Off-Piste Skiing in the Mont Blanc Massif

What you get in this adventure:

• • An experienced, certified Chamonix skiing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • As many days of off-piste skiing as you want
  • Safety equipment (rope, carabiners, ice screws, etc.) when needed
  • Harness and an avalanche transceiver when needed

What’s not included:

• • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
  • Lift passes when needed
  • Transportation
  • Airport transfers
  • Food and snacks
  • Accommodations
  • Personal insurance

There are several things to choose from when skiing in Chamonix, some more beginner-friendly than others.

In general, to enjoy these off-piste adventures, you need to be in great physical shape. Your guide will tailor the tour according to your preferences and previous experience, but expect to be on your feet for 6-8 hours per day. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions and feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs. You will also carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

While Intro to Off-Piste is created for those dipping their toes into the world of backcountry skiing, Lift-Access Skiing can be adapted to any skill level, both to beginners or seasoned skiers. Ski Touring & Ski Mountaineering is ideal for experienced backcountry skiers. For Vallée Blanche Skiing, it’s required that you must be able to ski off-piste with changing snow conditions (fresh snow, powder, crusty, windy, hard…) and that you have a good ski level (at least comfortable on red slopes and have previous experience off-piste skiing. While Vallée Blanche is technically not too difficult, you must have very good physical condition.

Off-piste skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner friendly, meaning anyone with solid blue level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry.

If you’ve never off-piste skied before, heading out with a local skiing 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.

There are several different ski days available, some more beginner-friendly than others. Please let us know if you’re in doubt and need guidance picking out the perfect ski day in Chamonix.

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

• • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
  • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
  • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
    • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
    • Lightweight snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe
    • Harness for glacier travel (for advanced touring)

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 with a warm beverage — optional
  • Food you can eat on-the-go
  • First aid kit
  • Sunscreen
  • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
  • Camera — optional

In most cases, a guiding service can set you up with the equipment and technical gear you need to adventure safely. Prior to your trip, your guide will let you know what gear and equipment you’ll need to bring and what can be provided.

All mandatory gear can be rented from one of the manifold rental shops in Chamonix. if you don’t have your own. You can rent: 

• • Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe 
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles 
  • Splitboards 

Ski rental locations are in Chamonix and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Group sizes and pricing:

• • For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
  • All prices are per person per day.
  • Cost is per person and doesn’t decrease as the group grows. 

Ski touring in Chamonix can be arranged for larger groups. 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.

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 transfers hassle-free? Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location.

In general, everything except Verbier & Courmeyer is accessible by bus and gondola. For Verbier and Courmayeur, 1-2 people can drive with the guide. If there are more than 2 people in your group, you’ll need a car or you can contact us to help you arrange transport. Let us know upon booking!

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Chamonix and Mont Blanc, France, please refer to the official advice for foreign nationals in France and sanitary rules in Chamonix and Mont Blanc.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!