Discover the best off-piste runs in Chamonix, Courmayeur, and Les Contamines!

Off-piste skiing is the ultimate way to ride the most epic lines, explore wild terrain, and (hopefully) find the deepest powder. Far from the crowded ski resorts, a whole mountain playground awaits you all winter long. But be careful—off-piste skiing comes with risks and requires solid mountain knowledge, from route-finding to avalanche awareness. That’s why going with a guide is always highly recommended.

Once you’ve got your safety basics covered, you’ll need some inspiration to find new lines. And that’s where the brand-new Vamos guidebook comes in! Dedicated to off-piste skiing in Chamonix, Courmayeur, and Les Contamines, it reveals all the region’s best-kept secret spots. We’re sharing three of them with you in this article!

‍3 Off-Piste Ideas in Chamonix, Courmayeur & Les Contamines from the Latest Vamos Guide – Now on Whympr!

We’ve picked three epic off-piste routes straight from the Vamos off-piste guidebook. Download the Whympr app for free and check out our three favorite TopoPros below!

1) Couloir des Cosmiques – Chamonix

📍 Gear required: Glacier equipment + Avalanche safety kit (beacon/shovel/probe)
🚠 Access: Aiguille du Midi cable car
🧭 Aspect: NW
📏 Elevation gain: 100–200m ⬆ | Descent: 1500m ⬇
⚠ Exposure: E3 | Difficulty: 5.1

We’re kicking things off with one of Chamonix’s most legendary steep lines—strictly for expert skiers! From the Aiguille du Midi, you’ll drop into a steep, exposed, and undeniably stunning descent. Bring a rope for the entrance rappel and stay alert—avalanches are frequent in this couloir. The steepest section hits 45°, and on hard or icy snow, the challenge takes on a whole new level…

📲 Find the digital TopoPro for the Couloir des Cosmiques on Whympr!

2) Canal Vesses – Courmayeur

📍 Gear required: Avalanche safety kit (beacon/shovel/probe)
📏 Descent: 1250m ⬇
🧭 Aspect: W/N
⚠ Exposure: E2 | Difficulty: 3.2

A stunning off-piste route starting from the lifts, Canal Vesses offers a wild and uncrowded ride down into the Val Veny. The route is fairly straightforward, but the steep-sided terrain makes it avalanche-prone, so always check conditions and stay cautious.

And because skiing in Italy always comes with good food, here’s a pro tip: the run flattens out at the bottom, which can be a slog back to the lifts. But no worries—La Zerotta restaurant has a snowmobile shuttle to take you back up… right to their doorstep. Perfect excuse for a well-earned Italian feast!

📲 Find the digital TopoPro for Canal Vesses on Whympr!

3) Aiguille Croche – Southwest Face (Les Contamines)

📍 Gear required: Avalanche safety kit (beacon/shovel/probe)
📏 Descent: 800m ⬇
🧭 Aspect: SW
⚠ Exposure: E1 | Difficulty: 2.3

From the top of the Aiguille Croche chairlift, this classic Les Contamines off-piste run offers wide, open slopes before dropping into steeper gullies. The route is fairly intuitive, but keep in mind—you’ll have to hike back up 100m at the end to rejoin the piste.

Still got energy left? Extend your adventure by exploring Tête du Véleray for even more untouched terrain!

📲 Find the digital TopoPro for Aiguille Croche – Southwest Face on Whympr!

Whympr: Paper & Digital Guides, Hand in Hand

Already familiar with Whympr? Based in Chamonix, the app brings together everything you need to plan your mountain adventures. Now, with its recent acquisition of Vamos Editions, Whympr is blending paper and digital to offer the best of both worlds.

That’s how the TopoPros were born—bringing detailed, pro-level route guides for mountaineering, ski touring, hiking, climbing, and more, all optimized for the app. Whympr collaborates with publishers across France, including:

• VTOPO (Calanques, Belledonne, Destel gorges – climbing & hiking)
• CQFD Editions (Verdon – climbing)
• Ekiproc (Aravis, Vallée de l’Arves – climbing)
• JMEditions (Chamonix – mountaineering)
• Andapura (Mont-Blanc massif – trekking)
• …and now, Vamos Editions!

📲 Ready to explore? Download Whympr and get your TopoPros now!

Whympr: Paper & Digital Guides, Hand in Hand

Already familiar with Whympr? Based in Chamonix, the app brings together everything you need to plan your mountain adventures. Now, with its recent acquisition of Vamos Editions, Whympr is blending paper and digital to offer the best of both worlds.

That’s how the TopoPros were born—bringing detailed, pro-level route guides for mountaineering, ski touring, hiking, climbing, and more, all optimized for the app. Whympr collaborates with publishers across France, including:

• VTOPO (Calanques, Belledonne, Destel gorges – climbing & hiking)
• CQFD Editions (Verdon – climbing)
• Ekiproc (Aravis, Vallée de l’Arves – climbing)
• JMEditions (Chamonix – mountaineering)
• Andapura (Mont-Blanc massif – trekking)
• …and now, Vamos Editions!

📲 Ready to explore? Download Whympr and get your TopoPros now!

Just like with a printed guidebook, a portion of each TopoPro sale goes directly to the authors. These earnings help support their work and, in some cases, even contribute to maintaining climbing areas.

In the Vamos off-piste guidebook, you’ll find a QR code at the beginning of the book, along with additional QR codes for each route. Scan them to access your topos for free in Whympr! The Vamos climbing, ski touring, and hiking guidebooks also offer free access to TopoPros in the app.

So, hold onto your receipt, and the TopoPros are yours!

For more info about Whympr’s TopoPros, check out this article from our blog or watch our tutorial on YouTube.

Vamos Editions and the Whympr App

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These new topos are published by Vamos Editions, based in Chamonix, and written by mountain professionals. François Burnier, a high mountain guide, and Dominique Potard, an author and also a high mountain guide, take you on a journey to discover the most stunning lines of the massif.

Whether near ski resorts or on a glacier, you’ll uncover the must-do routes every true mountaineer should explore, as well as the hidden gems that are closely guarded secrets.

Vamos, the Chamonix guidebooks
This topo guide has been reissued this year, 2025, with all the information updated because, as you know, the mountains change quickly. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to evaluate routes: overall grading, exposure (marked E), slope steepness (1.3, 2.1, etc.), orientation, elevation gain, and whether you need glacier gear in addition to the basic avalanche safety kit (DVA, shovel, probe).

However, keep in mind that these grades describe the route in optimal conditions. Always consider avalanche risks, weather forecasts, and other factors. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice at the Chamoniarde, the high mountain office, for the latest information. Or, for complete peace of mind, go on a trip with a guide to explore the mountains safely. You know the saying: "When in doubt, there is no doubt!"

Time to hit the slopes!

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We hope this article has inspired you to go on an adventure and grab your powder skis! You’ll find routes for all levels in the Vamos off-piste guidebook. And with Whympr, all the data you need is right on your phone.

We can’t say it enough: off-piste skiing comes with risks. Always be mindful of conditions and carry the proper safety equipment. The proximity to pistes in some descents can give a false sense of security, but off-piste involves unmarked slopes where you alone must assess the danger. That’s why having a guide is highly recommended.

If off-piste is one of your winter passions, be sure to check out our other blog post on free-ride practices.

Download Whympr now on the App Store or Google Play. ⛰️