Ski&Board

Freeride & skitouring in Hokkaido Japan

For the true powder lover, the now famous “Japow” is an absolute must on the bucket list. The endless powder, combined with soothing “Onsen '(thermal baths), Japanese hospitality and not to mention Japanese cuisine, make this trip a true Valhalla for the avid powder skier.

Ski & Sail Spitsbergen/Svalbard

Take part in the footsteps of Willem Barentsz and the early whalers and go on a ski expedition to the infinite white mountains of Spitsbergen / Svalbard! This special Ski & Sail trip is only open to adventurous, experienced ski mountaineers. It is a true expedition to a remote and wild area. You navigate between the icebergs, have the opportunity to see polar bears, walruses, reindeer and pole foxes and sski over rugged glaciers above deep fjords. It's a once in a lifetime trip, an unforgettable journey high on the bucket list of many adventurers!

"Secret Places" Freeride skisafari Haut Valais Switzerland

The Haut Valais region is obviously marked by large ski areas such as Zermatt and its majestic Matterhorn and its numerous glaciers. But did you know that the region also has many small, little-known ski areas? In short, an ideal base for adventurous freeriders who aren't afraid to skin up a bit!

Secret Places Freeride & Skitour Oberwallis

Het Duitstalige deel van het Zwitserse kanton Valais oftewel Wallis wordt het Oberwallis genoemd. Zermatt met de iconische Matterhorn en de vele gletsjers is natuurlijk het bekendste paradepaardje. Maar wist je dat de regio ook veel kleine en onbekende skigebiedjes telt? Kortom, een super uitvalsbasis voor avontuurlijke freeriders die niet bang zijn voor een stukje lopen op de vellen !

Ski & Sail Spitzbergen/Svalbard

Treten Sie in die Fussstapfen von Willem Barentsz und den frühen Polarforscher und schliessen Sie sich einer Skiexpedition in die unendlichen weissen Berge Spitzbergens an! Diese spezielle Ski & Sail Reise steht nur sehr unternehmungslustigen, erfahrenen Skitourengehern offen. Es ist eine wahre Expedition in eine abgelegene und unwirtliche Gegend. Sie fahren zwischen den Eisbergen hindurch, haben die Möglichkeit, Eisbären, Walrosse, Rentiere und Polarfüchse zu sehen und über schroffe Gletscher und tiefe Fjorde entlang Ski zu fahren. Es ist eine „einmalige Reise“, eine unvergessliche Reise, die ganz oben auf der „Bucket List“ vieler Abenteurer steht!

Turkey Heliski

The Kaçkar Mountains in northeastern Turkey, on the Black Sea, are ideally suited for heliskiing. The quality of the snow, the good stability of the snow pack, regular precipitation during the winter and of course the vastness and variety of the available terrain make it a true paradise for freeriders. The peaks are around 3000 meters high with the highest peak at even more than 3,900 m. Edward Bekker worked as a heliski guide for Turkey Heliski in February 2020 and 2021 and we have been an official partner ever since. A big advantage is that Edward can guide you as a guide in groups of 4 participants (if he is available of course).

Piste to Powder Weekend

Who doesn't dream of it? Skiing off the beaten track, discovering new places, preferably far away from the masses. Powder skiing, tree skiing, glacier descents, hut-to-hut skiing ... Some knowledge, technique and experience in all types of snow are required to enjoy off-piste skiing or freeriding and ski touring. During this training weekend you will develop your basic skilles of skiing in unprepared terrain under the guidance of an experienced IFMGA certified mountain and ski guide.

Skitouring introduction day clinic

Ski touring is undoubtedly the key to skiing the best secret virgin descends. Armed with tour/freeride bindings, climbing skins and the right avalanche equipment, you can discover and ski the best hidden gems the mountains have to offer. 

This introduction into skitouring, lead by an experienced internationally IFMGA certified mountain- and skiguide, will offer you a first experience into skitouring. You will learn essential ski touring techniques as how to fix and take off the skins, the different kinds of bindings and how to perform kick turns on steeper terrain. Off course some basic avalanche skills will be trained as well in theory (safety video) as in practice (avalanche safety training outdoors). 

This clinic is especially designed for advanced skiers with off piste experience, being able to safely descend in all kinds of snow and terrain.

