NEW FOR 2023, MINT Snowboarding brings you 5 full days of professional backcountry snowboard guiding, hotel accommodation and amazing Italian food in the epic freeride paradise of Sestriere Italy; you will experience epic daily backcountry adventures on this mixed lift access and splitboard course.
During the week you will get out and explore the backcountry terrain of the extensive ‘Milky Way’ ski area, snowboarding a mix of terrain all easily accessed straight off the lifts, or with a short hike. You will also experience at least 1 day of splitboard touring to get you even deeper into the backcountry. As with all our courses, throughout the week our coaching will continue to develop your backcountry skills by advancing your off-piste technical riding and developing your knowledge of backcountry safety and avalanche search & rescue techniques.
The Milky Way is one of the largest ski areas in Italy, comprised of 6 linked ski resorts with Sestriere being the best base to explore the area. Located about 80km from Turin, the Milky Way borders with France and is connected to the French resort of Montgenèvre. The winter Olympics came to the Milky Way in 2006, bringing speedier lifts which means more time riding! The ski area boasts a great snow record and high altitude slopes which take you up to 2700m from Sestriere. Offering everything from hidden open bowls and steep couloirs to exciting lines through the larch forests, the area is a haven for off-piste snowboarding. With its vast and varied freeride terrain you can enjoy backcountry itineraries reaching 1500 meters of non-stop descent. Add a splitboard into the mix and your options are endless.
Our courses are run with a maximum of 6 in a group so that everyone receives excellent individual attention as well as maximising your snowboarding time, with minimal waiting and a safer experience in an off-piste environment.
This course is led by Gigi Lozzi a local freeride legend, alongside a member of the MINT team joining as a tail guide. Between them, they have the knowledge and experience to take you safely exploring backcountry terrain, guaranteeing you an awesome week.
The Off Piste freeride course is designed as a progression from our Off Piste Freeride Intro Course & Technical Performance course, although neither are a compulsory precursor.
6 nights accommodation & 5 full days of backcountry guiding.
Group size:Â Max 6 (min 4)
With a full week of off-piste guiding, this course is fantastic way to discover a new ski area and ride the incredible off-piste terrain it has to offer. Enjoy a day of splitboard touring to get even further into the backcountry wilderness and experience a new type of snowboard adventure. You will also further develop your off-piste riding skills as well as further increase your knowledge of mountain safety and awareness. This will be an exciting week filled with backcountry adventures exploring the incredible freeride terrain of Sestriere and the Milky Way.
This backcountry course based in Italy is for advanced level riders with a good amount of previous off piste experience. This should include riding a variety of terrain and snow conditions, including tree runs and steeper slopes. You should have a good level of fitness to ensure that you get the most of the week as well as enjoy the splitboard day (cardio fitness is most important here). No previous splitboard experience is necessary. You are looking to explore challenging and exciting terrain at a fast pace with the safety and knowledge of a professional mountain guide to lead the way.
Arrival day:Â Informal meeting in the evening.
Day 1: Off-Piste freeride day in Sestriere and Vallone. A focus on mountain safety skills & avalanche training.
Day 2: Off-Piste freeride day in Sansicario and Sauze D’Oulx.
Day 3: Splitboard day. Itinerary based on snow & weather conditions.
Day 4: Off-Piste freeride day in Montgenevre.
Day 5:Â Off-Piste freeride day. Location dependent on conditions
The exact itinerary of the week remains flexible to allow for variations with the weather and snow conditions. Each day we will check the weather and snow conditions before deciding where best to go, looking for the best off piste snowboarding for you.
A 6 night stay is included in the Gran Roc Hotel. The recently renovated Gran Roc offers a mix of tradition and modern, with spacious rooms featuring all the comforts. The hotel, which faces onto the Sestriere ski slopes, is just 200 meters from the Fraiteve telecabine. 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. After a big day on the mountain relax with a drink in the hotel’s lounge bar.
With local guide Gigi Lozzi and a MINT Snowboard instructor.
6 nights half board hotel accommodation
Transceiver, shovel & probe
Splitboard rental for 1 day is included. Any further days of rental will need to be paid individually.
Please scroll down. Prices are shown below
Tammy is an incredibly passionate snowboard instructor! Combine this with her technical knowledge and years of experience and there is no doubt you will come away having noticeably progressed your snowboarding and had a flippin a rad day!! This ethos runs throughout MINT Snowboarding.
Signed up as a solo traveler for one of the snowboard camps running in December. Was such a good experience. All the instructors were very skilled and very patient, adapting for every member of the group. Great value and a great way to progress quickly over the week.
Linda
So happy with this weeks lessons. My son had a 2 hour group session every morning 9-11 Monday to Friday. He confidently accompanied his very proud daddy on Friday! Money well spent Thank you MINT! And his instructors Giulia and Anna x
Hollie
3 of us had a freestyle lesson, none of us could fault the service we received. From booking, running up to the lesson and during it was faultless. We will be returning next season, also be requesting Jorge. Thanks again.
Paul
Thank you to MINT and Anna my daughters instructor. She taught Georgia so much in two lessons equating to five hours. Anna was friendly, kind and very encouraging, we couldn’t have asked for more.
I had another awesome week of off piste snowboarding. Done many trips with MINT, I’m never disappointed! Trip well organized, Dave, our guide, is perfect. Many thanks, see you next year! 🙂
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