Basic Skills Course Off-Piste Skiing
Good skiing technique makes powder days even better! During this 2-day basic skills course, a mountain guide will assess your off-piste skiing technique and equipment and prepare you for a winter of smooth, bold, and safe deep-snow descents. We recommend taking this course before buying new freeride or ski touring equipment to ensure you have the foundation you need for a successful season.
Tour Details
- Fitness Level: Moderate
- Experience Level: Advanced Beginner
You are a very experienced skier; black slopes are no problem. You have skied off-piste for at least 3 days and you have completed your first ski tour.
- Personal technique on piste
- Differences between skiing on and off-piste
- Personal technique off-piste
- Video analysis
- Explanations about ski touring gear
Group Course (4-6 participants)
| CHF 490 per person | |
Private Course
| 1-3 people | CHF 1890 per group |
| 4-6 people | CHF 490 per person |
To book a private course please contact us:
Day 1: Learn the basics at the First ski area
Meet your mountain guide in Grindelwald and take the cable car to First. You will spend the morning on the slopes while your mountain guide evaluates everyone’s technique and ski style. You will work on your body position on skis, as well as turning techniques on and off-piste. In the afternoon, you will analyse video clips taken throughout the day. After a full day spent in fresh alpine air, you will enjoy the comforts of the Waldspitz mountain hut.
Day 2: Specific off-piste skiing training in the First ski area
Energised by a hearty breakfast you will start out fresh for your second day of the course. From the hut you will be on your skis straight away and begin to learn the technical differences between skiing on and off-piste. You will learn about necessary alterations to technique and take a closer look at your equipment needs. A great off-piste run will take you back to Grindelwald, where the course ends around 4pm.
| Season | December - April |
| Departures for official tours | See "Closest Bookable Dates" |
| Departures for private tours | Private tours can be booked daily |
| Meeting point | 8:45am at the Outdoor Shop and Café - Dorfstrasse 103, 3818 Grindelwald |
- Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
- His or her expenses
- 1 night in bunk room with half-board
- Course Certificate
- Your expenses
- Snacks
- Rental equipment
- Costs for cable cars, ski lifts
Backpack
- 25-30l
Clothing
- Warm, functional clothing
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Mountaineering or Ski pants
- Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
- Beanie or headband
- Extra underwear and socks
- Thermal underwear
Footwear
- Ski (touring) boots
The basics
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Thermos flask, drink bottle
- Silk sleeping bag liner
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
- GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
- Earplugs (optional)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
Technical Equipment
- Ski touring skis or alpine skis
- Ski poles (preferrably telescopic)
- LVS (avalanche transceiver)
- Avalanche probe
- Avalanche shovel
- Avalanche airbag (optional)
- Ski helmet (optional but recommended)
General Information for Mountaineering School
Our team is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit us in our shop in Grindelwald. We are happy to help!
OUTDOOR - Mountaineering School Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103
3818 Grindelwald
Switzerland
Trip status for group courses
1-2 days before your tour or course we will review the weather forecast and conditions with the mountain guide to determine if we can operate. We will contact you by phone with an update.
Minimum of participants (group tours)
As soon as the minimum number of participants is reached, we will send you a confirmation by email.
Cancellation
If we have to cancel your tour, you have the option to reschedule to a new date, or you will receive a full refund.
Equipment
Please refer to the equipment list for your tour or course. At our shop in Grindelwald, you can purchase technical equipment, mountain clothing, shoes, and backpacks. We also have technical equipment available for rent.
Clothing
Choose functional clothing that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Dress in layers so you can easily react to temperature changes. The range at our shop in Grindelwald is tailored to mountain tours and our expert staff are happy to advise you on the best clothing for your tour or course.
Lunch
Lunch is not included in the offer. We recommend bringing bars, dried fruits, nuts, or a sandwich. The amount you will need to drink depends on your individual needs and the length of the tour. We recommend .75 -1.5 liters of water, warm tea, isotonic drinks, or whatever you prefer. We also recommend that you hydrate enough the day before, so your body is well prepared for the tour.
Huts
A mountain hut is not a hotel. Running water is not guaranteed and electricity is not available everywhere, so it is not always possible to charge batteries or phones. If you have special dietary needs, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with the hut.
Safety
Our tours and courses are led by IVBV certified mountain guides or mountain guide aspirants. We prioritise your safety by requiring regular training to ensure our guides have relevant, up to date knowledge. Outdoor is certified by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) and our safety and emergency concepts are audited by this organization annually.
General terms of contract
Our General Terms and Conditions apply.