Ski Mountaineering Equipment List

Everyone loves a good kit list! You can always tell an experienced mountaineer by their rucksack, especially on a mountain like Mont Blanc. A light rucksack means you will move faster and more efficiently, and on a long summit day like Mont Blanc, dropping a few kilos from your back can have a big effect. Basically, drop all the luxuries and listen to the advice of your guide when it comes to clothing. Ditch the book, PJ’s and cuddly toy – go light and fast!

Ski Mountaineering Equipment List

This list differs slightly from our standard ski touring equipment list in that it adds some slightly tougher gear, and warmer layers.

Clothing  – for both heat and sun protection as well as colder early morning starts…

Clothing will need to vary according to the time of year. Below is a suggestion for milder spring touring. In general, you will want to avoid bulky downhill skiing jackets, mountaineering style layering is much more flexible and generally lighter

  • Long sleeved thin thermal top
  • Micro/mid weight fleece
  • Soft shell jacket / Goretex
  • Medium weight down jacket – Arcteryx Thorium for example
  • Soft shell trousers to fit ski boots
  • Lightweight Goretex over trousers, for bad weather and warmth.

Head, Hands and Feet

  • Buff – sun hat – warm hat (All three are fairly essential).
  • Thin uphill gloves
  • Warm downhill gloves (mitts?)
  • Cat 3-4 sunglasses
  • Goggles (essential)
  • Sun tan cream and lip balm A high factor 50 is best.

Technical Equipment List

Ski Mountaineering equipment.

We will advise you on specific equipment depending on conditions & weather expected during your trip. See our hire page for prices.

  • Avalanche transceiver
  • Shovel and probe
  • Ski crampons
  • Boot crampons, either alloy or steel if icy conditions are expected
  • Mountaineering ice axe
  • Climbing harness
  • Ski / climbing helmet

Essential Bits and bobs:

  • Sunglasses, Cat 3 or 4. Goggles an optional extra for windy conditions.
  • Sun cream and Lip salve – Factor 30 or more in a little bottle.
  • Water bottle – Plastic wide mouth “Nalgene” type bottles are ideal. Metal sigg style bottles are rubbish. 1ltr is fine, and could be supplemented by a small bottle of sports drink. You can buy hot tea at the huts for summit day (recommended, tasty and it doesn’t freeze!)
  • Head torch – Small Petzl Tikka type torches are great. It will need to be fitted to your helmet.
  • Hill food and snacks – Can all be bought in Chamonix or at the huts. We can offer advice on this at the start of the trip and will allow time for shopping.
  • Very small personal first aid, for potential blisters. We will have a group first aid kit with us as well.
  • Any personal medication, including paracetamol etc.
 

Optional extra’s:

  • Camera
  • Waterproof rucksack cover for wet huts walks, or stuff sacks for gear.
  • Ear Plugs for the hut, Alpine membership card, tooth brush, sleeping bag liner.
 

Group kit carried by the guide and often shard out amongst the group:

  • Emergency Group Shelter
  • First Aid kit
  • Rope
  • Crevasse rescue kit
  • Map & Compass

I hope the above lists make sense. Note the complete lack of luxuries!

We always have a good equipment check before the start of a trip, and there is time to go and splash cash in Chamonix if need be.

Booking & Enquiry Process

• Browse the scheduled trips above and click View Details to check dates, guide ratios, and indicative pricing.

• Depending on the trip, you can enquire about your preferred dates (so we can confirm suitability and availability) or book online with a deposit (with the balance due six weeks before departure).

• Each participant reads our Terms & Conditions and completes a short medical form (sent by email).

• Once confirmed, final meeting details and logistics are sent out ten days before your trip.

Last-Minute Bookings & Custom Dates

Call us on +33 (0) 787371926 or send us an enquiry for last-minute availability or private guiding.

Please note that indicative prices shown are subject to change and are valid for bookings made at least one month in advance. Last-minute bookings may be subject to an additional charge depending on hut or lift availability.

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New for 2027: ski touring in Western Finnmark, Norway. From 9–16 May, six days of ski touring among the mountains and fjords.

New for 2027: ski touring in Western Finnmark, Norway. From 9–16 May, six days of ski touring among the mountains and fjords.

 Not every day in the mountains needs to involve a 4,000m summit or a huge objective — classic rock & alpine ridges around Chamonix.

Not every day in the mountains needs to involve a 4,000m summit or a huge objective — classic rock & alpine ridges around Chamonix.

 Guiding the Grand Combin traverse, taking in all three summits in superb high-alpine conditions.

Guiding the Grand Combin traverse, taking in all three summits in superb high-alpine conditions.

 Dent de Tsalion and Aiguille de la Tsa — a brilliant day on steep Arolla granite.

Dent de Tsalion and Aiguille de la Tsa — a brilliant day on steep Arolla granite.

 Summit day on the Matterhorn — classic alpine mountaineering on one of the iconic peaks of the Alps.

Summit day on the Matterhorn — classic alpine mountaineering on one of the iconic peaks of the Alps.

 An early alpine start and a Gran Paradiso ascent in crisp late-summer conditions.

An early alpine start and a Gran Paradiso ascent in crisp late-summer conditions.
+33 (0) 787371926

We are open for enquires 7 days a week all year, we check and respond to emails once a day during the high season

email@verticalfrontiers.com
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