 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello everyone,
We’re a family group heading to Chamonix from January 10th to January 24th, 2026 and are looking for a highly recommended mountain guide for several days during our stay.
We’re interested in someone experienced, English-speaking, and good with mixed-ability family groups.
If you have any personal recommendations or contacts, please share it would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Rick Marchant is great (IFGMA, BMG and long term resident).
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I've used Jonny Baird for family groups (as well as normal stuff). He was excellent - has kids himself, so understands working with them.
Worth bearing in mind that his view (appropriately IMO) is that it's difficult for kids <16 to make an informed assessment of risk or recognise what they're letting themselves in for, so he exercises a greater degree of caution over what he'll do if there's kids in the group.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I did my L1 Off Piste instructor Qualification with a guy called Pete Mason. The course is basically a 6 day intro to ski touring course that is offered by Chamonix Experience who he works for, but specifically run for instructors.
Anyway, Pete's a great guy, and I'd have no second thoughts about booking him
https://www.chamex.com/
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Can second Rick marchant - i have joined in some of his courses that he runs for the Eagles ski club when iw as a member.
Jonny Baird has also been recommended to me by others. I think he is quite well known in the valley.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'd also recommend Jonny Baird - I've skied with him with a mixed group and he's a great guy.
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Towards the senior end of the spectrum
Andy Perkins.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Just to clarify about our group:
Although our kids are relatively young, the two older ones are already very experienced, including freeride in La Grave and Japan. We are well-trained and fully equipped with all the necessary safety gear.
We’re a mixed group of skiers and snowboarders, looking for a guide who prioritizes safety but in a balanced way (not overly strict).
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@yariv_har,
You don’t specify how large your group is, but there are restrictions on the kind of routes and travel that guides will do for different group sizes. E.g. if you want to go into easy glaciated terrain IIRC it’s 4 (apart from vallée blanche which is ?6?). Hard glaciated terrain/fall risk/easy mountaineering (even PD) is 2 per guide.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks! We’re a group of five (2 adults + kids 18, 16, 11). Plan is for three days in total, on the two extreme freeride days only three of us will go out, and we’d also like one or two more family-friendly days, maybe with some touring.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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If you’re after someone experienced with family groups, I’d definitely second the recommendations for Jonny Baird. He’s really well known in the valley and great with mixed abilities – I’ve seen him manage groups with kids and adults without it ever feeling stressful. Rick Marchant is another solid option if you want someone with decades of experience and deep local knowledge
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FAQ
