This is what its all about. Finding the best snow and knowing how to ski it. Chamonix has some of the worlds most accessible of piste terrain
First we need to improve our skills on the piste
Practicing drills on the piste prepares you physically and mentally for the next stage
We take our upgraded skills into deeper snow. Then we work on our off piste skills and deeper snow skiing strategies.
During the week we will visit many of the areas in and around chamonix in search of the best skiing conditions
The Grand Montets is one of the Areas we visit
From here we have a wide range of skiing and touring options
Fresh tracks on the Valley Blanche. We caught these conditions just right. We had the place to ourselves
The second part of your week will be spent learning touring and safety techniques. To get to the best snow sometimes you need to hike
Fritschi Ski Touring Binding are one of the new breed of touring and downhill binding that we use
Lightweight Dynafit Ski Touring Binding are great when you want a light ski for walking up hill
Putting 'skins' on the base of the ski for climbing up to a Col mountain hut or just to get to that untracked powder.
On the way up to the Vittorio Sella hut in the Gran Paradiso
Margo Barry Executing a kick turn on a steep climb.
Our B.C trip prepares you for other trips that we run such as in this photo where we are crossing the Glacier towards the Pigne D'Arolla on the Haute Route
Practicing using an avalanche transiever at Grand Montets is an essential part of learning to survive in the back country
Robbie demonstrating a shovel shear test to access snow stability. Avalanche reports are one thing but we need to be able to assess conditions ourselves
Is this a weak layer? What will it be like higher up?
The arete at the Aiguille du Midi on the way into the Vallee Blanche
The start of the exist arete at the Aiguille du Midi
Skinning to get to a variant of the Valley Blanche during good snow conditions.
Having a break during a day tour off the Argentiere Glacier.
Great views on a sunny ski tour
Valley Blanche
Skiing through glacial terrain.
Fresh tracks on the glacier. What next....Norway? the Haute route? The Gran Paradiso?......after a week like this you will be well prepared.