Skitouring 4-days Simplon pas

The Simplon pass, situated at an altitude of 2005 meters above sealevel, is an iconic place that has been an important link between Italy and northern Italy since the Middle Ages. Thanks to the altitude and the geographical situation on the border of the Northern and Southern Alps, it is one of the snowiest places in Switzerland. The surrounding Alpine peaks make it a true skitouring and splitboarding paradise with many options for beautiful day tours and superbe powder descents.

Heliski Iceland with Arctic Heliskiing

Iceland, land of Fire and Ice. The island is situated on the edge of the Arctic Circle and is unique in the world. You will find smoldering volcanoes, bubbling pools, grand waterfalls and rugged glaciers. The most beautiful and highest ski mountains in the country are located on the Troll Peninsula up North. The ridges close to the deep fjords and about 90% of the mountains are "skiable", without many flat parts, rocks and vegetation. The descents are between 900 and 1,300 meters in height.

Heliski Canada

Have you tasted heliski at the Bekkerchalet ski lodge or during one of our ski & road trips to Iceland Norway or Sweden and do you like to go heliskiing? In addition to our now legendary annual Ski & Road trip to Canada, we can also book other heliski trips in Canada, Iceland and Turkey for you. Edward has worked as a heliski guide at CMH heliskiing Canada as well as Heliski Pro Turkey and Arctic Heliski Iceland. We can book the different trips for you and give you advice from experience what to choose!

Freeride training Leysin

Leysin is a friendly ski resort in Switzerland, renowned for its beautiful views of the Dents du Midi, the Mont Blanc massif and Lake Geneva. It is an excellent base for off-piste and ski touring in various types of terrain, ranging from gentle slopes to steeper, more rugged descents. In contrast to Chamonix you will also find some milder descents, although there are plenty of challenging and steep slopes to be found.

Toerski & Freeride Espace Mont Blanc Secret Places

With the Mont Blanc Massif in our from yard and a fantastic unexplored area in the backyard, the Bekker Mountain Chalet offers a great base for the most beautiful ski touring and off-piste runs for the somewhat experienced tour skier and off piste skier. Directly from the chalet you can make beautiful backcountry tours with views of the Mont Blanc massif, topping it off with challenging downhill runs. That means burning calories and playing outside during the day, relaxing in the sauna or the wood-fired hot tub in the evening. The dinners are in a local restaurant within walking distance (included in the price) or 'homemade by Ilse' in front of the wood stove of the Bekker Mountain Chalet.

Skitouring Lyngen Alps Norway

FREERIDE & SKITOURING IN THE LYNGEN ALPS NORTH NORWAY

The most beautiful skitour and freeride area in Europe is located in the Norwegian Lyngen Alps, a (peninsular) group of islands with high steep peaks and deep valleys that flow into the fjord. It has lots of snow and often skiers mistakenly think that in Scandinavia there are only faint molehills and that ski touring should be done in the Alps. Nothing could be further from the truth: Norway is hip and trendy as a freeride and skitouring area! There are endless possibilities and you do not queue like on the Haute Route! Peaks such as Trolltinden, Stortinden, Tafeltinden in the heart of the Lyngen Alps do their name, they look a bit like the steep granite tops above Chamonix. Here you can also find a long tradition of alpine climbing. They are located in the far north of Norway, far above the Arctic Circle. Edward Bekker discovered the area in 1997 and has since then returned every year to enjoy the rugged nature and the beautiful snow with ski enthusiasts on wide ski skis. A dream trip for the true ski enthusiast!

Ski & Sail Spitsbergen

Take part in the footsteps of Willem Barentsz and the early whalers and go on a ski expedition to the infinite white mountains of Spitsbergen / Svalbard! This special Ski & Sail trip is only open to adventurous, experienced ski mountaineers. It is a true expedition to a remote and wild area. You navigate between the icebergs, have the opportunity to see polar bears, walruses, reindeer and pole foxes and sski over rugged glaciers above deep fjords. It's a once in a lifetime trip, an unforgettable journey high on the bucket list of many adventurers!

Adventure Skiing in Iceland, skitour & ride experience

Iceland, land of fire and ice. The island is situated at the edge of the Arctic Circle and is unique in the world. It's the land of smoldering volcanoes, geysers, bubbling pools, impressive waterfalls and magnificent glaciers. In the north of the country, on the Eyjafjörður Fjord - Iceland's longest Fjord lies Akureyri, often called the northern capital of the country. Our base is located at the west side of the fjord. Here, on the Troll Peninsula, we find beautiful ski touring peaks mainly between 900 and 1400 meters high.

