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Pro Guiding Service
Domestic & International Trips & Courses with Professionally Trained Mountain Guides
Trip

Ski Bus Adventure Week

Overview

Two hotels, three countries, and six days of skiing some of the best kept secrets in the Alps. This trip will meld together ski touring, freeride skiing and ski mountaineering to give you the best of all worlds. Utilizing the world class lift infrastructure in Chamonix, Zermatt and Saas-Fee, we will share our favorite ski tours and descents and you’ll feel like a local traveling with our guides.

$3,500 Per Person
6 Days
Difficulty
Ratio:
4:1

Trip Information

$3,500
Price based on 3 skiers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com

Chamonix, Zermatt and Saas-Fee are world class resorts in the Alps with an amazing lift infrastructure and we intend to use it. During the Ski Bus Adventure Week we will expose a group of adventurous skiers to some of the best known and some of the not so well known ski tours and ski descents of the Savoy and Valaisan Alps. We know the Alps and especially the Swiss Alps. This is our home turf and we know all the smaller spots as well as the big spots. Martin Volken, the owner of Pro Guiding Service was born and raised in the Zermatt valley. We know the customs, we speak the language, and we provide transportation.

World famous ski areas like Chamonix, Zermatt, Courmayeur and Saas-Fee are amazingly close together. The lift-access and ski mountaineering from these resorts is world class. We believe that we can offer a week that will show incredible scenery, long descents, and a free backstage pass to this incredible region between Chamonix and the Simplon Pass. Depending on weather and conditions, you might find yourself touring and skiing in Chamonix, or Argentiere, in Courmayeur or Verbier, in Nendaz or Leukerbad, in the Zinal Valley or the Loetschental, in Saas Grund, Saas Fee or the Simplon Pass.

 

The itinerary below describes a sample itinerary, but as indicated, we could end up in a number of places. You can rest assured that we will make the most of our local knowledge. On average you will tour about 2000 to 3000 feet and ski between 8000 and 15000 feet. The terrain is predominantly alpine and very often glaciated.

Duration: 6
Ratio: 4:1
Difficulty Level:
Click here to learn more about difficulty ratings.

Overall Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult

Skills Required: Advanced skiing ability and prior ski touring experience

Fitness Level: Moderately strenuous

This trip is hotel based and a lot of the touring is lift accessed, but touring at high elevation still adds up.


Private Trips Available

Don't see a date that works for you? Pro Guiding Service offers any trip or courses on a private basis. We are flexible! Call or email to inquire.
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Itinerary

Day 1: From Chamonix we will take the Aiguille de Midi tram (3842 meters) and tour across the Plateau du Geant to the Col de Toule. From there we will ski down the spectacular Glacier de Toule to the midstation “Le Pavillon" at 2174 meters. After a quick Italian lunch we take the gondola back up to Punta Heilbronner (3462 meters) and ski back to Chamonix via the famed Vallee Blanche .
Day 2: We will ride the first cable car to the top of the Argentiere ski area (Aiguille des Grans Montets at 3295 meters), ski 3000’ to the Glacier d’Argentiere, then tour to the Col du Passon ((3028 meters) for an 8,000’ descent to the town of le Tour. A taxi transfer will get us to Zermatt later that evening.
Day 3: Pro Guiding Service wants to show you the “Tour de Zermatt”. This day is fully lift accessed. No harness, ice axe, skins… just skiing. Lots of it… The ski areas of Zermatt and Cervinia have invested half a billion dollars into their lift infrastructure in the last 10 years, so let's take advantage of it. It will take all day and will involve a lunch in Italy.
Day 4: From Zermatt we will take the Gondola to the Klein Matterhorn (3883 meters) and tour up to the summit of the Breithorn (4164 meters). From there we will tour the short distance around the south side of the Breithorn to the Schwarztor. The 8000 foot ski descent from there back to Zermatt is a super classic.
Day 5: It is helicopter time! Air Zermatt will show us a good time. You could find yourself on the summit slopes of the Monte Rosa or the Aeschihorn, the Alphubeljoch or we might do the whole thing from Cervinia. It certainly should be a lasting memory.
Day 6: A quick transfer to the Saas Valley in the morning will let us access the famous Metro Alpin in Saas Fee. From the mid station of the subway at around 10,000 feet (yes, you read correctly!) we will climb out the vent shaft and access our 8000 foot descent to Saas Almagell via the Fluchthorn (3795 meters).

Private Trips

Pro Guiding Service proudly offers the most diverse ski touring and ski mountaineering programs of any guiding service in the Northwest. Smaller, more intimate custom itineraries or instructional tours are available for any of our destinations. Tell us what you want to do, and we can create a customized plan for you.
View Private Trips

Pricing

$3,500
per person
Price based on 3 skiers per guide. Please contact us directly for private trips. 425-888-6397 x2 | info@proguiding.com
View Dates & Availability
Payment Policy
If booking a domestic trip that is over 60 days away or an international trip that is over 90 days away, you can book your trip by paying a 20% deposit.  View Full Policy
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel for any reason 60 or more days before domestic trips or 90 or more days before international and Alaska trips, we will refund everything you have paid minus half of your deposit. No refunds will be provided if you cancel your trip for ANY REASON (this includes but is not limited to illness including CoVid-19, injury, or work-related issues) within 60 days of the start of domestic trips or 90 days of international and Alaska based trips.  View Full Policy

