Off-Piste With a French-Qualified Guide
Freeride terrain in the 3 Valleys isn't marked or patrolled the way groomed runs are, which is where many international visitors get caught out skiing off-piste alone or with an unqualified guide. I hold the French State ski instructor diploma, which covers avalanche terrain assessment as part of the training — not an add-on certificate bolted onto a standard ski lesson qualification.
From the hidden couloirs above Courchevel to the open bowls around Val Thorens, I choose the line based on that day's avalanche bulletin and snowpack, then coach your line choice, balance and rhythm in deep snow as we go.
What a Safety Briefing Actually Covers
Before we leave the piste, I run through your transceiver, shovel and probe, confirm you know how to use them under pressure — not just carry them — and walk through that morning's avalanche bulletin so you understand the reasoning behind the route, not just the route itself.
