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Zermatt is a great place to ski off piste. We have plenty of slopes that aren’t continually flattened by the grooming machines, and we’d love to introduce you to the thrill of skiing off piste.
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.
5 hour lessons can be straight through (e.g. 9am-2pm) or with a 1 hour break for lunch. (e.g. 9am-12pm & 1pm-3pm)
High season dates:
Christmas/New Year: 17.12.23 – 06.01.24
Half Term: 11.02.24 – 24.02.24
Easter: 24.03.24 – 05.04.24
In Switzerland, ski teachers with the top Swiss qualification (or equivalent) and the permission from the kanton to take clients off piste, can do so on non-glacial terrain.
This means we can teach you the appropriate ski techniques for dealing with variable snow while exploring terrain away from the prepared pistes. We can also introduce you to the fatter skis you might take for skiing off piste and show you how the safety equipment works.
If you want to ski on the glaciers, then you will need the services of a UIAGM mountain guide rather than a ski teacher.
UIAGM guides have training on travelling over glaciers. Seasoned off piste skiers will certainly appreciate the experience that skiing on the glaciers provides and it’s something we would certainly recommend if you want to really get far away from the pistes and experience the mountains around Zermatt.
Look at the statements below to find out which instructor or guide you need to book.
I want to improve my technique, ski some itinerary runs and try to tackle some moguls off the side of the piste.
I’d like an introduction to off piste technique and to head off piste beyond the itinerary runs while learning how to use avalanche safety equipment.
I want to ski off piste on the glacier and go ski touring
If heading off piste it’s worth making sure you head out with someone who is qualified and knows what they are doing.
Make sure you ask for an instructor with the cantonal permission to teach off piste.
You should be able to confidently ski all grades of prepared pistes before heading into the variable snow.
Every member of the group should be equipped with an avalanche transceiver. Your instructor can show you how these work at the start of the day.
It is your responsibility to ensure you have insurance that covers you while skiing off piste.
