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The focus of this week is exactly as it says – Going for Gold! You’ll spend 6 days split between mountain guides and instructors who will help take your skiing to the next level, utilising every corner of Chamonix’s incredible backcountry.
What's Included
What’s included:
- Seven nights chalet accommodation with hot tub
- Six nights chalet board
- Six days with instructors and mountain guides
- In resort transportation
- Transceiver if required
What’s not included
- Flights
- Transfers
- Lunches (Approx €25 a day)
- Ski Passes
- Ski/boot hire
- Backpack, metal shovel and probe (mandatory)
On Snow Experience
This trip includes three days ski instruction and three days guiding with our expert team. You’ll be split into groups of maximum 6 based on your ski profile. This is aimed at ambitious Purple skiers who are aiming to receive their Gold ski profile grading at the end of the week. You should arrive fit and ready to go! To achieve Gold, you will need to demonstrate you can ski fluently and safely in all conditions, that you enjoy challenging terrain and have excellent knowledge of mountaincraft. Please note that where possible the lift system will be used to access off piste terrain, however if you need to venture further afield in order to access the best off piste conditions, then your guide/instructor may suggest ski touring. This will all be dependent upon conditions and the guides you have on your trip. For the duration of the trip you will also have a minibus available to take the group to any of the different Chamonix valley ski areas, St Gervais, Les Contamines or even over the border to Courmayeur in Italy. So, are you ready for the challenge?
Guides, Chalet Hosts and Ski Club Rep
Kathy Murphy
Originally from the Lake District in the UK, Kathy worked as an Outdoor Activities Teacher, later specialising in climbing, skiing and mountaineering. Her climbing activities have taken her to North and South America, Africa and Asia as well as over 20 Alpine seasons in Europe. Kathy now spends most of her time in the Alps. During the winter her main activities are off-piste skiing and ski touring. Summertime is spent in Switzerland, where she often works for the International School of Mountaineering, Leysin.
Andy Jerram
Andy has been a long standing member of the BASS Team in Chamonix and his calm, enthusiastic approach is loved by all. Outside skiing, he spends his summers on waterski lakes, waterskiing and wakeboarding.
Josh & Elle
Elle - Hi I’m Elle, I’m 28 years old, a proper Yorkshire lass, and now on my fourth season chalet hosting in the glorious French Alps. No one in my family is a skier, so I learnt when I was 16 on my school ski trip to Saalbach, Austria. I was instantly hooked from just my first few runs, and my complete lack of fear meant that I didn’t hold back! I then started dry slope ski racing at university as it was so incredibly cheap to do, and spent four years pounding the dendex and smashing slalom gates, even competing nationally. By the time I did my first season, I was a nifty speed demon on the pistes… but absolutely useless off them! So I’ve been spending my last few winters learning to ski off-piste, which has grown into a love of free ride, touring and the backcountry. I also picked up snowboarding whilst on seasons and now spend half my time on the mountain on one plank instead of two. In the summer time you can find me leading children’s art classes, getting out in nature, and practicing my recipes for the winter. Josh and I met at university when we were 20 and both took a very active role in the snowsports club - Josh as president and I as race captain. We’ve been together for nearly eight years now and have successfully run four chalets together in La Plagne, Flaine, and now Chamonix.
Josh - Hi, I'm Josh. I'm 28 and grew up in the UK. This will be my 5th season chalet hosting in the alps, having spent 3 years working in La Plagne in the Paradiski, followed by a year in Flaine running Ski Club's Freshtracks chalets in the Grand Massif. Elle and I have run a number of different chalets between us, ranging in size up to 19 guests, so you'll be in good hands! We loved working for Ski Club in Flaine last year, and we're always looking for a new adventure, so we jumped at the opportunity to run the new Freshtracks Chalet in Chamonix. It's an amazing town and ski area with a massive amount of history so we're very excited to make it our (and your!) home for the winter.
I've been skiing for many years, 4 or 5 of which I spent ski racing, but since I started living in the Alps over winter, I have focused more and more on off-piste and touring. There's nothing Elle and I love more than a great powder day, but to be honest we're just at our happiest out in the mountains regardless of the conditions. Nowadays, we both ski and snowboard and love both equally. We can't wait to see what this season has in store!In the summer I like to skateboard, mountain bike, fish and hike, and work as a sales engineer for a scientific research equipment company as my academic background is in Physics.
