 Poster: A snowHead
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I am looking to do a short trip in March to get an intro to off piste skiing. Unfortunately I have no friends, so looking to do a solo trip and need some advice...
I like the look of the New Generation Ski "Essentials" group one day course (details below). They suggested I should do that on the first day, then have a private guide for the rest of the days I want to do. I am not familiar with their locations and transfer times seem long, which doesn't work well unless doing a full week.
I'm thinking to fly late Thursday night to Geneva then transfer to Chamonix (seems most logical) - I would then get a late flight back on Monday, (so only taking 2 days off work).
So hopefully I would get 4 days of skiing, which would include actual learning to be safe...
Can anyone recommend a guide or company in Chamonix they can recommend for this?
Also what area would be best to aim for accomodation? I guess the guide company can advise on this.
I'm not on a "powder hunt", happy to ski any conditions and really just want to learn/improve technique and experience something different to piste cruising.
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 off-piste
An introduction to reading terrain to pick a safe travel route off-piste
Minimum Level: New Generation – Off-Piste Level 1 | SCGB Off-Piste Red
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@ski_potato, The Shs bashes @DOTM mentions are a good shout.
Otherwise, UACP run courses on a sort of youth hostelly basis (technically you should be under 40) in many resorts. Warren Smith in Verbier is well regarded. Chamonix Experience are good. Alpine Experience in Val d'Isere as well.
I can't imagine that any of these solutions will be more expensive than a day's group lesson followed by however many private guided days?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If Chamonix, and sticking to a long weekend, reach out to Evolution 2:
https://evolution2.com/en/chamonix
They have a range of single and multiday group options, including beginner offpiste instruction, group offpiste guiding, private guides, and offpiste safety sessions. It's hard to say for sure now what they'd have running on your dates, but there should be something of interest. They're well set up for people doing weekends.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks - just a bit of a struggle to do a full week off at the moment, plus I need to be efficient with work holiday.
That's why I will probably need to figure out a "private" option.
I guess most guides would be able to teach the safety parts over the 4 days.
I'd rather be in a small group than solo... Might get a bit much doing 4 days with the same guide 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@ski_potato, welcome to SH's. First of all, it's a great idea to get into off piste and to understand you will have a few things to learn.
One thing to start though. If you are going to regularly ski off piste you will need friends or some money to pay for a guide. UCPA is also something to look it - been discussed many times on here if you do a search. As is the SH's bash DotM mentions above.
Another thing is you don't need to go to Chamonix for an intro to off piste. And, in fact, I would say it's not the best place. If it's an advanced off piste mecca but it's not a convenient place in many ways.
When are you thinking of going?
For me private guides are an expensive way of learning.
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Looking at flying out Thurs 6 March late and back late on Monday 10 March. So should get 4 days of skiing (or at least 3.5).
Everything seems to be minimum 5 day courses except All Mountain Performance which have a 3 day course on 11-13 April.
It won't be cheap, but hopefully I'll make some improvements, have a better understanding of my capabilities.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@ski_potato, Evolution 2 do a range of single day courses. Have they said they won't have any on your dates?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thanks for the help all.
Just to sort of conclude this, looks like I will go with Evo2, they have offered a "decent" price, equipment included, 4 full days of private guide, collection and return to hotel and a focus on learning safety etc.
Evo2 - £1,485
Chamonix Experience - £2,525
Flights and hotel are pretty cheap, now i just need to hand over money and pray for some good weather.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@rg123, no, you want bad snowy weather, just not too much snow 
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You know it makes sense.
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@rg123, no, you want bad snowy weather, just not too much snow
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