The discipline of off-piste skiing, commonly known as freeride among practitioners, seeks to respect the original spirit and ethos of the sport, which dates back to a movement inspired by Hawaiian surfers in the 1960s (surfers who went into the mountains saw snow slopes as frozen waves of water.... And created the first snowboards, which were much more effective in deep snow, off groomed slopes, than the long, thin skis of the time).

They are demanding greater freedom in their practices, and the affirmation of a lifestyle free of constraints.

The aim is to encourage fun, while developing technique, knowledge and the ability to surpass oneself; far from the rules and strict framework that govern the disciplines of alpine skiing and its culmination with competition... The traditional path for all skiers of the time.

Freeriding is a sport that is accessible to many people and is practised within a ski area, using the ski lifts to reach the summits, then descending ungroomed snowy slopes off the marked runs.

The playing field here is completely natural. It's not the terrain that's been shaped by man for a particular discipline, it's the skier who adapts to the terrain. Depending on your own level of technique and knowledge, you'll be able to ski in the heart of nature in a variety of areas, from beautiful powdery slopes to steep couloirs. If you feel like it, you can get away from the ski area to reach less-frequented areas, by approaching on foot with your skis on your rucksack.

Because freeriding takes place in unmarked, unsecured areas, the slopes we descend can be prone to avalanches. We're working in a completely natural environment, so we need safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe) to find us in the event of burial. (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe)

The outings we offer are mainly in the off-piste areas of TIGNES and VAL D'ISERE. Depending on your wishes, we can also go to nearby ski areas (Sainte Foy, La Rosière-La Thuyle, Les Arcs, La Plagne) or much further afield !!!! (Les 3 vallées, Zermatt, Gressoney, La Grave, Chamonix, etc.) NB: For these services, please contact our secretary on request.

Freeriding is a way to get away from everyday life, to find yourself alone in the mountains, surrounded by the beauty and omnipotence of Mother Nature, and the Mountain Guides from the Tignes Office are there to accompany you while maximising your safety, so come and join us!