Women's Big Mountain - Verbier 7/8 Days
2008 Dates: February through March
Land Cost: 3195 CHF
Joining in Geneva, Switzerland
Land Cost: 3195 CHF
Joining in Geneva, Switzerland
- group bookings are available for other dates & locations
- single supplement 400chf
- starting any day of any week
- weekend or monthly sessions also available
With a similar agenda to our signature Verbier trip, this course is for ripping babes interested in building backcountry confidence and know-how, who aspire to ride bigger mountains. Verbier’s huge terrain provides the perfect setting where we can practice backcountry techniques (slope testing, ski touring, line selection) in a safe and controlled sidecountry area; then, conditions permitting, we’ll put the skills to work in the vast backcountry surrounding the resort. With a close 4:1 skier-to-guide ratio, we provide a safe supportive environment, allowing you to push your limits with like-minded women, skiing terrain that others only dream about.
It’s all about skiing the same line as the guys; not about pushing you beyond your comfort level, but the freedom that comes from skiing with other ripping girls. Watching another female negotiating a challenging line, we think, “I can do that”, and we will.
The village of Verbier has been a huge melting pot of freeriders and adventurers for decades. Perhaps, because the fun social atmosphere and relaxed Swiss village are the perfect balance to the extreme mountain scene. Each camp will be housed in a cozy chalet, where we can unwind and discuss the day’s events. We feel this close atmosphere fosters the supportive environment that our camps strive to establish.
*This trip is designed for women with strong skiing skills, confident in most terrain and able to turn through most snow types while carrying a day pack.
Itinerary
The following is a general outline for the Women's Big Mountain Hot Chocolate trip:
Activities are weather dependant.
Day 1: The ladies arrive in Geneva and are met by Susanna Magruder, Chocolate Freeride coach. We’ll drive along the vineyards of Lake Geneva and the Rhone Valley up to Verbier, and check into your chalet. Over dinner, we’ll meet with our UAIGM guide, and get an idea of everyone’s past backcountry and big mountain riding experience. Discuss gear and the itinerary for the week and address concerns/questions you might have with the trip, skiing, safety, weather etc.
Day 2: Recommended Avalanche intro course with UIAGM Guide Stephen Hadik. Ski the gentle but wild south side of Verbier to determine rider’s level. Lunch at on-mountain restaurant. Dinner and follow-up avalanche safety discussion.
Day 3: Stairway. 20 minutes of side stepping and boot packing brings us to the varied terrain of the “Stairway to Heaven” area. Gentle rolling powder, steeper faces and natural rock obstacles make this the perfect place to work on our skills. Riders can test their confidence in a safe, controlled environment. Last run up the Mont Fort tram for a view of what lies beyond, and a run down the south face, always a good example of survival skiing. Après ski at the world-famous Pub Mont Fort.
Day 4: Mt Gelé. Today we will ski one of the secret gems hidden within the boundaries of Verbier. Short hikes access hidden couloirs of soft north facing snow. As the chutes become narrower and narrower we will be forced to turn it up a notch. Today’s goal is to become more confident ascending and descending steep terrain as well as moving across exposed rock and ice. Après ski we will unwind over local chocolate and sweets, vin chaud or café au lait. Dinner back at the chalet.
Day 5: Mt Fort. Leaving the ski area behind, today we will put or skills to work on the back side of Mt Fort. Offering some of the best lift accessed off-piste skiing in the world, we will venture out into the Alps. Returning to the ski area we will round out our backcountry experience with a night at the Cabane Mt. Fort. Fondue, local wine, cozy slippers and sweet dreams.
Day 6: Rosa Blanche. Now it is time to earn our turns. Gaining confidence throughout the week, today we will tie all of our new skills together, skinning to the top of Rosa Blanche. Basics of glacier travel and proper terrain/line selection will be the focus. This afternoon we’ll reward ourselves with a little R&R, time for massages and a sauna.
