A day of off-piste skiing in Puy-Saint-Vincent to discover a small, welcoming resort nestled in the Écrins mountains in the French Alps! Known as “the wind-sheltered resort”, it is protected by the surrounding high peaks, while its north-facing slopes often help preserve good snow throughout the winter. From wide-open slopes and steeper couloirs to runs through the larch trees, there’s plenty of variety. From short runs close to the pistes to the Col du Bal descent into the Narreyroux valley, we’ll choose our routes to suit the conditions and what you feel like doing. With a stop for a good meal in the resort or a picnic with mountain views between runs!
What will our off-piste skiing day in Puy-Saint-Vincent look like?
We’ll meet at 8:45 am in Puy-Saint-Vincent, ready to take the lifts. The first rides give us time to get to know each other and get a feel for the day’s conditions. We’ll start with some off-piste runs close to the pistes to warm up… or stay there longer if that’s the mood and the snow is good!
We’ll plan the day around the snow, the group’s ability and what everyone feels like doing. If conditions are right, we may head towards the Col du Bal: a roughly 15-minute walk to the summit of La Pendine opens up the incredible Narreyroux valley. This is the area’s big off-piste descent, a journey into wild mountain terrain in the Écrins that’s well worth exploring. Another option is to ski the more wooded Narreyroux runs, playing with the natural terrain between the larch trees.
We’ll need to refuel at some point: between runs, we’ll stop for a good meal in the resort or at a restaurant on the slopes, or simply enjoy a picnic from our backpacks with a mountain view, depending on the weather.
I’ll lead the descents at a pace that gives everyone time to catch their breath, rest their legs and look up from their skis to enjoy the scenery. Throughout this freeride day, I’ll give safety instructions suited to the terrain, and we’ll regroup at carefully chosen spots.
By late afternoon, when our legs have had a good workout and we’ve had our fill of beautiful views, it’ll be time to say goodbye!
Guiding fees
€500 per day for the group (up to 4 people)
€45 per day for each additional person
Maximum group size: 6 to 8 people, depending on the type of day
Additional costs
Adult day lift pass (for lift-assisted ski touring or off-piste skiing): €15–€66 per person (depending on the resort)
Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe rental: €10 per person
Ski equipment rental: approximately €70 per person
What You’ll Need
Ski pass: available to buy online.
Personal accident insurance covering off-piste skiing.
Clothing suitable for skiing and high-mountain conditions: warm base layers, fleece, down jacket, waterproof Gore-Tex-type jacket, ski trousers, ski socks, hat, warm gloves and liner gloves.
Ski goggles, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Water bottle or thermos and food for the day: energy bars, dried fruit, sandwiches, etc.
For off-piste days: skis, ski boots and poles suitable for off-piste skiing and your ability.
For freerando days: ski touring equipment (touring skis, skins, ski crampons, touring boots and poles).
Helmet.
Approx. 30-litre backpack with ski-carry straps, large enough to carry your shovel and probe (airbag backpack optional).
Meals for participants and the guide, either at a mountain hut or restaurant, or as a packed lunch (confirmed the day before).
Good to know
Ski touring, off-piste skiing, ski mountaineering, steep skiing and lift-assisted ski touring take place outside marked and secured pistes, in a mountain environment that is constantly changing. Avalanches, falls, obstacles, crevasses and changing weather are among the factors to consider.
I will choose and adapt our routes according to current conditions, the group’s ability and how the situation develops throughout the day, to reduce these risks. The programme may therefore change when necessary, so we can make the most of what the mountains offer.
Climbing or skiing with a mountain guide helps assess and reduce risks, but cannot eliminate them entirely. This uncertainty is part of off-piste skiing and, more broadly, of spending time in the mountains.
First Contact
Please contact me first to tell me about your project and discuss your experience, skill level, availability, and goals. First Contact by email, phone, WhatsApp, or text message.
Reservations and Payment
Your reservation will be confirmed upon receipt of a check or bank transfer for a 50% deposit, which you must send me at least one month before departure. Full payment is due at the time of departure or upon your return from the race.
Off-piste skiing always requires some flexibility. I’ll choose the routes according to the snow, weather, current mountain conditions and the level of the group. We may adjust the programme, move to a different area or decide not to ski certain routes if necessary.
From off-piste runs close to the pistes, such as the Draye and Coqs woods and the Rocher Noir and Pendine sectors, to wilder routes, including Le Pèlerinage, the descents and couloirs of Narreyroux and the Col du Bal route, there’s plenty to explore. We’ll choose our runs according to the snow, your ability and the group’s wishes, enjoying varied terrain and making the most of the day’s conditions.
A small, welcoming resort, varied terrain and a more affordable lift pass than at the big resorts: Puy-Saint-Vincent has plenty going for it! Sheltered by the high peaks of the Écrins, its north-facing slopes often preserve cold snow, while the larch woods offer lovely forest descents. We can lap short runs close to the pistes or head into the wild Narreyroux valley via the Col du Bal. A great freeride day in a friendly setting, with a lighter lift-pass budget!
We mainly use the lifts, but some off-piste routes may involve a short walk, sometimes carrying skis on our backpacks. Climbing skins are not needed, unless we agree on this option the day before with the whole group, for example to find better snow conditions. We’ll then arrange the appropriate equipment.
Yes, you can come with friends or family for a day tailored to your group. Ideally, everyone should have a similar ability level so they can all enjoy the descents. We’ll discuss your experience and what you’d like to do, then plan the day together.
You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be able to ski for a full day with breaks. Ungroomed snow works your legs harder than groomed pistes. We’ll adjust the pace and number of runs to suit the group, so everyone can enjoy skiing right through to the last run.
You can join without having used this equipment before. Before our first descents, we’ll check the avalanche transceivers, and I’ll explain the basics of using the equipment and the instructions to follow. This gives you an initial introduction; a dedicated avalanche safety course allows you to learn and practise in more depth.
You should be comfortable on red runs and able to ski in different snow conditions. Off-piste runs close to the pistes allow us to start on gentler terrain. Before tackling more demanding routes, we’ll assess your experience and how comfortable you feel.
