Guiding

I’m a fully certified and insured IFMGA/UIAGM high mountain guide which means I am able to take you off piste skiing on glaciated terrain, ski touring, ski mountaineering, rock, ice and alpine climbing anywhere in the world. The IFMGA certificate is the highest qualification in the world for mountain guiding.

In the winter/spring months I am mainly focused on ski guiding.

I generally require that clients have ski touring equipment and skills to give us the best chances of finding good snow and getting away from busy ski areas. Ski mountaineering skills are a bonus (ability to use crampons, ropes, harness etc) and an understanding of avalanche safety is also a major plus. The ability to ski steeper slopes opens up a lot more options around Chamonix but is not needed (we can work on these skills!).

I don’t typically offer downhill only skiing for example downhill only descents of the Vallee Blanche or Freeride skiing around Chamonix however it is likely if the weather dictates or the conditions allow that we might be skiing only downhill for the day for example storm skiing in the trees or freeride around the resort on exceptional days. I often travel with clients to places such as Courmayeur, Skyway, Les Contamines, Champex, Verbier, Grimentz, Diablerets etc for the day to ski. From time to time I go further afield to ski in other parts of the alps/the world but this typically takes more planning and requires that you provide accomodation for me in that location.

If you have strong downhill skiing skills and want to learn the techniques of backcountry skiing / uphill ski touring then I can for sure help you with this (generally over a couple of days). I also run progression courses on the oak app so you can upskill in a group scenario.

In the summer months I’m focused on climbing and mountaineering guiding mostly at a 1:1 ratio but occasionally at 1:2. I also climb ice and mixed routes in the winter when conditions allow but this is typically more with clients who have come to ski/can ski and the conditions for skiing are not ideal.

My favourite days are on wild mountains with great huts away from the crowds but I also like to help people achieve their dreams on iconic peaks such as the Matterhorn, Eiger and occasionally Mont Blanc. Due to the difficulty of booking huts on the Mont Blanc normal route I don’t typically offer this to clients and I like to stay away from the Matterhorn when it is really busy as it is difficult to have a great experience. For more complex / difficult objectives I like to have done some routes with people first so don’t be surprised if I suggest an easier objective to start with!

There are alot of good objectives around chamonix but I also travel to other parts of the alps to guide for example Saas Fee, Arolla and Zermatt.

I run a variety of development courses in both summer and winter that are open to individuals to join (with the correct prerequisites). All these courses are available to join via the Oak app and includes avalanche courses from beginner to advanced, rope rescue courses, steep skiing technique courses and more.

What are the benefits of using Oak to sign up to these courses?

• Spilt the cost with other users on the app.
• It’s free to sign up to and use the app. No adverts or selling your data.
• The app keeps a track of the courses you’ve done.
• A group chat is created when you join the course so you can chat with other participants to plan and get to know them before the course starts. I can also provide Links to videos and articles and be part of the discussion around those.
• Use your mountain CV to find partners or show others what you have done in the past. For example are you joining a guided trip? You can show other guides what you have done in the past and the courses are validated on the app.

Guiding and Instruction, transport around the Chamonix Valley from your accomodation to the ski/climbing area, my lift pass if in the Chamonix valley (year round) or Courmayeur/Skyway (winter only), use of technical equipment (ropes, climbing protection, my personal equipment)

Transport to Chamonix, accomodation, food, drinks, equipment rental, my accomodation outside of Chamonix (huts, hotels, campsites), uplift for you / your group and me outside of Chamonix, Tips.

So you’d like to book or talk through some options? Please do get in touch so we can discuss options and pricing.

Please either send me an email or use the form below to get in touch.

Please include the following information in your email

• Your prefered dates.
• The activity you would like to do.
• Your experience.
• Your fitness.
• Any other relevant information.

After I receive your request I will get back to you as soon as I can (please give me a few days during high season) and we can start the booking process.

I take a 50% deposit to secure a booking of over 1 day. The remaining 50% is due at lease 1 week before the start date of the trip. For single day bookings I like to keep it flexible to accomodate for the weather so payment is due after the day (bank transfer, card or cash)