Powderhound Freeride Safari Espace 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.

Our home base is the new Bekker Chalet, located in the Swiss town of Finhaut. From here we can reach Chamonix in 25 min, Verbier and Courmayeur in only 45 minutes by private minivan. The French skitown of Chamonix, Italian Courmayeur and Swiss Verbier have one thing in common: they are the hotspots for the freeriders and off piste skiers/boarders. Choosing between them is difficult, so we combine them all. All three have different climates; because of our unique location we have the flexibility to find those spots where snow is at its best! In 6 days we discover the Mont Blanc massif. We enjoy spectacular views, ride steep slopes in grippy firm snow or soft powder and relax at night by a good glass of wine at the fireplace.

The week starts on Saturday night with a briefing and cocktail followed by dinner and a good bed. In the morning, you will wake up with the smell of fresh homemade bread and a healthy typically Swiss birchermuesli. After breakfast, our minivan will take you on Sunday to the nearest ski area of Domaine de Balme / Vallorcine (only 10 min drive) where you can acclimatize and have a relaxing skiing day on your own. As from Monday our guide will take you to the best places in the 3 country region. At only 5 min drive from our chalet there is a helicopter staging area and if conditions are good and the group is in for heli assisted riding, we fly up to the  glacierplateau of Trient at about 3500 m. From there we have a stunning view toward Verbier and the Matterhorn! Equipped with climbing skins, we will cross the large glacier plateau followed by a long, long descent on the glacier to the village of Trient in Switzerland. The Mont Blanc region is known for its unique off-piste opportunities on its many, sometimes steep, slopes and on the glaciers. 

One of the highlights of this week is the spectacular 20 km long glacier descent of the Vallee Blanche. The starting point is at the 3842 m high Aiguille du Midi cable car station. (This is subject to change depending on weather & snow conditions) From Finhaut it is only a short drive to Le Chable (ca. 45 min) from where we will connect into the lift system of famous Verbier with it's 4 Vallées.  We will have a good time in Verbier and Les 4 Vallees with well known places like La Tzoumaz, Veysonnaz and Nendaz. It is all here: long off piste runs, treeruns, couloirs, nice restaurants, a perfect lift system and cool après ski bars! The ski resort of Courmayeur on the Italian side of Mont Blanc offers varied slopes in open terrain and forest. There are many beautiful couloirs with great snow and stunning views. The rugged south side of Mont Blanc offers an impressive backdrop over the slopes of Courmayeur.

In the evenings you will enjoy a nice dinner either at the Bekker Chalet or in a local restaurant in the small town of Finhaut (included in the price). The lodge where you will be staying is equipped with a sauna, fireplace, wooden outdoor hottub,  free wifi and free coffee and tea. You will be staying in 2-4 person bedrooms with double beds or bunk beds (3 rooms available for max 7 participants - rooming list will be made depending on group composition). We end the week with a traditional Swiss raclette dinner. Finhaut is easy to reach by car via Martigny or by train from Geneva Airport with one change in Martigny (hourly trains from Geneva Airport to Martigny and with the Mont Blanc Express from Martigny to Finhaut).

Rental of freeride skis with freeridebindings and skins is possible. Use of ABS avalanche airbag, avalanche beacon, shovel and probe are included. This program is also open to skiers on telemark ski's and snowboarders (please mention at time of booking)