The Best Off-Piste Skiing Destinations in France
Freeride skiing is practised off-piste, i.e. on virgin slopes and outside the marked and supervised itineraries.
The concept of this sport is to ski down the mountain on your own without the need for the special facilities usually found in ski resorts, but it does require a good level of skiing and a fair amount of experience. It is extremely important to follow the guide's advice and instructions, as only he knows the right way and the techniques to adapt. Snow conditions can vary from place to place and if you want to avoid risks (avalanche, crevasse...), it's best to listen to your instructor. Freeride skiing is synonymous with freedom and independence, because it's a long way from the signposted slopes and gives you a strong sense of escape and discovery, but the mountains are not without danger, so here are a few tips. This style of skiing is closer to nature and the elements, but you mustn't take it lightly. First of all, it's imperative never to ski alone, even if you have a telephone with you, because accidents can happen very quickly. Always tell someone where you are going and when you are coming back. And another piece of advice: if you're not in great shape, it's best to postpone the activity, as off-piste skiing requires you to be in very good physical condition. You absolutely must be able to ski on red and black runs to take part.
Leaving pure tracks in the powder and plying untouched couloirs with your skis is bound to leave you with fond memories, and some even go so far as to spend a night on site, in a cosy little chalet. Not necessarily with worm sandwiches and toad alcohol, but always in a friendly mountain atmosphere.
As far as safety equipment is concerned, don't forget the Arva (avalanche transceiver), a shovel, a probe, a GPS beacon, a survival blanket and an ABS rucksack, which could save your life in the event of an avalanche. Be aware, however, that if you trigger an avalanche during your off-piste session, you could be fined up to €15,000 and imprisoned for up to a year, so be sure to follow your guide and his invaluable advice.
As far as insurance is concerned, be sure to check your policy before hitting the powder if you're planning to go off on your own. If you opt for a course or one-day session booked on Manawa (or another online booking platform), then insurance is included in the price of the booking. In theory, the 1985 "Mountain Law" stipulates that the cost of rescue services in a ski area is the responsibility of the local authorities, but check carefully whether this is the case for you. Some resorts also offer specific insurance for off-piste skiers, and if you have to be repatriated by helicopter, it's well worth it, as a minute's flight costs an average of 90 euros, so it's best to plan ahead.
In general, you also have to add the cost of the lift pass to get to the top, or you can opt for heliskiing, which means that you go to the top of the mountain by helicopter (like in Les Bronzés font du ski). Off-piste skiing can be practised from the age of 14 and even earlier, as long as the child knows how to ski very well and is ready to face the mountain and its dangers. Minors will need to be accompanied by an adult anyway, so here's a short list of things to remember for your powder trip. Remember to take skis or a snowboard suitable for freeriding, mountain boots, good sun protection, a waterproof windbreaker, warm gloves, a rucksack, energy snacks and a bottle of water and, of course, your ID/Passport just in case.
Here are some of the best spots in France for freeride skiing and snowboarding.
The Vallée Blanche in Chamonix
The Vallée Blanche boasts spectacular 360° views and a day-long off-piste descent that will leave you with unforgettable memories of freedom and wild landscapes! You'll start the day with the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which rises to 3800 metres, before skiing down the famous Vallée Blanche off-piste with your guide, who will give you the benefit of all his knowledge of the mountains and experience of the terrain.
Serre Chevalier
Serre Chevalier, in the Briançonnais region, is the largest ski area in the Hautes Alpes and, above all, one of the richest in off-piste itineraries to be found anywhere. It enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, so you can make the most of your winter holidays! The surrounding forests provide cover for the snow, so it's preserved and as powdery as you like! And if the conditions aren't ideal for skiing in Serre Chevalier, your guide can take you to other spots such as La Grave/la Meije, Montgenèvre/La Voie Lactée, Puy Saint Vincent or Abriès in the Queyras region, where the itineraries are varied and numerous. You can move on to free hiking during the day if you feel like it, to discover the view over the whole Ecrins massif in a resolutely high-mountain environment!
Portes du Soleil, Avoriaz, Morzine
The Portes du Soleil ski resorts are among the largest in Haute Savoie, on the slopes of the Chablais massif. The area includes 12 resorts linked by France and Switzerland(Châtel, Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets...) at an altitude of between 900 and 2,254 metres, and benefits from exceptional snow conditions with a cumulative snowfall of 7.83 metres per year. You'll be transported to the snow-covered massifs off the slopes, with the chance to ski in powder snow and try your hand at freeriding.
Tignes
Tignes is a group of 5 villages forming one of the most beautiful ski areas in the Alps. Close to the Italian border, it forms part of the Espace Killy with the villages of Val Claret and Tignes Le Lac, with golf and mountain bike courses, as well as the famous ski descents on the Grande Motte glacier.
Val d'Isère
Neighbouring Tignes, this ski resort is also part of the Espace Killy. The Val d'Isère ski area has ski lifts providing access to sites such as the steep face of Bellevarde (black run) and the Grande Motte glacier. You can also explore the great classic routes around Val d'Isère, such as the Grand Vallon, the Banane, the Tour du Charvet, the Face Belevarde (which has hosted several ski competitions) and the Spatule.
Val Thorens
Val Thorens is the highest resort in the Alps, with incredible snow quality for almost 6 months. What's more, the 3 Vallées is the largest ski area in the world, with over 600km of pistes. They include the famous resorts of Val Torens, Méribel and Courchevel. Located in the Vanoise massif, this privileged playground in the Alps is full of superb off-piste descents that you can discover in the company of your mountain guides.
Saint-Lary in the Pyrenees
Saint-Lary Soulan is a ski resort in the Hautes-Pyrénées department , in theAure valley, 20 km from the Spanish border. Here you'll find the famous Pic du Midi, the new benchmark for off-piste skiing in the Pyrenees, as well as the famous Peyragudes spot. Snow sports fans will love Saint-Lary 1900(Espiaube) and Saint-Lary 1700 (Pla d'Adet), both of which offer magnificent places to stay. You can ski down to Barège, Les Artigues or over the Col du Tourmalet if you feel like it.
Top photo: Topski