Tarentaise Powder & Reblochon Freeride Ski Tour
Overview
Keen on freeride skiing? Real freeride? Well that’s exactly what’s on offer on this trip in the Tarentaise. Come along and be guided to the best Savoie freeride powder (& Reblochon cheese) in the Tarentaise' most authentic ski resorts. Discover Areches Beaufort, the Powderhounds favorite of Sainte Foy & the huge descents into Villaroger at Les Arcs. Join a fixed date tour or create a custom tour to suit your best dates & group size.....
Program
The week will start in Arèches-Beaufort, a large mountain range, that often receives huge amounts of snow from the north, and just as often has no one skiing its long descents. For 3 days long we’ll ski some of the best off-piste runs. Once we’ve got those covered, mid-week, we leave for a little gem, Sainte-Foy Tarentaise, a little ski resort particularly well-suited for BIG freeride skiing. Mixed in it all will the possibility of a classic Tarentaise 2,000m vertical drop descent from Les Arcs into Villaroger.
Whilst the newbies find their feet on the kiddy slopes, we’ll take you to do some real skiing, starting off with some easy runs, as well as some more committing downhill skiing & short uphill skinning. After all these ascents and descents, you will have deserved a little comfort, we’ve selected two charming hotels where you will be able to tell your freeriding tales by the fireplace and sample plenty of the local legendary Eblochon - a soft washed-rind, smear-ripened French alpine cheese made from raw cow's milk, Reblochon.
See the full program via the Itinerary tab.
Meeting Point & Transport
The meeting point for the tour is either of three train stations - Briançon (France), Oulx (in Italy) or Albertville (in France). Oulx is on the Paris-Lyon-Turin-Milan fast train line so is a handy way to get to the tour, whilst Albertville is easy to get to from Geneva or Lyon and is the closest pick up point to the tour area. Once picked up, your group will have its own minibus to transport you to up to the three different ski areas on the tour. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and open: the group can chat, sleep and listen to your own music during the road journeys! See the Itinerary tab for more.
Accommodation & Meals
Enjoy the hospitality, food & drink of two authentic French Alps villages for 5 nights in 3-star hotels. Spend two nights in either Areches or Beaufort, and 3 nights in Sainte Foy Tarentaise. Suffice to say, everyone will be comfortable wherever you rest your head! Depending on the size of group, you may need to share a room with someone of the opposite sex. All accommodation is half board in a 3 star hotel, double/twin room to share, private bathroom and toilets, bed sheets and towels supplied. Depending on the group size, triple rooms may be used.
Breakfast and dinners are included in the price and are served in the hotels. Lunches are open: participants are free to choose where they wish to have lunch. Food is one the highlights of ski trips and we know all the good mountain restaurants and other small hideouts... Just trust the guide! Snacks: to boost your energy you will be provided with Mulebar, tasty and great quality organic energy bars, without additives, nor coloring nor preservatives. Drinks are not included in the tariff, but are available at the hotels and along the way.
Guides & Group Size
All guides are fully certified mountain guides with extensive local ski & mountaineering experience, plus their understanding of clients’ needs/wishes, and their teaching/organisational skills. The maximum number of guests per guide/group will be 8, but may be as low as 5, depending on conditions.
Technical & Personal Requirements*
Ski Ability, Experience & Gear
Participants must be good skiers (no splitboarders on the fixed date tours - sorry, these are ski tours, read further for splitboard option!). Split-boarders can only be catered for in a specific group (please enquire if you have a group of boarders or a mixed group for a private tour!). You should be at ease with skiing on all types of snow at a sustained pace all day long. Slopes may have some short steep sections. Short periods of skinning uphill will be involved, but will be no more than 45 min per day. Some previous skinning/ski touring experience is expected, but you are not required be a master! All ski touring gear can be rented & avalanche safety gear is included in the tour price.
Fitness
Good physical condition is required, skinning or short ascents on foot will not exceed 45 min/day. You should be prepared to ski all day long at a good pace, approximately 4 to 6 hrs skiing.
*Good to know: if you don't have the level required, the guide may ask you to leave if necessary for the well-being of the rest of the group. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to ask!
Ski lifts
Considering the itinerary may be modified due to mountain and snow conditions, ski lift fares are not included in the price. They are at your own expense and are to be purchased on site in order to allow for flexibility. In case of bad weather or snow conditions, it is then easier to transfer to another spot to find the best conditions. Your guide will advise you on the type of ski lift pass to purchase (6 days or less). You should budget approximately € 200 for a 6-day ski lift pass.
A Note About Covid
The tour operator undertakes to follow all the recommendations issued by the relevant government. The tour vans are disinfected after each use and wearing a mask is strictly compulsory for all trips. This for the clients and for the guides. Participants will be informed of the health protocols relating to the accommodation where they stay - it is mandatory to respect them. For the latest on travelling to Europe see the website Reopen Europe.