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Tag: offpiste

FAST TRACK INTRO TO SKI TOURING

Posted on by Jocelyn Cockle

FREEFLO is offering a unique 3 Full day Fast Track Introduction To Ski Touring Course in Tignes and Val D’Isere, France.
Created and designed for intermediate skiers who have skied off-piste with little or no ski touring experience and want to be sat tracked into the new world of ski touring. If you are limited in time then this is the perfect course for you. Be led and guided whilst learning essential skills needed in the backcountry, building on your existing skills and confidence.  

Escape from the crowds and enjoy the peace, tranquillity and beauty of the backcountry whilst having fun and learning how to be safe when skiing in the mountains.

Date: Feb 21st-23rd 2023
Course Fee: €587.00 (Max group size 6)
Duration: 3x Full Days
Location: Tignes, Espace Killy, France 

Package includes

• €485 Ski Touring Kickstarter Digital Online Course 

• Free Membership in the Ski Motivation Hub 

• 3 Full Days of British backcountry ski coaching with Floss 

• Avalanche and transceiver workshop

• Photos & film of your week

What the course fee doesn’t include:
– Insurance
– Lift pass
– Lunch and snacks
– Equipment

What will you learn?
– Essential ski touring techniques
– Snow awareness, avalanche training
– Route selection
– Making better decisions in avalanche terrain
– How to improve your off-piste skiing
– How to use your ski touring equipment

What level of fitness do you need?
Level 1 fitness is needed for this course. You need to be able to ski all day with short stops for food and drink. You can ski off-piste all day and back-to-back days. You can ski tour uphill for a maximum of 2 hours at altitude. 

What level of ski ability do you need?
You must be able to ski red and black pisted runs with no problem and you can deal with some different snow conditions. You have confidence ability in skiing off-piste terrain and are able to link turns and control your speed using different radius turns up to 35 degrees. You are happy to ski in an open simple off-piste terrain.

What level of ski touring do you need?
This course is perfect if you have no or little ski touring experience. The pace is relaxed and a great introduction to touring. The maximum you will tour per day will be up to 500M.

Visit the backcountry of Tignes and Val DÌsere

Meet the Coach: FREEFLO
Floss Cockle is a BASI British International Ski Teacher L4 ISTD which is the highest teaching qualification available to a British coach anywhere in the world. She has the French Carte de Professional which allows her to work in France. With her great passion for teaching and being in the mountains, she has a wealth of experience and has coached skiing for twenty-five years. One of her biggest achievements is climbing and skiing the highest mountain in the Alps Mont Blanc 4810M as well as skiing the volcanoes of Patagonia.

Floss is a videographer and has her own youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/FreeFloFloss. Due to these digital times, she is also the creator of ski touring kickstarter which is an online ski touring course that teaches you how to get prepare successfully to get into ski touring.

Floss is also a Summer Mountain Leader and guides people in the UK Mountains. In the summer she is an adventure coach who helps people to reach their goals and dreams whether it is running a 10k to climbing famous peaks. If you are interested in online coaching book a free discovery call.

Insurance:
Getting specialist travel insurance that covers cancellation, medical and mountain rescue is highly recommended. FREEFLO will not be liable for injuries or accidents on the mountain. Ensure that your insurance covers your skiing off-piste beyond the ski boundary with a guide or an instructor. Buying a Carte de Neige with your lift pass in the resort or online is recommended as it will cover any mountain rescue without payment. 

You can purchase the carte de Neige in the resort with your lift pass for around €3 euros a day or you can purchase it online to beat the queues for a year at http://www2.ffs.fr/carteneige .

Kit list:
Skis:
Ideally an all-mountain ski with a ski touring binding that is 85-95cm underfoot. The length of the ski shouldn’t be too long (as it makes kick turns harder) and the ski tips of the skis should be between your chin and your eyes when standing.

Touring Bindings:
There are three types of bindings on the market:
1) Diamir Fritschi:
2) Marker Tour
3) Pin Bindings
Pin bindings and boots are lighter and easier to use for kick turns and going uphill but they do compromise in ski performance going downhill. We do recommend that you rent or have the lightest equipment possible for the backcountry course. Diamir and Marker bindings (where you use a regular downhill ski boot with walk mode) are heavier and don’t have the ankle flex for touring uphill, however the ski performance downhill is better. 

