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swiss sidecountry with a swedish twist

Engelberg – a beautiful and historic town, with a grand Alpine setting and a freerider’s dream! “The mountain of the angel” was founded in 1120 by a Benedictine monk who heard an angel telling him to build a monastery where the town now lies. Today the monastery still stands and Engelberg echoes to the calls of skiers here for incredible off-piste skiing and one of the world’s longest vertical descents. We love it and we’re happy to present it to you!

Flights and Transfers: Flights from the UK into Zurich airport. From there it is a short 1 1/2hr transfer up into the resort.

The Lodge: In the heart of the resort is a small and recently renovated hotel. Run by a Swedish pair, it has a distinctly Scandinavian feel on the inside thanks to their keen eye for clean interior design during the refurbishment. Most importantly though is that the lodge epitomises the freeride scene and is well known amongst the powder skiing fraternity. With their laid back friendly atmosphere, fantastic hospitality and food, and a focus on getting the most from the mountain, everything about this lodge helps build the stoke for an awesome week.

Itinerary: Engelberg is situated at an altitude of 1000 metres, with the slopes reaching far above that and even a glacier to enjoy. It is the biggest ski resort in central Switzerland, with 82 km of pistes to make your legs tired.  Riding powder is what it’s all about in Engelberg, and our guides will take you on an unforgettable downhill tour of powder runs. If you’re prepared for a short hike (around 1 hr), you’ll be in untracked fresh all day long. This tour includes 3 days of guiding as part of a shared group (maximum 8 per guide), and they’ll take to you to the best spots in resort and in the near surrounding slopes based on conditions of the day. For a small surcharge why not upgrade one of the days to an offsite trip? Within one hour’s drive from Engelberg, you’ll find another “freeride-mecca” – Andermatt. The steep northern slopes lead down to the 1500 meter lower Urseren-valley. Skins and touring bindings are essential, since the best rides must be deserved.

Guide price:  Based on 4 people for 7 nights start from £1400per person and includes:

• 7 nights lodging
• 3 days guided backcountry riding
• 6 day lift pass
• Return private transfers to Zurich Airport
• Breakfast each morning
• Add around £42 a head for a day tour to Andermatt.

Get in touch to find out more, tweak the concept and book this trip

Still need convincing? Ok, check out this vid below of the freshies to be had in this area. We didn’t make it, but it helps give you an idea of what’s on offer:

untracked, unforgettable – backcountry boarding in Colorado

With your board strapped to your back and snowshoes on your feet, head out into the backcountry of Telluride resort with your local wasabi guide for a few days of extreme deep powder boarding action. Based amongst the majestic San Juan mountain range, in the south west of Colorado you will find acres of untracked fresh powder, both in-bounds and out-bounds, to provide hours of thigh burning pleasure. Away from the crowds, in a beautiful box canyon and with plenty of riding options to keep you entertained all week long, this is the very best of Stateside backcountry boarding adventures!

Flights and Transfers: Flights from the UK into Montrose airport have 1 stopover in a major US city. From there it is a short 1hr transfer up into the resort town.

The Lodge: Stay is Telluride’s newest, oldest lodgings! Originally built during the town’s historic mining days back in 1891, and recently having undergone a full upgrade and transformation, your stay in Telluride will be at a place steeped in history. It is also extremely conveniently located in the heart of the resort town,  just two blocks from the ski lifts and in the thick of the action for the evening entertainment. The bar may be the oldest in town, but don’t worry the rooms are not. Each room has been beautifully restored  and “mod-cons” added in with flat screens and internet access throughout.

Itinerary: From a base in the town you are just a short walk from the gondola which will whisk you up away from the resort, via the mountain village, and then into the wide open expanses beyond. With 2000+ acres to explore and a vertical descent of 1,200 or so metres, you will not run out of places to ride. Enjoy a couple of days of exploring the resort on your own, head over to the Black Iron Bowl, Gold Hill Chutes and Palmyra Peak for some challenging in-bounds sidecountry riding. Many of the best lines are hike to terrain, so the freshies last that much longer. On day 3 your local wasabi guide will meet you at your hotel and from there you will head out beyond the resort boundaries, into the wild mountain terrain for the ultimate in deep powder riding adventures. With an intimate knowledge of the local area and mountains, you will spend the next 3 days exploring the very best the Telluride backcountry can offer. These tours aren’t for the faint hearted, expect to hike for at least 1 1/2 hrs to reap the rewards!

