http://www.9vallees.com/en/powder-skiing-chamonix-pxl-86.html Star Chamonix POWDER SKIING SAFARI, CHAMONIX MONT BLANC - FRANCE FROM 1990 DATES 2018 10-17 March - 4 places left Private group of 4 people or more: notify us your preferred dates. *Price based on a private group of 7 people. DESCRIPTION Chamonix is THE destination for those passionate about off-piste skiing and mountaineering. On the streets of this famous high mountain town you will hear many languages spoken. The summit of Mont Blanc, which dominates the sky above Chamonix from its 4810 metres of snow, ice and rocks, gives the town its unique atmosphere. Squeezed between the ranges of Mont Blanc and Aiguille Rouge, the Chamonix valley has an immense ski area divided into 5 parts: Les Grands Montets, Brévent/Flégère, Domain de Balme, Les Houches and Aiguille du Midi/Vallée Blanche.
One day and one night in Courmayeur, Italy will introduce you to the Himalayan side of Mont Blanc and you will traverse its sumptuous glaciers before arriving, by ski, in Chamonix. This safari will be a treat for your eyes and a workout for your legs WHAT YOU WILL DO DURING THE SAFARI You will ski off-piste for 6 days, discovering the largest glacial ski area in Europe. You will ski descents of between 1500 and 2800 metres in virgin snow via the most beautiful summits and passes taking you to new valleys and typical local villages. You will sleep in Italy for one night in the TORINO refuge with impressive views over the Aiguille Noire de Peuterey. You will share a drink with locals and taste their regional culinary specialities made with local ingredients. PROGRAMME DAY 1: Arrival at the Aiguille du Midi Hotel. Rendezvous at 6.30 pm to meet your guide, check everyone s equipment and hand out safety material. Evening meal and night at the hotel. DAY 2: La Balme/Le Tour.
We will head to Le Tour; this small ski area, 15km from Chamonix, offers ideal off piste trails to find your skilegs. DAY 3: Brévent/Flégère. Direction Brévent, just below Chamonix. We will ski facing both the sun and Mont Blanc, a breath-taking panorama! Skiing towards La Flégère will give us the opportunity to ski many different types of snow and slopes, when there is enough snow, it is possible to ski right down into the centre of Chamonix. DAY 4: Les Grands Montets. A superb ski day at the foot of Mont Blanc, thanks to the Grands Montets lift system, the most renowned offpiste ski area in the valley. At the top of the cable car, the snow stays perfect, sheltered under the north face of the La Verte peak. Glaciers run right down to the valley floor, the trails in this ski area are some of the most beautiful that exist in skiing. DAY 5: Courmayeur-Torino Refuge. Off piste day in Italy, on the other side of the Mont Blanc Tunnel. We will ski the Toule glacier, 3462 metres at its highest point, a descent of 1000 metres before rejoining our refuge for the night. DAY 6: Punta Helbronner - Vierge Noire Glacier - Chamonix. After a copious Italian breakfast, we will head for the Helbronner cable car. The modern panoramic cable car offers spectacular views as it takes us up to the Torino refuge. From the summit, a short ski tour with skins up the Vierge glacier allows us access to the long descent towards Chamonix eventually arriving at the Montenvers train. DAY 7: Aiguille du Midi - Vallée Blanche. We cannot come to Chamonix without skiing the famous Vallée Blanche: 24 km of glacier with majestic views. Here, we remain at the heart of the largest glacial ski area in the French Alps, on top of the Aiguille du Midi at 3842 metres, descending 2800 metres to Chamonix DAY 8: Breakfast, the safari ends. Programme subject to change, in order to make the best of prevailing weather and snow conditions.
HOTEL AND REFUGE AIGUILLE DU MIDI HOTEL Making the most of the tranquil Bossons village, the hotel is linked to the centre of Chamonix 3km away by a local bus, running every half hour. For over 100 years the hotel has retained its mountain spirit, warm welcome, good taste and gourmet values. The evening meal is a real gastronomic pleasure, and the hotel boasts a sauna and Jacuzzi to relax in after a full day skiing. RIFUGIO TORINO The refuge Torino is situated at the top of the new panoramic gondola leadin towards Helbronner, between Courmayeur in Aosta Valley and Chamonix-Mont Blanc to Haute-Savoie, in the massif of Mont Blanc, at 3 375 meters in height. The refuge Torino can welcome up to 160 people, distributed in rooms of 4, 6, 8, 10, 14 and 16. The toilet is in common upstairs. Seen the frequent water shortage, we cannot always assure the service of showers and we recommend to use the toilet in moderation. ACCESS TO THE UNTRACKED ITINERARIES From the top of a ski lift, we traverse, hike or skin away from the ski resort to find the secret passages that reward us with descents up to 2000 meters vertical (over 6000 vertical feet) on virgin slopes even after several days of good weather. Your guides will adapt the daily programme according to the weather conditions, your skills and mood. INCLUDED GUIDE 9V: Registered professional mountain guide U.I.A.G.M.
MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are provided by our hotels and are made with fresh dairies and local ingredients. ACCOMODATION: Half-board 7 nights. - Half-board 6 nights in comfortable hotels***, twin rooms with shower or bath. - Half-board 1 night without baggage in a comfortable mountain hut with shower. LIFT PASSES: 6 days ski passes for all the ski resorts we cross. TRANSPORTATION: All transportation along the route during the safari for participants and baggage. SAFETY KIT: Shovel, avalanche probe and avalanche beacon are lent to each participant for the week, must be worn under your jacket and turned on at all times while skiing. If you have your own, bring it! EXTRAS RESCUE INSURANCE: Compulsory for all trips in Europe, even those that only ski at the resorts, for mountain rescue, assistance, transportation to nearest hospital, etc. Contact us if you need more info! TRIP INSURANCE (Check your credit card policy): Trip insurance covers the full price of the trip for cancellation before the Safari, or it covers partial costs in case of interruption of the Safari for any reason. LUNCH & DRINKS: Often group members will pool their money for lunch and wine at the dinner table. Lunchs are often picnic on the mountain however when the weather is bad it is very nice to stop on a small dry and warm hut for a traditional meal. Guide lunch is to be offered by the participants.
SINGLE ROOMS: (30 per day) Extra privacy each night for individuals traveling alone who would like extra space. WIDE SKIS W/ TOURING BINDINGS: (25 per day) For the ultimate fun factor, we'll get you set up on a great pair of powder skis with touring bindings and skins! AVALANCHE AIR BAG RUCKSACK: (15 per day): 30 years of research and development have made the ABS airbag system what it is today. A sophisticated and proven system that aims to prevent burial in an avalanche and help victims pulled along by the snow mass to come out as unharmed as possible. ABS backpacks are recognized worldwide. AIRLINE TICKETS: Domestic and international flights. GROUP EQUIPMENT (PROVIDED BY 9V) SAFETY KIT: Including shovel, avalanche probe and avalanche beeper: Must be worn by each participant at all times off-piste. If you have your own, please bring it. Indicate whether or not on booking form. SAFETY AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT: Each guide will have all that is necessary for the safety of his group in his rucksack : radio or mobile phone, first aid kit, tools for repair, space blanket, rope, shovel, avalanche probe...). The guide may ask you to carry such equipment in your rucksack. If you are an experienced mountaineer with your own equipment, bring it with you. WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING TOURING SKIS: 9V guides use and recommend wide skis that make all kinds of deep snow fun, allow you to
carve on piste and on any hard snow, are light enough to use with touring bindings to go uphill with skins in order to garantee access to untracked snow. CLOTHING: Remember that most of your time will be spent in ski wear. At any time of the season, weather can be sunny and warm, or bitterly cold, windy, snowy or rainy. If properly equipped, you'll enjoy the skiing, whatever the weather. We ski in all conditions. Bring bad weather gear with you, as during major snowstorms we ski fantastic powder in the forest. Plan to have extra clothing and gear in your rucksack each day, which will enable you to adapt to all changes in temperature and weather. Temperature varies with altitude about 10 c. per 1000m. Therefore, the difference in temperature between the valley and the summits will be about 20 c., and even more considering wind chill factor. DAILY RUCKSACK: Small rucksack for daily necessities. 32 liters will be a good choice. Inside your pack you should have: - Goggles with double anti-fog screen orange for bad weather and mirror lens for sun. - Scarf or neck-warmer to protect against wind, cold, sun or powder. - Sunscreen for lips and face (high protection). - Pocket knife for picnics. - Foil Blanket in case of accident (or even chair lift breakdowns). - Spare glove if you fall often! - Beverages, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, muësli bars... - Shovel and probe. If you have your own, bring them. Your guide may give you such equipment to carry on. - Optional: Camera, video or binoculars. SPECIALITIES FOR THE 9V GRAND BUFFET : On Sunday, lunch will be made up of all the specialities brought by the participants, from the homeland or elsewhere. All will be spread out on a table to share. They must be transportable in your rucksack and edible without cooking or drinkable. This lunch will be one of the finest meals you can imagine.
HOW TO GET TO HOTEL L AIGUILLE DU MIDI - F 74400 - CHAMONIX MONT BLANC, FRANCE BY CAR: Easy access from Paris, Lyon or Geneva, follow the signs for Chamonix from the Autoroute Blanche (A40) and take the exit for Les Bossons, Exit 30 (3km before Chamonix). BY TRAIN : On the Mont-Blanc Express line from St Gervais-les-Bains / Le Fayet to Vallorcine (train stop - Gare des Bossons only 150m from the hotel) BY AIR : Geneva airport is just 1 hour away by car. Airport transfers, taxis or buses available. For minibus transfert you can click here.