Whilst the 400km of pistes within the expansive 4 Valleys ski area are undeniably thrilling, it’s the off-piste escapades where Verbier truly shines. Explore the captivating beauty of Verbier’s off-piste terrain during your stay with us!
Venturing off-piste presents a distinct challenge, demanding a different set of skills. Whether you’re a seasoned expert, well-versed in mountain exploration, or a newcomer to the world of skiing, we’re here to facilitate your journey. Our partnership with Powder Extreme allows us to connect you with experienced guides who will lead you through the remarkable landscapes of the Swiss Alps. Join us as we speak with our partners at Powder Extreme to give us an idea of what you will experience…
Who are Powder Extreme?
We are a dedicated team of 10 off-piste ski and snowboard Coaches, committed to enhancing your off-piste skills and providing you with unforgettable experiences in the world-famous off-piste terrain of Verbier and the Four Valleys!
We are approaching our 20th anniversary in 2024, and you can still find some of our original coaches teaching with us! Verbier may have changed a little since we started in 2004, but we still have the same simple idea: empower skiers and snowboarders with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to explore the off-piste in Verbier. It’s famous for a reason, and we think that everyone should be able to explore it safely and confidently.
What do you offer?
We offer mainly private off-piste coaching, either for full days to make the most of the day and explore the 4 Vallees or half-day sessions (3 hrs) to give you some condensed tuition to further your skills through your trip. Private sessions give you great one-on-one contact with our coaches. Every lesson is tailored to your individual needs and aspirations.
If you prefer to learn in a group of like-minded skiers, we also offer our Powder Camps, group technical courses designed to make huge improvements to your off-piste technique. Our camps have been a staple in the Powder Extreme calendar for nearly 20 years! We run these Monday – Friday through January and February every season to make the most of the peak off-piste conditions. We run small groups of 4-5 people, so you can still get some focused attention whilst enjoying the powder with a fun new bunch of skiers.
Can I go off-piste skiing even if I’m not very experienced?
Many people think skiing off-piste is just for the adrenaline junkies or those that have been skiing their whole lives – and we want to prove to you that that’s not true! You’re never too old or too new to skiing to give it a go. We love to be the ones to help people experience their first turns in the powder – it’s an unforgettable experience! And don’t worry, we’re never just going to throw you down the backside of Mont Fort! We can start slowly and help you venture beyond the piste markers at first.
And don’t be put off by the daunting safety equipment, either. As part of every session, coaches will check everyone’s equipment and can also conduct very important safety drills and training on how to use the transceiver effectively.
How do I know which level I am?
We have a handy level checker on our website: https://www.powder-extreme.com/canidoit. Our 1-5 scale gives us a good idea of your current level and experience.
We usually try to do two weekly groups for our camps, one for level 3 and one for level 4. For the first part of Monday morning, our groups have a little ’ski-off’ together—but there's no need to be nervous. It's just for fun and to give us a good idea of how to split the groups for the rest of the week.
We also run a few ‘Level 2’ camps through the season for those wanting to explore the off-piste for the first time. Our season dates are live on our website now – https://www.powder-extreme.com/camps
We offer our private coaching sessions for all levels. If you are an expert and don’t wish for much coaching, that’s no problem – We will be happy to show you our favourite spots in the 4 Vallees instead. If you are Level 1 and don’t think you’re ready for the off-piste yet – that’s no problem either. Our coaches are happy to get working on your on-piste technique, too.
How old do you need to be to ski off-piste?
As well as all levels, we’re open to all ages too. For our powder camps, we take from ages 14+ (and they usually outski the adults, too!). We are also in our fourth season of our Freeride Club for local kids aged 10-14 – Hopefully, we will see a few of them on the Freeride World Tour in the future. If your kids are a bit too young to venture off-piste, our coaches are great with kids of all ages, and you can also find them on Les Esserts on occasion!
What do I need to bring for going off-piste skiing?
Here’s a handy list we recommend for everyone, whether you take a private coach or one of our camps
What to wear…
- All-terrain or fat powder skis
- Helmet
- Goggles and gloves
- Good outerwear jacket and pants
- Appropriate layers for the weather
- Backpack
What to pack in your bag…
- Transceiver with 60% charge minimum
- Shovel and probe
- Phone with a full charge
- 4 Vallees lift pass
- Bottle of water and some snacks
- Skins (if you have touring skis)
Bring some spare…
- Extra layers for changing conditions
- Spare lenses for your goggles
What type of skis should I bring?
We suggest you use a ski measuring 85mm underfoot or over to maximise your enjoyment and development. If (fingers crossed) we get a large amount of fresh snow before your trip, we recommend a ski over 95mm. You can always contact Mountain Air (our ski rental partners) for their recommendations—they have a huge variety of skis of all types.
If you would like to try some skinning while you are here, you can also rent a good touring ski/split board set up and skins. We’re very happy to show you all the tips and tricks for getting the most out of your equipment.
Want to try your hand at some off-piste skiing? Just speak to your concierge manager, and they will be happy to book you a session with Powder Extreme so that you can make the most of your trip to the mountains!
