Photos
Teenager Backcountry Skills, March 2007 (9 photos)
Available trips
No trips currently scheduled
Please contact us if you are intrested in future trips.
Skill: **
To participate in this week you should be a good intermediate skier or boarder aged 13-17. You must be able to ride all types of terrain and most snow conditions from powder to crust, crud and spring snow. You should be able to ski all day for several days consecutively. You should have the commitment and determination to tackle most slopes although your style and technique may suffer on steep terrain. Previous off-piste and ski touring experience is not essential.
Stamina: **
Good fitness and stamina is required for these courses where you'll be out on the mountain all day. There may be some short hiking involved to access some runs.
Our 3-day Off-Piste and Backcountry Skills course is aimed at young skiers and boarders looking for a new challenge and
ready to explore beyond the boundaries of the piste.
The course combines essential mountain & avalanche awareness skills with off-piste instruction and great riding around the
Espace Killy, one of the best off-piste areas in the Alps.
For 2009 the course will be run in Tignes during February half-term and Easter weeks.
Read Martin Symington's article in The Times on 20 October 2007...
click here"
Itinerary
The itinerary includes:
• First class instruction from professional, friendly Ski Instructors and Mountain Guides to improve off piste skiing
technique, style and skills
• Practical avalanche awareness training
• An ideal balance between learning, exercise, relaxation and fun: the courses will be challenging but non-competitive
• Above all, the time on the mountain is intended to be fun with lots of thrilling riding but always directed with
maximum attention to the safety of the group and the safety of others on the mountain.
Please note the itinerary is dependent on the weather and snow conditions and may be altered at the discretion of the
guides.
Ski Area
Together with its neighbour Val d'Isere, Tignes is served by the 300kms of piste that make up the Espace Killy, one of
Europe’s premier ski areas. This is high altitude skiing with the highest lifts going up to over 3400m. Thanks to the height
and local glaciers, the Espace Killy has a very reliable snow record. The ski area is known for its excellent off-piste most of
which is accessible from the lift system. There are also some excellent day tours to neighbouring valleys and resorts including
the twin resorts of Les Arcs and La Plagne.
Additional Information
Dates & Duration
16-18 February 2009
6-8 April 2009
The course is 3 full-days guided skiing within your 7 day holiday.
Courses can be run on request on other dates and resorts.
Minimum group size is 6. On request the duration and itineraries are flexible and can be tailored for your specific
requirements.
Contact Mountain Tracks Office for an information pack.
What's included
The price includes all guide fees and expenses plus hire of avalanche safety equipment.
Participants need to provide their own skis or board, lift pass and packed lunches.
Participants also need to have personal insurance to cover them for guided off-piste skiing and ski touring.
Group Size
Maximum guide/rider ratio is 1:7. We can cater for groups of 20+
Our guides
The courses will be led by IFMGA Mountain Guides and Ski Instructors. All our staff are chosen for their personalities
and passion for their sport as well as their expertise
and knowledge as mountain professionals. They will ensure you have a safe, rewarding and enjoyable course. As well as
having the IFMGA qualification, all of our guides have many years experience on the mountain and you can be assured that they
will instil confidence and enthusiasm into all of their groups.
Accommodation
The course is offered on a course-only basis. For participants requiring accommodation Tignes has a wide range of chalet
and hotel accommodation to choose from and we are happy to arrange this on request.
Safety awareness & training
The safety and welfare of everyone who participates on our programmes are of paramount importance and are always our
prime concern.
Adventurous activities in the mountains have their dangers and these can never be removed altogether, but when
professionally risk managed they can be minimised. At Mountain Tracks our aim is to provide everyone with a thrilling holiday
directed with maximum attention to the safety of the group and that of others. We don't just blindly get everyone to follow our
experienced leaders. We give everyone the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience, to acquire the necessary skills and
techniques and to understand about the hazards and how to assess and minimise the risks for themselves. Skills which we believe
to be good general training for life.
Our commitment to parents
We take great care to ensure the well-being of all participants and that the whole alpine experience will be conducted in
an environment that is friendly and secure.
Equipment
We will send you our recommended equipment list for this week.
Ski touring equipment: skis, boots and bindings will be essential and this can be hired in resort if required. Boarders
will need to have either a split board or carry snowshoes.
All riders will need to carry a small pack (max 35 litres) with safety gear and personal items.
Everyone is also expected to ride at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment: transceiver,
shovel and probe.
Getting there
The nearest airports are Geneva and Lyon. The transfer time is 3 hours.
The Eurostar train to Bourg St Maurice is also a good option. The station is approximately 20 miles from Val D'Isere.
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured for off-piste skiing covering personal accident, rescue and third party
risks. You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.
If you are looking to purchase insurance for your trip we recommend
SNOWCARD. They specialise in travel insurance for adventure sports particularly skiing
and snowboarding. Their rates for both single trip and annual policies are very competitive.
For details on their policies and to get a quote
CLICK HERE or contact our office
for further details.