Clive Tayton
Been skiing since a schoolboy and love it as much now as when I first started. Having done instruction, racing, snowboarding and ski ballet over the years, these days I prefer to ski off piste wherever safely possible, and enjoy the freedom that brings to exploring much more of the mountains.
Find out more about this trip ...
We are ATOL and ABTOT protected so you can book with confidence knowing your money is secure.
Our holidays are a great way to meet and ski with other members of a similar ability to you.
Have questions? Call now and talk to our friendly team of holiday experts on 020 8410 2022.
Ready to Book?
Prices Include
7 nights chalet accommodation, 6 days with instructors and mountain guides, minibus in resort
A course only option is available for £755, please call the Freshtracks office to discuss this further.
Prior to booking, it is essential that guests have the correct ski profile for the holiday. See our profiles here.
| Start date | End date | Ski Profile | Peak Experience | Availability | Price | Deposit | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start date | 01-02-2025 | End date |  08-02-2025 |
Ski Profile |
|
Peak Experience | Availability | Sold out | Price | Deposit | ||||
| Start date | 01-03-2025 | End date | 08-03-2025 |
Ski Profile |
|
Peak Experience | Availability | 5 spaces | Price | From: £1825 | Deposit | £300 |
Book with confidence - the Ski Club is ABTOT and ATOL protected
Chamonix is world-renowned for its challenging runs, extreme off piste terrain, and striking alpine scenery.
The valley is home to four ski areas – the Grands Montets, Brévent-Flégère, Les Houches and the Domaine de Balme, and limitless off piste terrain. Each possess some seriously tough runs, but there are also options for beginner and intermediate skiers and boarders. Getting between them requires using the valley bus service, or driving to the lifts each morning. Chamonix is a long-established, year-round working town, with a permanent population of around 12,000. This in turn means it is lively and is very well catered for in terms of après, restaurants, shops and accommodation.
The resort is home once again to our Chamonix Freshtracks Chalet, offering a varied programme of off piste, all mountain and touring holidays across the region.
Beginner
Fast lifts
Intermediate
Resort Activities- Advanced
Aprés- Snow
- Value
From powder bowls and demanding couloirs to impressive glacial routes in dramatic scenery, Chamonix is an off piste skier’s paradise.
Pros and cons
- World-famous off piste and steep terrain
- Stunning views wherever you are
- Great choice of other ski areas on Mont Blanc Unlimited lift pass
- Bustling town with lots going on
- Separate mountains are not the easiest to get to
- Bad weather can shut the best runs
- Still some old lifts and serious queues in key spots
- Not much for beginners and limited extent for intermediates
Chalet Freshtracks, Chamonix
On this holiday you’ll spend seven nights on a chalet board basis in our chalet situated in the heart of Chamonix town, close to the Brevant lifts. The chalet accommodates up to 10 people in 6 ensuite rooms bedrooms and this unique historic property will be a comfortable base for the group to relax at the end of the day along with the outdoor hot tub. Chalet board includes daily continental breakfast on 7 mornings, plus hot options on 5 mornings and a three course evening meal on 5 nights. Crémant and canapes on the first and last evening, delicious local cheeseboard on two nights, plus a prepared a meal for a sixth evening. Wine is also provided with dinner each night.
This holiday is on a twin share basis. If you are a solo traveller, then you will be placed in a room with someone of the same gender. Single rooms may be available upon request, please book early to avoid disappointment.
Chalet Freshtracks, Chamonix
14 Rue Mummery, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
Ready to book?
Travel Information
Travel is not included on this holiday in order to allow you to choose the most convenient travel arrangements. Check in is between 16:30 and 18:30, as your rep will be conducting a welcome meeting on the first evening before dinner. If you plan to arrive earlier than 16.30, you may be able to drop your bags in the chalet ski room with prior arrangement and can then head in to Chamonix centre just a few minutes walk from the chalet. Check out is 9am on the departure day, please make sure your onward travel arrangements fit around this time, no bags will be able to be left in the chalet after check out due to changeover.
