How Much Does an Off-Piste Ski Guide Cost? 2026/27 Prices

A private off-piste or ski touring guide in the Alps costs CHF 750–950 per day in Swiss resorts and EUR 550–800 in French and Italian resorts when you book through Guidezone. The price is for the whole group of one to six skiers, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays.

Below you'll find the full price table for every resort we work in, what it works out to per person, what is and isn't included, and a few honest tips for keeping the cost down.

Price for a private guide, by resort

All prices are for a full day with an IFMGA mountain guide for your private group, by number of skiers (1–6). A 5% booking fee is added when you book. Swiss resorts are priced in CHF; French and Italian resorts in EUR.

Resort	Currency	1	2	3	4	5	6
Andermatt	CHF	750	750	800	850	900	950
Engelberg	CHF	750	750	800	850	900	950
Grindelwald	CHF	750	750	800	850	900	950
Saas-Fee	CHF	750	750	800	850	900	950
Verbier	CHF	750	750	800	850	900	950
Zermatt	CHF	750	750	800	850	900	950
Chamonix	EUR	550	600	650	700	750	800
Tignes	EUR	600	600	650	700	750	800
Val d'Isère	EUR	600	600	650	700	750	800
Alagna	EUR	550	550	600	650	700	750
Cervinia	EUR	550	550	600	650	700	750
Champoluc	EUR	550	550	600	650	700	750
Courmayeur	EUR	550	550	600	650	700	750
Gressoney-La-Trinité	EUR	550	550	600	650	700	750
La Thuile	EUR	550	550	600	650	700	750

Click a resort to see its page, the guides who work there and what the off-piste is like.

What it costs per person

Because the price covers the whole group, the cost per person drops quickly as the group grows. Here is what that looks like in three popular resorts:

Resort and group	Total	Per person
Verbier, 2 skiers	CHF 750	CHF 375
Verbier, 4 skiers	CHF 850	CHF 213
Verbier, 6 skiers	CHF 950	CHF 158
Chamonix, 2 skiers	EUR 600	EUR 300
Chamonix, 4 skiers	EUR 700	EUR 175
Chamonix, 6 skiers	EUR 800	EUR 133
Cervinia, 2 skiers	EUR 550	EUR 275
Cervinia, 4 skiers	EUR 650	EUR 163
Cervinia, 6 skiers	EUR 750	EUR 125

A solo skier in Verbier pays CHF 750, while a group of six pays about CHF 158 each. In Chamonix, six skiers pay about EUR 133 each. If you can fill the group, a private guide often costs less per person than you might expect.

What is included, and what is not

Included:

• A full day with an IFMGA mountain guide (sometimes an IFMGA aspirant guide who is qualified for the tour)
• An avalanche safety briefing
• Planning the day around your level, your goals and the conditions, discussed with the guide over WhatsApp before you ski

Not included:

• Lift tickets
• Ski and safety equipment
• Meals

Mandatory equipment: your ski gear plus avalanche safety gear: a transceiver, a probe and a shovel. A harness is needed for glacier skiing, and an airbag is optional. All of it can be rented at local sports shops, and your guide can tell you in advance what you need. For a ski touring day you also need skins and touring bindings.

Why Switzerland costs more

The Swiss resorts are priced in CHF and sit at the top of the range, while the French and Italian resorts are priced in EUR. The difference mostly follows the general cost level in each country, which is also higher for lift passes, rentals and accommodation in Switzerland. For more on Swiss pricing, see our post on the cost of hiring a mountain guide in Switzerland.

Within each country, prices are close to identical between resorts, so you can choose where to ski based on the terrain and the snow rather than on the guide's price.

Private guide or ski-school off-piste group?

Ski schools often sell off-piste group lessons priced per person, where you join other skiers you don't know. A private guide is priced per group instead, which changes the maths:

• Your group, your pace. The day is planned for your group's level and goals, not for a mixed group of strangers.
• More terrain. An IFMGA mountain guide is trained for glaciers, ski touring and backcountry terrain beyond the lifts.
• Lower cost per person in a full group. Once you are four to six friends, the per-person cost of a private guide comes down to a level that is often comparable to a group lesson.

If you are unsure which one you need, read our comparison of a mountain guide vs a ski instructor for off-piste.

Ways to keep the cost down

• Fill the group. The price for six is not much higher than the price for two. Get your friends on board: here are a few ideas on how to get your ski crew to join the trip.
• Bring or rent your own kit early. Sort out avalanche gear and, if needed, touring equipment before the day so you don't lose time in the morning.
• Book full days that count. We only offer full days. A full day gives the guide time to find the best snow for the conditions, rather than rushing a few runs.

Booking and cancellation

• You book online and submit your preferences. We connect you with the guide over WhatsApp to plan the day.
• We only offer full-day bookings, no half days.
• Cancellations made 30 or more days before the tour receive a 75% refund, 15–29 days before a 50% refund, and less than 15 days before are non-refundable. No refunds apply for force majeure or personal reasons. See our terms of service for details.

Off-piste skiing comes with inherent dangers, and all tours are at your own risk. We strongly advise rescue and evacuation insurance.

FAQ

How much does a private off-piste ski guide cost in Switzerland?

In Verbier, Zermatt, Engelberg, Andermatt, Grindelwald and Saas-Fee, a full day with a private IFMGA guide booked through Guidezone costs CHF 750 for one or two skiers, rising to CHF 950 for a group of six. The price is for the whole group, so six skiers pay about CHF 158 each.

How much does a ski guide cost in France and Italy?

Through Guidezone, a private IFMGA guide costs EUR 550–800 per group for a full day in Chamonix, Tignes and Val d'Isère, and EUR 550–750 in Italian resorts such as Cervinia, Courmayeur and Champoluc. Lift passes, equipment and meals are not included.

Is a ski guide priced per person or per group?

Guidezone prices are for the whole group of one to six skiers. A group of six in Chamonix pays EUR 800 in total, about EUR 133 each, while a solo skier pays EUR 550. The guide plans the day for your group only.

What is not included in the price of a ski guide?

Lift tickets, ski and safety equipment, and meals are not included in Guidezone's guide prices. Avalanche safety gear (transceiver, probe and shovel) is mandatory and can be rented locally, and a harness is needed for glacier skiing. The price covers the guide and an avalanche safety briefing.

Can I book a half day with a guide?

No. Guidezone only offers full-day bookings with a private IFMGA guide. A full day gives the guide time to read the conditions and take your group to the best snow available, from lift-accessed freeride to short tours, instead of rushing a few runs in a morning.