Improve your freeride skiing and discover the great off-piste routes of the Aravis

Are you confident on the slopes and looking to discover off-piste skiing, improve your powder technique or explore some of the great freeride routes of the Aravis?

In La Clusaz, our mountain guides take you to terrain best suited to your level and the conditions of the day. Ski technique, line choice, terrain awareness and avalanche safety: you are not simply coming to find fresh snow, but to enjoy a genuine freeride experience in the Aravis.

To suit every skier, we offer three different ways to experience freeride skiing:

• a three-morning Freeride & Safety Course to improve your skills;
• a Freeride Escape Day for a full day of skiing and discovering major off-piste routes;
• a Private Freeride Day with your guide for a completely tailored experience.

Which freeride option should you choose?

Not every off-piste outing has the same objective. Some skiers want to discover powder skiing and become more confident. Others want to learn how to use their avalanche safety equipment. More experienced skiers may be looking for longer routes, greater vertical descents and a faster pace.

Choose the option that best matches your experience and what you want to get out of your day.

Freeride & Safety Course

Three mornings to improve your skiing and mountain skills

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9 am to 1 pm

This course is designed for very good piste skiers who also ski off-piste and want to develop their freeride skills. Over three consecutive mornings, you will improve your technique on ungroomed snow while learning the essential safety skills required for freeride skiing.

Your progression develops throughout the three sessions. Your guide assesses your ability, adapts the exercises and gradually introduces you to more varied terrain.

What you will work on

• positioning and balance on ungroomed snow;
• speed control;
• turning in powder and variable snow;
• choosing your line;
• reading the terrain;
• group spacing and communication;
• using an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe;
• what to do in the event of an avalanche.

Who is this course for?

This option is for you if:

• you are confident on black runs;
• you have little or some previous off-piste experience;
• you want to become more confident in powder;
• you want to improve with advice from a professional;
• you want to learn the fundamentals of avalanche safety.

Format

• Duration: three mornings, for a total of 12 hours of guiding;
• Schedule: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9 am to 1 pm;
• Level: good piste skier, beginner to intermediate off-piste level;
• Guiding: mountain guide;
• Group: small group of skiers with a similar ability level;
• Area: La Clusaz and the Aravis mountains, depending on conditions.

Freeride Escape Day

Great off-piste routes, a sustained pace and a full day to improve

Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, from 9 am to 3 pm

The Freeride Escape Day is designed for skiers who already have off-piste experience and want to take their skiing to the next level.

Accompanied by a mountain guide, you will set out to discover some of the great freeride routes of the Aravis. The aim is simple: ski as much as possible, seek out the best conditions available and improve your technique with your guide's advice.

Depending on the snow, weather, avalanche risk and ability of the group, your guide will select the most suitable area and routes. The programme is therefore not fixed in advance. This flexibility allows the guide to find the best possible balance between snow quality, the interest of the route and safety.

What to expect

• searching for the best snow of the day;
• discovering major off-piste routes;
• long descents and a sustained pace;
• personalised technical advice;
• improving your skiing in powder and variable snow;
• choosing lines and anticipating terrain;
• managing the group in off-piste terrain;
• safety advice throughout the day.

Some of the iconic routes currently featured include the Porte des Aravis, Rampe du Clocher and Combe de Bella Cha. These routes are always subject to current conditions and your guide's decision.

Who is the Freeride Escape Day for?

This option is for you if:

• you are very confident on black runs;
• you already have off-piste skiing experience;
• you can ski confidently in variable snow;
• you have a good level of physical fitness;
• you are able to complete consecutive descents throughout the day;
• you want to discover longer and wilder routes.

This day is not intended as a first off-piste experience. We will discuss your experience beforehand to check your level and ensure a well-matched group.

Format

• Days: Saturday or Sunday;
• Schedule: 9 am to 3 pm;
• Duration: full day;
• Level: advanced to expert skier with previous off-piste experience;
• Guiding: mountain guide;
• Group: small group of skiers with a similar ability level;
• Area: La Clusaz and the Aravis mountains, depending on conditions.

Private Freeride with a Guide

Your level, your group, your programme

Would you like to ski exclusively with friends or family, adapt the pace to your level or plan a particular objective? Book a private mountain guide for a half-day or full day of freeride skiing in the Aravis.

Private guiding allows you to tailor the experience entirely to your needs:

• discovering off-piste skiing;
• improving your technique;
• searching for fresh snow;
• skiing major freeride routes;
• ski touring with a short approach;
• preparing for a specific objective;
• skiing with friends, family or colleagues.

Your guide chooses the terrain according to your level, your expectations and the conditions on the day.

This option is particularly suitable if:

• your group has a specific ability level;
• you want to ski at your own pace;
• you want highly personalised guidance;
• the scheduled group dates do not match your stay;
• you have a particular objective or route in mind.

The three options at a glance

Freeride & Safety Course

Objective: learn and improve
Level: good piste skier, beginner to intermediate off-piste
Format: three mornings
Schedule: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 am to 1 pm
Key benefit: skiing technique and avalanche safety fundamentals

Freeride Escape Day

Objective: enjoy an intensive day of skiing and discover major freeride routes
Level: advanced skier with previous off-piste experience
Format: one full day
Schedule: Saturday or Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm
Key benefit: plenty of skiing and vertical descent, technical progression and major off-piste routes

Private Freeride

Objective: create a personalised freeride experience
Level: from first-time off-piste skiers to experts
Format: half-day or full day, depending on availability
Schedule: programme to be arranged
Key benefit: private guide and tailor-made programme

Why go freeride skiing in La Clusaz?

