Personal equipment

• Avalanche Transciever - What to look for - Acoustic loudspeaker (no ear piece), European frequency 457 Khz. Some suggestions : Mammut Pulse, DTS Tracker.
• Shovel - Any lightweight shovel made specifically for removing avalanche debris. Some suggestions - Backcountry Access.
• Probe - Again, the lighter the better. There are some hot new carbon fibre probes available. Some suggestions : Backcountry Access (they have a slick probe and shovel combo where the probe is stored in the shovel shaft. It?s called the BCA Tour Shovel/Probe system). * Not every one in the group needs a probe and shovel. The guides will have them. Two to three more sets would be good, but it doesn't hurt if every one wants to carry these items.
• Gaiters - Need to fit over your ski boots; optional. Some Gore-tex or ski pants have internal gaitors or fastening systems which work.
• Socks - Good warm ski sock. If it is too thick, it might restrict circulation and make your toes cold. Some suggestions - Smartwool.
• Shell clothing - A Gore-tex top and bottom will be the most weather proof. Make sure it fits with all the possible layers under it. There are other options to Gore-tex that work fine. The top should have a comfortable protective hood.
• Inner layers - Mid weight long under wear top and bottom, Mid weight fleece top and bottom, Heavier weight fleece jacket or insulated sweater. Schoeller fabric stretch climbing pants are useful, but optional.
• Insulation layer - Down jacket or synthetic insulation jacket. Some suggestions - Patagonia DAS Parka, Marmot, etc. A down sweater could be a little on the cold side depending on the weather; a jacket with a hood is preferable. Thinner for Haute Routes and thicker for Mont Blanc.
• Hat - Warm fleece hat, additional thin balaclava optional.
• Sun hat - A brimmed "baseball cap".
• Bandana
• Sunglasses - Category 4 and side shields best for long days on sunny glaciers, wrap around cat. 3 sport glasses fine for most things.
• Goggles
• Gloves - Standard ski glove plus and additional super warm glove. Some suggestions - Black Diamond Guide Glove, Patagonia Nitro Glove, and an optional glove liner.
• Pack - A medium sized pack between 30 and 40 Liters is best. If the pack is too big, the straps often slap you in the face when it is windy and it wont ski as well as a smaller model. It does need to fit all your gear, but don't forget you'll be wearing most of the clothing. A ski oriented pack with pockets and slots for the shovel blade, probe, and shovel handle is very nice, but not imperative. Some suggestions - BCA Stash BC, 2400 cu. In.
• Food - You can bring your favorite snack food and energy bars and gels or find similar bars over here, as well as good chocolate. Some Suggestions - Power Bars Harvest and Powergels.
• Fluids - One to two liter capacity. A steel thermos is very nice to have. One to two liters, soda bottles lightest option - hydration systems with hoses not recommended as they freeze.
• First-aid kit - Small and light. Some suggestions - Ibuprofen, blister kit.
• Sun screen and lip screen - Small and light containers. At least SPF 15.
• Camera - small and light. We find when we bring along our small and light camera, we take more pictures.
• Optional Items - Map, Compass, Altimeter, and GPS are all fun, but optional as the guides will have these items.
• Pocket knife
• Paper and pencil 
• Binoculars (optional)
• Rescue radio (optional)
• Money in euros 
• First-aid Kit (small) - blister kit and ibu
• Food - Sandwiches, bars, and salty snacks - can easily by here - if you have specific favorites, bring from home.