The closest airport to Chamonix in Geneva. There are a number of transfer companies that offer shared shuttle transfers between Geneva Airport and Chamonix, including Mountain Drop Offs, who offer all Ski Club members a discount using promo code SCGBCHX . See our discounts page here for all transfer offers.
If you are planning on driving to resort, please note there is no parking at the chalet but there are a limited number of open ‘on street’ places to park a short distance away. There are also a number of multi storey and underground car parks in central Chamonix such as Parking St Michel and Parking du Brevant, charging around €15 per day.
Confirmation
Once the holiday has been confirmed, please send your flight details (flight numbers, arrival and departure time) to the Freshtracks Team via email to ku.oc.bulciks@sloh.
Ready to book?
What You Need to Know
If you require ski hire, we recommend the Concept Pro Shop Chamonix. This is located behind the Aiguille du Midi cable car, a 15-20 minute walk, or short bus ride away from the chalet.
They offer a 20% discount to ski club members and have a great array of equipment which can be booked in advance. A link will be emailed to you with your itinerary. Your rep will help you with collection of your kit upon arrival in resort.
Alternatively Skiset offer members good discounts also. The closest Skiset shop is a 10 minute walk from the chalet. Pre-book online via the Ski Club website, and you will receive a discount on your ski hire.
There are some other shops close to the chalet which could off more convenience.
Touring kit can normally be easily rented in resort – particularly at our recommended outlets. Skins will normally be included as part of the touring ski package. Call the Freshtracks team on 020 8410 2022 for a more detailed kit list.
Please see below prices for the 24/25 season
01/02/2025 – 08/02/2025 : Andy Lapham
01/03/2025 – 08/03/2025 : Clive Tayton
01/02/2025 – 08/02/2025 : Andy Jerram & Kathy Murphy
01/03/2025 – 08/03/2025 : Andy Jerram & Kathy Murphy
It is a condition of booking that you have valid and adequate snowsports insurance. It is your responsibility to ensure your policy provides cover for all the activities that you participate in during your holiday.
We offer a Ski Club Insurance policy which provides the cover we require for all bookings. This policy can be found here: Ski Club Travel Insurance – Ski Club Of Great Britain
If you decide to purchase insurance elsewhere, it is your responsibility to ensure that your policy provides cover as that of the Ski Club Insurance policy. The policy of insurance should provide cover for personal injury, death, medical and repatriation costs in the countries which you intend to visit, together with cover for loss of baggage and valuables, personal liability, delay, cancellation, curtailment, missed departure and legal expenses. The policy should also include cover against losses caused by the effects or consequences of Covid-19.
Due to the type of holidays that you will be booking with us, we also advise that your policy should include skiing off-piste without a guide. Please note, insurance premiums must be paid at the same time as booking in order for the package holiday or single service cancellation cover to be effective. It is also advised to keep your insurance details with you while you are on your holiday. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.
Passport – Check your passport is in date and valid for travel by checking the entry requirements for your destination country – you can see these here: Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
For most European destinations your passport should:
- have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
- have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area
Check your passport meets these requirements before you travel.
NB: Starting in 2025 (Date TBC) travel authorisation will be required to travel withing Europe – find out more here ETIAS (europa.eu)
When venturing off piste, it is compulsory to wear an avalanche transceiver. These can be provided by the Ski Club and should be worn by every person on every all mountain, off piste and touring holiday. Anyone joining these holidays will also be required to bring their own backpack, metal shovel and probe.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Any Member wishing to ski/snowboard with a Ski Club Group, in any of the resorts where the Ski Club is represented, agrees to do so under the following conditions:
- You appreciate that the Ski Club Rep is a volunteer with no formal qualifications as an instructor or mountain guide.
- You also appreciate that no other member of the group undertakes any obligations to you concerning your safety for which you remain solely responsible.
- You must ensure that your equipment is in good working order before setting off for the day and that you are suitably clothed for the proposed itinerary and all possible weather conditions.
- You must decide whether or not a particular run or route is within your competence.
- You must ensure that you are properly equipped for that day. If you are skiing off piste you must have a shovel, probe and transceiver, and know how to use them. If you are using a Ski Club transceiver, it is your sole responsibility to know how to use it.
- It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you are suitably insured for the activities intended to be undertaken.
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