Skins:
Ideally, skins should be a mixture of mohair and nylon and must have a nose and tail clip. The skins should cover the whole ski and be only 2mm free from the edges.  Skins should be hung to dry after use but not over extreme heat after use.

Boots:
If you haven’t got your own ski touring boots you can rent them or use your downhill boots if they have a walk mode. Ski touring boots are highly recommended as they are light have a ski touring mode.

Poles:
Telescopic ski poles with a powder basket are essential.

Clothing:
Spring Touring:
Wear thin light breathable layers with a Gore-tex shell
Ski Trousers should have a zip on the outside of the leg for ventilation
Light synthetic mid-layer for the summit or a lightweight down layer.
A neck buff is always essential for ski touring in Spring and in Winter.

Winter Touring: In addition to the above add warm breathable layers and a down mid-layer jacket.
Gloves:
Inner liners and light but warm and waterproof gloves.

Accessories:
Suncream 50+, buff, googles with good and bad weather lenses, sunglasses, light beanie, headband (optional), cap to protect you from the sun, camera, go pro, cash, insurance cards, credit card, charged telephone, spare batteries for transceiver, battery charging pack, duck tape, penknife.  Helmet is optional but recommended.
First Aid Kit:
Ensure that you have a small first aid kit which includes; paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters, bandages, compeed etc, so you can deal with first aid if you have to. Purchasing a blizzard blanket is recommended www.blizzardblanket.com
Avalanche Equipment:
A transceiver with three antennae and multiple search victim mode is recommended, 2m probe or longer and a steel shovel.
Water bottle, flask and snacks, packed lunch: For day tours please make sure you have a minimum of 1litre of water and a packed lunch. Nuts, dried fruit, energy bars and energy drinks for slow release energy instead just chocolate (but chocolate is always nice too!) Jelly babies for the coaches.
Backpack:
35-45 litre backpack ideally a top loader which sits comfortably on your back.
Map, Compass, GPS: (optional but good to have)
A silva expedition compass and maps are optional but very good to have, especially if you want to improve on your navigation skills. (Maps: Carte de Randonnee 3633T and 3532T for Val D’Isere, Tignes and St Foy. You can purchase the maps at the Tabac in Tignes.
Lift Pass: Please purchase an Espace Killy lift pass or a Forfait Rando pass at the STGM lift office in Le Lac or Val Claret on or before the first day of the course ahead of the introduction meeting. The lift pass office opens at 8.30am.
NB: All skis and equipment can be rented in resort at: Mountain Story in Le Lac Tignes

Rough Itinerary:
This is an example of the 3 Day backcountry adventure itinerary. An average day will be 9am – 4pm. The itinerary is likely to change due to individual and group goals and the weather.

Day 1: Introduction meeting.  Introduction to the use of avalanche equipment, ski touring equipment and techniques on lower pisted slopes. Warm up to find our ski legs on the piste with a technical focus on balance and other fundamental elements. Depending on weather conditions 200-300m ascent ski tour. Practice ski touring techniques, packing your ski touring bag and technical focus off piste skiing
Day 2: Technical focus on route selection, weather and decision-making in avalanche terrain.
Day 3: Technical focus on ski touring a longer route and leadership skills. 

Depending on weather conditions 200-500m ascent ski tour

Please let us know if you are interested in this course and if you know of anyone else that would by emailing Floss at [email protected]. I am happy to answer any questions that you may have.  

I will look forward to skiing with you and giving you the skills.

Floss 

FREEFLOSKI

[email protected] 

www.freefloski.com

Ski Touring Kickstarter Online Course: Save Money and Time

Tips and Hacks To Improve Your Skiing

Adventure Coaching: Book Free Call 

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How To Get Into Ski Touring – Freefloski Touring Kickstarter Online Course -FAQ’s

Posted on by Jocelyn Cockle

Since I have launched the Ski Touring Kickstarter course, I’ve had lots of questions and interest and in this blog, I will hopefully answer all your questions:

1. Is the Ski Touring Kickstarter an online course or an on-mountain course?
Well, it is both, The Kickstarter program is in place to help answer many of the questions I’ve come across from my students like Dellie and Matt who wanted to get into ski touring but they didn’t know how? The goal here is to help you get the most out of your holiday by preparing as much as you can before you come to the mountains. The other advantage is that can watch the videos to refresh your mind whilst on the mountain.

