Three Top Tips for Skiing Off-piste

Off-piste or backcountry skiing in the stunning resorts of the French Alps may not be the primary reason for venturing out of your catered chalet (and your comfort zone), but many people find the sense of adventure involved in this sport exhilarating. However, if you do don your gear and head out to spend a day in the backcountry, there are certain vital things you must know. Safety is paramount and you should never underestimate the force of Mother Nature.

Never forget the proper gear

The snowy Alps backcountry can be a dangerous place—it is unpatrolled, and there are certain spots that might turn up unexpected surprises. However, its obvious dangers aside, that doesn’t mean it’s completely off-limits. Resorts in the French Alps allow visitors to ski off-piste because they know the value of the experience. But, if you do leave the safe confines of your catered chalet to engage in this kind of skiing, you must take care of the essentials. And by that we refer to the correct gear and equipment.

If you’re skiing in a terrain prone to avalanches, it is unthinkable to go without carrying a beacon or an avalanche transceiver. In the event of an avalanche, for example, the transceiver is the only way for others to find you. Next to the beacon in terms of importance is the probe, which makes it easier for rescuers to ascertain a person's location before being able to dig them out. And speaking of digging, you’ll need a shovel—not the huge type people use when mixing concrete, but one that can be easily carried around. We recommend a high-quality shovel made of aluminium, not plastic, to ensure reliability even in very low temperatures.

Always ski with an experienced companion

When skiing off-piste with in an area as large as the French Alps it would be a huge mistake to go at it alone. Perhaps the most dangerous thing you can do is leave your catered chalet without letting your companions know what you’re doing and where you are going. To put it simply, you must let other people know your whereabouts at all times, and if you do decide to ski off-piste, you only do so under the guidance and expert companionship of someone who knows the area thoroughly. Fortunately, there are many professionals more than happy to serve as a guide, and not only can they help ensure your safety, but their tips will go a long way in enabling you to fully enjoy your ski run.

Always maintain presence of mind

You have your gear and guide, yet, in the snowy backcountry, you still cannot afford to just treat the whole thing as mere fun and games. Before you leave your catered chalet, you must ‘get in the zone’—that is, you must be aware of potential danger signals at all times. For example, if you’re skiing off-piste with a group, it’s better to let people go down marginal areas one by one, so that if something happens, only one person gets in trouble and the others can assist. The bottom line is that skiing off-piste, especially in the exhilarating backcountry surrounding the resorts, can be an awesome experience—especially if you can take the risks out of the equation as much as possible.

Danielle Hodges is the Marketing Manager for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded holidays staying in a catered or self catered chalet in La Tania and other fantastic destinations. For a luxury or good-value skiing holiday and the best catered chalets call Ski Amis.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.