Poster: A snowHead
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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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Dan, I think you'll find that your guide will take care to tailor the experience to your ability. He's not likely to expect you to carry an avalanche shovel but he might helpfully lend you a transceiver.
I say "helpfully" with the proviso that he might not involve you in much training in using it (which is not easy, but essential if it may be needed).
If you're new to off-piste, and the guide realises this, he's not going to take you into areas of high risk. And he will certainly keep avalanche exposure to an absolute minimum (partly by checking the daily risk level).
At New Year in Sauze don't expect masses of off-piste. Snow depths are typically not very great there and then. Ski later in the season - say late Feb onwards - to enjoy off-piste at its best. In the high ski areas, off-piste can be best in April and even early May.
But my suggestion is to talk to local bar owners etc. (try the Andy Capp if it's still going strong) who will know the best guides.
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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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with all this talk from various people about the season not being good at x-mas/new year and better to go later, the season will end up only being a month or so long.................good job i've got my fingers crossed and have been making sacrifices to the snow gods for a while to ensure my stash of powder will be there
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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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Dan, have a look at www.facewest.com, they are back country specialists and very helpful.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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My experience has been that getting a guide is well worthwhile if you are venturing off piste, not only is it safer, but usually they can manage to find untracked powder when noone else can.
The best place to find out about guides is in the local tourist office, they will give you a list with contact details, you can give them a ring and a chat. If you are going in high season, it is worth contacting them before you get to the resort, as good guides can get booked up.
Most guides, and guiding companies will run a number of different groups, both public and private. Generally if you are new to off piste skiing you will need an introductory lesson with a combination of on and off piste guiding and tuition. I wouldn't sign up for a whole day off piste as a beginner as it is very tiring. If it is a reputable company they will provide you with a transciever, and share the rest of the equipment out amongst the group. Generally they will not bother with transceiver tuition as this takes up a lot of time, and you are unlikely to be venturing far off piste. If you are more serious about going off piste it is worth buying your own transceiver, and signing up for a training day to learn how to use it (run in most reasonable sized resorts.)
From experience, approximate cost in a shared group was about 100 euros for a day, that was with a group of 8 people. Those of us who managed a whole day thought that it was well worth it, although quite a few people dropped out at lunchtime because it was tiring. This was in St Anton, although I believe that it is pretty similar accross the board.
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