Guide price:  Based on 4 people for 8 nights start from £1639 per person and includes:

• 8 nights lodging
• 3 days guided backcountry riding
• 7 day lift pass
• Return shared transfers to Montrose Airport
• Equipment hire for the duration (backcountry equipment extra)

Get in touch to find out more, tweak the concept and book this trip

Epic Italian Freeride Adventures on a budget

Located just over 90 minutes from Turin, and making up part of the Aosta Valley ski area, are the secret resorts of  Monte Rosa. Remaining relatively unknown to the masses, but a place that should firmly sit as a central plank for all serious freeriders, here you will find  the perfect combination of steep vertical descents,  tight couloirs and wide-open powder fields, all easily accessed by an efficient and quick lift system. The Aosta Valley area is made up of a number of sleepy resorts that offer up to 180 individual pistes, and the Monte Rosa area has within it the small resorts of Gressoney and Alagna. Although the nightlife is never likely to challenge the bigger resorts in the Alps, the riding is what you’re here for and from that extent it is world class. You will also find some great little restaurants and bars that are full of Italian charm and warm hospitality. With a combination of excellent terrain, short transfer time and some fantastic Refuges on offer for stays up high in the mountains, this area firmly sits as one of our favourite European freeride destinations.

Flights and Transfers: There are many flight options into Turin from the UK, and from here it is a quick 95 minute private transfer up into the resorts.

The Lodge: Based in the Italian resort of Gressoney, specifically in the Stafal region, for this adventure you will be located in a warm and comfortable B&B. Recently renovated the B&B offers a warm and comfortable base for those looking to keep the costs down. The ski shop is located right next to the lodge and there is a pub and restaurant below for some evening beers and feed after a hard day in the sidecountry.

Itinerary: The first couple of days you will get to explore the area on your own, exploring the links between the resorts and getting the lay of the land. On day 3 you will be met in the reception of your Lodge by your fully certified local wasabi guide. The next 3 days will be spent exploring the extensive sidecountry and backcountry on offer in the area. Head over to Alagna to enjoy 2000m of vertical descent, all made available from a simple 2 cable car trip. Challenge yourself on the various couloirs and enjoy great lunches in a secret Rifugio located way up on the mountain side. The last day of your holiday will be yours to enjoy as you wish, either hitting the slopes hard or taking it easy after 3 intense days of backcountry adventure. If you’re feeling intrepid this is also one of the best areas in the Alps for great heli-skiing, build in a day of this to enjoy some remote backcountry options.

Guide price: Prices are based on 4 people start from £800 per person and includes:

• 7 nights bed and breakfast lodging on a twin share basis
• 3 days guided backcountry riding
• Private return transfers from Turin
• Breakfast each morning
• Equipment hire for the duration
• Option for day heli-ski tours as an added extra

Get in touch to find out more, tweak the concept and book this trip

ultimate canadian powder tour

Looking for the powder trip that has it all? Epic resort riding, coupled with world class cat skiing terrain and even the very best in heli skiing? Then look no further than our Ultimate Canadian Powder Tour. We have scoured the globe to find the very best cat and heli ski experiences as well as one of the ultimate freeride resorts on the planet, and we believe we have found it! Based in the heart of British Columbia, Canada, we will treat to a combination of the world class resort, cat and heli riding in the deepest, fluffiest and freshest powder to be found anywhere. Spanning an area the size of the Portes Du Soleil, but only available to a handful of people at any one time, we can offer you the best fresh tracks to be found in one place anywhere in the world.

Flights and Transfers: Flights into Calgary are direct from London. From here you will pick up a hire car for the a 3 hour self drive option up to Kicking Horse Resort.

