Skiing Across 3 Countries from Chamonix

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 5 days of personalized skiing around Chamonix, both on-piste and off-piste
    • Ski pass and backcountry permits
    • All transportation during the adventure
    • Safety equipment for off-piste skiing (avalanche transceivers, probe,
    • harness, rope, shovel)

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Chamonix
    • Accommodation
    • Meals
    • Personal skiing equipment
    • Travel and rescue/medical insurance — mandatory
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  To enjoy this skiing adventure in the Alps, you need to be in very good physical shape. You will be on your feet for 5-7 hours a day for 5 full days. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs. To prepare, we recommend engaging in various cardio and strength training activities in weeks prior to your adventure.

• What if I’ve never skied off-piste before?

  Off-piste skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner friendly, meaning anyone with solid blue and black level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. This adventure is envisaged as a combination of on-piste and off-piste skiing. The tour’s flexibility ensures that the skiing locations are customized based on your group’s preferences and skill levels, as well as practical considerations like weather conditions.

  If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.

• What do I need to bring?

  For technical ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis with skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Avalanche safety equipment (provided by the guide)

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Gloves and hat
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Water bottle and 1L of water
    • Thermos for hot beverages — optional
    • Sunscreen
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items you may need in a day (around a 30L backpack)
    • Camera — optional (but recommended!)

  You’ll get a chance to discuss your packing list and technical equipment with your guide prior to the adventure. Since you’re going to tackle both on-piste and off-ski runs, the equipment for each day may vary slightly depending on the location and your skiing objectives (for example, riding on skis with or without skins).

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• Can I rent equipment?

  All the technical alpine skiing and ski touring equipment can be rented with the help of your guiding service. They usually rent from the Sanglard Sports gear shop and they can arrange a discount. Keep in mind that your guide will provide avalanche safety equipment as necessary. Contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• What about accommodation?

  Accommodation during your skiing trip in Chamonix offers two possibilities. You can stay in a hotel, with flexible options like half board or dining in Chamonix restaurants. Alternatively, you can opt for an apartment rental, which is both convenient and cost-effective. Your guiding service can assist you in coordinating either of these options. Simply inform them of your preference, and they’ll connect you with their accommodation partners for a smooth arrangement.

• Can this adventure be made private?

  Do you already have a group of like-minded skiing enthusiasts ready to explore Chamonix with you? If you have two or more people, we can tailor a private arrangement just for your group. Going private offers you the flexibility to fully customize your skiing experience, and you can even choose a date that suits your schedule. Whether you’re keen on adventurous backcountry skiing or prefer to stick to the groomed pistes while occasionally venturing off-piste to hone your backcountry skills, both options are on the table. If you have a specific location near Chamonix in mind that you’d like to focus on, we can make that happen too. In essence, opting for a private arrangement transforms the tour into a more personalized adventure. Contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate.
    • The cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows.

  Backcountry skiing around Chamonix can be arranged for larger and for private groups (with a minimum of 2 participants). Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

  If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Chamonix, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA), one hour away. Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make the airport transfer hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop-Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles.

  You will meet your guide in Chamonix on Day 1 some time in the afternoon—the exact time and location will be given to you once your trip has been confirmed. Skiing is not planned on Day 1, so you needn’t arrive before, but if you’re traveling from afar, it is recommended.

• Safety measures around Chamonix

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. 

  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. 

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 35% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid thirty-five (35) days prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to sixty (60) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund, minus a 5% processing fee.
    • For cancellations forty-five (45) to one sixty (60) calendar days in advance, 15% of the total price of the trip will be forfeited.
    • For cancellations thirty (30) to forty-four (44) calendar days in advance, 30% of the total price of the trip will be forfeited.,
    • For cancellations fifteen (15) to twenty-nine (29) calendar days in advance, 75% of the total price of the trip will be forfeited
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
  • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
  • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
  • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
  • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.