2. What happens if I can not go skiing
Another question I get asked a lot from people who really want to participate but are nervous is – what happens if I cannot go skiing. Well – I don’t have a crystal ball – but the skills you’ll learn are the fundamentals and can be used any year. Of course, I’d love you to come skiing with me here so we can build on the program – but because they are universal skills they can be applied with any professional tour guide.

3. If I’ve never done this before is it for me?
Many people are excited about the thought of touring but have never done it – that is exactly why I built this course. Remember Gary, my customer who’d never done anything like this – well through these tips and tricks not only did we get him more confident in his normal skiing but we got him into touring too. So if you’ve never done it – you are in the right place.

4) I’m not fit
2020 has been a year of change for all of us and many of us were sedentary – that’s why one of the bonuses is I’ve included my plan to make the most of your time in the mountains. The goal of this course is to lay the foundations and with that, if you are interested in it and want to take it further then we can work on it together but these exercises and stretches will help.

5) It’s is too expensive to get more kit
One of my goals here is to make skiing as fun and accessible as possible. That’s why I have my takeaway gear guide of products and services to help you make the choices if you are looking to invest in equipment. If you are only looking to try touring that’s ok too – I can also recommend you rental services.

6) I only go skiing once a year
If you only go skiing once a year- why not make it the most memorable week where you can explore the mountains, re-connect with those who are important, see the world from a new perspective and improve your health at the same time.

7) What if I purchase the Kickstarter and I don’t like it?
I am so confident that you will like the Kickstarter, it is packed with information and coaching that if you don`t like it you can have a 30-day money-back guarantee with no questions asked.

8) What is Included in Ski touring Kickstarter?

  • Ski Touring Kickstarter Programme- +32 videos and 4 modules 
  • Online 1 to 1 Coaching 
  • Private Members-Only Community  
  • Discount Codes
  • PDF`s, Bonus resources and lots more.

If you would like to see the video of the Ski Touring Kickstarter visit:👉 https://www.skitouringkickstarter.com/

If you have any questions that I haven’t answered just drop me an email Floss: [email protected]

Freefloski Featured in the Ultimate List of Best Ski Schools in France

Posted on by Jocelyn Cockle

Ridestore Magazine Press Realease, 29th November 2019.
Jocelyn Cockle (Floss) of Freefloski in Tignes has been featured as one of the best ski schools in Tignes by Ridestore Magazine. Ridestore complied a mega ulitmate list of the best ski schools in France for the 2019/20 season, after all, the countdown is on to many of us ski and snowboard lovers, hitting the slopes! The team at Ridestore thought it was time someone put together a list of all the ski schools in the best and busiest resorts in France to make life a little easier for those that are frantically googling.

Ski Touring Tignes
Ski Touring Tignes

This list was created to try and take a little bit of stress out of selecting the right ski school for you. It doesn’t matter wether you are a first time skier, an intermediate looking to get rid of bad habits or a season rider who loved to learn the latest tricks and tips, its vital to find the right fit for you. Brits have been supporting French ski schools both big and small, always looking for the right tutiton that offers value for money and quality and experienced instructors; Just like Floss!

This ultimate list of the best schools rewards the schools who put their best foot (or ski boot) forward at all times to ensure first time and novice skiers and snowboarders, well riders of all levels have a fantastic experience on and off the slopes. The right ski school experience can make or break a trip after all and our annual (or if your lucky, bi-annual) ski trip is sacred and maxuimising your time is essential.

” Searching for a ski school, particularly in France where there are so many in each resort, can be a little stressful, only adding to the to-do-list further when booking a mountain adventure. Then if you want to advance your skills, in off-piste, touring or more specific niches, finding the right fit ski scholl wise, can be a challenge. Therefore, Freefloski was an outstanding candidiate for such specialised training in Tignes and was rightfully included in our ultimate list. I will have to message Floss when I am next in Tignes! “ stated Angelica Skykes from Ridgestore Magazine.

