Off-Piste Maurienne Ski Tour
Overview
Discover the best kept secret off-piste powder in the Alps with a guided tour of the Maurienne valley ski resorts! Explore unknown resorts, mountains, glaciers & villages.
Despite being surrounded by well-known nearby ski resorts like Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, & Sestriere in Italy, the Haute Maurienne valley remains a relatively unknown ski destination. Its off-piste freeride potential is incredible & a lot easier with a guide. The names of the local resorts may be unknown to you: La Norma, Valfréjus, Aussois, Val Cenis and Bonneval - 5 ski resorts with quite different characters ... all unique! The Orelle access to the 3 Valleys' Val Thorens is also in the Maurienne, allowing for forays there too!
Using the ski lifts & skins (if you are up for it!), allow a guide to share with you their secret spots to enjoy the most perfect off-piste freeride powder week in the Haute Maurienne. In the evenings, stay in an authentic local hotel, enjoy the friendly hospitality of the owners & eat the best fresh, traditional cuisine. It may be the best freeride powder week you have ever had in the Alps!
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Ski Resorts Visited
Over 6 ski days (or 4 if go on the shorter tour!) explore the limitless off-piste freeride skiing options in the Haute Maurienne. There is something for everyone here: larch forests, couloirs, wide-open alpine bowls & glaciers. Using the ski lifts from several resorts & skins if required, discover the best snow & secret spots in these wonderful mountains. Resort visited on the tour include Aussois, Bonneval sur Arc, La Norma, Orelle-Val Thorens, Val Cenis and Valfrejus. For more detail, see the Itinerary Tab for more.
Meeting Point & Transfers
The tour includes transfers from the meeting points at either Turin or Chambery airport to the accommodation in the Haute Maurienne valley. A pick-up from Modane train station (on the Paris-Lyon-Turin-Milan line)is also a possibility. Transfers from other airports are possible at an extra cost (i.e. Milan Malpensa or Lyon St Exupery). See the Itinerary Tab for more.
Accommodation & Meals
Enjoy the hospitality, food & drink of an authentic French mountain village for 7-nights, staying in a locally run hotel or apartment. Breakfast & dinner are included. A shorter 4-night option, effectively a lovely long weekend is available too. There are four different lodging options, see the Accommodation Tab for more.
Guides, Group Size & Safety
You will go with local mountain guides and ski instructors that are dedicated and passionate skiers. Finding the best snow and the runs you will enjoy most is their job, and your safety their main focus.
The size of groups is limited to a maximum of 6 skiers/splitboarders per guide. Mixed (open) and private groups are possible. You can request a private guiding tour for a group up to 6 people, or join a mixed (open) group for the week. Private tours may incur additional fees depending on the group size.
Avalanche safety gear is mandatory for all participants. All guests are required to ski/board with an ABS backpack (or equivalent). Modern transceivers (beacons), probes and shovels plus ABS backpacks are available for rent if you do not own them. In order to ensure everyone is able to use it, a quick but efficient safety briefing will be conducted prior to skiing. Included is a practice beeper search and the opportunity ask any questions you might have regarding the snow conditions of the day and the runs the group will ski.
Technical & Personal Requirements
Ski Ability
Participants of all abilities can be catered for on the daily tour. Have you ever put your skis off the slopes, or do you spend your time chasing powder? Whatever your level, there is a group for you, and a suitable program.
- Off-piste beginner: You have a fairly good level on-piste skiing, and you are able to ski almost any red (intermediate) piste. You have no experience of off-piste but dream of your first turns in powder! Physically you can ski without a problem for a whole day at your own pace & level.
- Apprentice Freerider: You are a good skier on piste, including black piste. You have done a bit of off-piste before and can turn easily if the snow is smooth & the slope is not too steep. You would like to improve your technique… and confidence off the slopes.
- Freerider Expert: You are a very good skier, and no slope is too difficult. You have already practiced skiing off the slopes a lot and can even say that this is your main practice. You no longer go skiing to stay on the slopes! You are confident in any type of snow but would like to improve technically.
- Expert: You are a strong skier, whatever the terrain & type of snow. You can ski long freerando routes, even if technically & physically demanding or steep. You are looking for new challenges!
Lifts & Skinning
The Off-piste Maurienne ski tours utilise the ski lifts of the local ski resorts & depending on conditions, may also use climbing skins to reach the best untracked snow. On a good powder day, no skinning will be required - skiing will be directly from the lifts. In more challenging conditions, a skin time of up to 1½hr for the day may be required from the top lifts.
Fitness
Good physical condition is a benefit in order to fully enjoy the day. Skinning or short ascents on foot may be included in the day. You should be prepared to ski all day long at a reasonable pace.
Food & Drink
Food & drink during the day is your responsibility. The group can decide whether they want a lunch indoors at a mountain restaurant (the guides know all the good ones) or al-fresco with a picnic 'in the field' (the guides know all the good spots for this too!). All other meals are included in the tariff.
