FEEDBACK:"Each day our Guide found fresh snow, even though
it hadn`t snowed for two weeks. Not a bad achievement, and
a testament to the calibre of your staff" Bob F,
Belfast, 2004
Courses
Overview
We
offer two challenging levels of course: Level 1 -
Adventure, and Level 2 - Performance. Level
1 is for those with a little off piste experience, such
as a day on Vallee Blanche or 'between the piste' off
piste. Those on Level 2 will have at least a week's
previous off piste experience, such as attending the
Level 1 course.
Both
courses are a week of the most thrilling ski runs in
the Chamonix valley, as well as skiing in other famous
areas such as Courmayeur or Zermatt. Our aim is for
you to enjoy a challenging, thrilling, great off piste
week.
Your
expert IFMGA Mountain & Ski Guide will show you some
of the most remote and beautiful wilderness regions of
the Mont Blanc massif, whilst improving your technique
and looking after your safety. You also have the opportunity
to try using ski touring kit to access untracked powder.
The
level of the runs is only limited by your previous off
piste experience and the conditions. You do not need to
be super fit, but good stamina will make the days easier
and allow you more breath to enjoy the scenery.
Apart
from enhancing your skiing ability, you will also develop
your technical skills in route finding over glaciers,
practicing crevasse rescue, and becoming efficient at
avalanche prediction and tranceiver searches.
The
group for each course is limited to six people per Guide
to ensure that you get good access, and learn as much
as possible, as we have found that a small group on the
mountain achieves and learns far more.
Off
Piste Level 1. Dates: 30
Jan - 5 Feb 2011, 6
- 12 February 2011, 13
- 19 February 2011, 20
- 26 February 2011, 27
Feb - 5 March 2011, 6
- 12 March 2011,
20 - 26 March 2011, 10
- 16 April 2011. Off Piste Level 2. Dates: 6
- 12 February 2011, 6
- 12 March 2011, 20
- 26 March 2011, 27 Mar - 2 April 2011.
For current availability on these courses click
here.
The
course at a glance...
•7
days, running from Sunday to Saturday.
Price £599pp, includes accommodation.
•
Avalanche safety kit (tranceiver, probe, shovel, etc)
is provided for the course.
•
Top tip... this week can preceed a Chamonix to Zermatt
Haute Route tour.
Ski
technique analysis
This
video clip was taken on an Off Piste Level 1 (novice)
course based in Chamonix, for the purposes of using for
feedback and analysis sessions after each day of guiding.
We use video feedback on most of our off piste courses,
whenever it is the best tool for helping people improve
their style and skills. Whenever we get film footage of
you skiing, we ensure that you get a copy of the film,
so when you return home you can show your friends what
a brilliant skier you are!
Safety
kit included
The
course price includes the loan of an avalanche transceiver
for each person, and shovels and probes amongst the group.
Note that if you were to hire this it would cost over
£10 per day!
Already got a group?
The
course price for our scheduled course dates is just £599
per person, and all the dates are guaranteed to run. There's
no difference to the scheduled dates course price whether
you are booking on your own, or as a small group. However,
if you have a group and would like to form a private group
Number
of people
Cost
per person
1
person in group
£1699
per person
2
people
in group
£999
per person
3
people
in group
£749
per person
4
people
in group
£625
per person
5
people
in group
£549
per person
6
people
in group
£499
per person
whether
you have a group of six people or are on your own, we
can run an off piste course for you on any week of the
winter season. The table above shows the group rates for
any group size. If there are more than six of you, you
will require multiple guides, but can work out the costs
based on the table. The prices for the private groups
have exactly the same inclusions and exclusions as the
scheduled courses, as detailed at the base of this page.
So
why choose Icicle?
We
are true specialists in Chamonix off piste. See
our ski blog, by clicking on the RSS logo (right).
Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and snow conditions each day, so
that you maximise the amount of time spent skiing
each day.
Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately.
We
have a team of over 30 IFMGA guides, and a resort
support team, who all want you to have the best
off piste skiing possible! For more details on the
guiding team and qualifications, please click
here.
Brief
Course Itinerary
The
Level 1 - Adventure, and Level 2 - Performance
courses run on different weeks, with the itineraries adapted
daily to cater for the best snow conditions, and your improving
ski level. The itineraries are for guidance, but should give
an idea of what you can achieve during the week. Level 2 tackles
harder, longer, and deeper off piste...
Sunday
Travel to Chamonix to arrive for the 17:00 check-in followed
by and course safety and itinerary briefings. There is
time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings
are over by 19:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany the
group to pre-dinner drinks. Some clients opt to travel
out a day or two early to get their ski legs back and
to test out their skis, whilst many others opt to do a
two day acclimatisation weekend course. Night in Chamonix.
