Courses
Off-Piste Skiing Intro - Chamonix
This introduction trip is all about skiing lift accessed off-piste terrain to build up skills and knowledge on how to ski mixed snow safely and confidently. Skiing off-piste is an essential skill to have in order to undertake a backcountry ski touring adventure.
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Duration
5 Days
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Start Location
Chamonix, France
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Date(s)
March
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Price
From €1150.00
Adventure Snapshot
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LEARN HOW TO SKI OFF PISTE IN CHAMONIX
Learning how to ski off-piste is fundamental in being able to explore the whole mountain on skis. On this trip you will learn the basics in skiing different types of snow and various terrain. Think lift accessed powder runs, choppy snow, moguls, and more. We will cover as many different types of snow conditions as possible to set you up with a good base experience to take on future backcountry and ski touring adventures with more confidence.
Not sure whether you're ready to tackle the Off Piste Ski Intro? No problem, take our Off Piste Ski Intro 'Readiness' test.
Off Piste Ski Intro 'Readiness' test
If you think you're already ready and want to jump in to learning about ski touring then check out our ski touring intro trip below.
Ski Touring Intro Trip
Learn more. Download our guide here.
DOWNLOAD PDFEnter your details to download the Off-Piste Skiing Intro – Chamonix brochure
YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Anyone who has a solid base of skiing experience on piste. You must be confident on red runs and preferably happy to ski black runs also. You have a good overall ski technique and are looking to explore further afield. Perhaps you have ambitions of famous ski tours like the Haute Route and you want to build up some off-piste skiing experience beforehand.
Not sure whether you're ready? No sweat! Drop us a note and we'll be happy to talk it through with you. Not sure whether you're ready to tackle the Off Piste Ski Intro? No problem, take our Off Piste Ski Intro 'Readiness' test. Off Piste Ski Intro 'Readiness' test
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Duration
5 Days
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Start Location
Chamonix, France
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Date(s)
March
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Guide Ratio
6:1
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Ability
Level ALevel A
You’re not quite sure where to start but you’re hungry for an adventure and can’t wait to get going. Bring it on!
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Price
From €1150.00
Adventure Overview
See real footage of previous expeditions
Our Ski Touring Intro Trip
01:48Are you tired of the same old ski slopes, crowded lifts, and grumpy chairlift operators? Do you want to add a little excitement to your ski holiday? Well, my friend, it's time to try something new - a ski touring trip in Chamonix!
Ski Time with Adventure Base
00:23Skis, powder, skins, crampons... are there many things better than a ski adventure?
Meet The Team
01:48Introducing our crack squad of mountain lovers and adventure junkies. We spend most of our days plotting, planning and building some of the very best trips out there for you all to enjoy.
Haute Route Ski Tour
02:09One of the most iconic ski tours on the planet.
Kit & equipment required for this adventure
Most of the items below are available to rent or buy in Chamonix on arrival. Please note this is a guide and you may be required to rent or purchase last minute equipment on arrival dependent on the weather and changes in itinerary. We recommend using our partner Concept Pro who offer Adventure Base customers 10% discount.
For the full downloadable Off-Piste Skiing Intro kit list please click here.
Can be rented
All Mountain Skis
Somewhere in-between 95-110mm underfoot is recommended.
Can be rented
Ski Boots
Can be rented
Ski Helmet
Can be rented
Ski Poles
Can be rented
Transceiver
Can be rented
Probe & Shovel
Goggles
Adventure Base clients get 15% off Vallon – Learn more here
FULL KIT LIST
More info
Click the link in the text above to find the full kit list
3 day - Off piste course. What an amazing course! From start to finish it was well structured and well delivered. Our guide Kyriakos was superb and his attention to detail was great. The course is designed to introduce skiers to off piste skiing, to safely navigate off piste, reading slope angles, types of snow and the different techniques necessary on different types of snow covering. Avalanche rescue was covered in detail with time spent of using equipment correctly and effectively. Ample time was spent skiing off piste and exploring under the every watchful eye of Kyriakos who gave constructive feedback on improving your technique. The small group all thoroughly enjoyed themselves and had all improved their ski technique 10 fold by the end of the three days. Thanks to all at Adventure Base for putting together such a great course. I'm looking forward to joining you again on another adventure soon.
FINER DETAILS
YOUR ADVENTURE PACKAGE
On arrival day you meet with your guides and fellow skiers at the accommodation for a welcome briefing and dinner in the evening. Here you will have an opportunity to ask any last minute questions as well as share your pre trip excitement with your group.
What's Included?
- 3 days off-piste skiing
- Learn essential off-piste skiing skills
- Great preparation for evolving to ski touring
- 4 nights hotel accommodation in Chamonix
- 4 Dinners
- 4 Breakfasts
- Handpicked IFMGA ski guide
- All road transport within itinerary
What's not Included?
- Airport transfers
- Uplifts (approx. €50-60 per day)
- Personal equipment and insurance
- Personal snacks, lunch and drinks
What to expect from your accommodation
We know the importance of having a comfortable and cosy base to return to after each day of skiing. That's why we've chosen a mountain lodge with super comfortable rooms and a warm atmosphere. With a cosy bar area and a delicious restaurant we're sure you'll enjoy staying here and warming your toes after a cold day of skiing.
