Spend a week riding the epic backcountry of Zinal / Grimentz, enjoying daily adventures into new and untouched terrain, with professional guiding from our very own snowboarding Mountain Guide, David Gladwin. MINT Snowboarding brings you 5 full days of off piste snowboard guiding, along with hotel accommodation in Zinal.
We’re not surprised if you’ve not heard of Zinal, as it is Switzerland’s best kept freeride secret! Along with Grimentz and the surrounding Val d’Anniviers valley, it’s definitely one of our favourite freeride ski areas in the alps.
Located just 2 hours from Geneva, Zinal is a traditional town with no mass tourism meaning that the slopes remain quiet throughout the winter season (yes, even in February!). The Val d’Anniviers ski area, which includes Grimentz, is renowned for the vast scope of its off-piste terrain along with a reputation for excellent snow cover. The terrain is varied with plenty of 1000+ m descents and hidden backcountry bowls where there are always fresh lines to be enjoyed. With lots of high altitude terrain along with north facing slopes, you can expect to find winter snow conditions here much later in the year compared to many other ski resorts.
Throughout the week we will continue to develop your backcountry skills, both to advance your technical riding ability and to increase your backcountry safety knowledge. Avalanche search & rescue training is included.
The Off Piste freeride course is designed as a progression from our Off Piste Freeride Intro Courses & Technical Performance course, although neither are a compulsory precursor.
For advanced riders with a high level of fitness, also take a look at our faster paced Advanced Backcountry Course. This course takes the adventure further, to challenging terrain and a focus on epic descents that take a bit more effort to reach, possibly with an abseil!
Travelling alone? Not a problem! Our snowboard courses are designed with solo-travellers in mind. They are a great way to progress your snowboarding, learning in a small group with others of the same level… and you will end the week with a bunch of new snowboard friends!
You will be staying in the charming Hotel Le Besso situated in the centre of Zinal and a short walk to the ski lifts. The hotel offers stunning uninterrupted views out onto Le Besso and the glaciated peaks beyond. Half board accommodation is provided in ensuite rooms, based on two sharing. Enjoy substantial breakfasts and excellent evening meals in the hotels well regarded restaurant. To add to this, there is a micro-brewery on site!
Single rooms are available upon request and subject to availability and a single person supplement.
Hotel du Besso
This course has no set itinerary for the week. Your guide will decide on a daily basis where to head depending on weather and snow conditions along with some input on preferences from the group. Expect a fun and exciting week with daily backcountry adventures!
