at first light to climb the Tête des Corridors, a beautiful summit surrounded by the spires flanking the Meije. From here on we turn our tips downhill, toward the 2000m of descent separating us from the comforts of the valley. The Tabuchet or the l’Homme glaciers to choose from- better conditions will dictate our choice. In both cases a fabulous run awaits to close out our trip. We leave La Grave, the skyline filled by La Meije’s striking profile. Return to Chamonix.

Ascent 300m / Descent 2000m

• This trip is for experienced ski tourers who have already done at least one hut-to-hut tour or a multi-day ski tour.
• You have to be good and efficient in your skinning technique and confident moving over a steep and exposed terrain.
• You are expected to be comfortable and safe doing kick turns on slopes of over 35 degrees.
• You have to be skilled using ice axe and crampons and be happy to climb over steep, snowy and rocky terrain.
• You have to be an excellent off piste skier, confident and efficient in skiing in all snow conditions without stopping or losing control over your skis.
• You have to be confident and safe skiing on slopes of 40 degrees. 

You have to be physically fit, ready to hike and ski for up to 8 hours per day without being too tired the next day. You have to be able to move reasonably fast (climb up to 1100m per day at 400m/h). 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the ski & fitness levels for this trip, we will be happy to help. 

In case bad weather or snow conditions do not allow the realization of the normal program, we will propose a suitable plan B, (similar cost, difficulty, and length). Safety is a priority for us at Chamex, and our guides will adapt the course to offer the best possible ski touring experience.

Chamonix is one of the easiest alpine resorts to get to, being just over an hour's drive from Geneva international airport. Lyon, Turin and Milan airports are also all within a few hours drive. The best way to get from Geneva airport to Chamonix is by transfer bus, either shared with other passengers or private. You will be met in the arrivals lounge by your driver and dropped at your accommodation in Chamonix; there is no extra charge for your luggage or equipment. We work only with the most reliable transfer companies in the valley and are happy to organise your journey for you, please contact us for prices and booking.

We suggest you bring with you or buy in resort snack food that you can take out on the hill with you each day. Things like cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts, chocolate, sugary sweets or your favourite hill snacks. When you’re staying overnight in huts it's best to take supplies for the days you are away. Huts do sell food but it’s expensive and sometimes stocks run low.

If you have any food allergies or dietary requirements especially if you are a Coeliac (Gluten free) or have a dairy allergy we strongly recommend you bring some food to supplement your hut dinners. The huts are fairly good at providing for vegetarians but less so for other dietary needs. The huts can provide a small basic packed lunch of bread, salami, cheese and chocolate that you can buy each day but it’s important that you don’t rely on this option only. You do need to carry some snack food for each day.

You will also generally stop for short breaks every hour where you should eat and drink something in order to maintain your energy levels throughout the day.

The high alpine huts are one of the big attractions to mountaineering or trekking in the Alps. They allow us the time to enjoy the mountains with only light packs and without having to worry about meals or finding somewhere to sleep! Most huts have only very basic facilities. Sleeping arrangements are in mixed sex dormitory-style rooms with bunks; there can be up to 20 people in one room.

Washing facilities are limited and generally there is no running water in any of the huts although this may vary in some huts. There are basins in which you can use bottled water to wash and clean your teeth, but they are NOT generally in private cubicles and are mixed sex. Toilets are generally septic-tank type (so non-flushing) and again mixed sex. You need to be prepared for simple living in the huts and appreciate they are located at high altitude and in inhospitable terrain.

The guardian and his/her team serve a 3-course evening meal and breakfast - food is usually nourishing and filling. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks are also available. All food and drink in the huts is delivered by helicopter and consequently prices will be high e.g. between 5 -10€ or 10CHF for a 1.5litre bottle of still water.

There are a few basic hut ‘rules’ that you need to follow so that you (and your fellow climbers) have a pleasant stay:

1) On arriving at the hut you must take off your boots and leave these together with your ice axe, crampons in the foyer. Be sure to store these carefully as the hut is likely to get very busy and you’ll need to find all your kit in the morning rush!

2) House slippers are provided and must be worn in the hut

3) Your guide will register you with the guardian and will assign you your bunk

4) Follow the instructions of your guide and keep requests to the guardian and his team to a minimum – they are usually very busy sorting out groups, cooking meals, keeping the hut clean

5) In the morning your guide will often want to leave early – be sure to have all your kit ready to go the night before. Be organized and everything will be much easier!

6) It is recommended to bring earplugs for the nights – but make sure that you wake up on time!

7) Top Tip: clearly name or place a small amount of coloured tape on your boots, axe, crampons, harness and skins to help you identify them amongst all the others

All Chamex mountain guides are fully qualified, highly experienced and passionate about what they do. Everyone who works as part of the Chamex team has been thoroughly vetting and is trusted by us to give our clients the best experience possible - you are in safe hands! If you would like to know more then you can meet the Chamex team here.

Please see the list of recommended equipment on the other tab. Most technical equipment can be rented here in Chamonix, please contact us if you would like prices and advice on whatever you need. Chamonix has dozens of outdoor shops selling everything from basic head torches to expedition standard sleeping bags, so whatever you don't already have you can find it here.

We highly recommend that you take out specific insurance for mountain activities. We can organise this at a cost of 8€ per day for EU citizens and 12€ per day for non-EU citizens. This will cover you for search and rescue services, evacuation by helicopter and emergency medical treatment. You should also make sure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for the usual things such as cancelled flights, lost luggage, hospital treatment, etc. Please contact us to organise mountain rescue insurance for your trip.

If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.

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. 250€ per car for one-way and 500€ per car for a return trip.