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Off the marked runs, into the good snow.

Off piste skiing

Looking to make the step off piste and learn about the magic of skiing powder or a seasoned powder hound, our team will help you safely enjoy the best skiing on the mountain.

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Explore the off piste in Zermatt

Zermatt has some of the best off-piste skiing in the Alps, and a lot of it is accessible if you know where to look. Long itinerary runs, open faces that hold soft snow for days after a storm, sheltered pockets that stay good when everything else has been tracked out.

You instructor is someone to find the good lines and keep you safe. Some people just want to be guided, others want to get properly better at skiing variable snow. Plenty want both. Tell us which way you lean and we’ll build the day around it.

Off piste DAYS

Take an off piste instructor and work on your off piste technique, learn how to use avalanche safety equipment and be able to head away from the crowds in search of powder. With terrain from easy to challenging there is something for everyone.

Morning

  • 5 hours
    515chf

Full day

  • No limit full day
    615chf
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Morning

  • 5 hours
    575chf

Full day

  • No limit full day
    695chf

High season dates:
Christmas/New Year: 19.12.26 – 03.01.27
Half Term: 14.02.27 – 19.02.27
Easter: 21.03.27 – 03.04.27

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What are the qualifications for skiing off piste?

Both Federally recognised instructors and UIAGM mountain guides are both recognised by the Swiss Federal Government to lead people off piste. There are however differences in what terrain each can take you on.

WHAT WE CAN DO

In Switzerland, an instructor with the right qualification and cantonal permission can take you off piste on non-glacial terrain. In practice that means we can work on your technique for variable and deep snow, get you onto fatter skis if you fancy trying them, and show you how avalanche safety equipment works and why it matters. Plenty of brilliant skiing sits inside that, from gentle itinerary runs to bigger lines.

WHAT WE CAN't do

If you want to ski the glaciers, go heli skiing or head out ski touring, that’s the job of a UIAGM mountain guide rather than a ski instructor. Guides are trained for travel over glaciated terrain, and it’s a different discipline. For seasoned off-piste skiers it’s well worth doing, and we’ll happily point you to the Alpine Centre when the time comes.

Who should I book for my off piste lesson?

Look at the statements below to find out which instructor or guide you need to book.

I can ski the pistes well and want to start dipping off the side, work on technique, and ski some itinerary runs and the odd mogul field.

Book any of Summit’s excellent instructors

I’d like an introduction to off piste technique and to start skiing more variable snow and terrain while learning how to use avalanche safety equipment.

Book one of our off-piste qualified instructors

I want to ski off piste on the glaciers, go heli skiing or get into ski touring.

Book a UIAGM mountain guide through the Alpine Centre

Heading off piste? Do it properly

Off piste is only off piste with the right person alongside you. A few things worth knowing before you go.

Qualifications & experience

Ask for an instructor with federal permission to teach off the marked runs. Not every instructor has it, and it's the part that actually matters.

your skiing

You'll get the most out of it if you can already ski every grade of prepared piste with confidence. Variable snow asks a bit more of you than a groomer does!

Equipment

Every member of the group should be equipped with an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. Your instructor runs through how these work at the start of the day.

Insurance

It is your responsibility to ensure you have insurance that covers you while skiing off piste.

Book online, or send us a question first

get in touch if you want to discuss anything to do with skiing off piste

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