Day 7: Heli Day! (Champex-Lac or other bad weather option). Heliskiing from one of the high peaks in the Pennine Alps. We have been admiring the surrounding mountains all week, and today we will make turns on the Petit Combin, one of the marquee descents in the area. Afterwards, sipping beers on the deck of the Pub Mont Fort, we’ll sit back and admire our turns from across the valley.
Day 8: Time to say goodbye. If you are staying on in the Alps, we’re happy to provide ideas and itineraries for the rest of your stay. If your vacation is over, we look forward to seeing you again in the future.
It’s all about skiing the same line as the guys; not about pushing you beyond your comfort level, but the freedom that comes from skiing with other ripping girls. Watching another female negotiating a challenging line, we think, “I can do that”, and we will.
The village of Verbier has been a huge melting pot of freeriders and adventurers for decades. Perhaps, because the fun social atmosphere and relaxed Swiss village are the perfect balance to the extreme mountain scene. Each camp will be housed in a cozy chalet, where we can unwind and discuss the day’s events. We feel this close atmosphere fosters the supportive environment that our camps strive to establish.
*This trip is designed for women with strong skiing skills, confident in most terrain and able to turn through most snow types while carrying a day pack.
Itinerary
The following is a general outline for the Women's Big Mountain Hot Chocolate trip:
Activities are weather dependant.
Day 1: The ladies arrive in Geneva and are met by Susanna Magruder, Chocolate Freeride coach. We’ll drive along the vineyards of Lake Geneva and the Rhone Valley up to Verbier, and check into your chalet. Over dinner, we’ll meet with our UAIGM guide, and get an idea of everyone’s past backcountry and big mountain riding experience. Discuss gear and the itinerary for the week and address concerns/questions you might have with the trip, skiing, safety, weather etc.
Day 2: Recommended Avalanche intro course with UIAGM Guide Stephen Hadik. Ski the gentle but wild south side of Verbier to determine rider’s level. Lunch at on-mountain restaurant. Dinner and follow-up avalanche safety discussion.
Day 3: Stairway. 20 minutes of side stepping and boot packing brings us to the varied terrain of the “Stairway to Heaven” area. Gentle rolling powder, steeper faces and natural rock obstacles make this the perfect place to work on our skills. Riders can test their confidence in a safe, controlled environment. Last run up the Mont Fort tram for a view of what lies beyond, and a run down the south face, always a good example of survival skiing. Après ski at the world-famous Pub Mont Fort.
Day 4: Mt Gelé. Today we will ski one of the secret gems hidden within the boundaries of Verbier. Short hikes access hidden couloirs of soft north facing snow. As the chutes become narrower and narrower we will be forced to turn it up a notch. Today’s goal is to become more confident ascending and descending steep terrain as well as moving across exposed rock and ice. Après ski we will unwind over local chocolate and sweets, vin chaud or café au lait. Dinner back at the chalet.
Day 5: Mt Fort. Leaving the ski area behind, today we will put or skills to work on the back side of Mt Fort. Offering some of the best lift accessed off-piste skiing in the world, we will venture out into the Alps. Returning to the ski area we will round out our backcountry experience with a night at the Cabane Mt. Fort. Fondue, local wine, cozy slippers and sweet dreams.
Day 6: Rosa Blanche. Now it is time to earn our turns. Gaining confidence throughout the week, today we will tie all of our new skills together, skinning to the top of Rosa Blanche. Basics of glacier travel and proper terrain/line selection will be the focus. This afternoon we’ll reward ourselves with a little R&R, time for massages and a sauna.
Day 7: Heli Day! (Champex-Lac or other bad weather option). Heliskiing from one of the high peaks in the Pennine Alps. We have been admiring the surrounding mountains all week, and today we will make turns on the Petit Combin, one of the marquee descents in the area. Afterwards, sipping beers on the deck of the Pub Mont Fort, we’ll sit back and admire our turns from across the valley.
Day 8: Time to say goodbye. If you are staying on in the Alps, we’re happy to provide ideas and itineraries for the rest of your stay. If your vacation is over, we look forward to seeing you again in the future.
