Daily Freeride in the Haute Maurienne
Overview
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 Daily Freeride Groups in Haute-Maurienne tour is undertaken every day that the weather & snow allow and is open to all abilities of skier or snowboarder that can venture off the piste.
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 freeride powder day in the Haute Maurienne. It may even be the best freeride powder day you have ever had in the Alps!
If you are in interested in a multi-day guided tour with accommodation, meals & transfers in the Haute Maurienne, check out the week or long-weekend Off-Piste Maurienne Tour.
Ski Resorts Visited
The five Haute Maurienne ski resorts used to access the 'goods' are all within a short drive of each other & include Aussois, Bonneval sur Arc, La Norma, Val Cenis and Valfrejus. Each has terrain & aspect attributes that provide a varied ski experience, but also one that can take advantage of any weather situation. For even greater diversity, the Maurienne also has a brand new gondola into the 3 Vallees ski area of Orelle-Val Thorens, providing another avenue to the region's high glacier & alpine terrain.
Meeting Point & Transport
Several meeting point options exist for the tour. The guide office in Sollières-Sardières, midway in the valley near Termignon is the general starting location. For those without transport, pick-ups (for an additional fee) can be arranged from the train station at Modane or your local accommodation in the valley/at a ski resort.
Guides, Group Size & Safety
You will go with local mountain guides and ski instructors that are dedicated and passionate skiers. Whilst finding the best snow and the runs you will enjoy most is their job, your safety is their main focus.
The size of groups is limited to a maximum of 6 skiers/splitboarders per guide.
Avalanche safety gear is mandatory for all participants. 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 to ask any questions you might have regarding the day’s snow conditions and the runs the group will ski.
Private or Mixed Group?
You can join a daily mixed (open) group of skiers &/or snow boarders for a flat rate, or if solo or with your own group, you can have a private guide for the day. Rates vary accordingly.
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 Daily Freeride 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!).
