Ski-touring enhancement in Chamonix
You already have a goo ski-touring level and you would like to discover the Valley of Chamonix and its classics ? Then this trip is made for you !
Itinerary
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Day 1 Dards pass
We meet with our guide and the rest of the group in the city center of Chamonix. We check our technical equipment (renting is possible), the guide will brief us on the following days program and will give us our picnic of the day. We then leave by car towards the hamlet of Les Praz, just outside Chamonix, in order to take the Flégère cable car.
Once at the top, we head towards the Lac Blanc ("White lake"), then towards the west to join the Dards pass at 2790m.
This first day is the perfect opportunity to put ourselves into conditions and verify our personal technical knowledge : the guide will teach us a few skill during the day such as searching with an avalanche transceiver (DVA).Positive difference in altitude : Around 1000m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 1000m | Accommodation : Lodge in the valley of Chamonix
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Day 2 Grands Montets summit (3295m) - Argentière refuge (2771m)
We start our day from the village of Argentière by a cable car ride of Plan Joran and Bochard. Then, we join the ski-touring itinerary to reach the Grands Montets peak by crossing the Rachasses pass. The panorama is impressive ! We will then have some fun on a descent to join the Argentière refuge (2771m) where we will spend the night.
Positive difference in altitude : Around 600m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 500m | Accommodation : Argentière refuge
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Day 3 Argentière pass (3535m)
From the Argentière refuge, we climb up a steep glacier named Tour Noir before reaching the Argentière pass at 3535m. We descend on the Argentière glacier until Logan and finally Argentière where we will find our cars.
Positive difference in altitude : Around 850m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 2400m | Accommodation : Lodge in the valley of Chamonix
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Day 4 Tacul pass (3337m)
Today is an altitude day : very early in the morning, we take the Aiguille du Midi cable car to reach 3842m. The view is unbelievable and Mont Blanc seems within easy reach.
We leave for the longest off-piste of the massif : the Valley Blanche ! We will go to the 'Salle à Manger' at around 2400m to have some lunch before climbing up the Périades glacier. We will make a left towards a nice carved valley leading us to the tacul pass (steep slope on 200m). We descend on the same itinerary until the Tacul glacier and we'll finish in the Valley Blanche before getting back down into Chamonix (or in Montenvers is the path isn't usable).Positive difference in altitude : around 920m | Negative difference in altitude : around 2800m | Altitude Max : 3337m | Accommodation : Lodge in the valley of Chamonix
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Day 5 Bel Oiseau summit (2643m)
Starting from the Swiss village of Finhaut (45min drive from Chamonix), we start climbing the Fenestral valley until the Bel Oiseau pass (2553m). From there, we follow the North ridge towards the main peak : superb belvedere on the Mont Blanc massif as weel as the Aiguilles Rouges. We descend following our tracks, often in powdery snow.
Positive difference in altitude : around 1400m | Negative difference in altitude : around 1400m | Altitude Max : 2643m
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: SRCHAM-PERF
Included
- The technical organization of the stay
- Mountaineering with high-mountain guides
- Collective equipment provided (ropes)
- Safety equipment
- Half-board accommodation in refuges, cottages and lodges
- Lunch picnics
Not included
International flights
Terms and conditions
Subscription
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- More than 30 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of 50€
- From 30 to 21 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of the deposit (30% of the trip’s price)
- From 20 to 14 days before departure, you will be charged for 50% of the trip’s price
- From 13 to 7 days before departure, you will be charged for 75% of the trip’s priceLess than 7 days before departure, you will be charged for the whole trip’s price
- Airline fixed costs: plane tickets are bought in advance to avoid too high airline prices, however they are non refundable in case of cancellation or plan changes. In that case, the charges above apply to the price of your trip without the plane ticket’s price
- Ground fixed costs: you will be charged for the fees that were paid early
- Insurance fees: Insurance fees will not be refunded if you have subscribed to a multi-risk or cancellation insurance. The specific conditions will be written on your subscription confirmationIf you have no choice but to cancel your trip before departure, you must inform Montagne Expeditions and your insurance provider with a written statement as soon as possible, you will get a receipt.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
- Lunch picnics
- Diners : meals prepared by shelter keepers
- Take some race food according to your own tastes (cereals bars, chocolate bars, dry fruits,…).
