Improve Your Off-Piste Skills or Learn from Scratch (Our Best Tips!)

When it comes to off-piste skiing and snowboarding, safety is the number one priority – not just for yourself but for everyone around as well. If you’re unfamiliar with the necessary equipment or avalanche safety, it’s essential to seek guidance from a professional. For example, we offer an off-piste introduction week in Austria during week 12, where you’ll participate in workshops and hands-on training. The focus is on learning the right techniques safely while also understanding the essential safety gear you need.

The Basics of Off-Piste Riding

Off-piste skiing or snowboarding is very different from riding on groomed slopes. Here are some key factors to be aware of:

• Balance and Body Control: The terrain is unpredictable, and snow conditions vary, making balance and control even more important. Strengthening these skills before your trip will make a big difference.
• Proper Equipment: Off-piste skis are usually wider than regular skis, and having the right safety gear is crucial. This includes an avalanche backpack, shovel, probe, and transceiver. Knowing how to use this equipment correctly can be lifesaving.
• Terrain Awareness: Be mindful of cliffs, trees, and other obstacles. If you’re exploring a new area, always take your first runs with a guide or someone who knows the terrain well.

Mastering these fundamentals will help you build confidence and ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience.

Different Types of Off-Piste Skiing

When exploring the terrain, you’ll often hear the terms sidecountry and backcountry. While both offer fresh powder and untouched snow, they come with different levels of accessibility and challenges.

Sidecountry refers to areas that are accessible via ski lifts, making it more convenient than backcountry skiing. This typically means skiing just outside the marked slopes, where you can enjoy untracked snow while still having an easy route back to the groomed runs when needed.

Backcountry skiing, on the other hand, is completely outside of resort boundaries and cannot be accessed by ski lifts. To reach these remote, untouched areas, skiers use alternative methods such as catskiing, heliskiing, or ski touring. Here, you’ll rarely see other tourists, and in many cases, you’ll be the first to carve tracks in the snow. 

Let’s take a closer look at the different ways to explore the mountains:

Catskiing: A snowcat (a modified piste groomer) is used to transport skiers up the mountain, providing access to large off-piste areas with deep powder. It’s a more budget-friendly option compared to heliskiing and has become popular among skiers and snowboarders of all levels. We offer catskiing trips in destinations like North Macedonia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Georgia.

Heliskiing: Considered the ultimate adventure for off-piste enthusiasts, heliskiing involves being dropped off at the top of a mountain by helicopter, allowing you to descend through untouched wilderness. It’s an experience like no other. If you’re looking for a heliskiing trip, we arrange tours in both Iceland and Canada.

Ski Touring: If you’re willing to put in more effort for an even greater reward, ski touring is the way to go. Instead of relying on lifts or transport, you hike up the mountain with your skis or splitboard, enjoying the peaceful surroundings before skiing down through pristine terrain. We offer various trips that include ski touring, as well as dedicated tours focusing exclusively on this challenging yet rewarding discipline.

Each of these methods offers a unique way to experience off-piste skiing, so whether you’re looking for an easy introduction or the ultimate adventure, there’s an option for you.

Off-Piste Skiing for All Levels

Many people assume that off-piste skiing is only for expert skiers and snowboarders, but that’s not the case. The key is to choose terrain that matches your skill level and gradually build your confidence.

That’s why we focus on teaching both technique and safety, which are essential no matter your experience level. If you’re looking to improve your off-piste skills in a structured and supportive environment, our Intro to Off-Piste Week in Austria is a great place to start. Here’s what’s included:

• Safety workshop: Learn how to assess risks and navigate off-piste terrain safely.
• Equipment workshop: Get familiar with the gear needed for off-piste skiing.
• 4 half-day freeride/off-piste lessons: Level-adapted coaching to match your abilities.
• Ski testing: Try out the best off-piste/all-mountain skis of the season.
• Accommodation with breakfast and dinner (except Wednesday).
• 6-day lift pass for the entire Ski Circus area.

Want to learn more? Join us in Austria!