Steep skiing course Chamonix

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.

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.

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.

The best preparation for this course is to complete our Off-Piste Performance Ski Course first – it will lay the foundations and give you the strength and skills necessary to get the most out of your time.
If you’re not sure which course is best for you, or if you simply want to ask us some questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

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