Winter Skill Clinics

SKI RANDO
Snow safety GLACIER TRAVEL
Crevasse rescue

Day clinics in the Chamonix mountains

A great opportunity to optimize your skill set for the backcountry

Back for more in 2024!

Be safe this winter while enjoying the mountains and fresh snow with friends
All clinics includes our safety card
Register early space is limited

  • itinerary may vary due to the unpredictable mountain weather forecast and snow conditions
  • meals and accommodation are not included, we can recommend hotels
  • appropriate insurance for rescue & medical costs is important

Women’s backcountry ski camp | 1.5 day

An inspiring, fun and educational all women’s ski touring camp with two female leaders Caroline George (see below for bio) and Chloë Lanthier
Focus |
learning about the physiology of the female athlete, acquire snow mountain skills and ski tour in the beautiful Chamonix mountains.

Friday evening February 3rd | 19h00- 20h30 | Plan B Hotel
Time for apéro, some socializing plus a talk from Chloë on the female athlete physiology, hormones, periods & training and her secret tips on mountain performance.

Saturday February 4th | 08h30 to 16h30 (approximate)
Where | In the Chamonix mountains, we will specify the meeting location closer to the camp dates due to the unpredictable mountain weather and snow conditions.

  • avalanche awareness | what to look for in the avalanche bulletin
  • 3x3 basic | plan at home, reassess in the field, go or no go
  • avalanche rescue gear | what it’s for and how to use it
  • the human factor as the great cause of accident in the backcountry
  • in the field | technique and efficiency ski touring and skiing
  • prerequisite | be able to ski in all types of snow, no ski touring experience needed
  • space is limited to seven women, register early
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
  • ski touring set up with ski touring bindings and boots, skins, probe, shovel, full battery avalanche transceiver beacon
  • backpack 25L minimum
  • packed lunch and drink
  • clothing & gear recommendation will be sent once registered

AVALANCHE COMPANION RESCUE REFRESHER CLINIC

  • half day clinic going over the necessary skills for avalanche rescue
  • single and multiple burial searches
  • organizing and managing a search and rescue
  • updated probing and shoveling protocols
  • calling for rescue & equipment advice
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
  • skis or snowboard
  • avalanche transceiver-beacon, shovel, probe
  • no prerequisite and no need to have touring kit

GLACIER TRAVEL & CREVASSE RESCUE FOR SKI TOURING

  • how to organise your group while skiing in glacial terrain
  • understanding and identifying glacial features & hazards
  • when and how to ski roped together in ascent and descent
  • how to progress in ascent and descent if you get caught in poor visibility
  • intro to crevasse fall | self-rescue techniques
  • snow anchors
  • how to prusik up a rope
  • prerequisite | minimum 5 days ski touring or split board experience, comfortable in different conditions
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
  • ski touring skis or splitboard, skins, backpack (25 litre minimum)
  • avalanche transceiver-beacon, shovel, probe
  • harness
  • 3 Screwgate carabiners
  • 2 Snapgate carabiners
  • 120cm Sling
  • 1 Ice screw (min 16cm)
  • 2 prusik loops or mechanical ascender
  • packed lunch and drink

SKI RANDO CLINIC LEVEL 1

  • Equipment discussion and packing
  • Understanding the avalanche bulletin
  • companion rescue using transceiver | search, technique and procedure protocol
  • skinning techniques
  • kick turns and conversion skills
  • transitions | skins on-and-off, and ski attachment to pack
  • setting a good uphill track and reading terrain
  • no previous ski touring experience needed but comfortable skiing different conditions
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
  • regular ski rando equipment | ski mo gear is optional
  • transceiver, skins, shovel, probe
  • backpack 25L minimum
  • pack lunch & drink
  • ski pass for the day (only if applicable)

SKI RANDO CLINIC LEVEL 2

  • detailed planning and interpretation of avalanche bulletins
  • companion rescue for multiple burials with efficient progression
  • reading terrain and route finding in good and bad conditions
  • decision making in avalanche terrain
  • travel strategies in steep and technical terrain
  • prerequisite | minimum 5 days ski touring experience, comfortable skiing different conditions
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
  • regular ski touring equipment
  • transceiver, skins, shovel, probe
  • backpack 25L minimum
  • pack lunch & drink
  • ski pass for the day (only if applicable)

LEAD GUIDEs AND INSTRUCTORs

JONATHAN BRACEY​

Jon is an IFMGA Mountain Guide based in Les Houches-Chamonix and works year round as a guide with over 17 years experience. He is a leading alpinists with many first ascents across the globe. 

Jon is a very talented mountain endurance athlete, winter and summer. Fun, humble and always eager to share.

Caroline George

Caroline is an IFMGA mountain guide based in the Verbier area with extensive experience climbing and skiing in and around Chamonix. 

Caroline is always in search of growth and learning, both on and off the mountain and uses the mountains as a metaphor for life. She has traveled the world for ice climbing competitions and for personal and professional alpine adventures. 

She always strives to navigate the invisible boundaries of life as a mother, a professional athlete and mountain guide and finds deep gratitude for the rich journey it provides.