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Chamonix
The lodge is an excellent base for our off-piste skiing intro. With stunning views of the mountains, it's well placed and just a few minutes walk from Chamonix centre. Rooms are on a shared basis with others on the trip, all rooms have en suite bathrooms. There is a bar and restaurant for the evenings, with some lovely social space to relax in after the hard days skiing. You will spend every night of the trip here.
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Duration
4 Nights
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Internet
Wifi included
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Beds
Shared en suite rooms
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Food
Half Board
WHAT TO EXPECT
HERE'S YOUR ITINERARY
While we try and stick to the tried and tested itinerary below, the mountains and the weather sometimes have other ideas. We will always remain as flexible as possible, which is why we only work with experienced and knowledgeable guides, to make sure we can change any plans if required.
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Day 1:
Arrival Day
Arrive in Chamonix. Get to know the guide over a quick briefing and the other members of the group over a delicious 3 course evening meal. Overnight in the hotel.
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Day 2:
First Day Skiing Off-Piste
After a couple of warm up runs on the pistes your guide will slowly introduce you to some mellow off-piste terrain. Here you will begin to experience the challenges of off-piste terrain and you will work on techniques and skills the rest of the morning. In the afternoon you will cover some basic off-piste avalanche awareness with use of transceiver, shovel and probe. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
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Day 3:
Improving skills and techniques
Today we take the skills we learned yesterday and head to a bigger ski area to experience more epic off-piste terrain. The focus being on making longer off-piste runs and linking some powder turns in quiet areas of the resort. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
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Day 4:
Final day skiing off-piste
It's time to put all of your recently acquired skills and techniques to the test on some classic off-piste runs in Chamonix, for example the Vallée Blanche run from the Aiguille du Midi. Alternatively there are some amazing off-piste powder runs at Les Grands Montets. We will decide what's best based on current snow conditions. We'll finish the trip with a final dinner at the hotel before departure the following morning. If you did want to depart today rather than tomorrow, it would be possible to catch an evening flight so just let us know what works best for you.
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Day 5:
Departure
Departure after breakfast. Check out is 10:00 am.
Frequently asked questions about this adventure
Meet your guides for this adventure
Miha
IFMGA Guide
Miha is an IFMGA guide from Slovenia based between the beautiful Julian Alps and Chamonix. He has been climbing for over 20 years all over the world, including expeditions to Nepal, Tibet, India, Pakistan, USA, Mexico and Peru. He summited an 8000er on his first expedition to the Himalaya, did a first ascent on the previously unclimbed Lasher peak in the Himalaya and climbed El Capitan and many routes over the Alps.
Pablo
IFMGA Guide
Pablo is originally from a small mountain village in Spain and came to Chamonix with only one dream to become a mountain guide. Based in Chamonix since 2013, Pablo made the Alps his playground as a guide and as an alpinist and has climbed many of the classic alpine routes. He combines mountain guiding with helicopter rescue work in Spain during the off seasons.
Roger
IFMGA Guide
Roger has spent over 15 years guiding around the world. He is a Guide instructor at the Spanish School of Guides and is fascinated by discovering mountains with clients. Roger has a big passion about showing people his beloved mountains and sharing climbs and descents with skis.
Fede
IFMGA Guide
"My favorite mountain is the Midi d’Ossau, in the Pyrenees. It is a volcanic and unique mountain, that a stands out from the other peaks around. It is a huge fortress with many different features that provides incredible rock climbing routes, and the most important thing is that is 20 minutes from my house ;)"
Are you ready?
Our adventures are attributed a difficulty level from A to E. This Off-Piste Skiing Intro – Chamonix trip is rated Level A, for beginners and newcomers We recommend you only book a trip that reflects your ability.
Level A
For beginners and newcomers
- You’re not quite sure where to start but you’re hungry for an adventure
- Little / no prior experience
- Shorter time duration
- No technical skills required but keen to learn
- Basic level of fitness
Think you've got this?
This trip is at this level
Level B
For those with some prior experience
- You have some previous experience in the outdoors, whether that’s hiking, skiing or climbing, and are keen to build on that
- You will either be starting to venture into more technical terrain or slightly more challenging environments
- Some basic skills
- Moderate fitness
More your level?
Level C
For accomplished adventurers
- You enjoy challenging yourself physically and mentally
- You’re comfortable on multi-day adventures and you call yourself an avid adventurer
- You're not quite George Mallory but you subscribe to his 'because it is there' attitude
- Strong level of fitness
More your level?
Level D
For the pros
- You're ready to test your skills on the next challenge
- You're comfortable in most types of alpine environments
- Some level of technical skills
- Strong level of fitness
More your level?
Level E
For the experts
- You’ve been on multiple adventures and have built up a solid skillset to tackle most challenges out there
- Good technical skills and knowledge
- Experienced in alpine/mountains environments
- Very high level of fitness
More your level?
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READY TO TAKE ON THIS EPIC CHALLENGE?
We hope you've found all the information you need above, but if not don't hesitate to get in touch. If you're ready to book, follow the link below.
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