Why
The window in which your son wants to ride the slopes with you, and not with his friends, is very short.
Time spent together that stays in memory for a long time. To be side by side on one slope, to get through difficulties together, to celebrate small victories, to support each other and to watch your son grow more confident, more independent and, perhaps, in some things already stronger than you.
Shared experience of that kind outlasts the journey by years.
What happens there
A son begins to see his father not only as the parent who sets the rules and hands out advice, but as a man — with a character, a history, strengths and weaknesses of his own.
And a father gets to see, instead of a child to be raised, a separate person who is growing up, forming his own character, and becoming a man.
The programme
Morning and day
New routes every day, right for confident skiers and for those still building experience. Between runs — lunch at one of the mountain restaurants right on the slope.
Evening
In detail
Meeting at the airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. In the evening — getting to know each other and a short briefing on the programme and on how the skiing is organised.
After breakfast — fitting equipment and skiing in groups by level, accompanied by instructors. Lunch — at one of the restaurants on the slope.
In the evening — a snowshoe walk through the winter forest and a shared dinner in a Mongolian yurt.
A full day on the slopes, new runs and time together in the mountains.
In the evening — dinner and the Father & Son Poker Cup. Before the tournament we will discuss a few ideas from Annie Duke’s book “Thinking in Bets” — about risk, probability and decision-making — and then see how they work during the game.
Breakfast, check-out and an organised transfer to the airport.
The trip ends. What you lived through together stays.
Father & Son Poker Cup
It is a game that teaches you to make decisions when you do not know for certain what happens next.
As in life, the result depends not only on our actions but also on circumstances, luck and chance. That is why a good result does not always mean a good decision — and the other way round.
That is exactly what Annie Duke’s book “Thinking in Bets” is about.
Before the tournament we will discuss the book’s main ideas, and during the game we will see how they work in practice: how we assess risk, make decisions under uncertainty and learn not to confuse the quality of a decision with its outcome.
Father & Son Poker Cup is about risk, choice, probability and the ability to make decisions together.
About the region
Chamonix is one of the best-known ski resorts of the French Alps, set at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe. The resort is famous for its dramatic alpine scenery, the variety of its ski areas and the particular atmosphere of a real mountain town.
There are runs for every level, the legendary panoramas of the Mont Blanc massif, excellent mountain restaurants and a wide choice of winter activities besides skiing. Chamonix is especially loved for the way it combines serious skiing, beautiful nature, well-developed infrastructure and a lively evening life after the slopes.
The mountain
One of the best-known areas in Chamonix: long descents, good snow and serious alpine terrain. The lift is right next to the hotel, so in the morning you can be on the slope almost at once.
And if you feel like a change of route, the valley has several more ski areas — you can pick the mountain to suit the weather, your level and your mood.
How you ski
Two people work with the group, but you choose the format yourself — and you can change it every day if you like.
For those who want to ski better. A small group, work on technique, tips on the slope and video analysis.
For those who simply want to ski well. No drills, no technique analysis — the best routes, good snow and the right slope at the right time.
Take your son and go skiing, just the two of you. Your own pace, your own route, your own day. We meet in the evening.
Where you sleep
Hôtel & Spa Les Grands Montets ★★★★ — in quiet Argentière, next to the lift and away from the bustle of central Chamonix.
Twin rooms with two separate beds and a balcony. After skiing — the spa, the pool and the outdoor jacuzzi.
January is especially good here.
Photographs: Hôtel & Spa Les Grands Montets, used with their permission.
Who you spend the weekend with
We are not a travel agency.
We are fathers who know the phrase “once I get through this, we’ll go” far too well. We loved the mountains long before our sons came along. And when they did, we understood the main thing: it is hard to think of a better place to truly be together. We have tested it ourselves.
That is how The Great Escape was born — a project that helps fathers spend truly good time with their sons. We take care of all the organisation — from the hotel and coaches to routes, activities and dinners — so that a father and son are left with the main thing: time for each other.
The escape from routine has been approved. The mums are in the know.
Creator · 44
Creator · 46
The package
The base package is for a father and one son. If you come with two sons, a duplex is provided for your family.
Included
Not included
Details
Any. That is what the different ski formats are for. Want to simply have a good day on the slope — go with the Pathfinder. Want to polish your technique — go with the Master. Or take your son and head off, just the two of you. You choose the format each morning.
Requesting a place is free and commits you to nothing. We will contact you personally, get to know you and answer your questions. Once your participation is confirmed you receive an invoice: 50% secures your place in the group, the remaining 50% is due by 1 December.
Before 1 December — a full refund less €90. From 1 to 20 December — a 50% refund. After 20 December — no refund, but your participation can be moved to the next trip if there are places.
Yes, at the Central Bank of Russia rate plus 5%.
A father and son share a separate twin room with two separate beds. A father with two sons stays in a duplex with a mezzanine.
Every participant will need ski insurance that covers rescue and evacuation on the slope. If needed, we will help arrange it together with the lift pass.
Yes. Father and son play as one team, taking turns at the table. For points and a cup only — no stakes and no money.
Fly to Geneva — from there it is about 1 h 15 min to Argentière. The transfer from the airport to the hotel and back is included — just tell us when you need it. If you come by your own car, the hotel has free parking and EV charging. Once there you will not need a car: the lift is a minute's walk, and trains and ski buses run along the valley.
Enrolment
Nothing to pay right now. Leave your contacts in three lines — we will get in touch and go through all the details.
Rather not wait for the call? Write to us directly — the same people, the same answers.
Next chapter
Seven days on snowmobiles across Svalbard, April 2027. A father at the handlebars, his son behind him, a closed group of eight pairs. The waitlist is open.
About Chapter II
