Do you offer traditional ski tuition on the piste?

All of our experiences are off-piste to allow you the best possible ski days away from the crowds under the guidance of qualified instructors. If you are looking for a ski instructor to take part of your group while the rest of the group ski off piste with one or our off-piste ski guides, then we do have options for this so get in touch!

Also some of the days out lend themselves to taking an off-piste ski guide as well as an on piste guide for part of the group.

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

In North America and Australia, backcountry skiing usually refers to skiing outside resort boundary.

In France — including Val d’Isère and Sainte Foy Tarentaise — the definition is simpler:

As soon as you leave the marked piste, you are in uncontrolled terrain.

There is no avalanche control or active patrol once you step off the piste markers. Whether lift-accessed or reached via ski touring, the terrain is unmanaged and requires independent decision-making, appropriate equipment and sound mountain awareness.

This is where an experienced off piste ski instructor or professional off-piste guide becomes essential — helping you assess conditions, choose suitable terrain and ski with a structured, professional approach.

For our American and Australian guests, what you might call backcountry skiing is generally referred to here as off-piste skiing.

Do I need an off-piste ski guide in Val d’Isère or Sainte Foy?

If you want to explore safely and understand the terrain better, working with a qualified off-piste guide can make a significant difference.

An experienced off-piste guide will:

• Assess avalanche risk and snowpack stability

• Select terrain appropriate to the group

• Adapt objectives to conditions and ability

• Manage spacing, exposure and decision-making

With over 20 years guiding in the Tarentaise Valley, the focus is always on combining high-quality skiing with calm, structured risk management.

How do I choose the right off-piste ski guide in Val d’Isère?

When choosing a professional off-piste guide in Val d’Isère or Sainte Foy Tarentaise, consider:

• Professional qualifications (BASI Level 4, IFMGA, Carte Professionnelle)

• Depth of local experience

• Group size

• Approach to avalanche risk and terrain management

• Whether the guide also operates as an experienced off piste ski instructor

A strong off-piste guide does more than find good snow. They understand how wind, aspect and temperature affect specific faces and couloirs — often hour by hour.

Local knowledge in this region makes a significant difference.

What is the difference between an off-piste ski instructor and a freeride guide?

There is overlap, but the emphasis differs.

An off piste ski instructor focuses more on technical development — improving movement patterns, confidence in steeper terrain and the ability to ski variable snow.

A freeride guide places greater emphasis on terrain management, route choice and navigating complex mountain environments safely.

Where appropriate, guiding and coaching can be combined within the same private day.

Do you offer off-piste ski courses in Val d’Isère or Sainte Foy?

Yes. Most of our off-piste ski courses are delivered on a private basis, giving you personalised coaching, flexible objectives and a pace that's tailored to your ability and the prevailing mountain conditions.

If you're searching for an off-piste ski course in Val d'Isère or Sainte Foy, a typical private day may include:

• Technical coaching in powder and mixed snow

• Steeper terrain tactics

• Line choice and terrain awareness

• Avalanche awareness and transceiver training

• Introductory ski touring where appropriate

In addition to private guiding, we also run a small number of scheduled group courses at the start and end of the season. These include our Early Season Mountain Skills Courses, focusing on avalanche safety, decision-making and off-piste technique, and our Late Season Ski Touring Courses, designed to develop touring skills and confidence in the backcountry.

Private coaching remains the best option for faster progression, while our group courses are ideal for skiers looking to build mountain skills alongside like-minded participants.

Do you offer ski touring and ski tours?

Yes.

From introductory ski touring days to more technical objectives, experiences are tailored carefully.

Options include:

• First-time ski touring near Val d’Isère

• Classic Tarentaise Valley ski tours

• Steeper ski mountaineering routes

• More committing alpine objectives

All ski tours are privately organised and adapted to experience, fitness and conditions.

Can you heliski in France?

Traditional heliskiing, where a helicopter drops you on a remote summit within France, is not permitted.

Legal alternatives can be organised with a qualified off-piste guide. These may include skiing into Italy and arranging helicopter uplift there, or reverse heli-assisted days where the skiing is lift-accessed and the helicopter is used for the return only.

All options are subject to regulation, snow stability and weather.

Can you heliski from Val d’Isère or Sainte Foy?

Traditional helicopter departures are not allowed from Val d’Isère or Sainte Foy Tarentaise.

When conditions allow, a classic off-piste journey can be skied off the back of Val d’Isère into Bonneval-sur-Arc.

This long descent through quiet alpine terrain often includes lunch in Bonneval before arranging helicopter uplift from there, returning to Val d’Isère by air.

The skiing itself is lift-accessed and fully compliant with French regulations; the helicopter is used for the return only.

All heli-assisted days are condition-dependent and planned conservatively.

Do you offer bespoke adventure ski trips outside the Alps?

Yes.

Alongside off-piste ski guiding in Val d’Isère and Sainte Foy Tarentaise, bespoke adventure ski trips are designed and led in carefully selected mountain regions worldwide.

These journeys are often developed with returning clients who have previously skied in the Tarentaise Valley and are looking to explore new terrain in a similarly structured and professional environment.

Trips may include:

• Remote ski touring expeditions

• Freeride-focused international destinations

• Ski-and-sail experiences

• High-mountain objectives

Each itinerary is privately organised and tailored to the group, with the same emphasis on preparation, terrain selection and mountain awareness that defines guiding in the Alps.

What level do I need for off-piste skiing?

You should be confident skiing red runs in all conditions and able to ski black runs with control.

From there, terrain can be adapted to:

• Strong intermediates new to off piste

• Experienced freeride skiers

• Ski tourers building uphill skills

• Advanced skiers seeking steeper objectives

Objectives are always matched to ability, conditions and overall goals.