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Backcountry

Backcountry

Andermatt is located in central Switzerland, in one of the snowiest parts of the Alps. The resort is part of a string of villages spread along the valley, connected both by the lifts and by the incredible Glacier Express train, which runs throughout the winter despite reaching well over 2000m. The lifts link Andermatt to the resorts of Sedrun in the centre of the valley and Disentis at the far end, both of which are mini freeride-meccas in their own right.

Andermatt itself has a stunning, high-altitude cable car giving access to steep, in-bounds terrain and incredible backcountry terrain, on a scale comparable to the Aiguille de Midi or La Grave cable cars. Sedrun and Disentis give access to lots of quiet corners giving great freeride adventures, especially if the weather is challenging up on the top, most of it accessed by short hikes or splits with easy returns to resort via the train.

Our accommodation is in Sedrun, which is centrally located, giving easy access both to the big lifts in Andermatt and to the quieter lines around Disentis and Sedrun itself.

Backcountry

Backcountry

A week-long trip with 5 days of guided riding in the mini freeride mecca of Sainte Foy Tarentaise. This has been my home resort since 2007 and I'm on first-name terms with every rock, tree and couloir on the mountain. Sainte Foy is rightly famous for great terrain, with easy access from the lifts and minimal crowds. Snow conditions are usually excellent in January, especially as the sheltered location protects the snow from the wind in the January storms which can turn the likes of Tignes and Val d'Isere to boiler-plate overnight. There is great tree-riding if the weather is bad and long, big-mountain lines with plenty of steeps if the sun shines. We can access everything with short or medium-length hikes (1hr max up to the Fogliettaz) and there are local buses which bring us back from the more adventurous lines. We're aiming to ride as many great powder-line as possible, it's all about the fun riding rather than hiking for the sake of hiking, but if there's a snow-drought on then we'll hike to find the goods.

While we usually find the best snow in Sainte Foy, we also have Tignes and Val d'Isere on our doorstep should we feel the need to go to higher altitude as well as Les Arcs just across the valley.

Backcountry Intro

Backcountry Intro

A week (5 days, Mon-Fri) of guided backcountry riding and coaching in Sainte Foy. Our BC Intro weeks are aimed at riders who are experienced snowboarders, but have little or no experience outside the marked runs. The week will include extra coaching on both snowboard technique and backcountry safety in order to help you comfortably make the transition from on-piste to off-piste rider.

The focus will still be very strongly on doing as much riding as possible, with coaching mixed-in as required depending on the weather, conditions and the level of the group.

Sainte Foy is a legendary freeride paradise - a great snow record and superb lift-accessed terrain are combined with quiet slopes where the fresh snow lies untouched much longer than in the mega-resorts. Tignes, Val d'Isere and Les Arcs are also right on the doorstep, giving a huge choice of terrain around the valley.

Powfinder (West)

Powfinder (West)

Working on the basis that it's always snowing somewhere, this week has no fixed destination! Travel to Geneva airport where I'll meet you with my minibus and we'll head to whichever part of the Western Alps (or beyond if need be!) has the best fresh snow conditions. Whether this is a big-name resort like Tignes or Verbier, a micro-destination like Sainte Foy or Areches-Beaufort or lesser-known freeride destination like Monterosa or Val d'Anniviers. We'll make the decision just a few days in advance based on the latest snowfalls and weather forecasts. Guaranteed powder is a strong statement, but this is probably about the best chance!

Pre-Season Freeride

Pre-Season Freeride

A super-early season week of freeriding and skill-building. Tignes has an outrageous record for early-season snow, with December often seeing some of the best turns of the season. We'll ride the best snow and terrain available, with the focus on shredding pow if conditions are good or on developing skills for the backcountry if they're less favourable. Everything from carving and steep turns to avalanche safety, navigation and splitboard skills.

​Price is course only, plenty of accommodation options are available. We recommend Dragon Lodge. Riding days are Mon-Fri 2nd - 6th December.

Splitboard Freeride

Splitboard Freeride

A week-long trip with 5 days of guided riding in the mini freeride-Mecca of Sainte Foy Tarentaise. This has been my home resort since 2007 and I'm on first-name terms with every rock, tree and couloir on the mountain. Sainte Foy is rightly famous for great terrain, with easy access from the lifts and minimal crowds. Early February is generally the sweet spot of cold snow, deep base and getting in before the half-term crowds so conditions should be perfect. There is great tree-riding if the weather is bad and long, big-mountain lines with plenty of steeps if the sun shines.

This trip will mix lift and bootpack-accessed freeriding with splitboard days and some steep lines, whatever it takes to ride the best lines and best snow.

While we usually find the best snow in Sainte Foy, we also have Tignes and Val d'Isere on our doorstep should we feel the need to go to higher altitude as well as Les Arcs just across the valley.

Contact
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Steven McDonald

White Room Snowboarding

13 Rue des Verneys
Longefoy

Séez

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Tel: +33 6 73 23 91 85

stevo@whiteroomsnowboarding.com

© 2017 by Steven McDonald.

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