In reply to gazfellows:
Your profile suggests you are an experienced and capable rock climber. MB more about proficient crampon and axe skills over a longish day. The Gouter and Three Monts Routes are mostly walking, albeit sometimes exposed. The Three Monts has a short steeper section of about 50 - 75 metres ( one axe is usually fine here and there is often a fixed rope ) and sometimes one or two very short steep sections in the lower section. The Gouters has an hour or two of modest scrambling about grade 1 at most but it feels a lot harder if snowy or icy.
If you don't have / want to purchase mountain boots / axe and crampons they can be hired in the alps and your guide will show you how to use them. You could even go a few days before your guided week, hire the kit and do some self teaching (excellent books and videos out there, perhaps get the Bruce Goodlad book ). However, I suggest some winter walking and develop crampon and axe skills beforehand if you can. You could move onto some easy winter routes / scrambles but not really necessary. Aim for long days on the hill (8-12 hours) walking, running, scrambling or linking routes if you like.
Enjoy