Equipment List

Clothing
Base Layer
  • Lightweight or midweight top (avoid cotton)
  • Lightweight or midweight long underwear bottoms, may omit depending on the warmth of your pants
  • Warm ski socks
Mid Layer
  • Fleece or wool or similar warmth layer
  • Wind shirt or soft shell jacket - wind & water resistant, breathable
Outerwear
  • Waterproof/breathable jacket with hood
  • Ski/snowboard pants - either softshell or waterproof/breathable pants depending on weather)
  • Down or synthetic puffy-type jacket
  • Warm hat - should cover ears
  • Sun hat - baseball type or visor
  • Lightweight gloves
  • Ski gloves or mittens
  • A 3rd pair of gloves - recommended for temps above freezing in case your gloves get wet (lightweight or midweight)
Personal Gear
  • Day pack – large enough to fit everything inside (around 30 liters) - dedicated shovel pocket preferred
  • Water bottles - enough for a full day - wide mouth best to prevent freezing shut, hydration systems are okay if the temps are going to be above freezing
  • Lunch and snacks - enough for a full day
  • Sunglasses - adequate for snow travel
  • Goggles
  • Sunscreen - SPF 25+, waterproof
  • Lip Balm - SPF 15+
  • Headlamp - lightweight LED recommended
  • Face mask/covering - for when close contact is unavoidable
Technical Gear

Snow Travel Gear

  • Snow travel equipment - alpine touring or telemark skis or splitboard
  • Boots - touring ski boots or snowboard boots
  • Poles - adjustable poles are ideal so you can adjust the length when going uphill/downhill
  • Climbing skins
  • Ski brakes or removable ski leashes
  • Ski or splitboard crampons - ensure they are compatible with your bindings and ski/board width

Safety Gear

  • Avalanche Beacon
  • Shovel - compact, lightweight, metal blade preferred
  • Probe - dedicated probe only (240cm or longer strongly recommended)

Technical Gear

  • Ice Axe - lightweight, 45-70cm is fine
  • Boot Crampons – Ensure they fit your boots
  • Anti-ball plates for crampons
  • Climbing Harness - lightweight, (no padding; ex: Petzl Altitude, Black Diamond Couloir)
  • Glacier Travel Kit:
    • 2 Locking Carabiners - at least 1 large HMS style and 1 regular locker
    • 2 Non-locking Carabiners - any style, we recommend wire gates
    • 1 Single Length Dyneema/Dynex Runner/Sling (60cm/24in diameter loop)
    • 1 Double Length Dyneema/Dynex Runner/Sling (120cm/48in diameter loop)
    • 1 Cordelette - 6 mm cord, 6 meter length
    • 1 Prussik Loop - 3-4 feet of 6mm cordelette tied in loop with double fisherman's knot and/or a Sterling Hollowblock

 

Optional Items
  • Basic snow study kit - dial stem thermometer(s), crystal card, magnifying loupe, ruler
  • Notebook and writing utensil
  • Thermos - with a hot drink
  • Compass - adjustable declination a must
  • Altimeter watch
  • Maps - contact guiding office for appropriate quadrangles
  • Map case - large Ziploc bags work well
  • Camera
  • Hand sanitizer
Equipment Sales & Rental

Gearing Up Adventurers Since 1999 

Be prepared for every adventure by visiting our sister business—Pro Ski and Mountain Service. Order online or visit us in store in North Bend, Washington. Check out our discounts on rentals and purchases when you book a trip or course with us.
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FAQs

How do I get to Chamonix?

The best way is to fly into Geneva and take the bus that leaves right from the airport. To get there you leave the baggage claim area, look across the hall, and will see a counter. The bus is called CHAMONIX BUS. It departs right outside baggage claim.

Should I change dollars into Euros in Geneva?

It is better to wait until you get to Chamonix. That way you pay the exchange rate only once (as opposed to dollars to francs to Euros.) You can get some Swiss Francs at the airport or wait until we get to Switzerland for the second half of the trip

How will our luggage get from point to point?

Pro Guiding Service will be providing a van, hence the name of the week. Please keep your extra luggage to a minimum, as luggage for 8 people adds up to a staggering pile of gear.

What if the conditions are not on our side?

That is the benefit of the van. We will be super mobile, if there are good conditions to be had, we will be able to get there.

What kind of skis and boots should I bring?

This is the trip where the stronger ski and boot are appropriate.

Do you speak the local language?

Yes, we speak French, Italian and German.

How much cash should I bring?

We recommend bringing some cash for use in the resort and for the road. Credit Cards are accepted in most of the places, but have a bit of cash on hand. Getting cash is not a problem in most places. Most Pro Guiding Service customers have found that $250 to $300 of dinner and spending money will suffice.

Should I tip my guide?

Although tipping is not a requirement, it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or a flat amount that you are comfortable with.

Why Book With Us? 

Certified Professional Guides & All Access
All of our guides have the highest quality training and certification in the industry, and you can be sure that we have the permits, licenses and insurance in every location we operate.
Safe, Well-Planned Tour Design
Every tour has a carefully thought-out guide-to-customer ratio. You always get a safe, high-quality trip or learning environment with us.
Pioneers In The Industry
You will travel and learn from experts. We've pioneered several alpine climbing routes, ski descents, and traverses and we've written books on skills and routes in the industry. 
Read Our story
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