Introduction to freeride skiing in the Briançonnais region
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationQueyras Massif / Cervières
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AgeFrom 16 - 64 years
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CO₂-Emissions60.57 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
This trip promises six days of off-piste skiing in the most beautiful resorts in the area between the Écrins mountains and the Italian Piedmont, including the legendary La Grave! Each day, your friendly and knowledgeable mountain guide will take you to new spots. You'll progress in a fun and friendly atmosphere, with the added bonus of an introduction to ski touring ! You'll be staying in our new lodge in the heart of the small village of Cervières. A warm and welcoming place where you can admire the surrounding peaks before enjoying a delicious local beer and a comforting meal in good company.
This area is not accessible by splitboard.
The highlights
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Off-piste skiing lessons with a high-mountain instructor/guide
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Great freeride ski routes away from the crowds and on glaciers
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Nice accommodation in a typical mountain village
Photos
Mickael - verified review - january 2024
Mickael - verified review - january 2024
Sport
Level
Freeride skiing
The expert's opinion
For intermediate skiers who have never done freeride (off-piste) skiing but have a red/black piste level, ESF level 3 course. Not suitable for beginners, this is not a ski lesson.
Good physical condition is recommended for 4 to 6 hours of skiing per day. Easy ascent using skins, not exceeding 45 minutes each day.
Management
French
You will be accompanied by a high-mountain guide. Our partner works with a great team of guides. They are chosen primarily for their friendliness, teaching skills, and organizational abilities.
Program
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Welcome and warm-up for freeride skiing in Sestriere
- Activity Freeride skiing
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Welcome to the lodge in Cervières, at the Briançon train station, or at the Oulx-Cesana train station. Meet your guide and set off on your adventure! We'll choose to ski the Sestriere routes to warm up, assess everyone's skill level, practice safety drills, and demonstrate how to use climbing skins for those unfamiliar with them. It's the first day, so relax. Getting set up and distributing equipment might take a little time, but don't worry, you'll be skiing all week! At the end of the day, transfer to our accommodation.
Day 1 -
Puy Saint Vincent family resort
- Activity Freeride skiing
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
A charming, family-friendly resort, Puy Saint Vincent offers impressive off-piste opportunities. After a short skinning session, you can descend into wild valleys and slalom between larch trees on gentle slopes.
Day 2 -
The wild Queyras
- Activity Freeride skiing
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
This secluded valley boasts numerous small, family-run resorts, offering a wide range of exposures and freeride opportunities. Enjoy yourself amidst picture-perfect scenery!Day 3 -
The vast Serre-Chevalier estate
- Activity Freeride skiing
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
A short transfer from the lodge to the largest ski area in the Hautes-Alpes! The forests close in, the slopes are longer and the peaks higher – we're getting to the heart of the matter! Quality off-piste skiing, where the guide can correct you and help you work on your technique while ensuring you have a truly timeless experience.
Day 4 -
La Grave, beneath the mythical Meije
- Activity Freeride skiing
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The French capital of freeriding, it's the essential stop to complete a week of freeriding. Surrounded by glaciers and couloirs, the group now has a solid foundation in off-piste skiing!Day 5 -
Montgenèvre on the Italian border
- Activity Freeride skiing
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Bordered by the Italian Piedmont, this resort offers fantastic descents on the Italian side, and you can even stop for a delicious plate of pasta at lunchtime to recharge! The slopes vary in gentleness, allowing you to let go of the brakes and float effortlessly through the powder. The trip concludes after a wonderful week of freeriding, with a return to the departure points by minibus.
Day 6
Note
Weather and snow conditions, as well as the participants' skill level, may lead the guide to modify this program or to follow certain routes in a different order, in different areas, or in a neighboring country. We may also need to change accommodations, within the same category, due to logistical reasons or availability.
Accommodation
This stay takes place in a lodge nestled in the village of Cervières at the foot of the Col d'Izoard . The welcome is exceptional, and the living space is designed for relaxing and enjoyable holidays. The food is simple, natural, and high-quality, with a selection of good beers and wines. Rental equipment is located below the lodge, and our agency and team are just a short walk away.
In case of unavailability at the lodge, the trip will take place in a comfortable guesthouse in the area.
Access
Several possible meeting points :
📍 In Cervières in front of the lodge at 8:10 am
📍 At Briançon train station at 8:30 am
📍 At Oulx train station at 9:15 am
You are expected in ski gear for the meeting on Day 1. The departure at the end of the trip takes place at the same location as the arrival point.
We do our best, but we cannot guarantee arrival time at the train station (traffic jams, unforeseen circumstances, snow conditions). We advise you to purchase flexible train tickets. On the last day, return to Briançon and Oulx is possible but not guaranteed by 6:00 PM.
Go to the starting point
🚂 TGV Paris-Milan - stop Oulx. Night train or TER to Briançon station.
🚘 Free, unsupervised public parking in Briançon or in front of the accommodation.
Price details
The price includes
- The organization of the stay
- All minibus transfers from one of the meeting points
- Half-board accommodation in a hotel for 5 nights in a shared double or twin room
- Training/refresher course on the use of safety equipment
- The services of a high mountain guide for 6 days, including all their expenses (accommodation, meals, transport, lifts)
- Loan of group safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe) if you do not have your own
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to one of the meeting points
- The ski lifts
- The possible rental of equipment
- Lunches, and all drinks including those served with meals
- Personal expenses
Options
- Equipment rental - Complete package : CHF255.23 / unit
- Equipment rental - Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons) : CHF224.13 / unit
- Equipment rental - Shoes : CHF68.61 / unit
- Equipment rental - Airbag bag : CHF118.92 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
Equipment can be rented in the Options section of the booking page.
Equipment to bring
- Freeride skis equipped with touring bindings (pin or plate bindings). We recommend touring skis of the freeride-touring type to make the most of descents in all snow conditions and powder.
- Seal skins
- Knives
- Sticks
- Touring ski boots if using insert bindings - Alpine ski boots if using plate bindings.
- Avalanche transceiver (DVA): If you have an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe, please let us know when you register. If you don't have any, we will lend you one free of charge.
- Backpack: 32L capacity
- 1L water bottle, thermos or Camelback
- Pocket knife
- Duck tape (strong tape)
- Sunscreen SPF 50
- Toiletry bag with personal essentials
Clothing to bring
- Warm hat or headband / Neck warmer or Buff
- Ski goggles and sunglasses with UV4 protection lenses. The photochromic lenses adapt to the light and vary from index 2 to index 4 to optimize visibility between shade and light.
- Ski helmet ( highly recommended )
- Technical underwear: long-sleeved top and tights for added warmth under the pants.
- Lightweight fleece jacket / Synthetic down jacket with hood to wear under the Gore-Tex for extra warmth during breaks
- Jacket with waterproof and breathable membrane such as Gore Tex or soft shell, lightweight and compressible to reduce bulk in the backpack.
- Trousers with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type membrane. Models with leg vents are recommended for uphill sections.
- Lightweight gloves (fleece or softshell)
- Warm gloves with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type membrane. Mittens are a good solution for very cold days or for people sensitive to the cold.
- Silk undergloves.
- Ski socks
Note: Merino wool has the advantage of being very breathable and antibacterial, so it retains less odor than synthetic materials.
