Off Piste Deals
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Hitting the backcountry is similar to swapping the motorway for scenic back roads; less predictable, but far more picturesque. In short, off-piste ski holidays promise days spent cruising your way through untracked backcountry trails and deep snowpacks. If you’ve ever been off-piste, you’ll know that there's nothing quite like exploring the peace of the backcountry in world-famous areas like the French and Swiss Alps. It’s also about experiencing the thrill of being the first to carve up knee-deep pow in unmarked areas. Take us there now!
At Erna Low, we’ve been helping skiers cruise their way through the Alps for 90+ years. With a squad full of ski fanatics at the ready, we know more than just a thing or two about planning an epic ski holiday. So whether you’re an experienced skier looking for an epic challenge or a freerider looking to get their fix of powder through jaw-dropping tree runs, we’ve got you covered. From expert guides to holiday-making accommodation near the best off-piste terrain, our ski holiday packages take the stress out of planning. We’ll take care of the essentials, too, leaving you with more time to search for that perfect off-piste route. We call that an absolute win!
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What is Off-Piste Skiing? An Intro for Skiers Up for a Fun Challenge
What is Off-Piste Skiing? An Intro for Skiers Up for a Fun Challenge
Off-piste skiing – aka backcountry skiing or freeriding – is literally just a shortened way of saying ‘off the piste’, which means skiing out of the marked zones. Without trying to sound cliché, for ski fanatics, off-piste riding is all about the thrill of shredding without boundaries. Unlike marked pistes, off-piste terrain isn’t groomed. That means more often than not, it’s packed full of surprises; some pleasant, some a little gnarly – but all exhilarating at the same time (as long as you do it safely)! Off-piste is about exploring fresh, untouched powder while riding through the treeline and ultimately getting to experience the ultimate fun-filled adventure. And, seriously, what could be better than that?
If you’re not the most experienced skier in the world, we’ve got good news... off-piste skiing isn’t only for seasoned skiers. There are a few resorts that offer easy-to-access off-piste terrain that’s ideal for intermediate skiers looking for a fun challenge away from the groomed slopes. Some resorts also provide freeride areas within the boundaries of the resort, meaning less confident skiers can safely enjoy the backcountry while staying close to the resort's marked zones.
But remember – while it’s fun to pit your wits and skill against the more challenging terrain, safety always comes first. Skiers looking to explore the backcountry need to know how to use essential safety gear (like a shovel and transceiver) and when to spot potential avalanche risks. It’s also why starting with an experienced guide who knows the resort like the back of their hand is highly recommended. Not only do local guides know the slopes inside-out, but they also know where to find the best powder!
So, what’s the appeal? Well, beyond the heart-pounding adrenaline, it’s the pure joy of cruising your way through fresh, untouched pow away from the crowds. Off-piste skiing offers the chance to get closer to nature, build confidence and see epic, pinch-me views on the other side of the mountain. Plus, let’s be honest, nothing beats the bragging rights of sharing an epic powder day story over a cheeky après beer or two!
Top French Resorts for Epic Off-Piste Skiing
Europe has no shortage of incredible backcountry routes. If making fresh tracks through untouched powder sounds like you’re idea of an unforgettable experience, then these ski resorts should be at the top of your list.
- Chamonix
Chamonix’s off-piste notoriety is the stuff of legends. Nestled in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the resort is a one-stop-shop for freeriders who visit the resort season after season to get their fill of powder time. The Vallée Blanche headlines Chamonix’s legendary backcountry lineup. A 20km glacier decent, it comes with an adrenaline-inducing 2800m vertical drop from Aiguille du Midi back into the resort. Test your wits and skills in Les Grands Montets by navigating its powder bowls, steep descents and narrow couloirs. But be warned: this area is strictly for veteran skiers! If it’s your first time tackling it, go with a guide. Seriously. - Verbier
Located across the border in Switzerland, Verbier forms part of the awe-inspiring 4 Vallées ski area, which covers an impressive 410km of pistes. With up to 8 freeride zones that are marked but ungroomed, Verbier is self-described as a ‘freeride paradise’ – and it’s easy to see why! Home to iconic off-piste areas like Backside Mont Fortand Stairway to Heaven, it offers seemingly endless off-piste action throughout its challenging backcountry routes. Verbier also hosts The Freeride World Tour on the iconic Bec des Rosses, which is often described as one of the world’s most challenging freeride tours. That says it all, really! - Tignes & Val d’Isère
Tignes and Val d’Isère is the high-energy duo that makes up France’s outstanding Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area. Both famous for their epic variety of groomed slopes, the off-piste terrain here is equally impressive, with hair-raising off-piste routes providing the perfect playground for more advanced skiers. With 300km of jaw-dropping slopes across the entire connected ski area, there’s a tonne of challenging terrain to explore – including backcountry areas like the popular Vallon de la Saché and the Tour de Pramecou. The high-altitude location means that snow is pretty much guaranteed throughout the ski season, offering awesome off-piste skiing from late November right the way through to early May. - Serre Chevalier – The Hidden Gem
While other well-known backcountry playgrounds like La Grave grab the headlines, Serre Chevalier is a hidden sparkly gem with it comes to incredible off-piste skiing. Known for its tree-lined skiing and varied terrain that’s great for confidence-building, this resort is any freerider’s idea of a good time after a fresh dump of snow. The larch forests make for awesome carving and offer welcome shelter during whiteouts.
