Off Piste Ski and Snowboard Holiday in the Portes du Soleil

This week is designed for strong intermediate and advanced skiers or snowboarders who are already confident across a wide variety of marked pistes. You should be comfortable controlling your speed, linking turns in changing snow and spending full days on the mountain before joining.

Previous off-piste experience is highly beneficial because the focus is on exploring backcountry terrain rather than learning basic ski or snowboard technique. The guides will still adapt routes to the group, but this is not intended as a first introduction to skiing or snowboarding.

A total of four and a half days of professional mountain guiding is included during the seven-day holiday. Two guides accompany the group, helping provide closer support and allowing the riders to be divided where appropriate according to ability, pace or preferred terrain.

Guided plans will be built around the latest snowpack, weather and avalanche information rather than following a fixed route. This flexibility allows the guides to select suitable areas across the Portes du Soleil each day.

The main purpose of the guided days is to explore off-piste and backcountry terrain, but some time may still be spent on marked runs. Pistes are often used to reach lift connections, move between mountain sectors or access the most suitable natural terrain.

Snow quality and safety conditions can also mean that certain off-piste areas are unavailable. In those circumstances, the guides will adapt the route and make the best use of the terrain that can be accessed safely.

The chalet sleeps up to 13 guests across five bedrooms, including three triple rooms and two rooms that can be arranged as doubles or twins. It is around a seven-minute walk from the Super Morzine lift and approximately ten minutes from the centre of Morzine, making both the mountain and village accessible on foot.

Facilities include Wi-Fi throughout, a log fire, pool table, darts, sauna and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the valley. A large balcony provides additional shared space, while the overall atmosphere is laid-back and sociable, with the chalet primarily aimed at guests in their twenties and thirties.

Avalanche equipment may be required for the guided sessions, depending on the terrain and conditions. This commonly includes a transceiver, probe and shovel, although the exact requirements should be confirmed before travelling.

Guests who do not own suitable equipment may be able to hire it locally. You should not purchase or hire anything until you have checked the current guidance for the trip and confirmed what is included with your ski or snowboard setup.

Lift passes are not included and must be purchased separately. The most suitable pass will depend on which areas the guides expect to use and whether the group needs full access across the wider Portes du Soleil.

Passes can be arranged in advance and left waiting at the chalet when you arrive, provided the necessary details are supplied beforehand. This helps avoid spending time buying passes on the first morning. 

Yes. Ski and snowboard equipment can be hired from a local shop, with a 20% discount available to guests. It is worth explaining that you are joining an off-piste week so the rental team can recommend equipment suited to natural snow rather than standard piste use.

Availability can become limited during busy periods, particularly for wider skis, specialist snowboards and avalanche equipment. Arranging everything before arrival is recommended so your setup is ready before the first guided session.

Yes. Many guests travel alone, and the small group format makes it easier to meet other confident skiers and snowboarders with similar interests. Guided days, shared meals and chalet evenings provide plenty of natural opportunities to get to know everyone.

Couples and small groups of friends are equally welcome. Guests are free to spend their unguided time with others from the chalet or make their own plans before meeting back up later.

Breakfast is included every morning, and evening meals are served on five nights. Hot drinks, cold drinks and alcohol are provided with the catered meals, giving guests time to eat and relax together after returning from the mountain.

Lunches and two evening meals are not included. Morzine has a wide selection of mountain restaurants, cafés and venues in town, so guests can choose where and what they would like to eat on the uncatered days.

Comprehensive winter sports insurance is essential and must specifically cover guided off-piste skiing or snowboarding. Some standard policies only cover riding within marked piste boundaries, so you should check the wording carefully rather than assuming off-piste terrain is automatically included.

Your policy should also cover mountain rescue, emergency medical treatment, repatriation, equipment and cancellation. Any restrictions concerning altitude, avalanche areas or following a qualified guide should be confirmed directly with the insurer before booking.