DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
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Chamonix has inspired generations of skiers and is world famous as an off piste Mecca for very good reason! It’s one of the most incredible mountain ranges in the world, with almost limitless options for skiing away from the crowds, and riding powder as steep and deep as you dare. But what if you’re just starting out? Simple! Join one of our Off Piste Ski Clinics to take your skiing from confident on piste to confident – and safe – off piste, and open up a whole new world! Our 5 day off-piste clinics focus on improving your off-piste technique and confidence, and doing a lot of skiing (because it’s fun!) along the way. Flexibility is the key - at times a more structured instructional session is appropriate and at others on the hoof coaching is better. Keeping it relaxed and fun, we think, is the way forward... Having an IFMGA guide and a top qualified BASI offpiste instructor gives the optimum balance of skills, from seeking out the best skiing - which may be on a glacier, to avalanche awareness training, to expert tuition. Our unusually low ratios ensure quality coaching for everyone. You will come away from the week a better skier and more versed in avalanche safety. You can expect to be skiing all day from first lift (legs allowing!) with some warm up runs to start with. Chamonix has truly world class off piste skiing. We will be skiing all around Chamonix making the most of the best conditions available; this is likely to include skiing on the glaciers off les Grands Montets and from the Aiguille du Midi (conditions allowing). The week is mainly based on accessing the back country directly from lifts, but is also likely to include some short boot packing. Our courses are based in our Chamonix centre chalets, and the emphasis is on having a fun holiday as much as structured learning!
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DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
05/11/2014 16:50
Our courses are aimed at anyone with a good enough level of skiing to venture off piste . We split our clinics so that everyone on the course is at a similar level and looking for similar things out of the clinic. If you have specific goals, let us know! Our intermediate courses are for anyone who is has spent a reasonable amount of time skiing in off piste conditions and are comfortable in steep, deeper conditions. INTRO I have skied off piste at least several times and may have had some off piste instruction. I dream of effortlessly cruising fluffy powder away from the crowds, but at the moment, I’m not quite there! I struggle to link more than a few turns at a time and often have to traverse to avoid losing control or falling. I have limited control over where I turn and I’m afraid of picking up too much speed. I fall or stop frequently. I am looking forward to an intensive week improving my off piste technique! INTERMEDIATE I am an off piste skier with varying success and have skied at least 1-2 weeks predominantly off piste. I can link, without traversing, at least 5 – 10 turns together with reasonable control, style and speed, down the fall line, in most snow types. Deep/heavy snow and crust are still a problem. I usually don’t fall unless the snow is very heavy/deep or crusty. I may not like icy slopes but can ski them in control. FITNESS LEVEL: A - I can ski all day from first lift, only taking short breaks every so often. I can ski about 4000+m per day. I could hike up to an hour most days. Meet: We meet Sunday evening at 6pm in Chamonix to run through the plan for the week. We finish up on Friday after skiing and recommend you get a return flight on Sunday (you have a free-skiing day on Saturday). Dates: January to April. Courses run throughout the winter season.
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DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
05/11/2014 16:50
Our itinerary is totally flexible, and subject to change according to the weather and conditions. Our guides and instructors are experts at finding the best terrain and snow and will make sure you get the most out of the week! Sunday: Arrive at the chalet and welcome by your hosts. A chance to hire gear, sort out a lift pass etc and your instructor will meet you in the evening to chat through the plan for the week, conditions and your aspirations. Monday: On and off piste coaching with our BASI instructor. Tuesday: Further coaching from our BASI instructor, exploring different off piste terrain. Wednesday - Friday: More advanced off piste coaching and exploring the off piste potential of the region with our BASI instructor and IFMGA Guide. By Friday your skiing will have come a long way and you will have sampled much of the best off-piste terrain the area has to offer. You will be more versed in off-piste safety and will have done more skiing in this week than probably any week before! Saturday: Free skiing day, without a guide or instructor, skiing where/when you want, putting your new skills into practice! Sunday: Departure
DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
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Good fitness will make it more fun and you’ll get more out of your week! Although we will tailor the course to your ability, we definitely recommend getting as fit as possible before you start. The process of training for your goal will help you focus on your goal - and having a goal will help you focus on your training. So all in all training is good! Back country skiing and ski mountaineering is all about being able to exercise at a moderate intensity for several hours, and your training should reflect this. Probably the best training is cycling as this targets similar muscle groups and prepares the mind (exercising for long periods in poor weather requires mental strength!). However not everyone has the opportunity to do this and so alternatives such as jogging and gym workouts are also good. The focus should be on training Cardiovascular Endurance as well as Strength for long days in the mountains - for cardio cycling/running/rowing machines are much better than weight training. Try and exercise for up to a couple of hours at a time at least twice a week. Try yoga, swimming, pilates etc too to help with core stability and balance. Squats and cycling are a good way to strengthen your legs. Remember to build up your workouts over time. If you are not used to exercising much, your muscles and joints need time to build up to avoid injury.
