Ski Mountaineering Kit List | High Mountain Guides

Please use this list in a modular form according to what type of ski mountaineering you are doing e.g non glacial tours may not require harness, ice screws etc. Aim to ‘pack light’ and ski with a light pack as much as possible whilst still carrying all the required safety & technical gear and sufficient warm clothing, food & water.

Remember that light + light = heavy and that the only thing that ‘weighs nothing’….is nothing!

Personal Gear

Skis, fitted with ski touring bindings and set up ready for your own boots. A medium waist of around 80-90mm and turn radius of less than 20m is ideal for most tours where a variety of snow conditions will be encountered.
Ski touring bindings fitted to your skis, ideally with brakes attached. Dynafit, Plum or Kingpins are generally the most popular in Chamonix.
Poles (non telescopic ski poles are generally better unless there is a lot of mountaineering on the tour)
Ski Boots, heavier weight touring boots for improved ski peformance, lighter for climbing & saving energy!
Skins (modern skins in good condition, Black Diamond or Gecko glueless recommended), must be fitted accurately to your skis
Transceiver with fresh batteries. Should be a modern digital transceiver e.g. Barryvox Pulse / S
Shovel (with a metal blade, plastic blades don’t work!)
Avalanche Probe
Harscheisen – ski crampons – couteaux (choose your language!), must be compatible with your ski bindings
Lightweight rucksack (35-45L). Think about how you will attach your skis to it when mountaineering
Tough & windproof ‘soft shell’ trousers are ideal but you will still need an outer shell layer for bad weather
Lightweight thermal top and light soft shell or fleece jacket
Waterproof / windproof jacket and trousers
Spare warm layer / light duvet jacket
Gloves, thin dexterous pair and a warmer thicker pair (mitts not really recommended as too clumsy)
Warm hat, sun hat & neck gaiter / ‘buff’ (to protect your neck, lower face and nose in cold windy conditions)
Goggles
Sunglasses, sun cream & lip barrier stick
Personal blister kit, any required medication, painkillers and plasters
Velcro ski tie, important for carrying skis on your rucksack
Headtorch, lightweight model like ‘Petzl Tikka’
Mobile Phone
Camera ? Think about making your camera highly accessible whilst skiing / skinning as once in your pack you may not want to get it our and team member may not want to wait for you to do so!
Food (snacks) & water bottle (at least 1L)

Additional Equipment Required for Steep and / or Glacial Terrain

Ice Axe
Crampons
Harness
2 X Prussiks
1 X 8ft Sling, 2 X Screw-gate Karabiners, 2 X snap link Karabiners
1 X Ice Screw
Petzl micro Traxion or Ropeman or similar device with clutch / pulley for crevasse rescue
Helmet

For Multi-Day Hut to Hut Touring

Larger Rucksack ?
Spare socks
Spare Shirt (or buy one in a hut when you start to get smelly!)
Tea bags ?
Wash kit, very small and lightweight
Sheet sleeping bag, as lightweight at possible
Earplugs, for noisy huts!
Cash (which currencies?)
Credit Card
BMC / Austrian Alpine Club / Reciprocal Rights Hut Card
Passport?
Insurance details – see our Insurance FAQ

Group Gear – Provided by the Guide…But Carried by the Whole Group!

First aid kit
Group shelter
Rope
Spares kit (separate list below)
Guidebook / Topo
Map & Navigation Apps
Phone numbers for huts, weather, emergency, tourist info

Spare Equipment – Provided by the Guide

Spare telescopic pole
Spare skins (size?)
Leatherman (pliers, knife, screwdriver, can opener!)
Super glue
Wax ?
Scouring pad / scraper ?
Cord
Plastic ties
Strap with buckle
Duck tape
Spare screws or replacements for equipment that commonly breaks
Spare transceiver batteries (AA or AAA?)

Please follow our Sanglards Ski Hire link below to access your 15% discount (more in quieter periods), or tell them in the shop you have a booking with High Mountain Guides for the same discount. Sanglard’s have shops in Chamonix, Argentiere Les Grands Montets & Vallorcine.