Just like in Northern Norway and Swedish Lapland we enjoy the winter beauty with rugged mountains, frozen waterfalls and deep blue fjords. The area has guaranteed snow and a benefit is certainly that you do not need to acclimatise as you would need to do in the Alps.

4 Day backcountry ski & splitboard trip 'Little Areas that Rock' around Mont Blanc away from the crowds.

Do you want to get the maximum out of your freeride trip but only have limited freetime? Especially for you we offer shorter guided backcountry ski & splitboard trips. The 'Espace Mont Blanc'  between Chamonix and Verbier is an excellent place for short ski breaks with plenty of accessible backcountry terrain 'away from the crowds'. Finhaut-Emosson is easily accessible by train via the Geneva Airport and in our private skilodge we serve good food. Relax in the sauna or wood fired hottub on the outside deck with views of the Aiguilles Rouges and Trient Valley.  

Small Ski Haute Route Verbier-Zermatt

The famous Ski Haute Route is pretty much the ultimate skitouring itinery for very fit and experienced ski tourers. The classic version is going from Chamonix to Zermatt, but the first days are rather long and high (acclimatization!), with a tricky abseil passage and an additional transfer. Is however your ski touring experience rather limited, but you'd like to do the most beautiful passages of the Haute Route all the way to the foot of the Matterhorn? Then choose the 100% Swiss version from Verbier to Zermatt. The route is mostly along the trail of the legendary Patrouille des Glaciers and the program provides sufficient acclimatization and training in ski touring, making this program available to the super fit technically good skier without extensive ski touring experience.

Freeride training weekend

Are you not sure if you can handle the level of one of our freeride trips? Would you like to get 'back in the game' before the start of the ski season? Or do you just want to spend a few days freerinding some of the best terrain there is in the Alps? In that case, this intensive freeride training weekend suits you perfectly!

Skijøring with Icelandic horses in Valais Switzerland

Do you like skiing and horses? Welcome to ski jøring! The winter sport that combines the thrill of skiing with fun equestrian sports. On skis you are pulled by a horse and we go as fast as you like.

Haute Route Traverse Chamonix-Zermatt

The Haute Route, the famous High Route between Chamonix, France and Zermatt, Switzerland is "the mother" of all ski touring traverses. From Europe's tallest mountain, the Mont Blanc to the legendary Matterhorn, our route leads along some of the most exciting mountain scenery to be found anywhere. After spending a week in the winter backcountry of the Western Alps walking down Zermatt's bustling main street will feel like returning into a different world. Our chosen itinerary leads you to all well known remote mountain huts, where the Alps are so known for. That's why we've chosen to start on Wednesday: thanks to our experience of over 3 decades we've learned that this is the best way to experience this popular route in a relaxed atmosphere in quiet huts. Transfers are always included in this program, so no financial surprises at the end of your trip!

Powderhound Freeride Safari Espace Mont Blanc

Hunting the best powder around the Mont Blanc 

Off the beaten track Freeriding in Switzerland, France and Italy, to places where the snow is at its best! Enjoy the dazzling views of Mont Blanc, ride off piste and in the evenings relaxe in the wooden hottub and in the sauna at the Bekker Mountain Chalet. All these elements make this the perfect freeride trip for the real powder lovers.

Haute Route du Soleil, from Ticino to Valais

This very scenic and beautiful skitouring itinerary takes us in westerly direction from the southern Ticino to the eastern part of the Valais and we cross the border from Switzerland to Italy several times. During this diverse and culturally interesting crossing we can ascend several skipeaks like the Blinnenhorn (3373m), Hohsandhorn (3182m) or Ofenhorn (3235m).

Skitouring Gran Paradiso - Italy

This beautiful, classic skitouring itinery through the Gran Paradiso National Park is of intermediate technical level and has an extra charm by the presence of marmots, chamois and ibex. The Gran Paradiso (4061m) is considered to be one of the easiest four thousand meter peaks to climb.
The rendezvous is near Courmayeur. The next morning we check our equipment and enjoy half a day of freeriding with the guide in the ski resort of Courmayeur. After lunch we take our car and leave for the Val de Cogne - Valmontey.

Heliski Trient Valley - Mont Blanc Range

The majestic Glacier des Grands and Glacier du Trient offer a wonderful scenery for an unforgettable day of heli assisted skitouring. Starting point is our own Bekker Chalet in Finhaut where you will be welcomed with a hot coffee, tea or chocolate and a safety briefing. After having distributed the safety gear we will exercise the use of the avalanche equipment and check one last time our gear. Everything under control? Ready for take-off!

