Snow & Rock Freeflo Backcountry Ski Adventure Skills Course with Squash Falconer in Tignes

Last week Floss from Freeflo and I delivered our first Snow & Rock Backcounty Ski Adventure Skills Course and it was a huge success.  We were delighted to be joined by 5 lovely people who arrived on day one with fantastic attitudes, all the right kit and lots of enthusiasm!

Snow & Rock Backcounty Adventure Skills Course
Snow & Rock Backcounty Adventure Skills Course

Taking full advantage on day one of the amazing blue skies and fresh powder the snow gods delivered for us we went straight out into the back country.

Over the course of the week we covered a huge amount; focusing on avalanche safety, terrain selection and navigation early on and working on ski tour & skiing techniques as the course progressed.  With a small group it was very easy to address individual goals and aims and work together to improve and learn.

Snow & Rock Backcounty Adventure Skills Course with Freeflo & Squash Falconer
Snow & Rock Backcounty Adventure Skills Course with Freeflo & Squash Falconer

This is a short video we made during the course that will give you an insight into what we got up to –

https://youtu.be/AJErtCvYwhg

We are running a second course in April and in order to make it more accessible we have made it a course fee only – it’s amazing value!

5 day course for £650 which includes a £200 Snow & Rock voucher!!

Here are all the details…

Sunday 16th 23rd April 2017
Course Price £650

Price includes:

  • £200 Snow & Rock in store voucher
  • 5 days elite British back country coaching with FREEFLO
  • Sharing the 5 day Adventure with Adventurer Squash Falconer
  • Avalanche and transceiver workshops
  • Adventure evening with Squash Falconer
  • Video Analysis

What the package doesn’t include:

  • Insurance
  • Equipment
  • Lunch and Drinks on and off the mountain
  • Espace Killy Lift Pass
  • Flights & Transfers
  • Accomodation*

* The accommodation we would like to recommend is with Ski bug – they have a beautiful catered chalet in the heart of Tignes, ensuite bedrooms, large living area, log fire & in chalet sauna.

Ski Ability Intermediate Level:
If you are an off-piste skier with varying success then this course is for you. If you can link turns without traversing, at least 5–10 turns together if not more with reasonable control, style and speed, down the fall line, in most snow types then this adventure is for you.

Training for the trip:
Fitness is paramount for this ski adventure. Good fitness will make the trip more fun and you will get more out of your week! Although the course will be tailored to the group’s ability, it is highly recommended for you to get as fit as possible before you start. You must be able to ski all day if not most of the day from the first lift to the last lift with a couple of short breaks.

Insurance:
Getting specialist travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical and mountain rescue is highly recommended. Make sure it covers skiing off-piste beyond the ski boundary and ski touring with an instructor or guide. Buying a Carte de Neige with your lift pass in resort or online is recommended as will cover any mountain rescue without payment. You can purchase the carte de neige in resort with your lift pass for around €2 euros a day or you can purchase it on line to beat the queues for a year at http://www2.ffs.fr/carteneige . You can also purchase the Carre Neige which is a similar product: www.carreneige.com.

Make sure your insurance covers skiing off piste beyond the ski boundary with an instructor or guide.

The 5 Day Adventure:
This is an off-piste and back country adventure. If the weather doesn’t allow us to ski off-piste we will brush up our technique back on the piste.  This is a course where we will be passing on our experience and skills and where you can learn how to ski and move safely off-piste and most importantly to have fun while skiing.  You also will be inspired and motivated by Adventurer Squash Falconer throughout the week.

Rough Itinerary:
This a rough outline of the 5-day back country adventure itinerary, this is likely to change depending on the weather and the group’s ability & goals.

Night of arrival – Sunday:
Meet the team on Sunday evening and discuss the week ahead, plans and individual goals.

Monday will be a free day to find your skiing legs and acclimatize!

Day 1 Tuesday:
Warm up for skiing & skining! Introduction to the use of avalanche equipment, terrain selection & navigation.
Evening: Avalanche Workshop
Day 2 Wednesday:
Technical Focus how to improve your off-piste skiing, balance and fundamental elements.  Ski Tour.
Evening: Video Analysis
Day 3 Thursday:
Technical Focus skiing on off-piste steeper terrain and variable conditions.  Ski Tour (possible stop at a mountain hut).
Evening: Adventure evening with Squash Falconer
Day 4 Friday:
Technical Focus ski touring/hiking. Ski Tour (possible stop at a mountain hut).
Day 5 Saturday:
Ski tour full day.

Depart Sunday

Kit List- What to bring:
Skis: Ideally an all mountain ski that is around 85-110mm under foot. Anything wider under foot than that is a lot harder to make shorter turns and to influence the ski, especially when we are skiing the bumps amongst the trees.
Boots: If you haven’t got your own boots, a downhill boot without a hike mode is fine or a touring boot.
Skins: Skins for touring.
Gloves: Gloves or mittens are fine. I normally have glove liners as well as it can get cold.
Layers: Lots of thin thermal breathable layers are always good with a waterproof jacket over the top, so you can remove them if you get hot. A buff or snood is always very handy.
Poles: Downhill poles with bigger baskets are fine. Telescopic touring poles are better for touring with.
Goggles: Goggles are a must. Ideally two lenses. If you can make sure you have a yellow goggle lens or a lens which you can put in your goggles in case of bad weather and poor visibility this will makes a huge difference.
Sunglasses: A big yes for the sunny days.
Helmet: A helmet is paramount.
Backpack: If you have a comfortable backpack 25-35 litres, please can you bring it. If you have an ABS bag please bring it as it is great for off-piste but can be heavy for touring.
Avalanche Gear: If you do have a pack, shovel, probe and transceiver (digital) please bring them. If not, you can rent them in resort. ABS bag is recommended.
Water bottle, flask and snacks: Nuts, dried fruit and energy bars are always handy for slow release energy instead of chocolate.
Sun cream: 30+
Beanie: To keep head warm and to cover up helmet hair when having lunch!
Camera/GoPro: Good to take photos and to make movies
First Aid Kit: Small first aid kit and foil safety blanket/blizzard blanket

For more info, please contact

info@freefloski.com

We look forward to stepping into your next adventure with you.

Floss & Squash!

Floss Cockle is a BASI British International Ski Teacher L4 ISTD with a wealth of experience having taught skiing for sixteen years and completed nineteen winter seasons.

 

 

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