Levels for ski touring and freeride
Ski Touring
Technical level
Level 1
For skiers who have never done ski touring. You will need to be able to ski down red or black alpine slopes. You will get technical ski touring training from the guide. Does not fit to ski beginners as it is not ski lessons.
Level 2
Usually easy and wide open slopes. You may progress on easy glacier terrain. We advise you to already have some basic technical knowledge of ski touring. The guide will help you to improve your basic technical knowledge.
Level 3
Slopes may include some short steep sections. You need to a reasonable good off-piste skier being able to deal with all types of snow conditions. You may progress on glacier terrain. You need to be able to execute good uphill kick turns. On some courses the guide will teach you mountaineering techniques including rope skills, use of crampons and ice axe.
Level 4
Slopes may contain narrow and steep sections, sometimes exposed (40-45°). You have excellent ski touring skills and ski fluidy on all terrain. You may progress on chaotic glacier terrain. You definitely master uphill kick turns and mountaineering techniques (use of crampons and ice axe).
Physical level
Level 1
Approx 3/4 hours skiing per day. Expect to climb between 300 & 800 m per day.
Level 2
Good physical condition required, approx. 4 -6 hrs skiing per day, expect to do some climbing on foot, 500 to 1000m up a day.
Level 3
Good physical condition required, may involve some short climbs on foot or with skis - max 800 & 1200 m elevation gain per day.
Level 4
Expect to ski all day long at a good pace. Tours may involve daily ascents of 1200 m or more.
Freeride skiing
Technical level
Level 1
Accessible to the average skier with no previous freeride (off piste) skiing experience. You be capable of skiing black or red level slopes, course 3 ESF. You may go up a bit, not over 30 mn/day. Does not accept ski beginners, as it is not ski lessons.
Level 2
Accessible to the average skier used to all types of snow and at ease on black level pistes with some off piste experience. Short uphill sections with skins for less than 45 min per day, not requiring any ski touring technique knowledge. Ideal course for an experience skiing wishing to introduce him- or herself to freeride or off piste skiing.
Level 3
Good skier in all types of snow. Skiing at a good pace all day long. Slopes may have some short steep sections. Short uphill sections with skins, previous experience in ski touring expected.
Level 4
For experienced skiers at ease in all types of snow, having some couloir experience. Sustained pace all day long. Slopes may have some steep and exposed sections (40° - 45°). Uphill skinning sections, previous ski touring technique knowledge expected.
Level 5
For experienced skiers, you should master skiing down couloir and steep slopes. Very sustained pace all day long. Slopes may have some steep and exposed sections (40° - 45°). Uphill skinning sections, ideally you should have some previous ski touring technique experience.
Physical level
Level 1
You should be fit, approx 3/4 hrs skiing per day at an easy pace.
Level 2
Good physical condition, 4/6 hrs skiing per day, small uphill section on foot or with skins for max 45 min per day.
Level 3
Good physical condition, uphill on foot or with skins for less than 2 1/2 hrs per day. Full days skiing at a good pace.
Level 4
Good physical condition, full days skiing at a sustained pace, uphill sections with skins for maximum 3 hours.
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Technical level
Level 1 (discovery)
Open to all, beginners or experienced riders discovering enduro or all-mountain biking, who have never or rarely ridden mountain bikes. We will cover the technical elements essential for descending and climbing on rolling trails. The key to Level 2 will be in your pocket!
Level 2
For mountain bikers who already have a passion for mountain biking and have several mountain biking experiences. You've mastered gear shifting and braking, and are capable of overcoming an obstacle by lightening the bike, and climbing up or down short steep sections. Mountain bikers who want to improve their skills on singletrack descents that are rarely steep, sometimes technical (rocks, roots, etc.) but not exposed. Ideal for reinforcing the basics to acquire the grail of level 3!
Level 3
For mountain bikers who are already good downhillers and confident in their technique. You'll be able to take hairpin bends, ride a sloping trail without fear, control your braking, and ride over small obstacles (roots, rocks, steps, etc.). The long, steady descents (but progressive over the course of the week) are sometimes steep, often technical, sometimes exposed but rarely dangerous. You'll emerge as an experienced rider, or even a crack rider!
Level 4
Expert level, regular and experienced rider. You'll be able to take hairpin bends, ride down a sloping path, control your braking and get over obstacles such as roots, rocks and steps. The descents are long and sustained, regularly steep, often technical and sometimes exposed. You're here to challenge yourself even more!
Physical level
Level 1
For occasional to regular mountain bikers and/or sportsmen who want to keep fit and approach mountain biking in a 'cool' and progressive mode. Effort will be limited with low gradients or, depending on the trip, thanks to the shuttle bus service. We'll be riding mainly on gentle 4x4 tracks. No stress, we'll take it easy!
Level 2
For occasional mountain bikers and/or regular sportsmen and women. We'll be riding on progressive 4x4 tracks, with occasional steep sections. Expect to climb between 600m and 1000m per day.
Level 3
For keen mountain bikers or sports enthusiasts with a taste for hard work and who ride regularly. You are sporty and usually do one day's mountain bike outing a week and/or several short ones. You train at least several weeks before your departure. We'll be riding on climbs that are already substantial in terms of length and steepness, with pushing or carrying possible. Expect to climb between 800m and 1400m per day.
Level 4
Sport is your thing, and almost every day! You like effort and you're very sporty. You know your limits, and are capable of putting in a lot of effort over several days in a row. We'll be riding on climbs that are consistent in terms of length and steepness, requiring pushing or carrying. Expect to climb between 1400 and 2000m per day.
E-bike
Technical level
Level 1
Learning and discovery of basic mountaineering techniques, essentially on snow and ice. Easy course designed for beginners.
Level 2
No specific difficulty, it essentially consists on hiking in snow. However, we advise you to have previous experience in walking with crampons and to be used to walking of track with a backpack that weighs several kilos.
Accessible for beginners who are good walkers and have hiked at + 3000 m above sea level. The level of this course will enable you to further gain in autonomy on more difficult courses, or participate in more technical itineraries.
Level 3
You should master mountaineering techniques (use of crampons and rope, progression on glacier). Snow slopes may reach 35° - 40°. Climbing difficulty II / III
Level 4
You should master basic mountaineering techniques, and be able to progress under the guides supervision. Snow slopes may reach 40°. Climbing difficulties III+/IV.
Physical level
Level 1/2
You should regularly do some endurance sports (cycling, hiking, running, cross country skiing, swimming). If this is not the case, you should run at least 30 min per day, three times a week (or 5 km) 2 months prior to the course.
Level 3
You should be used to doing outdoor sports. Regularly do endurance sports (cycling, running, hiking, cross country skiing, swimming). If this is not the case you should run minimum one hour three times a week, 2 to 3 months prior to departure (10 km/hour).
Level 4
You should be a confirmed sportsman/woman and regularly train, do endurance sports several times a week at least 6 months or a year prior to departure.