Heliski weekend Espace Mont Blanc

With a helipad almost directly in front of the door, famous freeride areas as Chamonix and Verbier within range and with the limitless skitouring possibilities starting from our backyard, the Bekker Mountain Chalet in Finhaut offers the ideal starting point for a heliskiing or heli assisted skitouring and freeride weekend. The ultimate backcountry ski experience! During daytime you will enjoy the snowy outdoors and in the evenings you can taste good food, relax at the fireplace or in the sauna or wood fired hot tub with a view of the sky above the Mont Blanc mountain range and the nature of the Aiguilles Rouges.

Freeride La Grave

La Grave is a traditional French mountain village with no high rise buildings and only a small ski area, located at the foot of the majestic Meije (3982 m) near well-known resorts of Les 2 Alpes, Alpe d'Huez and Serre Chevalier. During this week, the guides will always be searching for the best snow and a flexible attitude is important. Part of the adventure is to find the best snow and this is our specialty! Sometimes we drive therefor also to Montgenevre in Italy with extensive capabilities and heliskiing!

Freeride 'Secret Places' Graubünden

DAVOS-LENZERHEIDE-BERGUEN ST.MORITZ-PONTRESINA

The secret of the Grisons SECRET PLACES  journey lies in the cental Graubunden situated town Bergün where you maybe have never heard of? Bergün is an absolute insider tip for freeriders! Not new to us because we were there already in 1987 ... even then with deep powder snow. With the only lift we go up to the Piz Darlas from where you can descend to different sides. Here it is not really busy ... so we can make beautiful own tracks! It is also possible to skin up a bit after a thrilling descent to a secret valley. By train we reach in 30-50 minutes the famous ski resorts of Davos / Klosters and chique St Moritz / Pontresina in the Engadine. All of them are the best pearls among the freeride areas. Lenzerheide / Valbella can be reached by car, a beautiful 30 minute ride.

Andermatt Freeride

'SECRET PLACES' freeriding in central switzerland

The town of Andermatt, situated at 1444 meters altitude in central Switzerland, is known for having the most amount of snow of the country. Because of its location it always catches a lot of snow from all four directions. Andermatt is an excellent freeride destination. With 2 large gondolas we can reach the Gemsstock at almost 3000m with many freeride runs such as the Guspis and Giraffe. In recent years our skiguides have explored the freeride area around Andermatt extensively and they counted some 100 different off-piste descents. And they come in all degrees of difficulty; from gentle slopes to steep couloirs.

Engelberg Freeride

advanced FREERIDing with WELLNESS

The ancient village of Engelberg in Switzerland is located at the foot of the 3228 meter high Titlis above Lake Lucerne. In general, the area receives lots of snow and is known by insiders as one of the favorite freeriding areas.

The ski area itself is well served by the unique rotating 'Rotair lift' to the Titlis (3028m). There are beautiful, long and steep backcountry descents which can be compared to La Grave! From the highest point we have magnificent views of the Bernese, Grisons and Valais Alps. In addition, you will find excellent restaurants in the ski area. 

Freeride Safari 'Powderhound' Original

Hunting THE VERY BEST SNOW IN THE ALPS

Piste to Powder freeride clinic

The Espace Mont Blanc, the three countries area around the highest mountains in the Alps, is an Eldorado for freeriders. Steep slopes, majestic glaciers in the high mountains mark the region. During these on and off piste courses, which are taught by a certified mountain- and ski guide, you'll develop your skiing technique on the slopes in order to be able to take the first turns in unprepared terrain. Naturally, this involves learning to deal with avalanche safety equipment. These weeks are for experienced skiers who can descend black runs safely and  who want to develop or improve their ski technique off piste. 

Private guiding and custom made trips

Whilst we run a variety of group courses and backcountry skiing and skitouring programmes, many of our guests prefer their own private mountain- or skiguide for backcountry freeride, ski touring, heliski or climbing activities in and around Chamonix, Courmayeur, Verbier and all smaller resorts in between like les Marécottes, Bruson, Champex, Liddes Vichères and Ovronnaz. Many skitouring itineries with view on Mont Blanc start from our own chalet in Finhaut, Vallée du Trient halfway between Chamonix and Verbier. A heliski pad is based in our village of Finhaut and after a beautiful powder descent, hot and cold drinks can be served on our own sunny terrace... 

West Canada & Rocky Mountains Ski & Roadtrip

CANADA - ALBERTA & BRITISH COLUMBIA