Available trips
| Sun 11th Apr 10
- Sun 18th Apr 10 |
8 Days |
| Guide TBC | £ 1095 |
| Book Now | |
Skill: ****
Our off-piste adventure advanced level courses are for strong all-round skiers with plenty of off-piste experience (5 weeks plus). To join courses at this level you must be able to cope with most conditions confidently, competently and with minimum faff! You are willing to try it all: steeps, breakable crud, speed, ice, spring snow, deep powder. There is likely to some ski touring involved to access the best runs, previous experience is useful but not essential, you may also use crampons and be asked to carry an ice axe at times on these courses.
Stamina: ****
For the off-piste adventure courses you need to have good physical fitness in order to enjoy full days on the hill, you need to be able to ski all day for 6 consecutive days. On these courses you will mostly use the lift systems to gain altitude but you can expect some ski touring/walking/climbing in order to access some runs. Skiing will be done at a strong pace where you would be expected to ski pitches of 20 - 25 turns without stopping.
Engelberg is one of the Alps’ best off-piste and backcountry resorts – right up there with Alagna, La Grave and Chamonix. With a vertical drop of 2000m from the top of the lift system and an enviable snow record, this really is about as good as it gets!
Itinerary
5 days off-piste guiding. There is also 1 non-guided day.
The principal aims of this week are:
• To provide first class guiding and instruction from professional, friendly Mountain Guides to improve off piste skiing
technique.
• To give practical mountain awareness training on the hazards and risks associated with skiing off-piste particularly
for avalanches.
• To provide the opportunity to ski the best off piste in the Engelberg ski area.
The week is intended to be fun with lots of thrilling skiing but always directed with maximum attention to your safety and
the safety of others.
Itineraries vary depending on the composition of the group and the weather and snow conditions.
More about Engelberg
Engelberg is one of the best resorts in the Alps for advanced skiers with great terrain that includes open powder fields,
bowls, couloirs and cliffs. The highest points are above 3000m and with the resort at 1000m, this gives 2000m of vertical
descent. The resort has an excellent snow record and in good years the locals are often skiing until well into May.
The best runs:
The Laub – without doubt one of the biggest slopes in the Alps – a drop of over 1000 vertical metres
between 30-35 degrees. Access from the Rindertitlis and Laubersgrat lifts and then traverse across to the Laubersgrat.
Jochstock: From the Jochstock espress lifts there are lots of rewarding off-piste options including steep
couloirs and cliffs.
Steinberg: Steep glaciated – and heavily crevassed - terrain from the top of the Titlis lift all the way down
to Trübsee.
Titlis-circuit: a unique, full day, high alpine tour with gradients up to 45 degrees. From the summit of the
Titlis the route goes via the Steinberg glacier to the Vorderen Titlisjoch. Belay down on into a narrow couloir to the Chli
glacier and then on to the Wenden glacier. Ascend to the Grassen bivouac. From here you can climb to the summit of the Grassen
(2946m) before enjoying the fantastic 1800m vertical descent over the Firnalpeli glacier down to Herrenrüti, from where you can
take the free bus back to Engelberg.
Additional Information
Dates
In addition to our scheduled weeks we can also run private group trips on request throughout the season.
Prices
The price includes all guide fees and expenses, 7 nights accommodation (6 evening meals), local transfers
The price does not include lift pass, lunches, beverages, personal insurance, equipment hire, travel to/from Engelberg
Accommodation
For our Engelberg weeks we have teamed up with the team at the Ski Lodge Engelberg. This is a very comfortable boutique
hotel run by skiers for skiers with a great buzz and atmosphere. They also do an excellent breakfast!
For more info visit
www.skilodgeengelberg.com
Equipment
For a comprehensive kit list
click here A copy of this kit list will also be sent to
you at the time of booking.
Alpine touring equipment is recommended on all our Off-Piste Adventure courses as in most resorts some of the best
off-piste runs can only be accessed after some climbing/walking.
All skiers will need to carry a small day sack (recommended size-20-30 litres) containing their safety gear and any
personal items e.g. camera, water bottle, favourite hill-snack!
Everyone is expected to ski at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment; transceiver,
shovel and probe.
If you ski off-piste regularly we recommend you purchase your own set. We use and recommend the DTS Tracker and these are
available to purchase through our recommended on-line retailer
FACEWEST.
Click here for details.
Alternatively the guides do usually have a number of sets available for hire.
Getting There
Engelberg is bang in the centre of Switzerland, with excellent road and rail connections.
It’s just 20 kilometres from the nearest motorway by car, or a comfortable ride from Lucerne by train on the Zentralbahn
line, direct to the centre of Engelberg. The closest major international airport is Zurich, 1.5 hours by road or around 2 hours
by rail from resort.
By rail - good links from the airports (hourly direct connections to Lucerne from Zurich airport). From Lucerne there is
a direct hourly service to Engelberg operated by the Zentralbahn. In addition, regular comfortable Intercity or Eurocity trains
run to Lucerne.
By air - Zurich airport – 90 km / 55 miles, Berne airport – 100km / 60 miles
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.