Off-Piste Skiing

Introductory. Anyone who is reasonably competent on red pistes can enjoy the delights of off-piste skiing. Often all it takes is a few hints on technique and careful choice of snow and gradient; and with the right progression you will soon be enjoying longer runs away from the lift queues and you will be hooked!

GUARANTEED ENJOYMENT! I really enjoy introducing people to off-piste, to the extent that I will give you a guarantee - if you dont make progress and don't enjoy yourself, I will refund you the guiding fee. Pre-requirements: competent on red pistes.

Intermediate/Advanced. For those who are reasonably comfortable in most types of snow, we spend all day skiing off-piste - sometimes using skins to gain a more inaccessible run. No special equipment is required as it can all be hired. Pre-requirements: good on red pistes and alright on blacks (at least, the easier ones); previous off-piste skiing.

Andermatt, Switzerland. With the 3,000 meter Gemmstock lift and also easy access to Hospental, Real and the Oberalpass, there are many opportunities for good untracked off-piste, much of it on N-facing slopes. www.andermatt.ch

Argentiere, France. Starting at Le Tour and Flegere we move to the Grands Montets, which has some of the steepest and most challenging off-piste in Europe, combined with stunning scenery; and to finish the week we do the Vallee Blanche - a 17kms glacier run from the 3,800m high Aiguille du Midi. www.chamonix.net/enqlish

Davos/Klosters, Switzerland. These two major ski resorts share the extensive Parsenn ski area of 200 miles of ski runs, with a free train for ski pass holders, and also access to Madrisa and the Jackobshorn. So there is a hug amount of skiing with off-piste opportunities on all slope aspects; and if the weather is poor, we can ski low down in the trees.  www.davos.ch/en/winter

Grimentz, Switzerland. This small village just west of Zermatt holds powder on its north-facing slopes. Coupled with the chance to ski at nearby St.Jean and Zinal, we invariably get great off-piste here. Easy access via Geneva and Sierre. I know it well and highly recommend it. www.grimentz.ch

Nax, Switzerland. The Mont Noble ski area of Nax is fairly small and at only 1,300 - 2,600m; but it is hard to beat  for easy-angled off-piste.  If you want loud music and lift queues, best to avoid Nax ! www.nax.ch/en

Tschiertschen, Switzerland. Tschiertschen is a small resort reached from Chur by an exciting bus ride. There is a surprising amount of varied skiing, most of it on N-facing slopes and some through woods, so even on bad weather days we can still get great skiing. www.tschiertschen.ch

Villars, Switzerland. A well established resort not far from Geneva with a lift system linking up to Les Diablerets. Endless choice of off-piste and hotels to suit all. www.villars.ch/en