Guided Off-Piste Days

off-piste courchevelThere are few things in life better than getting fresh lines on a powder day. Where the white stuff is all yours and the mountain is your playground.

But if you are new to a resort how do you know where to go to get the best lines, the best snow and to keep yourself safe? As any local or well-seasoned local will tell you the best off-piste is often hidden and available to only those in the know. The most obvious off-piste slopes are often over skied or can be dangerous due to their exposure.

So heading out on your own without inside knowledge you could, at best, end up on some crusty, over skied snow or trying to fight your way out of the trees that turned out to be far too dense to ski.  At worst this could mean putting yourself in a really dangerous position.

Skiing with someone who knows what they are doing and also where they are going not only makes this safer but also more fun.

On a guided off-piste day with us your instructor will check your equipment, make sure you remember how to use it and then take you off the beaten track to explore some of the hidden gems in your area.

If you are in the 3 Valleys on a BASI Level 1/2 instructor course they may well take you off the top of Chapelets chair and into the amazing fork tree. With a real life fork shaped pine that has inspired its own local ski brand Fork Tree Skis. This 1650 classic has endless options to head down through the trees, over pillows and drops. From 1650 you can also explore the hidden valley Les Avals – if you’re really adventurous, you might even stay the night in the refuge there!  You might boot pack up to the panicle at the top of Saulire. This really is the top of the world for Courchevel and Meribel and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views and exciting ridge line climb, before skiing the lengthy banana that is the fifth couloir.

Heliski trip Val Disere

 

If you are in Verbier then your choice of off-piste is world-class. So much so the resort is home to the finals of the Freeride World Tour. Mont Gele and Mont Fort offer pretty exciting itinerary runs. Another great option is to head through the trees in Le Chable or to the open powder fields around Bruson.

While the off-piste on offer in all of these areas is incredible it is always important to think about safety. As well as making the most of our instructors inside knowledge on guided days having the right kit is essential. This kit does nothing if you do not know how to use it, so avalanche safety courses are also really important if you plan on making the mountains backcountry your playground.

 

We are strong believers in learning by doing. What better way to deepen your understanding of the area and the finer elements of avalanche safety, than by exploring it with someone who has made it their life’s passion.