Whilst the 400km of pistes within the expansive 4 valleys ski area are undeniably thrilling, it’s the off-piste escapades where Verbier truly shines. Explore the captivating beauty of Verbier’s off-piste terrain during your stay with us!
Venturing off-piste presents a distinct challenge, demanding a different set of skills. Whether you’re a seasoned expert, well-versed in mountain exploration, or a newcomer to the world of skiing, we’re here to facilitate your journey. Our partnership with Powder Extreme allows us to connect you with experienced guides who will lead you through the remarkable landscapes of the Swiss Alps. Join us as we speak with our partners at Powder Extreme to give us an idea of what you will experience…
Who are Powder Extreme?
We are a dedicated team of 10 off-piste ski and snowboard Coaches, committed to enhancing your off-piste skills and providing you with unforgettable experiences in world famous off-piste terrain of Verbier and the 4 Valleys!
We are coming up soon to our 20th anniversary in 2024, and you can still find some of our original coaches still teaching with us! Verbier may have changed a little since we started back in 2004, but we still have the same simple idea: empower skiers and snowboarders with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to explore the off-piste in Verbier. It’s famous for a reason, and we think that everyone should be able to explore it safely and confidently.
What do you offer?
We offer mainly private off-piste coaching, either for full days to make the most of the day and explore the 4 Vallees, or half day sessions (3hrs) to give you some condensed tuition to further your skills through your trip. Private sessions give you some great one-on-one contact with our coaches. Every lesson is tailored to your individual needs and aspirations.
If you prefer to learn in a group of like-minded skiers, we also offer our Powder Camps, group technical courses designed to make huge improvements to your off-piste technique. Our camps have been a staple in the Powder Extreme calendar for nearly 20 years! We run these Monday – Friday through January and February every season, to make the most of the peak off-piste conditions. We run small groups of 4-5 people, so you can still get some focused attention whilst enjoying the powder with a fun new bunch of skiers.
Can I go off-piste skiing even if I’m not very experienced?
There’s many people that think skiing off-piste is just for the adrenaline junkies or those that have been skiing their whole lives – and we want to prove to you that that’s not true! You’re never too old or too new to skiing to give it a go. We love to be the ones to help people experience their first turns in the powder – it’s a really unforgettable experience! And don’t worry, we’re never just going to throw you down the backside of Mont Fort! We can start slow, and help you venture just beyond the piste markers at first.
And don’t be put off by the daunting safety equipment too – As part of every session, coaches will check everyone’s equipment and can also do some very important safety drills and training for how to effectively use the transceiver.
How do I know which level I am?
We have a handy level checker on our website – https://www.powder-extreme.com/canidoit. Our 1-5 scale is a good way for us to grasp a brief idea of your current level and experience.
For our camps, we usually try to do 2 groups per week, one for level 3 and one for level 4. For the first part of the Monday morning, our groups have a little ’ski-off’ together – but no need to be nervous, its just for fun and for us to have a good idea how to split the groups for the rest of the week.
We also run a few ‘Level 2’ camps through the season, for those wanting to explore the off-piste for the first time. Our season dates are live on our website now – https://www.powder-extreme.com/camps
We offer our private coaching sessions for all levels. If you are an expert and don’t wish for much coaching at all, that’s no problem – We will be happy to just show you our favourite spots in the 4 Vallees instead. If you are Level 1 and don’t think you’re ready for the off-piste yet – that’s no problem either. Our coaches are happy to get working on your on-piste technique too.
How old do you need to be to ski off-piste?
As well as all levels, we’re open to all ages too. For our powder camps, we take from ages 14+ (and they usually outski the adults too!). We are also in our fourth season of our Freeride Club, for local kids aged 10-14 – Hopefully we will see a few of them on the Freeride World Tour in the future. If your kids are a bit too young to venture off-piste, our coaches are great with kids of all ages, and you can also find them on Les Esserts on occasion!
What do I need to bring for going off-piste skiing?
Here’s a handy list we recommend for everyone, whether you take a private coach or one of our camps
What to wear…
All terrain or fat powder skis
Helmet
Goggles and gloves
Good outerwear jacket and pants
Appropriate layers for the weather
Backpack
What to pack in your bag…
Transceiver with 60% charge minimum
Shovel and probe
Phone with full charge
4 Vallees lift pass
Bottle of water, and some snacks
Skins (if you have touring skis)
Bring some spare…
Extra layers for changing conditions
Spare lenses for your goggles
What type of skis should I bring?
We suggest that you come with a ski that measure 85mm under foot or over to maximise your enjoyment and development. If (fingers crossed) we get a large amount of fresh snow before your trip, we recommend a ski over 95mm. You can always contact Mountain Air (our ski rental partners) for their recommendations – they have a huge variety of skis of all types.
If you would like to try some skinning whilst you are here, then you can also rent a good touring ski/split board set up and skins. We’re very happy to show you all the tips and tricks for how to get the most out of your equipment.
Want to try your hand at some off-piste skiing? Just speak to your Concierge Manager and they will be happy to book you onto a session with Powder Extreme, so that you can really make the most of your trip to the mountains!
