FAQ's
How to reach Chamonix from Geneva airport?
Ouibus is comfortable and available all the year round. There are 4 or 5 buses a day and the journey to Chamonix takes about 1h25. The cost is from 19 € each way.
What accommodation is possible in Chamonix?
Previous clients have recommended the following :
Hotel Fleur des Neiges (fleurdesneiges74@orange.fr) is a gite style accommodation, about a 15 minute walk from the centre of Chamonix.
Hotel Oustalet, close to the center and to the Aiguille du Midi lift bottom station, is a high standard 3 stars.
Ice and Orange chalets offer half-board luxury accommodation in Les Bossons, 5 minutes from Chamonix, and in Les Houches.
Where to rent skis in Chamonix
At chamonixski.com shop, Alex and his team are good experts and very welcoming.
What happens in case of bad weather?
If the weather is bad in the Chamonix mountains, the Italian side of the Mont-Blanc range often offers blue sky and is within a 30 minute drive of Chamonix. This is because the 4000m high summits stop the clouds most of the time. In winter many lifts on the Italian side are also included in the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass. In summer time there are also great climbing possibilities in Gran Paradiso range. On the rare occasions the bad weather touches all these places, Chamonix Mountain Guide might suggest you some different activities such as climbing instead skiing, or the ascent of a lower summit than planned, or to postpone to another week or possibly cancel.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, Chamonix Mountain Guide advise that each participant has adequate insurance in case of accident, injury or illness. Policies are offered by the BMC, Snowcard, French Alpine Club and Austrian Alpine Club. Please also check your EHIC is up to date.
Kit List - ski touring
* means that the rental is possible and [..] means that this equipment could be lent by the guide.
Plastic bag for keeping clothes dry
Rucksack 35-50l *, [Helmet]
Head torch, new alkaline batteries
[Ice axe], [Harness] *
Crampons anti balling *
Touring skis * and ski poles, or split board and telescopic poles
Couteaux (ski crampons) and skins *
Ski touring or snowboard Boots *, Socks
[Transceiver], Shovel*, Probe*
Long john, breathable T-shirt, Fleece
Gore-Tex trousers (or light ski trousers), jacket with a hood
Warm Gloves, light gloves, Woolly hat
Sunglasses, Ski goggles
Water bottle and thermal flask, Knife, Snacks
Sun cream
Survival blanket, First aid kit (Aspirin or paracetamol, protection against blisters (Compeed))
Telephone, Camera
Change of t-shirt and socks
Money, Passport
Rescue kit: 2 screw-gate karabiners, 2 slings 120cm, ice screw, 2 prussic loops 60cm 6mm (this kit is optional)
Kit List - ice climbing
* means that the rental is possible and [optional] means that this equipment could be lent by the guide.
Rucksack 35-50l *, [Helmet]
Head torch
[2 technical Ice axes], [Harness with 2 safety carabiners, a belay device, a sling, an auto blocking thin rope] *
Rigid crampons for steep ice*
Poles, or telescopic poles * Snowshoes * sometimes
Warm alpinism boots *, Socks
Long john, breathable tee-shirt, Fleece
Mountaineering trousers (or former ski trousers), jacket with a hood
Down jacket
Warm gloves, light gloves, woolly hat
Sunglasses, Ski goggles
1 liter thermal flask, snacks
Sun cream
Survival blanket, First aid kit (Aspirin or paracetamol, protection against blisters (Compeed))
Telephone, Camera
Money, Passport
Kit List - summer alpine
* means that the rental is possible and [optional] means that this equipment could be lent by the guide.
Plastic bag for keeping clothes dry
Rucksack 35-50l *, [Helmet]
Head torch, new alkaline batteries
[Ice axe], [Harness with a carabiner] *
Crampons anti balling *
Poles, or telescopic poles *
Alpinism boots *, Socks
Long john, breathable T-shirt, Fleece
Mountaineering trousers (or light ski trousers), jacket with a hood
Warm gloves, light gloves, woolly hat
Sunglasses, Ski goggles
Water bottle and thermal flask, knife, snacks
Sun cream
Survival blanket, First aid kit (Aspirin or paracetamol, protection against blisters (Compeed))
Telephone, Camera
Change of t-shirt and socks
Money, Passport