This course has been running since 2007 with increasing popularity every season. It aims to bring together like-minded people to develop their off-piste skiing performance. Originally it was intended for mountaineers who already have a good understanding of the mountains and the hazards they can present, and would like to get their skiing dialled. More recently we have found this course has appealed to everyone from guides to mountaineers to ski tourers to non mountaineers. Anyone that wants to be part of this like-minded group to develop their off-piste skiing is welcome. There will be no avalanche awareness training or skinning uphill during this course. It is solely about developing ski performance in the off-piste.
You will be given simple yet effective tools to ski whatever the prevailing off-piste conditions are, whether it be firm snow, bumps, powder, chopped up powder or icy snow conditions. You will come away with tactics to help you to ski smoothly through the trees and tight spaces, and feel more confident on steeper terrain. Skiing crust will be addressed in the hope that you became effective in it and it might even become fun! Should conditions allow, we hope to develop skills to float effortlessly through the powder.
To develop all these skills we will need to spend time on the piste to acquire the techniques but we will quickly put it into practice in the off-piste.
The course is broken down into 4 half day sessions, with a day off in the middle for rest or consolidation. Your session will either run from 0900 till 1200 or 1300 till 1600, depending on which group you are in. This will leave the other half of the day free to practice and digest the information you have been given so that you are ready to move on in the next session.
The instructor's enthusiasm and patience will ensure you get the most from this course. You will go away with plenty of new ideas to play around with on skis, to continue to develop your performance throughout the season and beyond.
Full information
The most important pre-requisite for this course is that you are keen to try new things and prepared to have a go. You will be a competent red run skier and have skied some blacks. Ideally you will have put in some mileage in the off-piste and be able to "cope" in the majority of conditions (but in no particular style!).
To help us to match you with skiers of a similar level, we ask you to sign up to either level 1 or 2.
Level 1
"I am a competent red run skier and have experience of skiing blacks. I have skied some off-piste and can “cope” in the majority of conditions. I never feel like I am particularly efficient and my legs can tire quickly. I struggle in deep powder and look forward to the day when I can get the enjoyment from this snow that everyone else seems too. I sometimes use a stem when I don't need too."
Level 2
"I am an experienced off-piste skier and feel competent in the majority of off-piste terrain. I can maintain balance and control when the snow is deep. I’d like to become more efficient, refine my technique and have tactics for dealing with challenging snow conditions. I do not feel nervous or put off when the snow conditions change and like the challenge of deeper snow and firmer icy conditions."
If you are not sure if it's the course for you, or you are unsure which group to sign up for, email giving more details of what you have done. You need to have a transceiver, shovel and probe for this course. These can be hired in Chamonix.
The course meeting point on the first day for morning groups (0900 till 1200) is usually Les Marmottons cafe at the bottom of Les Grands Montets, above Grands Montets Sports. Afternoon groups (1300 till 1600) are normally asked to meet at the mid-station, Lognan, of Les Grands Montets. We will confirm the meeting point the week before the course as it will depend on the prevailing snow and weather conditions.
Throughout the week we may choose to ski at the other resorts in the Chamonix valley; Le Tour, Flégère and Brévent. In the event of bad weather, we may also use Les Houches.
To download the kit list for this course click here.
4 x 3 hour sessions of ski instruction with BASI ISTD Level 4
- Lift pass (see below)
- Insurance (all clients must have their own insurance for skiing off-piste)
- Accommodation
- Food
- Equipment Hire (transceiver, shovel and probe are required for this course)
- Travel
- Transport
Maximum of 6 people
For the duration of the course the area that we will normally use will be covered by Chamonix Le Pass.
In the event of bad weather we may choose to use Les Houches and this is not covered by Chamonix Le Pass. However, you can upgrade the Chamonix Le Pass for the duration left on the pass to a Mont Blanc Unlimited, or buy a day pass for Les Houches. Both of these options are likely to be cheaper than buying a Mont Blanc Unlimited pass for the duration.
If you intend to ski from the Aiguille du Midi, ski in Courmayeur or Les Houches during times outside of the course, then we recommend getting the Mont Blanc Unlimited Pass.
If you are in Chamonix regularly it would be worth considering getting a Chamonix Rapid Card. You pay approximately 60 Euro for the card and are then charged for what you use so that you don't need to queue for a pass each day.
The Wednesday has been left as a free day on this course. Over the years we have found this works well as it allows time for consolidation (or a rest). Frequently we have had requests for a day with an IFMGA Guide to explore further afield. If you'd like to do this you can book onto a Chamonix Guided Ski Day with High Mountain Guides.
Every year there is a free place on Ski Performance for Mountaineers awarded in memory of Chris Walker. Click here for more details.
If none of our dates are suitable and you have 4 people we may be able to arrange dates specifically for you. Email to ask.
Find out more about the Off Piste Performance team. This course was designed by Alison Thacker and are run by Alison, Derek and Shona Tate, Fred Dibblee and Dee O'Neill.
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