The MINT Off-Piste Intro Camp is designed for snowboarders ready to take their first steps beyond the marked pistes. Combining five full days of coaching with the complete MINT camp experience, the week introduces the riding skills, mountain awareness and safety knowledge that form the foundations of confident off-piste snowboarding.
Every day you’ll venture into natural mountain terrain, learning how to adapt your riding to changing snow conditions while developing the techniques needed to ride confidently away from groomed pistes. Alongside your riding progression, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of avalanche awareness, understanding snow and avalanche conditions, avalanche rescue, and the key principles of safe mountain travel.
Professional mountain guiding throughout the week is led by MINT’s own David Gladwin, one of the few people in the snowboard industry to be both a fully qualified snowboard instructor and an internationally qualified UIAGM Mountain Guide. This unique combination means you’ll learn not only how to ride off-piste with greater confidence, but also how to travel safely and responsibly in the mountain environment. Throughout the week you’ll also ride with MINT’s experienced snowboard coaching team, benefiting from specialist snowboard coaching alongside professional mountain guiding.
The Off-Piste Intro Camp is designed for intermediate and advanced snowboarders who are confident riding all marked pistes and are ready to take their first steps beyond the piste boundary.
You don’t need any previous off-piste experience. Whether you’ve never left the groomed runs or have only ventured off piste a handful of times, this camp will introduce you to the riding skills, mountain awareness and safety knowledge needed to begin exploring natural terrain with greater confidence.
Throughout the week you’ll ride in small groups carefully matched by both riding ability and off-piste experience, allowing everyone to progress at an appropriate pace while enjoying the mountain together.
continue reading...This camp is based at Hotel du Lac—your home for the week and an important part of the MINT experience.
Set on the shores of beautiful Lac de Montriond, just minutes from the Ardent lift, Hotel du Lac combines comfortable en-suite accommodation, fantastic food and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. It’s where the week comes together—sharing breakfast before a day on the mountain, afternoon tea after riding, relaxing in the Lost Saunas or outdoor hot tub, and enjoying evenings around the hotel’s signature Feast Tables.
Whether you’re travelling on your own or with friends, you’ll quickly feel part of the group, making Hotel du Lac far more than just a place to stay.
For full details of the hotel, facilities and everything included during your stay, take a look at our dedicated Hotel du Lac page by following the link below.
Learn how to adapt your riding to changing snow conditions and natural terrain, building the confidence and control needed to ride beyond the piste.
Explore a wide variety of off-piste terrain, learning how different snow conditions and terrain features influence your riding and line choice.
Develop an understanding of avalanche awareness, snow and avalanche conditions, terrain recognition and the key principles of safe mountain travel.
Gain a practical introduction to avalanche rescue equipment and avalanche rescue techniques, understanding the role they play in responsible off-piste travel.
Leave with the riding skills, mountain awareness and confidence to continue your off-piste journey, whether that’s exploring closer to home or joining one of MINT’s advanced freeride and backcountry adventures.