Before Heading Off Piste...
Before you head off piste, here's a few things you should be thinking about:
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Take a course in avalanche awareness and practice the techniques learned. Henry's Avalanche Talk is one such way to find out more with regards avalanche safety and Mountain Tracks run several such courses in alpine resorts throughout the winter
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Look at the weather and avalanche forecasts for France, reviewing the degree of local avalanche risk also. Henry's Avalanche Talk produces a translation of current avalanche conditions in English and PisteHors.com is an excellent reference also
- Don’t ignore advice given by local mountain guides or others if advised to ski a certain path, or to keep a specific distance between fellow members in a group
- Plan the route carefully, evaluating all different options and assessing all elements of danger. Look at the timings for each route. Inform others of your route, and when you expect to arrive back
- Attach your transceiver properly to you and DON'T FORGET to turn it on, test the signal is working, and make sure you have all the necessary equipment. (A transceiver is of no use if the user has not been trained in its use, it is turned off, or it is in a rucksack - unless you want just your bag to be recovered.)
Off Piste Skiing in Courchevel
There is a lot of off piste skiing in Courchevel, including the areas right next to the pistes. After a recent snowfall, the easiest and safest offpiste is in the Bel Aire area above Courchevel Moriond, either side of Pyramide/Signal/Chapelets.
The tree areas are great for catching some fresh snow and playing off piste - just make sure you have a helmet on and have taken all the safety precautions necessary. Some of the off piste off the top of the Dou des Lanches offer some great lines through the trees and down into La Tania.
There are also the well known off pistes of Col du Fruit and Valee des Avals. They take you far away from the pisted area. We recommened as with all off piste, especially those that are far from the pisted areas, that you have a mountain guide. In the 3 Valleys area it is crucial to have a 3 Valleys pass as you never know which town you will end up in after a day in the powder!
OFF PISTE SKIING IN MERIBEL
The Three Valleys enjoys excellent off-piste skiing – but please only venture off the marked runs in the company of a guide or instructor. Only they have the essential local knowledge necessary to avoid avalanche-prone and dangerous terrain, and they will also find the very best snow.
An alternative to hiring a guide for the day is to join one of the two off-piste guiding groups. You can spend a whole day off-piste with a guide – all for the price of a group lesson. Both Méribel’s ESF and the Mountain Guides Office offer off-piste guiding groups for good skiers. Expect to walk or skin uphill for anything up to an hour, in return for untouched snow and deserted descents. Depending on snow and weather conditions you may picnic on a summit or in a local restaurant, and may ski anything from deep powder, to crud, to spring snow. You need to be a strong skier with some off-piste experience to take part. The guide provides avalanche transceivers; you need to bring a ‘can-do’ attitude.
Remember to bring energy bars and plenty of water and you'll have a fabulous day discovering the classic 3 Valley itineraries and meet like-minded people. To whet your appetite, buy the guide book ‘Les 3 Vallees. Hors Pistes – Off Piste’ available at the Maison de la Presse in Méribel, priced at around 24€.
OFF PISTE SKIING IN VAL THORENS
Val Thorens is one of the most beautiful areas in Europe for offpiste skiing and ski touring. The area is surrounded by six glaciers, giving endless fields of powder snow in breathtaking surroundings.
Discover the glaciers of the Vanoise (check out the descent from the Gebroulazglacier towards Méribel or Pralognan) and the most beautiful off-piste skiing in the Three Vallées in the amazing Maurienne side of the valley.
You can join in guided off-piste tours with the Bureau de Guides or ESF Val Thorens; excursions are led by high altitude mountain guides who are also qualified ski instructors. Expect to walk or skin uphill for anything up to an hour, in return for untouched snow and deserted descents. Depending on snow and weather conditions you may picnic on a summit or in a local restaurant and may ski anything from deep powder, to crud, to spring snow. You need to be a strong skier with some off-piste experience to take part.
The guide provides avalanche transceivers; you need to bring a ‘can-do’ attitude.
If you are an experienced off-piste skier Val Thorens has several recognised off-piste tracks starting at the top of several of the peaks. The weather must be taken into account when attempting any of these off-piste itineraries, not just on the day but also the build-up to it as, due to the altitude of Val Thorens, the snow and wind can create some precarious situations.
Popular off-piste routes include: The Pierre Lory from the top of the Col chair into the Maurienne Valley; La Masse to Lac du Lou La Masse down Vallée des Encombres; further down the valley above St Martin the area between Jerusalem and Pramint is renowned for its off-piste skiing, especially with the instructors and their clients. But you have to be quick, otherwise the Meribellians get there first!
The Three Valleys enjoys excellent off-piste skiing – but please only venture off the marked runs in the company of a guide or instructor. Only they have the essential local knowledge necessary to avoid avalanche-prone and dangerous terrain, and they will also find the very best snow. To whet your appetite, buy the guide book ‘Les 3 Vallees. Hors Pistes – Off piste’ available at the Maison de la Presse in Méribel, price at around 24€.