The effects of Altitude Chamonix is at an altitude of 1100m and it is rare that one would suffer from altitude sickness at such a level. However, the lifts in the Chamonix valley take you up to an altitude of 3842m which can at times have an effect on how you feel. As you climb higher the air gets thinner and so there is less oxygen in each breath we take. The higher we go the less oxygen there is. This makes exercising much harder work than at sea level, so we have to slow down to help compensate. Because we have slowed down, we may feel colder. Because there is less oxygen in the air as we get higher, this can lead to ‘altitude sickness’ or Acute Mountain Sickness which may include headache, nausea, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and can develop into a very serious and even fatal (in extreme cases) problem. In reality on a back country skiing week, it’s unlikely you will have any lasting effects from altitude – however, it’s something to be aware of, and let your guide know if you experience any problems. Insurance We strongly recommend getting specialist travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical and mountain rescue. Make sure that it covers glaciated mountaineering and climbing. We recommend the Dogtag (http://www.dogtag.co.uk/home.aspx) – they have comprehensive policies and a good reputation.
Try and choose an activity that you enjoy and keep a note of what you do and your times – this really helps with keeping the motivation up. If you are not used to training then your local gym will be able to advise you on a plan and schedule to help you achieve your goals. Training does not work overnight! The fittest athletes train as part of their lifestyles and have been doing it for years. Consider training for a good couple of months before coming out to the Alps.
DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
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Insurance We strongly recommend getting specialist travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical and mountain rescue. Make sure that it covers glaciated mountaineering and climbing. We recommend the Dogtag (http://www.dogtag.co.uk/home.aspx) – they have comprehensive policies and a good reputation. Kit List Unfortunately we can’t recommend a specific brand and model for each item on the kit list, as what is available is constantly changing and, of course, different people are different shapes and sizes with different budgets! However, in general, we use and endorse Sherpa for clothing and Black Diamond for kit because in our experience they are excellent… If you go to a good retailers such as Snow & Rock, explain to them you will be back country skiing and they will be able to advise you on what is best for you. Bring this list with you…
4. Rucksack - 40-50l. with ski straps 5. Water bottle 6. Transceiver, probe, shovel, harness with 1 screw gate karabiner (can be rented in Chamonix) 7. sunglasses, goggles, sunhat, sunscreen, lip salve/ block 8. 3 sets socks and light coloured thermal tops 9. Lightweight Gore-Tex top/bottoms, warm hat, thick gloves, thin gloves 10. Insulating layers. I use a thin ‘100’ weight fleece and a synthetic duvet jacket (thin). 11. Personal first aid - blister kit, ibuprofen. 12. Cash for additional hot drinks / snacks on the mountain Remember kit should be lightweight but functional - you have to carry it! We can help with equipment rental in Chamonix.
Lastly, if necessary it is possible to rent most hardware items in Chamonix. You can hire boots too, but this is a last resort (no one likes uncomfortable boots). 1. Skis for off piste skiing - we recommend skis that you will enjoy skiing on, but are not too heavy/stiff. They should be ‘fat’ but not too fat. Wider skis make it easier to ski off piste, but too wide can be hard to control and hamper your technique progression. We would recommend an underfoot width of 80-90mm. 2. Poles 3. Boots - these must fit and be comfortable. We feel it is best not to rent boots. Rather buy some and have them fitted professionally - this will make your week much more comfortable, fun and blister free! ‘Fit’ is more important than whether a boot is ‘stiff enough’ or not.
DREAM-GUIDES.COM INFO@DREAM-GUIDES.COM . +44 (0) 845 564 52 19
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Course Ratio: 1:6 guide: client Course Level: Intro to Intermediate (Advanced skiers can also benefit from the focus on technique) Full Course Price includes: guiding, guides expenses, 7 nights twin share chalet accommodation in central Chamonix on a B&B and packed lunch basis (very convenient!), in resort transport. Full Course Price does not include: insurance, travel to/from Chamonix, equipment rental, drinks/snacks, evening meals in Chamonix (it’s nice to explore the town!), lift pass
Other Information www.chamonix.net is a good source of information about the town, the restaurants and the bars. They also have listings of doctors, dentists and other medical practitioners. There are lots of cash points in Chamonix and Maestro/visa/mastercard are all readily accepted. To find out more about our course, availability, or to ask any questions, please get in touch with us through the website: www. dream-guides.com or by phone on +33 (0)845 564 52 19. Look forward to seeing you soon! Dream Guides - www.dream-guides.com - info@ dream-guides.com – 0845 564 52 19
Course Only includes: guiding and guides expenses only. Getting to Chamonix Once you have booked with us and bought specialist skiing/climbing travel and cancellation insurance (we recommend the Dogtag), it is best to book flights and airport transfers well in advance of your departure. Easyjet have many cheap flights to Geneva from all over the UK. Swiss Air have cheap and convenient flights from London to Geneva. Booking a place on a minibus airport transfer service is by far the best way to get from Geneva airport to Chamonix (it takes about an hour or so, is cost effective and is a door to door service). If you have booked Full Course, we can book your airport transfers at a competitive rate – just email us with your flight details… Chalet Accommodation When staying in Chamonix, we stay in one of our comfortable Adventure Base Chalets (www. adventurebase.com), literally 6 minutes’ walk from the town centre’s restaurants and bars. Breakfast and packed lunch are included leaving the evenings free for you to explore the delights of Chamonix. Rooms are normally on a twin share basis. Have a look here for more details and photos: http://www. adventurebase.com/sun/accommodation/slider
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