The Role of a Guide: Why You Should Never Go Off-Piste Alone
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The Alps are as unpredictable as they are awe-inspiring and should never be taken for granted. Even the most experienced skiers usually hire a guide when they plan to ski unfamiliar backcountry areas. Taking on tough off-piste is challenging enough, but it becomes even more hair-raising without an experienced guide to take you through the ropes. Here’s why hiring a guide is non-negotiable if you plan to go off-piste on your next ski holiday.
- Safety First
Off-piste skiing is a far cry from cruising down a freshly groomed, marked red or blue slope. After all, unmanned backcountry terrain can be full of deep crevasses with entrances hidden under a bed of snow. Not easy to navigate! Not to mention some of these areas have a high avalanche risk and sudden weather changes take a whole new meaning when you’re halfway down the face of the mountain with no real route to follow. An experienced, qualified mountain guide is not only a good idea; it’s your proverbial safety net! - Local Knowledge
Local guides don’t only alert you on the areas to avoid; they also know where to find the best pow! With literally decades of cruising the local area under their helmets, some guides have an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the terrain. If you’re skiing the backcountry, you’re almost certainly looking for deep, untouched snow and your local guide can lead you straight there better (and quicker!) than any piste map or GPS app can. - Avalanche Awareness
Avalanche awareness goes way beyond general safety awareness. Guides are trained in avalanche risk assessment and rescue techniques, which means you’re always in safe hands should an accident or emergency happen in the backcountry when no one else is around to help. They’ll also ensure you’re kitted out with the right equipment, like a beacon, probe, and shovel, and will teach you how to use them before you set off. That kind of guidance is invaluable. - Maximise Your Fun Without the Worry
No one wants to think about avalanches and crevasses, but if things are done right, off-piste offers an incredible challenge. With guides plotting out the perfect route, they take the stress out of any decision-making, which means you can focus on putting your freeride skills to the test while soaking up the kind of ‘this-can’t-be-real’ views you won’t see from the chairlift!
When is the Best Time for Off-Piste Skiing in France?
Peak snow conditions vary in different ski areas, and there can even be slight differences between different resorts in the same area. Also, while high-altitude resorts are generally more snow-sure, resorts at a slightly lower level can be more snow-reliable than you might think. That’s because they’re nestled in a unique meteorological enclave that basically acts as a magnet for massive dumps of fresh pow. And even better – if you opt for a resort with a glacier, you can get your fill of snow-time in summer!
January and February are when the snow cover is reliable and blanketed across most resorts. Though these are the most popular times to head off on a winter adventure, backcountry routes are far less busy than groomed pistes, so don’t be put off if you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet!
Whatever time you’re able to travel, we can advise on where to find a resort with the best conditions, and if you’re open-minded about where you ski, we’re confident that we can find fantastic off-piste opportunities for you at practically any time in the season.
Booking your off-piste skiing holiday
As you’ve probably gathered by now, off-piste skiing is not for the faint-hearted! But when organised with safety in mind, we’re confident it’ll add a whole new level of fun and excitement to your skiing and snowboarding adventures.
Book your off-piste skiing holiday with Erna Low today and we’ll make sure that everything’s in place for you to enjoy the incomparable freedom of backcountry skiing in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring winter destinations!
Essential Gear for Off-Piste Skiing: What You’ll Need
If you’re looking to experience an off-piste ski holiday this winter season, you’ll need a slightly different set of equipment for off-piste skiing. But don’t let this put you off – we can make all the ski equipment hire arrangements for you, making sure you get the best price possible on high-quality gear from a ski hire outlet near your accommodation.
We’ve said this enough already, but remember – for certain off-piste areas, we really recommend hiring a local mountain guide to keep you safe. Here are a few off-piste essentials you’ll need if you’re venturing beyond the marked pistes:
- A transceiver: an electronic device that straps to your body and sends out a continuous signal to help people find you in case you get into trouble in an avalanche.
- Water: vital for any physical activity, of course, but especially important when you’re exploring remote spots with no access to shops and bars. Top tip: put a soft water bladder in your inner jacket pocket to save space in your backpack
- Backpack
- First aid kit
- Radio
- Snow shovel: a light but strong shovel that allows you to dig through the snow after an avalanche.
If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us and we can help you build your package.