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Safari Client Testimonials "Just wanted
to tell you what an extraordinary time we had - the weather, snow,
camaraderie, incredible organization and competency.....An experience
of a lifetime. Thanks so much. ..excellent....The
tour was a real experience with top quality guides. Martin T.
7 days of high adventure skiing the best back country itineraries using the lifts of over 15 resorts in the Tarentaise Valley: Valmorel/Saint-François Longchamp, Saint Martin de Belleville, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, Méribel-Mottaret, Courchevel, Champagny, La Plagne, Montchavin, Peisey, Les Arcs, Villaroger, Sainte Foy, La Rosière-La Thuile(Italy), Tignes, Val d'Isère. Accommodation: 6 nights in small family run hotels (double occupancy), in mountain villages. Every hotel serves excellent local cuisine, all rooms have private toilet and private bath or shower, plus one night in a mountain refuge. Group Size: 5-8 Minimum standards: Fitness:
Be able to do one of the following or equivalent: Skiing Technique: Be able to Ski Black (expert) runs linking short controlled turns. Participants must be comfortable on steep slopes in all snow conditions. They must be ready to ski over whatever Mother Nature dishes out- crud, powder, spring, whatever. Participants meeting these standards are divided into three groups of safaris depending on ability and experience. These range form one star safaris- for those with little off-trail, deep snow experience to three star safaris - for extreme skiers. Any group of 5-8 skiers of the same ability can book a private safari. This will be tailor-made to suit the group's abilities and desires. Schedule:
For Private Safaris, it's best to contact us well in advance for availability of guide, etc. Price Includes: Full time, experienced, qualified high mountain guide (English speaking) or experienced ski instructor, lift passes, double occupancy accommodation, breakfasts and dinners, transportation during the safari for luggage and for skiers whenever necessary, avalanche beeper, touring equipment if required, powder ribbons. Heliskiing over the Italian border approximately $100 per person per drop additional charge. The guide will propose this option when conditions make it worth while. Travel arrangements can be made from the US or within Europe. We offer stopovers in Paris, Reykjavik and London. We can arrange train tickets from Paris or London to the final destination as well as airport transfers from Lyon or Geneva. We can arrange airport hotels in these two cities.
For those who wish to live the experience, but are not as physically tough or as aggressive on skis we offer Joy de Ski Safaris, these follow an altered itinerary (more on groomed runs) and go at a slower pace. Accommodation, etc. is the same as Tarentaise Olympic Safari described above. Schedule for
Joy de Ski Safari:
Dates: March
5; possibly March 19 Day 1 Afternoon meeting at hotel in Chamonix. Briefing of week ahead. Welcome drink. Day 2 Chamonix is the European "Mecca" of Alpinism, with Mt Blanc towering to 4807 metres, and dramatic glaciers that seem to fall into the town. Today we have a full day skiing in Chamonix. (Cross your fingers for fresh snow on the Grands Montets!) Day 3 In the morning, transfer by mini bus to St. Gervais. Then ski St. Gervais, Magève, Flumet, Praz sur Arly. Then transfer by mini bus to Brides les Bains. Day 4 Cross the ski domain of "Les Trois Vallées": Méribel, les Ménuires, Val Thorens. At the end of the day transfer by bus to d'Orelle à Val Fréjus. Day 5 - Vol Frejus -> Cesana (Italy) -> Montgenevre / Briançon Skiing from Val Frejus we cross the border into Italy and down to the resort of Bardonechia. A quick transfer to Cesana where we link up with the tour of The Milky Way, which traverses 5 resorts, and about 60 kms on skis, until we arrive in Montgenevre. Next 2 nights in Briançon. Day 6 - Briançon / Serre Chevalier Briançon is in the more southern region called Les Hautes Alps. Here you will notice a quite different atmosphere to the Alps. The ski domain of Briançon and Serre Chevalier is incredible. We spend the day skiing this area. Day 7 - Briançon -> La Grave -> Grenoble La Grave is an off piste resort. There are no groomed runs! Here we can ski the longest descent in Europe, 2,500 metres! A great way to finish a spectacular week. At the end of our ski day we transfer to our hotel in Grenoble for the farewell dinner. For your safety and ultimate experience, your guides and instructors are full-time professionals. They are fully qualified by French National Standards(among the strictest in the world). When skiing in unmarked terrain (off-piste), all clients are equipped with "ARVA" transmitters. Guides and instructors carry long-range radios and are in permanent contact with fellow guides/instructors as well as all emergency services. They also carry backpacks containing safety and first aid equipment. The price includes:
The price does not include drinks, rental of ski equipment, personal expenses. This itinerary is planned to allow for both great skiing and comfort. *Please note
that this tour is recommended for advanced and expert skiers.
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At
the end of the day your adventure is not over. New experiences still
await you. You will spend the night in a cozy, family run hotel
in a small mountain village, enjoying the company of your guide
and small international group of skiers like yourself. After a relaxing
evening 
touring,
climbing and big descents. Some days you may climb as in the description
above (excursions like this one are usually saved for 2 or 3 days
into the safari when everyone has acclimatized), on other days there
may be little or no climbing, you will be able to reach the desired
summits using the interconnected lift systems of the French Alps.
If there's too much snow to climb, you will spend the day skiing
deep powder through the woods. You will be crossing the mountains
the way the natives have done for generations, immersed in a pure
alpine environment and experiencing the mountain culture, not the
mountain industry. 
The standard Safari is for expert skiers ONLY. If you are an aggressive,
athletic skier with a desire to experience the true mountain culture,
keep reading.
