Piste to Powder: Your Experience of a Lifetime Starts Here …

The Experience

Off-piste skiing gives you freedom from the constraints of the piste, skiing varied terrain from trees and gullies to powder bowls. The sensation of skiing in deep powder snow, which is often soft and fluffy, is an incredible sensation in its own right. And towards the end of the season, as the temperatures rise you can enjoy the new sensation of skiing Firn snow – never tried it before? you will love it! Those of you who have been skiing with Piste To Powder before, know what we are talking about…

Safety Considerations

Skiing Off Piste requires safety knowledge, avalanche awareness and navigation.  When booking a guide to ski off-piste always check they are IFMGA qualified mountain guides. Other guides can take you off-piste but will not be qualified to take you far from the lifts. All our guides ensure your safety is their number one priority, which includes a morning safety briefing and ensuring you know how to use your equipment. It is also important for you to educate yourself early on; book an avalanche safety workshop and practice regularly with your friends that you ski with, and just a few hours of fun and learning can be the difference maker in the backcountry.

Accessibility and Ski Touring

Much of the off-piste terrain in St Anton and the Arlberg is lift accessed with some short hiking to get to the best untracked snow. Ski touring has become very popular in recent years as it gives you even greater access to the spectacular backcountry. The sense of achievement on completing a tour is also a great draw for many. For those embarking on a first hut-to-hut tour we recommend one with gentle terrain such as Silvretta (see below).

Fitness

A high fitness level is key to enjoying Off Piste skiing. Even more so for Ski touring. We recommend at least 6 weeks prior to your holiday or tour to ramp up your fitness regime  – tennis, squash, cycling, running, pilates. The best way to prepare for a hut-to-hut tour is ski touring itself which is one of the best cardio workouts you can do!

Gear

If you are new to off-piste skiing, first you will need off-piste skis, which are longer and wider (typically 100 mm+ under foot) If you are thinking of ski touring in the future get some with the new touring bindings which flick easily from freeride to touring mode and are light in weight. Safety gear is essential: this includes a modern transceiver, shovel and probe – for which you need a minimum 22 litre rucksack – with ski carrying straps in case you hike. Boarders should include trifold poles in their pack. Initially you can rent most of your gear – safety sets and bags can be rented from your guide.

Piste to Powder Off piste Packages & Inclusive Weeks

We have a range of guiding offers from technique clinics and avalanche safety workshops, to all-inclusive holidays, heliskiing and hut-to-hut touring!

Off-Piste Courses in St Anton

We offer a three-day Introduction to the Off Piste which starts with an intensive technique workshop in a friendly, fun and confidence building environment, followed by two full guiding days to build on the skills. We also have regular Off Piste Technique and Avalanche Safety workshops throughout the season.

Group Guiding

Open Group guiding is aimed at solo skiers and small groups, happy to join a small group of freeriders or ski tourers in St Anton. We ask you to rate your level and fitness before joining a group from beginner to advanced so that we can match you correctly. We also now cater for snowboard groups.

Private Guiding

For groups of 4 or more, those wanting something special like Heliskiing, staying overnight in a hut or mixed groups we recommend taking a private guide. This is also great if you are staying further out in Lech or Zurs where your guide will come to meet you at your hotel.

Silvretta Hut-To-Hut Touring

The Silvretta is deservedly one of the most popular starter hut tours for those with some or limited touring experience, with its gentle terrain and simply stunning glacial scenery.

Ski tour the spectacular high glacier terrain of the Silvretta, nestled between Austria and Switzerland with an incredible 70 peaks at 3,000 metres. Stay in wonderful and cosy remote mountain huts and experience real adventure away from the crowds.

These run from mid-March onwards – just get in touch to book.

Inclusive Weeks

New inclusive off-piste holidays in St Anton in January and April – staying in the heart of St Anton, on a bed & breakfast basis with hosted evening culinary experiences! The week includes five days of off-piste guiding, taking you to places and powder runs you have only ever dreamt of before. Our April week will have a greater ski touring focus, making the most of the beautiful spring conditions. Take in the breathtaking peaks that surround this pretty Austrian ski town, enjoy a treat for your senses and a chance to escape the fast pace of life for a while.

If you are Interested in a course or guiding with us, get in touch with Zoe or Hannah in the booking team at moc.redwopotetsip@ofni or visit our website. There is a 5% discount for all ski members on all our offers, excluding February – head to the Piste to Powder discount page for more details.