 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
In last 1-2 years I have started getting into off-piste. Had a fantastic week in Tignes last year with ESF class 4 - did a lot of the well known routes (e.g. spatule, banane, cugnai, grand vallon, familiale, charvet etc) - although instruction was only so-so.
Anyway, would like to hear recommendations for resort where I could carry on - so there should be good terrain and good instruction, where you can be sure they will be running off-piste classes throughout year. But also a resort suitable for OH who is intermediate, and unfortunately she will not be happy in St Anton or anywhere where reds and blues are both difficult and crowded.
I am not looking for gnarly off-piste, quite happy with easy stuff, I am not an expert. Also a little less interested in joining group out of the Bureau des Guides like I did in Les Arcs last year, as they are doing somewhat more advanced stuff than my comfort level.
Also, because I will be with OH and kids, I should be back most days for lunch. ESF does suit as they have you back at 12 to rejoin OH and kids.
I am more than happy to go back to Tignes and do all same routes again, they were just perfect, and they run off-piste classes all year long, however, I have been there for the last 3 years now and want to try somewhere else next year.
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You might want to delete the duplicate thread. The simplest answer to your question (alothough not the cheapest) is any resort in the Western US or Canada. Having controlled off piste means it's easy to ski anywhere you want without being overly concerned plus resorts are smaller so navigation not such a factor. That said if you're willing to pay for all your off piste time then any resort should have competent instructor groups you should be able to join. Just make your requirements absolutely clear when booking.
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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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Thanks. I thought of N America but out of question due to prohibitive cost
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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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I would suggest it is the instructor/tion you need to concentrate on rather than the resort.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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patricksh, you might take a look at the off-piste instruction weeks run by UCPA (in Chamonix, amongst others). You can book direct or through Action-Outdoors. They provide a very good value way of doing what you want to do. But I think they're still on summer schedule - next season's snow holidays don't seem to be on the website yet.
Some very positive reports here on SHs, though the higher level groups are obviously very gnarly indeed. The holidays are all-inclusive - including instruction, specialist gear, all meals, etc etc
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pam w, isn't ucpa men only? Don't think OH would be ok with it
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patricksh, UCPA under 40 (but not strictly enforced). def not men only
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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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patricksh, you could try La Plagne, Les Arcs or Trois Vallees, all have good off piste and would suit the OH. you could also consider St Anton but stay in Lech/Zurs???
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In les Arcs last year also; no-one doing OP classes as such- only thing going was joining a group out of Bureau des Guides, which I did for a (scary) day. Reckon Face Nord de Bellecote is still outside my comfort level. So I want resort like Tignes or Val d'Isere where there is guaranteed OP classes even outside Feb peak, that not the case in Les Arcs. Would Val Thorens fit bill?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I was also wondering Flaine or Alpe d'Huez, as think OH / kids would love there from what I heard. She finds Tignes a bit difficult. And she won't go back to Les Arcs after a bad collision with ignoramnus last year.
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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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patricksh, some UCPA centres have double rooms - my daughter and BF stayed in one in Flaine, and had super room with balcony. The OH could also have lessons - they're at all levels.
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You know it makes sense.
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There are quite a few outfits doing courses in Chamonix, BASS Chamonix being just one. The terrain is second to none, the main issue is getting lucky with the snow. Another option is http://www.offpisteskiing.com/ run by a snowhead.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Verbier.
Zermatt.
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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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pam w, UCPA would not suit as the OP is with kids as well as wife! UCPA do take kids, but at separate times to the adult weeks.
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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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Serre Chevalier? Plenty of accessible off-piste adjacent to, and often between pistes enabling you to ski together - some tree-line, some above. Some excellent progressor opportunities too. I'd recommend Eureka Ski for lessons.
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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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| Quote: |
UCPA would not suit as the OP is with kids as well as wife!
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ah yes! should have read more carefully. 
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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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| Quote: |
you could try La Plagne
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I don't know the other resorts listed so well, but for La Plagne there are definitely off-piste lessons available all season, although these are sometimes more expensive at non-peak times if there are only a few people in the group.
Have a chat with oxygene (http://www.oxygene-ski.com/la-plagne-ski-and-snowboard-school.htm) or Reflex (http://www.reflex-skischool.com/index.php) and let them know what you are looking for.
