The Western Alps are having the best early season since Charlemagne ran the show, so if you’re sitting on a few grand and have the time–do it. Book a flight, hire a guide, charge the megahein. One easy option to get great instruction, expert guiding, and epic turns is a “Steep Skiing Camp,” February 16-23, in Chamonix. Miles Smart and Liz Oakes Smart (both IFMGA guides and Cham residents) offer full packages (includes almost everything except airfare to/from Geneva, wine, and of course A FAT TIP FOR THE GUIDES!) so you can make a res and let them take care of everything.
For $3495 you get seven days of charging, full lodging, and even a heli-bump one day, so you can extra huge. Miles and Liz both crush, so you’ll be chasing them all week, but don’t sweat it–they’ll be teaching you the goods the whole time, from steep-skiing techniques to glacier safety to dealing with snotty French and Swiss guides on the tram. I’ve been dying to get over and ski with these guys for years and this is the season to do it. It’s absolutely nuking; Miles continues to post ridiculous videos on their site and at this point I don’t even click through any more. It’s simply too depressing.
Seriously, do it. Just do it. You’ll thank yourself later. Even after the credit card bill comes. It’ll be huge. You will love it. Just don’t post anything on FB…I can’t take any more of this stuff!