“There are lots of things to consider when booking a ski holiday, and choosing the right ski school is one that always proves challenging. Therefore, with this list we wanted to make the booking process taht bit easier, so you cna get on with the planning the rest of your trip” continued Angelica Sykes

Jocelyn Cockle, Director of Freefloski stated ” Its a competitive landscape in Tignes for ski schools, with plenty of instructors and schools offering the service but Ridestore Magazine gave us a honourable mention as providing something unique. We are able to give our clients the best possible touring and backcounty ski experience with passion at the forefront. Ensuring a relaxed and easygoing enviornment in which to your skills, push your spirits nad techique to the next level.”

FREEFLO Ski Touring Ski Courses in Tignes, Val D'Isere and St Foy
FREEFLO Ski Touring Ski Courses in Tignes, Val D’Isere and St Foy

To read the full entry about Freeflo Ski School, please visit Ridestore Magazine. 

5 Ski and Snowboard Touring Technique Tips

Posted on by Jocelyn Cockle

5 Ski and Snowboard Touring Technique Tips, courtesy off FREEFLO SKI

The volume of riders heading into the backcountry have dramatically increased over the last decade. Today a large number of riders are heading for the backcountry in search for fresh tracks and the ultimate adventure.  Many of them are inexperienced when it is comes to skinning uphill. To boost your touring skills here are 5 Ski and Snowboard Touring Techniques from us  Freeflo ski who are based in the French Alps.

Katie, Pat, Naomi and Kerry exploring the backcountry of Tignes on the FREEFLO Womens Touring Course

by Jocelyn Cockle (Floss) 

Ski touring in the backcountry is my biggest and favourite winter sport and passion with or without clients. I just love being in the wilderness away from the hustle and bustle of the ski resort or everyday stresses and life.  Moving efficiently uphill and safely in the mountains is a highly mastered skill set which is often overlooked. Here are 5 uphill tips to improve your uphill performance.

  1. Manage your clothing
    It is important to control your temperature through your clothing if you want to be efficient. Depending on the weather, length, and type of tour I will take off clothing layers at the very start. Keep to thin and breathable layers. Designed for adventure I highly recommend high performance base layers from Floã sports.  If you know it will be windy at the top I will keep a windproof layer close to hand around my waist or on top of my rucksack. It is important to keep to a consistent pace that you are not sweating and can hold for a long period of time.
  2. Keep your head up and stay alert
    Keeping your head up keeps your upper body upright.  Having your body upright keeps you looking ahead and more efficient. Looking and taking the correct uphill track will save time and energy.
  3. Line
    You save more energy and time if you use an existing gentle uphill track only if it takes you to the same destination through safe terrain.
  4. Keep your skis or board on the snow
    One of the most common mistakes that skiers and snowboarders make is that they lift their feet whilst moving forwards. Keeping your feet on the snow and slide your equipment on the surface takes less energy and is a faster technique.

    Pat and Kerry skinning out of refuge de Palet, Tignes on the FREEFLO Womens Touring Course 2019
  5. Position in the Line
    As a rule the first person in the group in an existing uphill track or making a new uphill track will exert more energy when compared to the last person in the group. I am constantly assessing individuals energy and will change the order of the group when ski touring.

          Most importantly be safe and enjoy the mountains 

 

FREEFLO specializes in progressive on and off-piste ski instruction, backcountry ski touring and women-specific ski courses. We offer personal British ski instruction for skiers of all abilities. Our primary objective is helping competent skiers to improve their technique on and off-piste and in the backcountry. Our intuitive coach approach will help you to progress, have fun and enjoy the full freedom of the mountains in a safe and confident manner.

Behind the scenes of the Refuge De Leisse: Ski Touring and Skiing Off Piste Tignes and Val D’Isere

Posted on by iwood.web

The Refuge De Leisse is behind the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes and can be accessed by many different routes. After my second season of ski teaching and guiding in the Espace Killy I am still amazed as to what this area has to offer. There are so many good off piste and ski touring routes beyond your dreams. I know instructors and people that have lived in Tignes and Val D’Isere for years and they have never seen the places that I have been too, the places that I have fallen in love with and places that I am still discovering. I get so excited when I have spare time which I spend hiking, touring and skiing these routes.