Located in the heart of the Aravis mountains, La Clusaz offers exceptionally varied terrain for off-piste skiing. Bowls, open slopes, forest sections and more technical routes allow outings to be adapted to both the participants' ability and the snow conditions.

The area is renowned for its varied terrain and extensive choice of unmarked routes. It also offers opportunities for substantial descents, with off-piste terrain directly accessible from the ski lifts.

This variety makes it possible to organise:

• a first introduction to off-piste skiing;
• technical training on ungroomed snow;
• a full day focused on progression;
• an intensive outing for experienced skiers;
• an introduction to ski touring and freerando;
• a major mountain itinerary when conditions allow.

In the mountains, however, no route can be guaranteed in advance. The final decision belongs to the guide, who takes into account the group's level, the weather, snow quality and avalanche risk.

Why ski with a mountain guide?

Freeride skiing takes place in unmarked terrain that is not secured in the same way as a groomed ski run. Skiing with a mountain guide offers much more than simply receiving technical ski instruction.

Your guide provides expertise in several areas:

Choosing the terrain

Your guide selects the most appropriate area according to the conditions, ability level and composition of the group.

Understanding the snow

Your guide helps you understand changes in the snowpack, the effects of wind and slope aspect, and the main observations used in mountain decision-making.

Improving your technique

You receive advice to improve your position, balance, line choice and speed management.

Managing the group

Your guide explains how to move through the terrain, where to stop, how much distance to maintain between skiers and how to communicate effectively.

Using avalanche safety equipment

Your guide checks the equipment and, depending on the chosen programme, may organise exercises using an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Being accompanied by a mountain guide can never eliminate the risks inherent in the mountain environment. It does, however, allow these risks to be assessed, appropriate decisions to be made and the terrain to be explored with a qualified professional.

What skiing level do you need for off-piste skiing?

The required level depends on the option you choose.

For the Freeride & Safety Course

You must be confident on black runs, be able to control your speed and be capable of skiing for several hours. Extensive previous off-piste experience is not essential, although some experience is recommended.

For the Freeride Escape Day

You must be very confident on black runs, have previous off-piste experience and be able to ski variable snow at a sustained pace.

For a private outing

The programme is adapted to your level. A private outing can be suitable for anything from a first off-piste experience to an ambitious objective for experienced skiers.

If you are unsure, contact the Bureau des Guides d'Annecy so that we can help you choose the most suitable option. An off-piste skiing level assessment tool is also available on our website.

Equipment required for freeride skiing

You will generally need:

• skis suitable for off-piste skiing;
• ski boots in good condition;
• ski poles with wide baskets;
• a helmet;
• a backpack suitable for carrying skis;
• warm, waterproof clothing;
• gloves and ski goggles;
• water and a snack;
• an avalanche transceiver;
• a shovel;
• a probe.

Avalanche safety equipment may be provided by your guide upon prior request.

Practical information

Location

The outing mainly takes place in La Clusaz or elsewhere in the Aravis mountains. Your guide may choose a different area depending on conditions.

Meeting point

The exact meeting point will be provided by your guide before the outing. The usual meeting point is the Étale car park in La Clusaz, at the bottom of the Télémix de l'Étale lift.

Guiding

Outings are led by a mountain guide and/or ski instructor.

Conditions

The programme may be modified depending on:

• the weather;
• snow conditions;
• avalanche risk;
• terrain conditions;
• the actual ability level of participants;
• the operation of the ski lifts.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about freeride skiing in La Clusaz

What is the difference between freeride skiing and off-piste skiing?

Off-piste skiing means skiing outside marked and secured ski runs. Freeride skiing is based on the same principle, with a greater emphasis on the enjoyment of skiing natural terrain, choosing lines, skiing ungroomed snow and exploring mountain routes.

Can beginners try off-piste skiing in La Clusaz?

Yes, provided you are already a confident piste skier and choose an option suited to your level. The Freeride & Safety Course is designed for good piste skiers who want to discover or improve their off-piste skiing progressively.

Do I need to be an expert to join the Freeride & Safety Course?

No, but you must be confident on black runs and in ungroomed snow, be able to control your speed and have sufficient fitness for four hours of skiing. Limited previous off-piste experience is sufficient.

What level do I need for the Freeride Escape Day?

You need to be very confident on bumpy black runs and in ungroomed snow, have previous off-piste experience and be able to ski variable snow. The day is physically demanding, with a sustained pace and potentially long descents.

Are the avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe provided?

Yes. Your guide will provide an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. You must, however, bring a backpack suitable for carrying skis.

Are the routes decided in advance?

No. Your guide chooses the programme according to snow conditions, weather, avalanche risk and the group's ability. Certain iconic routes may be considered, but they can never be guaranteed.

Is the ski pass included?

No. The full-day or half-day ski pass is not included. We recommend purchasing it online before the outing to avoid wasting time at the ticket office in the morning.

Can we book a private outing for our group?

Yes. Private guiding allows the programme, pace and level of the outing to be tailored to your group.

Can snowboarders take part?

This depends on the programme, the participant's level and the planned route. As a general rule, very experienced snowboarders may be able to participate.

What happens if conditions are not suitable for freeride skiing?

Your guide may change the area, adapt the programme, offer an alternative activity or apply the cancellation terms agreed at the time of booking.

Assess your ski touring or off-piste skiing level
Prepare your equipment for ski touring or off-piste skiing