Monday
After meeting your guide in the morning, you are driven
to one of the ski areas, such as le Tour. The private
ski transfers to and from the slopes each day are a key
feature of the course. The focus of the day is as a test
day of off piste runs at Le Tour. For
either level of clinic you will find untracked powder
through the trees. Evening theory session on the key safety
knots and Alpine ropework for off piste skiers. Night
in Chamonix.
Tuesday
Typically today involves off piste over glaciers, such
as one (or more) descents of the famous Vallee Blanche
above Chamonix. If you've done the classic route, there
are runs via Helbronner by a more testing route such as
the Italian Bowl. Another option is skiing the Glacier
de Toule from Helbronner to Le Pavillion, followed by
the Vallée Blanche. Evening
session on Alpine weather prediction and the effects of
mountains on the weather. Night in Chamonix.
Wednesday
Searching for fresh tracks over glaciers and through crevasses,
either the classic Pas de Chevre from Grand Montets to
Montenvers, or maybe the Argentiere glacier. Another
option is skiing in the Aiguilles Rouges above Index.
As you will by now have spotted there are hundreds of
options for off piste skiing in Chamonix, so don't worry
as there is too much to choose from. Evening session on
skiers crevasse rescue and emergency hoist systems.
Night in Chamonix.
Thursday
By now your ski level should have developed well, and
you could consider a more challenging off piste descent
such as the back of Le Tour to Trient, or the Grand Envers
from the Aiguille du Midi. Another possibility is to drive
through the Mont Blanc tunnel to have a day of Italian
off piste with fresh tracks and powder skiing above Courmayeur.
Evening
session on avalanche prediction and ARVA avalanche tranceiver
search patterns and procedures. Night
in Chamonix.
Friday
On the final day of skiing, most groups go for a big day
of classic off piste runs. The Grand Montets lift above
Argentiere is a classic venue for this, as there are so
many lines down to the glaciers or on the front face.
An alternative is for the group to try ski touring and
kick turns for a day on the Argentiere glacier, so as
to pick up a new skill to access better off piste next
time. Evening instruction session, then a celebratory
meal, with the final night spent
in Chamonix.
Saturday
Breakfast, then course debrief, with feedback and questions
and answers session. Depart for home. If you have an early
Saturday flight, you can have the debrief on Friday after
guiding.
ITINERARY NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries.
Mountain adventures are weather and conditions dependant,
so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans. If this
is the case, suitable alternatives are offered. Please
use this outline itinerary as a guide to the types of
route / activity that you will attempt.
Skis
and equipment advice
Because
we know it is so important to you to have the most suitable
equipment and clothing for off piste skiing, we have devoted
a page especially to it, which you can access by clicking
on the image to the right, or by clicking
here. This page outlines the key equipment
you should bring, and gives examples of skis that are
suitable for the course. If after reading this page you
have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch
with our Chamonix team, who will be able to advise, and
to help you avoid any costly mistakes. The key point to
highlight is that it is highly unlikely that your piste
skis will be suitable for off piste skiing, as they are
too narrow at the waist and will not offer enough flotation
in the powder. In fact slalom style skis cut through powder
to the older crusty snow below.
Course
Prices
Standard
course
5
days guiding, 7 days holiday in total
£599
Premium
course
7
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guides for five
days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings,
3) Pre course information booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher
for UK shops, 5) Six nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix
(inc. bedding & towels), 6) Free 36 page technical Course
Instruction Booklet, 7) Private road transport in Chamonix valley
to and from the slopes each day, 8) Chamonix office support.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars (approx £80),
3) Ski hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches,
& any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants,
5) Transport outside the Chamonix valley, 6) Activities insurance,
excess baggage charges.
Notes:
The
loan of all avalanche safety kit is included (avalanche tranceiver,
avalanche probe and shovel).
Reductions:
If
you do not need any accommodation for the course, a £100
discount per person is offered.
Upgrade
options
Acclimatisation
Weekend £99
(throughout the season)
To
get the most out your course, acclimatisation is essential
so that you minimise the chances of AMS (altitude sickness)
later on during your course,
details.
Half
Board Upgrade £99
(throughout the season)
For
every night that you are in town, you eat in a different
restaurant in the centre of Chamonix. Always three courses,
to power you for the next day.
Avalanche
Skills Day £49
(throughout the season)
To
learn avalanche prediction, reutschblocks and use of avalanche
tranceivers. Course is available on any day during the
week (includes ARVA),
details.
