Off Piste FUNdamentals
Meribel
19-26 Jan 2025 (Sun-Sun) £1,148
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This week is perfect for skiers who are relatively new to skiing off piste but are confident in variable snow conditions, on icy slopes, black runs and enjoy easy bumps but are looking to gain the overall skills and the confidence to get further from the pistes to enjoy the powder.
If you have wider off-piste focused skis, please bring them along. Backpacks with avalanche rescue equipment will be required most days and we will issue you with a backpack, shovel, probe and transceiver. The course includes training on how to use avalanche rescue equipment and discussions on avalanche safety during coffee breaks.
During the week we will do technical skills development work on piste addressing the fundamentals that are crucial for good off-piste skiing while mixing in time in off piste conditions with an end of week goal to ski a lift serviced side country route or classic steep couloirs.
This holiday is suitable for level 8 and higher skiers who would consider themselves off-piste Improvers (or better) with at least a week of experience skiing moderate off-piste slopes (blue-red) confidently and comfortably.
Accommodation package: £619
Coaching fee: £529
What's included
• 4 extended days & 1 day coaching sessions
• 7 nights accommodation on a room share basis
• 6 cooked breakfasts with 1 day self-served, Afternoon Tea each day
• 3 course dinner with wine (on 6 nights with 1 night self-served as chalet staff now have 2 days off due to French Employment laws)
• Regular video review
• Mini bus transfer to slopes
• Hire of avalanche safety equipment
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What isn't included
• Flights
• Airport Transfers
• Insurance
• Lift pass
• Lunch
• Hire of ski equipment
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Price supplements and additional costs
Single occupancy supplement 50% Chalet Grange a Charlotte
​Single room occupancy is very limited and if you are joining the coaching holiday as a single traveller Ski Hame can co-ordinate room sharing to avoid the single supplement.
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Airport Transfers
Transfers to/from Geneva airport can be arranged through Ski Hame at €100 on a first come first serve basis.
Lift pass €395
Although we will be based in the Meribel valley we may ski in the other two of the Three valleys on one or more days to take advantage of the terrain. A six day full Three Valleys pass is required for this course and will be delivered to the chalet if you take advantage of our pre booking service.
Piste rescue insurance (Carre Neige) €3.30 per day
We highly recommend you add the piste rescue insurance offered by the lift company when you buy your lift pass.
Equipment hire
For wider more off piste focussed skis you can try the following shops in Meribel
FreeSki (they will deliver to and collect from the Chalet)
Vrappe
Whitestorm
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Minimum Numbers
Should the holiday have only one person attending we will run the course as an extended private session consisting of three 4 hour mornings, with two people four 4 hour mornings, with three people we will run four 4 hour mornings plus a full day, and, with four or more the scheduled course hours will apply.
Meribel, France is about two and a half hours from Geneva Airport and is at the heart of the Three Valleys, the world's largest ski area. A scenic town popular with the British, Meribel offers a vast range of skiing for all levels. As it is well linked with its sister resorts of Courchevel and Val Thorens you will be able to ski new runs every day during your holiday, and never be bored with the endless terrain available.
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Piste Maps
Meribel Piste Map
Courchevel Piste Map
Val Thorens Piste Map
Les Menuires/St. Martin Piste Map
Orelle Piste Map
Three Valleys Piste Map
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Current Weather and Piste openings
Three Valleys Live Piste Map
Mottaret Piste info
Meribel Piste Info
Courchevel Piste Info
Val Thorens Piste Info
Detailed Avalanche Risk Forecast
Coaching
The teaching will be comprised of 4 extended days (9:15-3:45) and 1 day (9:15-1:15) of coaching during the course. You will have a day off to free ski or rest your legs. We don't have a fixed schedule as this course is very weather and condition dependent but will strive to get as much time in off piste terrain as possible but your safety is our first priority so we may be on piste but will search out more difficult terrain.
This holiday is suitable for level 8 and higher skiers who would consider themselves off-piste Improvers (or better) with at least a week of experience skiing moderate off-piste slopes (blue-red) confidently and comfortably. You should be able to link multiple turns in light, above boot height, powder snow on a uniform base. May struggle to link turns in poor lighting or variable snow conditions. Can manage easy untracked terrain in fresh light/chalky snow without obstacles. Has the fitness to ski off piste for a few hours and can get up unassisted after a fall in deep snow.
Group size will be typically six and no more than eight per coach. Our guest coach for this holiday is Derek Chandler who has over 20 seasons of skiing in Les Trois Vallees and knows the area extremely well. Scott Pleva from Inside Out will be in attendance and help with organising the day, taking photos and video while ensuring the holiday goes smoothly. Video review will be minimal as we will be focussing on getting mileage in but we will endeavour to obtain some footage and photographs of you skiing over the course of the week.
Our accommodation partner for this coaching holiday is Ski Hame, an independent chalet operator that operates a number of chalets in the Trois Vallees. Chalet Grange á Charlotte is a lovely chalet located in the traditional hamlet of Meribel Les Allues. It sleeps up to 14 people in great comfort, featuring seven en-suite bedrooms (all with full size baths except one which has a shower).
It is a very comfortable and spacious chalet, with an open plan lounge/dining area, log fireplace and underfloor heating throughout. There are hair dryers in every bedroom, and a boot room with full size boot dryer/warmer for comfortable boots every day! There is free wifi internet access throughout the chalet. The highlight of the apres-ski facilities is a full size indoor hot tub.
Meribel Les Allues is a short journey from the centre of Meribel itself. Chalet staff will take you each morning to the main lifts in Meribel by private minibus, where you will meet the Inside Out Skiing coaches. At the end of each day we will agree a time and location for collection by the chalet staff, which could be Meribel or Meribel village, allowing for a different venue for apres-ski drinks before being taken back to the chalet. Alternatively, the free resort shuttle bus or Olympic bubble can be taken to and from the chalet should you wish to do your own thing.
Transfers to the resort
​Transfer to and from Geneva Airport is available on a first come first basis from Ski Hame by private minibus service. Please contact Ski Hame to confirm transfer timings before you book your flights. As a rough guide look at flights arriving Geneva airport between 12:00-14:00 and no later than 16:00 on arrival day to ensure you arrive in time for dinner in the chalet. There may be a wait for others on different flights as Ski Hame shares the transfer with other chalet operators but their service is very reliable and well coordinated.
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Travel within the resort
The villages of Meribel Les Allues is approximately 15 minutes from the main Meribel lift complex. Ski Hame's chalet staff are extremely helpful and use a private minibus to take you to the slopes each day where you will meet the Inside Out Skiing coaches. A time and pickup point is agreed each day for collection after skiing, allowing you the choice of apres-ski venues.
In addition to Ski Hame's service there is also a free resort shuttle bus service to get you anywhere within the Meribel valley and taxis are plentiful if you desire a late night out.