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Ski Tour Long Weekend 2024
Three day ski tour, with 2 nights spent in mountain huts

Group ski touring up the glacier
Course overview
This is an exciting long weekend of ski touring where you can minimise time off work and summit an Alpine mountain. You have three full days ski touring and spend two nights in mountain huts, surrounded by stunning Alpine scenery. The itinerary is flexible to take account of the previous skills and experience.
If you have already had some experience of ski touring, but don't want a full week of touring, this is an ideal long weekend adventure. This course is also ideal to be used as acclimatisation or preparation for one of the famous week long ski tours such as the Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt).
In terms of ski ability you should have some previous ski touring experience, being able to cope with either icy slopes or deep powder. Any mountaineering skills or knowledge of ropes are an advantage, but not essential as all necessary techniques are taught during the weekend.

Skiing ability should be fairly good as although there is only a little steep skiing, the slopes can be icy or rutted in places, with breakable crusts. There is also often more than a little powder on the descents! You will encounter most types of snow conditions.

Dates: these are listed in the column on the right, and they show the live availability from our secure online booking system. When you book online, you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice.


Brief Course Itinerary
Fri At 08:30 you meet your Guide and have an introductory safety briefing. After the Guide has checked your kit you are driven the short distance to start your ski tour. The ski tour up to the mountain hut usually takes between three and five hours through the forests and alpages. The destination mountain hut is usually one of the following; Argentiere or Conscrits Hut (France), Velan Hut or Grand Saint Bernard monastery (Switzerland), Benevolo or Bonatti Hut (Italy), or another suitable location depending on snow conditions. You have a three course dinner cooked for you in the hut. On the approach to the hut you practise your ski touring techniques and use of the avalanche safety / crevasse rescue kit. There is usually the chance to take in a col or a nearby summit either on the way to the hut, or above it after you have dropped off some kit. Guiding ratio 1:6 (max). Night in hut.
Sat There's an Alpine start, to take advantage of the overnight re-freeze, to tour over crisp snow at dawn, as you ski tour towards your objective for the day. There's a choice of heading to a different hut for the night, or returning to the same hut for a second night, to allow you to leave some kit there, so you can ski tour with a lighter pack. The guide will generally make this decision based on the snow conditions, weather forecast, and how busy the huts are. During the morning the objectives could include one of the following;

France - Col du Tour Noir, Col du Passon, Domes du Miages
Switzerland - Mont Velan, Mont Fourchon, Col de Fenetre
Italy - Tete Entre Deux Sauts, Col des Rhemes, Punta Paletta

After some fantastic summit photos, there is the welcome reward of the long ski descent back down to a mountain hut for your second night in the mountains. Again you stay half board, so get a good three course evening meal cooked for you.
Guiding ratio 1:6 (max). Night in hut.
Sun

An early start from the mountain hut to the summit or high pass of an Alpine mountain. For the options outlined before, these might include one of the following;

France - Val d'Arpette, Armancette Glacier, Mont Tondu
Switzerland - Three Cols, Mont de l'Arpille, Col de la Cheval
Italy - Col Malatra, Grand Col Ferret, Grand Vaudalaz 3270m

After some fantastic summit photos, there is the welcome reward of the long ski descent back down to the valley. By late afternoon you are free to depart for home (flights should be after 20:00).

The technical elements covered during the course usually include the following:
Avalanche beacon searches Use of skins and harscheisen Kick turns on steeper terrain
Crevasse rescue and hoists Basic glacier travel ropework Trip planning and preparation
Transceiver detection fields Techniques on touring skis Equipment choice & selection
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionally we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered. Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to the types of route / activity that you will attempt.

Starting the great ski down from the Domes du Miages in fantastic powder
Course Prices
Standard course 3 full days IFMGA guiding, 1:6 max ratio
3 days holiday in total, Friday-Sunday
£799
Live availability Click on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Latest Availability
How to book Secure payments, bonded tour operator
Details of how to book
, click here
Book online
Standard Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide for three days, 2) Chamonix concierge service for logistics, advice and support, 3) Pre course information booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher for our UK shop, 5) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 6) Road / rail transport to and from the start point from Chamonix, 7) Safety briefing before guiding, 8) Two nights half board (dinner, bed, & breakfast) accommodation in mountain hut for you & Guide.
Exclusions: 1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars (not usually required), 3) Ski / boot hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 5) Any accommodation in Chamonix (should not be needed), 6) Road transport outside the Chamonix valley, and any tunnel passes or road tolls as required, 7) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges.
Group sizes: 3 - 6 people per IFMGA mountain guide. For group sizes of over 6 people, there are multiple guides, and the teams travel independently of each other.
Upgrade options: we offer choices of arriving a night earlier, or extending this ski tour, as detailed below.
Extra night? To book the night before, in a Chamonix hotels, a suppliment is c.£120 for a twin.
Extra day? Ski 4 days, with 3 nights in huts, it's just £999pp, based on 3 people booking.
Current course availability

Course Dates
Ski tour long weekend
  • No Dates Available
NOTE: This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are four who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
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Price: £799 Book online

Preparatory trips
Chamonix Off Piste

Avalanche Training

Alternatives
Intro Ski Tour Week
Silvretta Ski Tour


Next trips
Haute Route Ski Tour
Gran Paradiso Ski
Client feedback


We reached the summit of this mountain with clear blue skies and no-one else in sight. An amazing weekend, with a great group, and great snow. I can't wait until next time!

Sandra R , Ski tour long weekend


Great weekend. Thanks again all

Brian M ,
Ski tour long weekend


Picked up some good tips on ski technique, especially for steep kick turns, that will really help me in the future for hut to hut tours

Will S ,
Ski tour long weekend

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Location data for this trip
The trips all start in Chamonix valley in the French Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed via a 90 minute transfer from Geneva airport.
Time Difference
GMT +1hr
Local Currency
€ Euros
Travel from UK
1hr flight
Skis & equipment advice
Because we know it is so important to you to have the most suitable equipment and clothing for off piste skiing and touring, we have devoted a page especially to it, which you can access by clicking on the image, or by clicking here. This page outlines the key equipment you should bring, and gives examples of skis that are suitable for the course. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Suggested reading and kit
View full course equipment list, with examples of kit, click here
Any further questions?
A key part of choosing a company is being able to come and talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know our clients value speaking to real people, getting open and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are British, and our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere in the English Lake District.



Get in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee to discuss your course in person with a trip advisor. Many people opt for this service, and it is an integral part of what we offer, as we are keen to ensure that you are prepared as possible, and that you select a course that is suitable for you. It makes it easier and more enjoyable for you and us, if you are on the right trip.


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