The Lodge: Throughout the trip you will stay in a combination of hotels right on the slopes, and warm, comfortable lodges out in the middle of the Selkirk Mountain Range. The lodges are all encompassing and you will stay on a full board basis whilst heli and cat skiing, however in resort you have the choice of eating in your hotel or heading out in the resort for the evening.

Itinerary: Following your initial drive up to resort, you will head out for a day of epic sidecountry riding. Enjoy a few runs on the pistes to help get the legs working again, and then start to explore some of the epic inbounds riding that is on offer here. Challenging terrain and steep ridges, combined with world class gladed descents and lots of lift accessed powder. That evening you all jump in the car and drive the short journey to a heli-plex, from here you will be airlifted to your Cat Skiing Lodge. The next 3 days are spent in 238 sq kilometres of pristine powder filled terrain (reserved solely for the Cat Skiing operation), with vertical of up to 6000 metres per day (depending on how hard you can ride). This is world class Cat Skiing, in terrain that will excite and challenge even the most experienced of riders. Lastly, transfer back to the heli-plex, back into the car and drive the 20 mins to your last lodge. From here you will enjoy 2 final days in some of the best heli-skiing on the planet! Small intimate group sizes, vast ski area reserved for the one operator and UNLIMITED VERTICAL are on the menu! With a record of only 2 downdays a season, we can offer some of the most reliable and enjoyable heli ski days to be found anywhere.

Guide price: Prices are based on double occupancy and start from £5,910 per person including:

• Resort – lift tickets
• Resort – breakfast
• Heli Skiing – unlimited vertical
• Cat Skiing – up to 6,096m daily vertical
• Cat Skiing – up to 12 people per cat
• Cat + Heli Skiing- Avalanche Transceivers
• Cat + Heli Skiing- all meals (not alcohol)
• Equipment Rental (bring your own boots)
• Double occupancy accommodation

Get in touch to find out more, tweak the concept and book this trip

niseko powder tour – the best Niseko and the surrounding resorts can offer.

This concept is designed to give you the ultimate Japanese powder ski and snowboard experience. Based in the world famous Niseko resort, you will enjoy both the delights that Niseko itself has to offer along with a number of the surrounding resorts that westerners rarely get to visit!

Flights and Transfers: Fly into Chitose airport, these generally go via a quick stopover in Narita, Tokyo. From Chitose airport you will be collected and via bus and transferred up to Niseko resort where your hosts will receive you. Transfer time – 2hrs 30mins roughly

The Lodge: wasabi will put you up in a lodge full of stoke for the world of freeride. It’s all about scoring fresh lines with these guys, there is no compromise! Based just outside the resort of Niseko, this base of operations has everything you need – a warm bed, hot shower, good feed and great beer on tap. Run by an American and Japanese couple, it does have quite a westernised feel and you’ll quickly be able to relax into the holiday. From here you will head out on your Niseko powder experience.

Itinerary: Over the course of the next 7 days you will ride the best Niseko has to offer. You will cover 4 of Hokkaido’s top powder destinations (Niseko, Rusutsu, Sapporo Kokusai and Teine Highland) with a combination of guided days and free skiing days. The daily itinerary will be dictated by conditions on the ground, your wasabi guides will advise on the best spots to ride, where to avoid and how to stay safe while out there. Mid-way through the trip you will be transferred to Sapporo to enjoy the amazing powder on offer in this area. At the end of your trip you will transferred back to Chitose from Sapporo for your flight back. You will leave knowing that you haven’t missed anything out, this trip truly covers the best Hokkaido can offer. 

Guide price: Prices start from £1,344 per person and includes:

• Airport Transfer (Chitose to Niseko)
• 4 Days Lift Tickets (provided on guided days only)
• 8 Nights Twin Share Accommodation on bed and breakfast
• 3 Guided ski days
• Transfer Niseko to Sapporo Aiport
• Transfer Sapporo to Chitose Airport
• Trip of a lifetime

Get in touch to find out more, tweak the concept and book this trip