In the mood for an adventure this ski season? Going off-piste could be your solution…
With challenging and varied terrain, off-piste skiing provides a great opportunity for proficient skiers to spread their wings and put their skills to good use.
Remember, always take the relevant safety precautions when skiing or preparing to ski off-piste. Ensure you inform others of your whereabouts, check the weather in advance, and bring a trained guide with you.
Chamonix, France
Chamonix, located in the French Alps, is arguably one of the best ski resorts for off-piste skiing. The resort is home to one of the skiing world’s most renowned off-piste runs: the Vallee Blanche.
This thrilling run is 20km long and is accessible from the Aiguille du Midi cable car. Starting at an altitude of 3812m, skiers taking on this challenging route experience an overall vertical drop of 2800m. The route takes approximately four to six hours to complete – but don’t worry, there are plenty of opportunities to rest and refuel.
Along with the Valle Blanche, Chamonix offers advanced skiers the chance to tackle the Pas de Chevre, the Grand Envers du Plan, and the Col du Passon, each a fantastic challenge for those looking to go off-piste.
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Whistler Blackcomb, B.C., Canada
There’s a reason why Whistler is one of North America’s most well-known resorts. With acres upon acres of snowy slopes to enjoy, there’s always something new to be discovered – particularly if you go off-piste.
The resort offers a wide and varied range of terrain, from alpine bowls to chutes, meaning there’s something to suit the preferences of everyone in this expansive Canadian resort. Whistler’s abundant snowfall means there’s frequently fresh powder to be enjoyed in its backcountry areas.
Cowboy Ridge is a popular backcountry trail, with open powder fields and some tricky steep chutes. If you’re searching for a scenic route, take on the trails on the Northwest Face of Mount Pattison, where stunning mountain views abound.
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Val d’Isere, France
Consisting of a remarkable 300km of pistes, it’ll come as little surprise that the Tignes-Val d’Isere ski area provides ample opportunity for off-piste skiing.
The Bellevarde side of the mountain is home to three particularly well-known off-piste routes, such as Le Banane, reachable by the Olympique cable car. Le Fornet Trees is a particularly superb off-piste route and a great option for days when conditions aren’t so good.
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Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
Located in the Teton Range of America’s Rocky Mountains, the off-piste runs in Jackson Hole are as beautiful as they are exciting. With 3,000 acres of backcountry skiing, the terrain in Jackson Hole is varied, offering a great challenge for advanced skiers.
There are always new routes to be discovered, from steep descents to stunning tree-lined runs, allowing you to explore the stunning natural environment of Wyoming. Jackson Hole’s expansive backcountry can be best reached via the Aerial Tram.
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Verbier, Switzerland
A part of the expansive Four Vallees ski area, Verbier has beautiful blue skies and powdery off-piste routes to offer. The Col de Mines is a particularly popular route, accessible from the Col des Gentianes cable car.
Meanwhile, the backside of Mont Fort is another excellent backcountry route – though best suited only for expert skiers. There are off-piste but patrolled areas in Verbier, ideal for those hoping to get their first taste of backcountry skiing without jumping right in at the deep end. The Fontanet area is a great spot to get to grips with off-piste terrain.
The Stairway to Heaven is a popular route for expert skiers. It's reachable only for those willing to commit to the hike – but it's more than worth it.
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