Detailed program for the 2-day ski touring initiation, at the refuge des Prés.
The day before
Appointment at 6.30 pm at the guides' office where you will meet your guide.
Day 1
Col de la fenêtre 2245M
Appointment at 8:15 am in front of the ticket offices of the gondola of Notre-Dame de la Gorge in Les Contamines-Montjoie, for a check of the equipment and safety instructions.
We take the ski lifts to reach the top of the ski area and then we will descend off-piste on the Bolchu sector. From there we start the climb to the Col de la Fenêtre (or to the Col de la Cicle if the level of the group allows it). Superb descent facing Mont Blanc, to reach the new refuge des Prés, nestled in the snow. During the afternoon the guide will set up a complementary avalanche victim detector exercise around the refuge: the terrain is perfect for that!
Elevation: + 300 to 600m / - 300 to 600m
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Day 2
Discovery day
After a hearty breakfast, the program will be set up: several possibilities are available to us such as, for example, the Col de la Cicle by its North face, a climb to the Jovets Lakes or the Col du Bonhomme...
There are many variations in this area, your guide will choose the perfect slope according to the conditions and the technical level of the group.
We will descend by refuge de La Balme and Nant Borrant to end at Notre Dame de la Gorge where we will find the cars.
Elevation: + 400 to 600m / -1200m
Duration: 6h to 7h
The guides could be led to change the program depending on the weather conditions, the mountains and the level of the participants.
Register either directly online, or by returning the completed 2025 registration form to us by email, dated and signed.
For further information, please contact us by e-mail or telephone on +33 (0)4 50 47 76 55 (Saint-Gervais) or +33 (0)4 50 47 10 08 (Les Contamines). We’ll be happy to guide you in the realization of your project.
All the practical information for the 2-day ski touring introduction.
Group sessions
Private sessions
every day from mid-December to the end of April depending on conditions and availability at the refuge.
If you are alone and want to benefit of a better price, you can choose the group formula.
Price of the group session
€430 / person
Price of the private sessions
1 participant: €1220 per person
2 participants: €710 per person
3 participants: €520 per person
4 participants: €440 per person
5 participants: €390 per person
6 participants: €350 per person
The price includes
The price does not include
6 people per guide maximum.
Departure from 4 people for group sessions.
You will be supervised by a mountain guide.
For good skiers in good physical condition, used to off-piste (class 2 level in ESF).
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any doubt about the level required.
You will evolve on an unmarked high mountain route, you must be aware of the dangers associated with this activity (avalanches, very low temperatures, etc ...).
To be covered by an insurance «assistance-repatriation» is mandatory to participate in our stays. If you do not have «assistance-repatriation» insurance, we can offer you one at the price of €5 per day. We also offer optional «cancellation» insurance at the price of €12 per day. This insurance does not take into account the sporting character of our stays. More information in the cancellation and assistance repatriation insurance booklets.
Appointment at 6.30 pm at the Saint-Gervais guides' office (in the tourist office of the village) where you will meet your guide. If you cannot be present, the briefing can be done by phone. More details about how to travel by public transportation can be found on our "contact" page.
Avec notre partenaire Haglöfs, retrouvez nos conseils d'expert pour vous aider dans le choix de votre équipement technique pour l'alpinisme, le trekking ou le ski de randonnée.
Technical equipment
You can rent the technical equipment at:
For Saint Gervais: Blanc Sports or Sports Unlimited
For les Contamines : Intersport, Au virage or Sport 4807
Clothing
Accessories
Do not hesitate to contact us if you need some advice for your physical training, the selection of your equipment or the organization of your trip.
