In a nutshell
A mental challenge and the pleasure of the perfect turn !
Join our Pente Raide course in the Maurienne, make technical progress, refine your skills and discover a different, more intense way of skiing, in a very different environment from that of a classic off-piste day !
Ski technique, analysis of conditions, timing, mental preparation, concentration and even group dynamics – we’ll cover all the skills you need to ski steep slopes safely and enjoyably.
Dare to turn !
Roadbook
Clearly, the notion of steepness varies greatly from one skier to the next, but it can be said that the term “steep slope” applies as soon as classic ski technique is no longer sufficient.
The configuration of the slope, its angle, its narrowness, the quality of the snow and the possibility, or impossibility, of falling are among the parameters that will force the skier to adapt his technique.
Speed and trajectory must be perfectly controlled, and the skier must be in constant control.
And of course, beyond a certain angle, the jump turn is no longer an option !
This course is for you if you’re already a good skier, if you like spending time in the mountains, and if you dream of discovering new lines and a new way of skiing. You’ll also need to be in very good physical shape, and be able to climb 1000m in 3 hours. If you’ve ever walked in crampons, even better! There’s no question of having equipment problems when you’re skiing on a steep slope, so you need to know your equipment really well.
This course aims to give you greater autonomy, by showing you how to approach and ski the perfect line for you, between your dreams and your skiing skills.
Higher, faster, steeper, stronger – that’s the wrong way to approach a steep slope. During this course, we’ll be stressing patience, the importance of introspection and discussion.
And all this without ever forgetting the pleasure of sliding !
Day 1: Getting started
We start with something light. The day is spent on steep but simple terrain, reviewing the basics of safety, equipment and technique. We also take the time to analyze the current conditions, in order to decide what will or won’t be possible in the coming days.
Day 2: Couloirs & Technique
We take the intensity up a notch, in an environment where it becomes important to focus on technique. Dish of the day: one of the classic couloirs in Haute Maurienne. Emphasis on ski technique and group management.
Day 3: Into the thick of things !
We head for more serious terrain, chosen according to the group’s level and expectations. On the menu: rope maneuvers and jump turns.
Day 4: Grand finale
The icing on the cake will be an itinerary carefully chosen to suit the group, preferably an aesthetic and mythical Maurienne route! We’ll make sure the ascent and descent give you enough confidence for the rest of your steep skiing career !
Steep slope skiing is an activity with its own mythology, and there are many lines that haunt our dreams ! Knowing how to be patient and wait for the right conditions is an essential quality if you are ever to set foot on one of these slopes.
To name but a few :
La belle plinier, les couloirs nord
Dent Parrachée (Vanoise), east face
Grande Casse (Vanoise), north face, couloir des Italiens
Dôme de Polset (Vanoise), south face
Grande Ciamarella (Haute-Maurienne), north face
Price :
From 1080€
Included :
– 4 days of skiing with a guide for 4 people
Not included :
– Your journey to join us in Maurienne
– Accommodation and meals
– Transportation in the valley
– Ski passes, if required
– Your personal insurance
Tailor-made course :
Would you like to add accommodation and meals in one of our carefully selected lodges ?
Would you like to rent ski or safety equipment ?
Please contact us, we’ll be happy to organize the perfect course for you !
Your guides
Sylvain Rechu
Mountain Guide & Ski instructor