We are unable to provide off-piste lessons in La Plagne at this time.
INTRODUCTION TO OUR OFF-PISTE SKIING COURSES
Our off-piste skiing lessons run in 7 formats to cater for every skill and confidence level. When choosing your off-piste course it is best to think about not just your technical ability but how close to the edge of your comfort zone you would like to be pushed.
You may be a strong technical piste skier but away from the crowds off-piste – this is only half the picture. Confidence can play a huge part. If you are unsure of which option is best for you please contact our team who are on hand to help you find the perfect lesson.
Our ski instructors will always place your safety at the heart of every decision they make. They will endeavour to find you the best snow conditions (fluffy deep snow) in the ski area but have to balance this with avalanche safety and the level of the group.
Off-Piste Skiing Levels
Off-Piste Level 1
You’ve not skied off-piste or may have ventured outside of the piste markers, but more often than not, this doesn’t go to plan. You’re primarily working on linking turns in variable conditions.
Off-Piste Level 2
You’ve got a little experience skiing off-piste, often at the side of or between runs. You can link turns in variable or light-powder snow. Most of your off-piste skiing has been on easy slopes no steeper than a blue.
Off-Piste Level 3
You can confidently ski off-piste on steeper slopes. You’ve several weeks of off-piste experience and a basic understanding of avalanche safety and rescue. You’re confident in variable snow, link turns with a consistent speed and turn shape in good conditions.
Off-Piste Level 4
You’re confident skiing or snowboarding off-piste in all conditions and terrain, including steep and narrow couloirs. In almost all situations, you ski fluidly and actively seek challenging terrain and snow conditions.
Resorts
Top Tips
- If you’re out with us all day, and we’re heading into the backcountry, we might stop at a refuge to grab a bite to eat. Or we might get lunch on the mountain if you’re skiing with us all day, so bring a sandwich in your backpack or bring some money for a bite to eat. Your instructor will inform you of lunch plans beforehand.
- If you have avalanche equipment, please bring your own. We can provide avalanche equipment if necessary. Please inform us beforehand so we can prepare the equipment for you.
- Please bring a mobile phone with you.
- Please wear a helmet for all off-piste courses.
- Make sure you’ve got a piste map in your pocket (you can pick them up from most lift stations or the tourist office for free.)
Additional Information
- As these are group lessons, we ask that you consider the others in the group. Please be realistic about your level as it is much harder to manage a split ability group off-piste!
- We love skiing off-piste and can provide video analysis that we can later send to you. Please ask your instructor if you’d like them to take photos and videos of your skiing off-piste.
- If you’re in a position to rent different skis, we’d recommend an all mountain ski or a wider fat powder ski.
- These off-piste skiing courses are more focused on exploration, mountain safety, off-piste ski technique and less ski instruction with focused drills. Depending on your experience, we will provide avalanche safety training to those who need a refresher or are unfamiliar with the equipment or safety skills required.
- Want to effortlessly glide through the powder making consistent turns? We’ve got you!
CHOOSE BETWEEN OUR OFF-PISTE SKI LESSONS
- Resort Explorer & Technique Tune-Up
- Off-Piste Level 1
- 3hrs
- €80/session
- Introduction to Ski Touring
- Off-Piste Levels 1 & 2
- 3hrs
- €80/session
- Novice Off-Piste Session
- Off-Piste Level 1
- 3hrs
- €80/session
- Intermediate Off-Piste Session
- Off-Piste Level 2
- 6hrs
- €150/session
- Advanced Off-Piste
Session - Off-Piste Level 3
- 6hrs
- €150/session
- Expert Off-Piste
Session - Off-Piste Level 4
- 6hrs
- €150/session
- Touring & Backcountry Session
- Off-Piste Level 4
- 6hrs
- €150/session
Resort Explorer and Technique Tune-Up
Start your week by tapping into a local ski instructor’s knowledge to get the most out of your holiday. These sessions are 3 hours in the afternoons and are available in the following resorts: Courchevel, Meribel, Avoriaz, Les Arcs, Tignes, St Anton, Verbier and Val d’Isere.
Minimum Level: New Generation Adult Ski Level 5 / Ski Club Red
What you’ll cover:
- Which runs are best, and when to ski them. Discover where to find the best snow conditions and avoid the crowds.
- Get quick tips to fine-tune your technique and ensure you hit the slopes confidently.
Introduction to Ski Touring
An introduction to ski touring for intermediate skiers who have never ski toured before. These sessions are 3 hours long in the afternoons and are available in Tignes & Val d’Isère.
Minimum Ski Level: Adult Ski Level 5 and Off-Piste Level 2 (Silver)
Equipment required: Skis with touring bindings, skins, transceiver, shovel, and probe.
What you’ll cover:
- Explanation of the equipment and how it works.
- How to use the equipment on and off-piste, and the basic skills required for touring uphill.
- How to pace yourself, move efficiently and conserve your energy
- How to step/kick turn
- How to adjust your technique when descending on a lightweight touring setup
Skills may be developed on and off-piste to try out different exercises and build confidence.
Novice Off-Piste Session
An introductory coaching session for competent on-piste skiers who haven’t skied off-piste before. These sessions run for 3 hours in the afternoons and are available in the following resorts: Courchevel, Meribel, Avoriaz, Les Arcs, Tignes, St Anton, Verbier and Val d’Isere
Minimum Level: Adult Ski Level 5 and Off-Piste Level 1 (Red)
Equipment required: Transceiver, shovel and probe. (New Generation can provide this if you request this at the point of booking.) We recommend guests use off-piste skis.
What you’ll cover
- What avalanche safety equipment is and how to use it.
