3 days from 505 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 5 people
- Discover and learn basic freeriding techniques
- Easy access: take the TGV to Grenoble where we pick you up
- Short transfers: more time for skiing !
- No worries: we use our minibus to get around, and your rental gear is handed over on the spot at the start of the trip
Eager to learn the basics of freeride skiing ? The proper move, step by step ? You don’t have the time to travel to the other end of the world ? Your dog ate your passport last week ? No problem, this freeride course for beginners is a perfect break, ideal for learning and is just a stone’s throw away from Grenoble and easily accessible by train. You'll discover places to go skiing around Grenoble, that you'd probably never even imagined. Make the most of a fantastic long weekend and enter the world of freeriding ! An easy break with heaps of fun.
Get together at Grenoble train station where we meet up with the guide and head off in the minibus to the 7 Laux ski resort to explore. The guide will explain how to use security equipment and then we go skiing. At the end of the day, transfer to the hotel where we spend the night.
Meals included: dinner
Accomodation included: hotel
Breakfast and departure for the 7 Laux where we continue to explore. The guide explains the use of the gear and a short climb of 45 min - 1 hour with skins brings us into the winter silence.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Accomodation included: hotel
After breakfast, we head off to Chamrousse where we explore itineraries besides the lake and in the forests covered with powder. At the end of the afternoon we head back to Grenoble train station.
Meals included: breakfast
Please note this itinerary is an example of a freeride skiing trip near Grenoble. The guide may adjust certain itineraries and ski areas according to weather and snow conditions as well as participants' abilities. We kindly ask you to respect such decision. We may also change accomodation, maintaining identical standards, according to logistics and availabilities.
Please be wearing your ski outfit upon arrival.
We always do our best, but cannot guarantee the exact time of arrival at the train station (due to traffic or weather conditions). Therefore we strongly advise you to buy train tickets that can easily be modified.
Getting there
Train& TGV access: www.voyages-sncf.com
Car access: www.mappy.fr
Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr
Parking
If you're travelling by car, we'll meet you at the arrival point, or at one of the drop of points where you'll be able to leave your car for the entire trip.
5 to 8 participants
Only skiers, sorry no splitboard accepted
Azimut qualified mountain guide.
All our mountain guides are certified. We choose them for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.
Meet our guides just around the corner.
Skill level
You should be at ease with skiing on all types of snow. The guide will show you freeride skiing techniques. The level will be adapted to the group. We ski at a good pace all day long. The aim is to review techniques and enable you to ski in all types of snow and terrain off piste. Not suitable for beginners, these are not ski lessons.
Stamina level
Good physical condition is required, skinning or short ascents on foot will not exceed 45 min/day. You should be prepared to ski at a good pace for 4 to 6 hrs/day.
Good to know: if you don't have the level required, the guide may ask you to leave for the well-being of the rest of the group if necessary. If any doubt, please do not hesitate to ask us !
Bring a small day pack large enough to carry your personal belongings for the day such as extra layers, goggles, your picnic, a few snacks and security equipment.
Considering the itinerary maybe 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. Hence in case of bad weather or snow conditions, we can easilier transfer to another spot and do our utmost to find the best conditions. Your guide will advise you on the type of ski lift pass to purchase (6 days of less).
You should budget approx € 90 for ski lifts.
The price includes
- Trip logistics & organisation upon arrival
- Minibus transfers upon arrival at one of the indicated meeting points
- 2 nights in a hotel on half-board basis
- Safety & rescue equipment training/reviewing
- Certified and expert mountain guide services for 3 days (all his expenses are included: meals, accomodation, transportation, ski lift fares)
- Safety & rescue equipment sets are provided (tracking device, shovel and probe), if you don't have your own gear
- Extra fees for Xmas & New-Year
- AZIMUT welcome pack
The price does not include
- Transportation to/from the meeting point
- Ski lift fares
- Gear rental if required
- Personal insurance
- Lunches and all drinks (including those with meals at the hotel) and personal extras
- Any other expenses not mentioned under the above section “the price includes”
A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance due latest 30 days prior to departure.
We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.
Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of insurances on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur.
Tipping is no obligation. However participants often hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.
Azimut's minibus is used throughout the whole trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and open: we can chat, sleep and listen to our own music !
During the trip
Depending on the size of group, you may share a room with someone of the opposite sex.
- Half board in a basic hotel, in double rooms to share, private bathroom and toilets, bed sheets and towels supplied. Depending on the group size, we may use triple rooms.
