Sunday, July 25, 2021

The Joys Of Off-Piste Skiing In Morzine

  The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding

Words and photos  from Avoriaz Alpine Ski School.
Les Portes du Soleil ski area is one of the biggest linked networks in the world.  With more than 650 km of marked pistes and about 200 lifts in total, spread over 14 valleys and about 1,036 square kilometres (400 sq mi), this Alpine wonderland is an absolute paradise for skiers and snowboarders.

But There Is So Much More

What I described above is just the groomed pistes and lifts. These cover only a small percentage of the terrain you can ride. Once you start exploring the off-piste, you encounter a lifetimes’ worth of adventure and good skiing and snowboarding.

Why is the Portes Du Soleil so good for off piste?

The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding - Avoriaz Alpine ski school
Les Portes du Soleil sits at the northwest corner of the Alps. The prevailing direction of incoming storms is from the northwest, so our local ski area is the first major set of mountains the storms will hit. This creates a microclimate offering more snowfall than other regions of the Alps. One of the best ways to make use of this extra snowfall is to explore the off-piste. The ideal goal is to make the first tracks in untouched powder snow. Whilst this is not always the case, when it does happen, it’s the best feeling ever.

Why go off piste?

The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding - Avoriaz Alpine Ski School
Skiing and snowboarding off piste can offer a whole range of snow types and challenges. Using good technique to manage the changing conditions is very rewarding and makes for fantastic memories exploring the mountains.
You can also find more solitude, escaping the traffic of the pistes and experiencing the more wild areas of the mountain. As if stepping back in time, see the mountains as they were sculpted by nature.

What do I need to know?

The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding - Avoriaz Alpine Ski Shcool
The backcountry comes with a set of very serious hazards which must be acknowledged and planned for. Cue the fascinating arts of mountain safety and avalanche awareness. Learning about terrain shapes, gradients and aspects, snow pack, the effects of wind and temperature, forecasting, avalanche types, safety equipment and emergency procedures is an enjoyable challenge which must be undertaken to explore off-piste and backcountry environments.
Then there are the joys of Ski Touring and Split boarding. By attaching climbing skins, we can use our skis and snowboards to walk uphill in the snow, allowing us to explore mountains wherever we like. Either tour up to a peak from the top of a lift and access premium snow or explore a completely different mountain or valley, away from the ski area.

Join Us On One Of Our Courses

The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding - Avoriaz Alpine Ski School
At the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School, we love skiing and snowboarding off piste and have dedicated much of our lifetimes to exploring and enjoying the Morzine/Avoriaz landscapes, which is why we want to share it with you. In early 2020 we have three courses running designed to get you started in the off-piste.
The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding

Monday, July 19, 2021

The Portes du Soleil App – 650k of pistes in the palm of your hand

  


 


As we all know, there are two types of phone app in the world – those that look pretty and seem like a great download at the time before becoming pointless and occupying vital space on your device, and those that are a damn good idea, full stop. The official Portes du Soleil app for iOS and android is the latter and there are some really handy updates for this winter season.  READ ON...

Thursday, July 15, 2021

How to stay safe when skiing

 How to stay safe when skiing

Piste etiquette is key for keeping everyone safe on the mountain, so the FIS (that’s the Federation Internationale de Ski, or International Ski Federation) has come up with 10 rules for all skiers and boarders to follow – kind of like the snowsports version of the Highway Code. Read on to see what the rules are, and find out some of our top tips for staying safe too.


FIS Rules of Conduct

1.Respect for others: Make sure you’re skiing or boarding in a way that doesn’t put anybody around you in danger.

2.Control of speed: Don’t go too fast for your ability or the conditions (what the snow or weather is like and how busy the slope is).

3.Choice of route: People in front of you on the mountain have the right of way, so choose your route carefully and leave space between yourself and others.

4.Overtaking: Also leave plenty of space when you overtake a slower skier or boarder, so you don’t bump into each other.

5.Entering and starting: When you join a new run, or start skiing again after stopping on the piste, look up the mountain first to make sure there’s no one coming that you could collide with.

6.Stopping: Only stop at the edge of the piste or where you can be seen easily, and definitely not just under a bump or roller. And try not to stop on narrow sections so you don’t block the way for others. If you fall over, move to the side of the run as quickly as possible.

7.Climbing and descending on foot: If you’re climbing up or down a slope on foot, keep to the side so there’s space for others to pass you safely.

8.Respect signs and markings: Piste signs and markings are there for your safety, so pay attention and obey them.

9.Assistance: If you see someone have an accident on the mountain, do your best to help, and alert the resort staff or rescue services if need be. Most piste maps have an emergency number on them.

10.Identification: If you see an accident, or you’re involved in one, swap names and contact details with the others, in case the authorities need to get hold of you later.

Our top tips...READ ON

Partying Hard In Morzine and Avoriaz

  Partying Hard In Morzine and Avoriaz ...