- Basic avalanche search and rescue techniques
- On-piste exercises and drills to develop the skills essential for off-piste skiing.
- The skills needed to ski the current snow conditions and put these into practice in variable snow.
- An introduction to reading terrain to pick a safe route of travel off-piste.
- Build your skills to be able to join an intermediate off-piste full-day adventure.
Intermediate Off-Piste Session
A full-day (6 hours) of off-piste adventures and learning in a safe environment for skiers who have skied some off-piste before.
Minimum Level: Adult Ski Level 5 and Off-Piste Level 2 (Silver)
Fitness Level: Able to ski for 6 hours (with a break) on red runs and mellow off-piste terrain.
Equipment required: Transceiver, probe and shovel compulsory. (The Ski School can provide this if needed. Please request one at the time of booking.) Water and snacks. We recommend guests use off-piste skis.
What you’ll cover
- A brief refresher course on avalanche safety equipment.
- How to dig a snow pit. Your instructor will then explain the snowpack, showing you the season’s layers and snow story. So you can understand what’s under your feet!
- The skills needed to ski in the current snow conditions.
- How to apply those skills in variable snow while exploring and having fun on gentle off-piste terrain.
- Using your turn shape to control your speed as you descend and learning to pick and ski your own line.
- How to ski safely off-piste:
- How to manage a group
- Where to stop and regroup safely
- Line selection to minimise exposure
Advanced Off-Piste Session
A full-day guided off-piste adventure for competent off-piste skiers. Available in Tignes, St Anton and Val d’Isere.
Minimum Level: Off-Piste Level 3 (Purple)
Fitness level: Ability to ski for 6 hours (with a break ) on black runs and variable terrain. Experience getting back up after a fall off-piste.
Equipment required: Transceiver, probe and shovel compulsory. (The Ski School can provide this if needed. Please request one at the time of booking.) Water and snacks. Off-piste skis are recommended.
What you’ll cover
- A brief refresher course on avalanche safety equipment.
- Snowpit analysis. You’ll try to describe what you see, and with the instructor’s guidance, as a group, you’ll build a picture of the history of the snowpack.
- Explore off-piste terrain further afield—testing and developing your technique on steeper off-piste terrain.
- The skills needed to ski more difficult snow conditions or off-piste features. Build your confidence so you can tackle anything the mountain throws at you.
- How to spot and land small jumps.
- Using natural features to pick fun lines to make the most of your turns in the off-piste.
- You’ll learn about the orientation of the mountains you’re exploring, discovering what aspect you’re on and how the orientation of the slope affects the snowpack and safety of your descents—learning to pick safe lines depending on the time of day and which direction the slope is facing.
Expert Off-Piste Session
A challenging off-piste adventure day (6 hours) for experienced and confident off-piste skiers. These sessions are available in Tignes, St Anton and Val d’Isere.
Minimum Level: Off-Piste Level 4 (Gold)
Fitness level: Able to ski for 6 hours (with a break ) in off-piste and variable terrain and being able to stand back up by yourself in case of a fall.
Equipment required: Transceiver, probe and shovel compulsory. (The Ski School can provide this if needed. Please request one at the time of booking.) Off-piste skis. Water and snacks.
What you’ll cover
- A briefing on avalanche safety equipment and the snowpack.
- Multiple-victim avalanche searches and how to manage these situations
- Then the adventure starts! You’ll head off for the day, which could lead you to hidden valleys, north-facing couloirs, steep descents, and un-tracked snow. Enjoy the surprise, as it will be the snow and weather conditions that will ultimately guide the instructor’s choice.
- Technique specific to that day’s challenges: This could be working on your confidence to ski an exposed line, polishing your quick turns in tight trees, improving your balance when linking turns in steep, narrow couloirs or staying safe while boot packing a steep face.
- If conditions require you to go further afield to get good snow, then you may be going ski touring. The ski school will contact you in advance so you can come prepared if this is the case.
- You’ll learn in more depth all of the factors to consider when descending an off-piste pitch in order to be able to make the best decisions in the off-piste terrain.
Touring and Backcountry Session
An adventure day (6 hours) far from the pistes ski touring to access remote terrain. These sessions are available in Tignes, St Anton and Val d’Isere.
Minimum Level: Off-Piste Level 4 (Gold)
Fitness level: Need to be able to tour 500m+ of ascent.
Equipment required: Touring skis and bindings, skins, transceiver, shovel, probe. (The ski school can provide an avalanche pack if needed. Please request at the time of booking. ) Minimum of 1 litre of water, snacks and a picnic lunch.
What you’ll cover
- A briefing on avalanche safety equipment and the snowpack.
- How to check the local weather forecast and avalanche risk bulletin.
- How to read a map, pick a route and understand the steepness and avalanche risks of the slopes you’ll be accessing.
- 500m+ of vertical ascent, taking in the spectacular scenery and learning about the environment around you. You may learn the names of the main peaks in the area, the valleys that divide them and the local features and terrain traps.
- Where it is safe to take breaks and how to safely pick a route up the mountain.
- How to improve your kick turns on steep ascents, improve your balance touring on difficult terrain and work on your movements to improve your efficiency.
- Picking your line down the face you’re skiing. This could be a powder field, steep couloir, ridgeline or forest. You’ll experience the excitement of skiing in the real backcountry. This should be a day that you won’t forget for a long time.
Avalanche safety equipment will usually be required for both private lessons and clinics. If you need to borrow kit off us, please get in touch when booking your lesson.
Need help booking your ski courses?
Give us a call, we’re here for you.
UK office: +44 1462 674 000
Lines open: Monday – Friday 9:00 – 17:00 UK
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