- Single room with supplement: upon request, please contact us
- Breakfast and dinners are served in the hotel
- Lunches are open: participants are free to choose where they wish to have lunch. Food is one the highlights of ski trips in Italy and we know all the good trattorias and other small hideouts... Just trust us !
- Snacks: to boost your energy we've chosen to provide Mulebar, tasty and great quality organic energy bars, without additives, nor coloring nor conservatives.
Before & after ski touring trips
Once we've received your booking, we'll provide you with a list of accomodation in case you need to book a night before or after the trip. All accomodation listed is close to the meeting points. You may often benefit from preferential rates.
In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (his phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.
Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.
Wifi is available at the hotel.
Good mobile & 4G coverage.
Make sure you wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge !
Technical equipment (all in excellent condition)
- Freeride skis (or freeride rando skis) with touring bindings
- Ski skins and ski crampons (aka "couteaux")
- Poles
- Ski boots: opt for ski touring boots or freeride boots with good ankle flex and a better range of movement. Regular alpine ski boots will also do the job as climbs are relatively short.
- Avalanche safety kit: transceiver, shovel and probe (please let us know if you have your own, if not we lend them free of charge)
- Harness for glacier terrain (if you don't have one, you can borrow one)
- Daypack: capacity of 30 liters
Security advice: avalanche airbag backpacks are strongly recommended for you safety and security.
They help to stay on the surface in case of avalanche and minimize the risk of burial. Our guides use airbags. We highly recommend you to opt for high quality and reliable gear. If you don't have an avalanche airbag we rent them out at a very competitive price.
If you don't have the adequate equipment for the trip, don’t worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip ! Our equipment is relatively new (less than 3 year old) if not brand new, of good quality, adapted to your choice of activity and from the best brands (Black Crows, Fritschi, Arva, Haglöfs, Anena, Glisshop, Scott).
Prices of rental equipment during the entire trip (these competitive prices only take into account the number of days of the trip):
Full Pack (ski, boots, skins, ski-crampons, poles) | 97 € |
Skis (skis, skins, poles, ski-crampons) | 95 € |
Ski Boots | 40 € |
Airbag Backpack | 60 € |
Helmet | 15 € |
You can choose to rent equipment when booking your trip, or lateron by clicking on “my account”. If any of the equipment you’ve chosen is out of stock you’ll be notified and reimbursed.
Clothes
This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes it may be a good to have with you. By no means do you need to have the latest brands or the latest gear, but if you need to renew your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.
Headwear
- Warm hat or buff/scarf
- Ski goggles (2 pairs) and sunglasses: UV factory 4 protective lenses. Photochromic glasses adapt to light intensity and are very useful
- Helmet (highly recommended)
Bodywear
- Under layer: breathable long sleeved tops to maintain heat. A tip: merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics. Take this into consideration if you need to update your wardrobe.
- Middle layer: a light polar or synthetic jacket for an extra layer of heat during breaks
- Outer layer: a Gore-tex or similar type of jacket with a breathable waterproof membrane. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack
- Bottom layer: trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) with long side zips allowing air to flow, recommended on climbs
- Hands: light fleece or soft shell gloves, a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath, warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane. Mittens are always a good idea for really cold days of for those of you who feel the cold !
- Swimming gear: it takes up such little space, it would be a shame not to bring it just in case. Avoid swimming shorts or bermudas, they are not usually allowed.
Footwear
- Ski socks: merino wool socks are breathable and have anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to smell as opposed to those made of synthetic materials. Think about them if you need to stock up.
- Slippers recommended for evening wear. Try charentaises they’re really comfortable !
Odds & ends
Toiletries and first aid kit
- Personal toilet bag
- To make up a first aid kit, please find all relevant information on the Ifremmont website.
If you book a trip with Azimut, you'll get a 15% discount code on your confirmation page that you can use at our friends Glisshop.
Just go straight to glisshop.com ! Established in 1996, our partner stands as a leader for online winter sports equipment. Based in the centre of the volcanoes of Auvergne (France), they help every passionate skier and powder addict to find the gear they need by offering a huge and unique choice of clothing and gear available throughout Europe.
With close to 250 brands and 10 000 items for sale, Glisshop simply is the ideal partner to equip you from head to toe whathever activity may be your preference.
Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:
Official partner and service provider for Terres d'Aventure
Don't forget to
See you on the slopes !
Have great runs with AZIMUT !