- Water is not for free in refuges (from 5 to 8 euros one bottle). We advise you to bring some water purification tablets (Aquatabs or Micropur) in order to drink tap water.
- Personal drinks are not included in the trip's price
- Bring cash for coffees, fruit juices, coke or beers during breaks… Shelters usually don’t accept bank card payments and Euros.
Accommodation
- Every refuges of this itinerary are comfortable and warm. Dormitories are equipped with blankets for the night (plan to bring your personal bed sheet for hygiene reasons).
- Slippers are at your disposal : no need to bring trainers.
- We advise you to bring protection against noise (ear plugs).
- A few electrical plugs are available in refuges, but plan to bring an external battery to charge your camera and switch off your phone during the day.
Transportation
- By train : SNCF Saint Gervais les Bains le Fayet train station then the touristic Mont Blanc Express TER to Chamonix. Timetable and prices on : www.voyages-sncf.com
- By road : A40 "Autoroute Blanche" to Chamonix
- In the end of the afternoon in Chamonix (74)
- Le CAF du Tour starting from the end of March (http://chaletdutour.ffcam.fr/), half-board from 42€. Véronique prepares everything herself with organic products. It is our favorite lodge for small budget (20min drive from Chamonix).
- L’hôtel des Campanules (www.hotel-campanules.com), night from 49€. This hotel is easily accessible thanks to the train station of Les Houches. Accommodation near the city center of Chamonix
- Gîte le Chamoniard Volant (http://www.chamoniard.com/), night from 20€.
- L’hôtel du Prieuré*** (www.prieurechamonix.com/fr/index.php)
- L’hôtel Héliopic**** ( www.heliopic-hotel-spa.com)
- Le Gustavia*** (http://www.hotelgustavia.eu/): in front of the central train station of Chamonix.
Budget & exchange
Tips
Supplied equipment
- Collective equipment (ropes)
- Slippers and blankets while in refuges
- Individual safety equipment (beacon, probe and shovel) : thank you for letting us know if you have your own
Vital equipment
- 1 pair of ski touring skis, light and with adapted fixations as well as a break or safety strips, and sharpened
- 1 pair of ski touring shoes with VIBRAM soles
- 1 pair of adhesive seals skin adapted to your skis
- Knifes adapted to fixations
- Poles with large disks
- Safety equipment : beacon, probe and shovel
- crampons with "Antibott" system
- Ice axe
- Harness and carabineers
- Survival blanket
- 1 headlamp with extra batteries and bulb
- Pocket knife
- Thermos
Material
- Windstopper bonnet
- Hat or cap
- Neck scarf
- Sunscreen (high protection) for skin and lips
- Sunglasses for glacier category 4 + ski goggles
- 2 technical breathable long sleeve underwear type "Carline" (no coton which dries too slowly)
- 1 technical and breathable shirt to put under your jumper
- 1 thick fleece jacket
- 1 fuzz jacket
- 1 wind stopper and waterproof jacket type Goretex
- 1 pair of wind stopper mittens (fleece or wool)
- 1 pair of undergloves
- 1 technical and breathable pair of tights type "Carline"
- 1 pair of comfortable mountain trousers
- 1 pair of wind stopper and waterproof trousers type Goretex
- 2 pairs of socks : 1 thin and 1 thick
- 1 bed sheet for refuges
- 1 small toiletry bag with 1 fast drying towel
- Cream for sunburns (Biafine)
- Biodegradable toilet paper
- 1 or 2 100L plastic bags and an overbag to protect your belongings and your bag
- 1 waterproof pouch in which you will put your identity paper, your phone, your money and your insurance/assistance contract with all of your emergency numbers
Luggage
- A comfortable 40L backpack with straps for your skis
- A second bag which will stay at the hotel with your changing clothes
Medicine
- Personal medicine
- Pain reliever (preferably paracetamol)
- Double skin
- Elastoplast
- Local disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-vomiting
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Eyewash
- Light sleeping pills
- Earplugs
- Broad spectrum antibiotic
- Vitamins C
Passport
Visa
- Up to 90 days visit in France : citizens from most countries do not need a visa to visit France.
- Over 90 days visit in France : non-EU or non-EFTA citizens must have a visa to visit France over 90 days.
Identity card
Mandatory vaccines
Health information & recommendations
Weather
Electricity
Local time
Sustainable tourism
- Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
- France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
- Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
- Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
- Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.