BIG MOUNTAIN FREERIDE CAMP
La Grave
About
Mountain freeriding is a style of skiing on natural big mountain terrain. There are no set rules or goals set by the skier, only by the mountains. Freeriding is about reading the mountains while imagining and creating incredible lines throughout big terrain. This might involve skiing down 5000ft couloirs, arching perfect turns in untracked powder, dropping through rock bands, skiing over wild glaciers, climbing up to reach summits, and perhaps rappelling into dream lines. But to experience these moments in big mountains, one needs to learn about many aspects of mountaineering and skiing. One needs to build up a toolbox and know when to pick the right tool, in the right place, at the right time.
Come and join IFMGA mountain guide Erin Smart in La Grave to ski amazing lines while learning skills to take your big mountain freeride skiing to the next level!
DateS
Feb 26 - March 1 2024: FULL Next camp in 2025
Itinerary
Everyday is different in the big mountains, and we let the conditions tell us where to go and what to ski for the day.
The camp will start with everyone arriving on Sunday and then we will enjoy a welcome dinner to get to know everyone and discuss the current conditions. We will have a new adventure everyday on skis from Monday to Friday.
After a brief equipment check Monday morning we will head up the Télépherique in La Grave to begin our thrilling and educational week.
Each day, depending on the chosen descents and itineraries, we will be covering many skills and techniques based on the groups desires and abilities. The idea is to learn these skills in relevant terrain. For example, when talking about how to choose an itinerary on a glacier, we will go ski on a glacier. Want to learn about rappelling? We will rappel into a couloir!
Here are some of the skills we will cover throughout the week:
Avalanche awareness and rescue refresher, terrain assessment, skiing on a glacier, mountain sense, steep skiing techniques, picking your line, rope management, knots, rappelling, anchors, ski touring, using an ice axe, and much more.
Friday evening we will again eat together to celebrate an incredible week!
Required Fitness and Technical Level
You need to be a strong downhill skier: you should be comfortable skiing double black diamond/black circle ski slopes in all snow conditions (powder, firm, icy, crusty).
You need to have some experience ski touring. You don’t have to be an expert but you should be comfortable with your equipment and know how to make a kick turn.
The days will vary, but you should be able to downhill ski more than 4000m (~13,00ft) and climb up to 1000m (~3300ft) in a day.
Cost
Starting at 2200 € per skier (price with 4 clients)
Includes:
5 days skiing with a UIAGM/IFMGA certified guide
5 days of professional mountain instruction
6 nights lodging at the Hotel Castillan in La Grave (arriving on Sunday and leaving on Saturday) Sharing with 1 other camp participant. Private room available upon request.
6 days breakfast at the hotel
2 dinners with the crew - a welcome dinner on Sunday and a celebration dinner on Friday
5 days lift tickets
Transportation to nearby ski areas or touring parking lots if necessary
5 days use of backpack/transceiver/shovel/probe/harness if you need to borrow
Cost does not include:
Travel to and from La Grave
Lunches and dinners (except for the 2 included dinners)
Beverages
Travel and Rescue insurance
Any additional rental equipment
