Chamonix, France 2018
The best of Chamonix off-piste skiing & ski touring
Chamonix is the home of the best lifted skiing terrain on earth.
Situated in the shadow of Europe’s highest peak Mont Blanc it features soaring peaks, cascading glaciers and seemingly endless ski itineraries. Cable Cars & Gondolas carry you into improbable locations in the mountains, and with a set of skins and touring bindings, a short or long hike you will unlock a further myriad of possibilities
Steep couloirs, open powder fields, glacial mazes and perfect corn snow are just a few of the options Chamonix offers.
Richard & Nicole Ross of aussieskier.com have been visiting Chamonix for many years and have realised that the only way to experience the best it has to offer is with a fully qualified IFMGA/UIAGM Mountain Guide. From both a perspective of safety and local knowledge, their time spent with guides has given them memories of a lifetime throughout the Alps. It is as a result of these adventures that their friends have been asking for years to share their experiences and this tour was born
Small and motivated groups are the best way to make the most of each ski day, early starts and first lifts are key, and we have designed the entire tour to facilitate this.
The tour will start on Sunday March 11th 2018, and there are limited places available. If you’re thinking about joining us on this incredible adventure, get in touch today.
Example Itineraries
The beauty of Chamonix is that it’s ideally located near where the French, Italian and Swiss borders converge. Each region has vastly different weather and skiing conditions due to the huge mountains that funnel or block the storms. It might be gloomy in France but beautiful in Italy….
So transport is vital – whether it’s through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Courmayeur, or across to Verbier, flexibility is the key to finding the best conditions.
This is just a small list of examples of the myriad of possibilities in the Chamonix area. Each day’s plan will be carefully considered based on each group’s ability, interests & the guides’ assessment of weather, safety and local conditions. The majority of these photos are our own – skiing with guides in Chamonix:
Testimonials
We had extensively ski-toured Australia leading into it, but we felt the scale and magnitude of the region really did warrant something outside our typical go-it-alone take on these things.
It was undoubtedly the very best way we could have experienced the region as first time Cham-visitors.
To start, the accommodations were amazing. A grand, self-catered chalet in town. So French-alps! Warm, comfortable, and perfectly equipped to on-board the exhausted remnants of long days out. And placed in the nook of the massif. The views were astounding. The meals were unbelievable. The company was kindred.
The aussieskier team had carefully crafted an itinerary of seminal ‘must-do’s’ which were obviously contingent on conditions. Frankly, we had them pretty bad. The worst season in forever, and then a couple of storms on hard pack. Despite a set of conditions that were less than perfect, the guides delivered the most amazing mountain experiences of my life.
We spent six days skiing in both the obscure Italian backcountry, as well as some southern French big-hitters. The Vallee Blanche was remarkable. And even as remarkable was the tour out the back of an Italian micro-resort when conditions were rough.
What we really loved, and what my partner and I didn’t feel we could achieve on our own, was that lovely sense of assurance in knowing we were in the very best hands (our guides were hand selected over many years of experience with our aussieskier hosts – they were both true, knowledgeable mountain people). We also loved the complete absence of needing to think about anything. We didn’t need to drive anywhere, cook any meals, make any plans. We had full trust in our hosts, and they more than delivered.
Tour Features
Tour Details
- Transportation to/from Geneva Airport – shared, leaving approx 2pm Sun March 11th.
- Welcome drinks and canapés upon arrival at the chalet.
- Chalet accommodation for 7 nights, twin share (Sunday through Saturday) – includes open fire, hot tub and breathtaking mountain views! 5 minute walk into Chamonix centre.
- Linen and towels and toiletries provided.
- Continental breakfast each morning.
- 6 day Chamonix Unlimited lift ticket to ski 3 countries.
- 6 days skiing with IFMGA/UIAGM certified guides (maximum 5 skiers with each guide).
- Ground transportation within Chamonix and to surrounding ski resorts including Italy and Switzerland.
- Homemade cake and afternoon tea served by the roaring log fire on arrival back at the chalet.
- 4 course evening meal accompanied by carefully selected wines and tea/coffee – 6 nights.
- Instruction in ski touring techniques and safe mountain travel.
- A team of people looking after you – head chef, chalet host, 2 tour hosts, guides, housekeeping.
- Lots of challenging skiing in spectacular surrounds!
- Airfares – competitive pricing is available through our partner Kate Gleeson at Allure Travel (call 03 95292363 or email).
- On-mountain lunches – guests will be able to experience lunch at local villages over the 3 countries during the week. Estimated 3 days of the week. The other days will be pack lunches for touring days outside of resort areas.