It would also be worth contacting the ski club of great britain to see what their rep is running for the week you are in resort. They usually run some off-piste days in La Plagne when the snow is good enough, led by guides rather than instructors, but organised on the basis of ability which might suit you.
Good luck - and happy planning!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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patricksh, For Baqueira, the local 'British' ski school will provide off piste lessons - http://www.bbskischool.co.uk/
while there is a Mountain Guides office in the main town (Vielha).
These guys provide the heli-ski service:
http://www.pyreneesheliski.com/
I think we paid 300 euro for 3 drops but there may have been an element of mates rates.
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patricksh, Les Carroz ESF has freeride weeks, 6 days with 5 hour each day with instruction, what you do does tend to depend a little bit on the level of the group, but largest group i have been in was 7, and 3 who were thought not enough ability on 2 of the days went to the highest level piste group instead. They supply all the avi stuff or bring your own, and they have to do some beacon training at the start of the week. Its euro 270 for the week
les carroz would be good for your OH and kids
or there is bureau des guides which is in the village centre right in the middle of the square.
There is lots of lift served off piste in the grand massif and quite a bit extra with a bit of a hike
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| Quote: |
Its euro 270 for the week
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That sounds like a good deal.
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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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| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
Its euro 270 for the week
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That sounds like a good deal. |
Very good deal considering getting a guide for under 80 Euro a head per day is a bit of a score these days.
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| carroz wrote: |
| patricksh, Les Carroz ESF has freeride weeks, 6 days with 5 hour each day with instruction, what you do does tend to depend a little bit on the level of the group, but largest group i have been in was 7, and 3 who were thought not enough ability on 2 of the days went to the highest level piste group instead. They supply all the avi stuff or bring your own, and they have to do some beacon training at the start of the week. Its euro 270 for the week |
That's worth knowing. Does the group tend to get taught in french, or is it more of a guiding week?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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It's self-promotion which I prefer to avoid, but at New Generation we have off-piste clinics for what we call Level 6 and 7 skiers. The All Mountain (Level 6+) Clinic is introduction/improver off-piste sessions, with the Advanced All Mountain (Level 7) being more extreme. Resorts include Tignes/Val d'Isere and across Les 3 Vallees. As one of the instructors in Meribel I really enjoy teaching these. Further info: http://skinewgen.com/lesson-types/clinics
Just another option to consider alongside plenty of other good options above.
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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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I did a freeride course her in Fieberbrunn, in Tyrol, and found it quite gnarly enough for me. However, there are also runs not far off piste, e.g. on the Hochhörndl, which can be very enjoyable. The local ski schools can offer instruction for off piste.
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Mosha Marc, Both languages, all the instructors that i have been with their English has been very good (my understanding of french is ok however) there is quite a guiding element, but also some clinic bits to iron out the faults. If you ask they usually do something technical for you. The last one i did at half term we went everywhere, (at rocket speed!) including half an hour hike across flaine golf course up to l'arbaron which was epic. Some of the tree stuff has been fantastic, and also flaine bowl which you need the guide due to the holes.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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kitenski, yes thats it, i have seen it run other times other than vacances scolaires. Last half term they were not running it, i just asked at the esf office if they could, so they called the director and he said yes...so at first it was just me, then 3 others arrived (all 16 and rather good!) and that was it. They said they would have run it with just me!
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Poster: A snowHead
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carroz, Cheers!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Mosha Marc wrote: |
| carroz wrote: |
| patricksh, Les Carroz ESF has freeride weeks, 6 days with 5 hour each day with instruction, what you do does tend to depend a little bit on the level of the group, but largest group i have been in was 7, and 3 who were thought not enough ability on 2 of the days went to the highest level piste group instead. They supply all the avi stuff or bring your own, and they have to do some beacon training at the start of the week. Its euro 270 for the week |
That's worth knowing. Does the group tend to get taught in french, or is it more of a guiding week? |
The issue re being taught in french or english is important. If you are the only english speaking person and less than 10% of what is said is said in english it is freaky. As is the tendency of many French to compete to be first to go after the instructor / guide, turning it into free-for-all. I thought we were meant to go one-by-one OP
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