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These are some guides I have skied with or know about. I generally ski with guides when friends of mine are going out with them. There is always lots to learn and in a high mountain, glaciated environment it provides an additional safety factor.
If you book any of these instructors please mention PisteHors and the name of the referrer when booking. Thanks.
The primary role of a guide is to enable you to go off-piste in relative safety allowing clients to enter terrain otherwise inaccessible to them. Of course they can also provide advice about ski technique and backcountry travel. To learn to ski off-piste you should contact a ski school or instructor.
Stephane is one of the stars of the La Mongie backcountry scene but remains a very friendly and open guide. He also organises heliskiing trips to Russian and the former Soviet Union states.
We did a some off-piste with Philippe in les Arcs. He works for the ski school in Arc 1800. Originally from Paris he has been guiding for some 15 years. Very friendly guy with advice on ski style and mountain awareness. We also went out to the Refuge du Ruitor on his day off when he was collecting snow samples for the EDF.
Bureau des Guides de Bourg-St-Maurice / Les Arcs
Villard Dessus
73700 Seez
Tel 04 79 07 59 78
email: ph.deslandes@online.fr
As well as general mountain and ski guiding Chamonix Experience offer one day avalanche awareness courses. Courses cost 75 /day and run throughout the season on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Chamonix Experience
Alpcenter
141 rue Charlet Straton
74400 Argentière
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 54 09 36
Fax: +33 (0)4 50 54 09 88
E-mail: info@chamex.com
www.chamonix-experience.com
Tel: 04 50 54 14 33
Mobile: 06 72 52 55 97
email: AlpineChalets@compuserve.com
Philippe Henry comes recommended by a number of people. Philippe is based Les Houches ('UIAGM High Mountain Guide'), French, but with really excellent English (married to Carolyn). They also have a chalet business if you need accommodation.
Tel/Fax: 04 50 54 22 70
1410, route d'Argentière
74400 Chamonix Mt-Blanc
Jacques is a friend of my mate Juliette. We skied with him for a couple of days in the Chamonix Mont Blanc area. Very friendly guy with an excellent knowledge of the Mt Blanc range.
Pete Garwood, who skis a great deal in the Alps with his kids (who are on the French junior racing circuit) has suggested the following instructors.
Pete is also a keen grass skier!
Anne of Ski Privilège . Anne, once skied for the French World Cup team, and is a good contact for anyone looking for an instructor, she spent several years in the States and is very fluent. Anne is based in les Deux Alpes and also instructs in the Savoie at Meribel? and Courchevel.
Tel: 06 09 69 87 78
Excellent with beginners and intermediates, one teenage kid I took who'd hated every lesson (skiing or anything else) he'd ever had, actually wanted more. www.easiski.com
Dave runs SnowPro with Pete Hughes, never skied with him myself but have heard excellent reports. Piste weeks, carving weeks, bumps, lessons for beginners. www.snowpro.co.uk
Runs the European Ski School, English instructors. Jeremy also runs the Le Cret Hotel and Secret Bar - a lively and popular après ski haunt, mainly Brits. Good deals on summer skiing accommodation (when there's snow, that is)...
www.europeanskischool.co.uk
DBS SKI SCHOOL.
Chalet Le Molla, La Salle, Morzine, 74110 France.
Tel:0033(0)450 74 44 58
Fax:08700 512977
Mobile 0033(0)615 54 77 92
Bruce Rogers, the Ski Club rep for Flaine and other resorts has a few suggestions, don't forget to mention Bruce when booking.
There's an American, name of Lynne Stainbrook, who keeps his top grade BASI, French and American qualifications bang up to date - he's certainly re-done his BASI 1 quite recently, as I remember chatting about it with him last year. Thoroughly nice bloke, in his 50s, with the patience of a Saint.
These are two French instructors I've skied with and they are absolutely superb, with the emphasis on Fun. They tend to work together with a largish group, and specialise in off-piste fun, which they do really well :-))
See the Val d'Isère ski? pages for more information about guides and instructors.
Independent Ski School in Val d'Isère. Didier speaks good English.
didier@ski-lesson.com
ski-lesson.com
A collective of English speaking ski guides offering morning and day excursions in the area as well as longer ski tours father afield.
Independent British ski instructor / National ski coach.
Martin runs off piste ski courses for introduction / experienced skiers in Val d'Isère. He also runs private ski lessons and high level coaching on piste. Martins skiing philosophy focuses on developing sound technique and confidence, promoting safety etiquette and having real fun!!
www.skimckay.com
Tel + 44 7710 237 094 365 days / Dec - May + 33 4 79 06
20 55
Established in 1998 by some of France's best snowboarders Snocool specialise in Freeride and off-piste trips. Their web-site is in French but they speak English.
Alpine Logic is a British operation offering ski tuition both on and off the piste. Established in Tignes in 1999, after 9 years operating Courchevel 1850. It is run by a former BASI trainer and mountaineering instructor.
French contact number (Dec - May) 0673 241925
Michel is an old friend of some friends of mine. We have skied together in les Arcs and Val Thorens. A very safe guide and ski instructor. He is French speaking.
Tel 04 79 32 92 77
Mobile 06 87 55 98 45
Yamnuska is a leading mountain school & mountain guide service in N. America. We specialize in guiding & instruction in mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing & ski mountaineering. Summer & winter, experience adventure in the Canadian Rockies!
Mountaineering, Climbing, and Ski Guiding in the Canadian Rockies
Pro Ride Snowboard Camp offers exciting training programs in Whistler, Canada. You will learn with friendly professional coaches and world class pro riders.
To call a French fixed line or mobile phone from the outside France drop the leading 0 from the number and dial 00 33.
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