- 1 Dinner is left open for the group to explore town together and experience the local cuisine with new friends – Wednesday
- Alcoholic beverages – après in-town (should the group choose to) & the in-town dinner.
- In house massage service – available on request.
- Gear: skis, backpack, avalanche beacon, probe, shovel and helmet.
- Ski backpacks including beacon, shovel and probe are available to rent for $150 for the duration of the trip.
- If you wish to rent ski equipment please let us know so that we can co-ordinate your rental.
- Travel Insurance is Not Included: We require travel insurance for all guests, and will request proof to ensure the safety of the trip. Cover must include participation in extreme sports such as skiing, mountain climbing, glaciers, alpinisim, etc plus mountain helicopter rescue, hospitalisation and repatriation to your home country. Cover which includes cancellation is highly recommended.
The Aussieskier Chalet
Our chalet is comfortable, classic yet contemporary and superbly located to make the most of your trip. A light-filled living area with towering views of the Mont Blanc massif features an open fire and relaxation areas with the modern conveniences you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of skier do I need to be?
To make the most of this trip you need to be happiest skiing off the groomed runs. If an ideal day of resort skiing for you means skiing on the ungroomed black and double black terrain for most or all of the day you will love what Chamonix has to offer.
Skiers on this tour will have likely skied extensively in the Northern Hemisphere, and are looking to take a step up from what is offered in Japan & North America.
Fitness is very important, the fitter you are, the better time you will have. You should be starting your pre-skiing fitness regime well before Christmas including uphill hiking.
Do I need to have ski touring experience?
No – we can instruct you on the basics of using skins and touring bindings.
But to make the most of Chamonix you need to be willing to hike for at least a couple of hours to access the more remote and spectacular areas
Experienced ski tourers will thrive on this trip – our guides will take you as far as your skills & energy allow
What equipment will I need?
Mandatory:
- Skis – approximately 100mm underfoot, tip rocker, flat or rockered tail with a touring binding
- Climbing skins
- Ski crampons
- Touring boots are not required, but modern touring boots are now available with full alpine performance & a walk mode so consider these for your next purchase. Please ensure they are broken in and skiing well.
- Backpack of approximately 30 litres with good alpine features such as ski carry (diagonal or a-frame) & avalanche tool pocket
- Avalanche Transceiver (pref 3 Antenna Digital), Shovel, Probe. We can arrange rental of avalanche gear, but it’s our philosophy that committed off-piste skiers should own this gear & be well practiced in it’s use for their own safety & the safety of their ski partners.
Suggested:
- Helmet
- Shell Jacket & Pants, Gore-Tex recommended
- Down or Primaloft ‘Puffy’ layer
- Merino base layers
- Merino socks
- Warm winter gloves and spring gloves
- Goggles with low light lens and sunglasses suitable for glacier touring
- Woollen Beanie and wide brimmed hat for sun protection while touring
- Climbing Harness, Ice Axe, Crampons (if you have them)
How do I get to Chamonix?
Since the advent of the Gulf airlines (Emirates/Etihad/Qatar) it has never been easier to get to Chamonix – one stop, well timed flights from Australia to Geneva are also very affordable, and Chamonix is only one hour from the airport. While the flights are long, it’s certainly an easy trip. Our travel partner Kate Gleeson from Allure Travel can assist with arranging flights – call 03 95292363 or email.
If arranging your own flights, please ensure you arrive in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday March 11th 2018 and depart on Sunday March 18th 2018. If you are arriving from other locations in Europe by road/rail please contact us.
Deposits, Payments & Cancellations
A 20% deposit is required at time of booking to secure your position on the tour – we are now accepting deposits. This deposit is refundable up to 90 days prior to commencement of the tour.
Payment in full is required 90 days prior to the commencement of the tour (11th December 2017). If making a booking within 90 days of the tour, full payment will be required to secure your position.
Cancellations outside 90 days are fully refundable. Inside 90 days they will be at the discretion of aussieskier Pty Ltd – we understand that unforseen events do occur and will assess cases individually. Travel Insurance with Cancellation protection is highly recommended.
Full Terms and Conditions – Click Here
The aussieskier Team
You might know Richard & Nicole from their aussieskier days as ski retailers, but before this came a wealth of experience as high-end ski instructors. With a combined 30+ winters experience, both Richard and Nicole are fully qualified instructors who divided their time between Mt Buller and resorts in the USA, most notably Deer Valley where they specialised in private instruction. Deer Valley has been consistently voted #1 resort in numerous US magazine polls, with the main driver being the level of service that is beyond reproach. Richard & Nicole thrived in this atmosphere and spent many years co-ordinating the holidays of their private clients & providing them with experiences beyond all expectations.