Beyond the pistes of Tignes and Val D’Isere holds the wilderness and natural beauty of the Vanoise National Park.  In the parks in France and around the world there are mountain refuges. The best way to describe a refuge is that they are very similar to lodges. Many of these refuges are on hiking or ski touring routes so you can actually travel refuge to refuge, hut to hut. A lot of refuges are not manned for the main part of the winter and they are left as a winter room where you can stay for shelter. End of March to mid May dependant on snow and conditions these refuges are open and offer food and accommodation. The guardian of the refuge often ski tours in the winter or hikes in the summer into them which can take hours and sometimes days, just to start work. Each refuge is self suffcient as there are no supermarkets or corner shops nearby, the water supply is often a mountain stream which is diverted to the refuge. The water from the trough of the Refuge De La Leisse is the best I have ever drunk. Most food and supples are heli dropped once every couple of weeks. Most refuges are ran by solar power and the light switches are on a timer, you also don’t have internet access or any phone signal.

Map showing the route to refuge de Leisse, Tignes
IGN Map showing the route to refuge de Leisse, Tignes

The easier route is skiing off piste from the Genepy piste around the back of the Leisse chairlift and then over the frozen marshlands. If you wanted to embark a more difficult route you can drop into 35 Glacier couloir and get to the refuge. You also can also arrive to the refuge by the Col De Sana, Refuge De La Femma, Col De Vanoise, the list is endless. Celine Terryn is the guardian of the refuge de Leisse. She will welcome you with open arms and make sure that your stay is as comfortable as she can.

Celine can tell you many good stories, ‘ One day I  was ski touring alone to the refuge and the weather came in.  I ended up touring in circles as I couldn’t see anything. It took me hours to get to the refuge as the only ski tracks I could follow was mine and they were going in circles.’  I  asked her what happens when the weather gets really bad. She replied ‘This season the weather has been very up and down, when the winds get very strong I often stay in a room which is underground.’ The word brave entered my head. Like most of us doing seasonal work we have many strings to our bow and have many passions. Celine is a chartered physiotherapist when she isn’t working at the refuge and she surfs when she can. She is living the dream.

For more information visit the website of the refuge de Leisse.

Ski Touring – Womens FREEFLO Introduction Tignes

Posted on by Jocelyn Cockle

Sefie at the Col De LaTourne
Sefie at the Col De LaTourne

For the third year running I have just finished leading the FREEFLO Womens Introduction to ski touring Course in Tignes and Val D’Isere. I love and enjoy running this two day adventure as it allows me to pass on skills and twenty years of winter mountain experience to people that have never experienced ski touring in the backcountry before. I have just had an amazing time with four special people.

Day one ski touring

On the first morning we met up in Planks Coffee Shop which is relaxing place to start any course whilst drinking good coffee. I spent the first forty minutes getting to know everyone and to find to each persons expectations and goals for the course. I then discussed the weather, the snow conditions and current situation of the snowpack and taught everyone where to find this valuable information. We then checked our gear and kit list and made sure we carried everything we needed. I gave a rough outline of a plan for the two days before heading outside on the piste for a skills session. I then taught everyone essential ski touring skills. This included how to put skins on and off, how to change their bindings and boots to uphill and down hill mode, different turns, route selection etc:

Breaking trail back to Tignes
Breaking trail back to Tignes

To gauge ski ability and to brush on technique before heading into the backcountry we skied a small section of off piste . The snow was great and as soon as the clouds broke and the blue skies arrived I took the opportunity and lead the group into the wilderness of the backcountry. Virgin untracked snow as far as the eye could see was our view as we crossed the Col De Palet. No one was around as skiers were skiing fresh powder in the resort. It was perfect timing as we made our own tracks in the powder as a group of five. Once we had arrived at the lake we tucked into a well deserved snack and drink. After ski touring for fifty five minutes we then arrive to the refuge de palet and enjoyed tucking into a three course meal.

Day two ski touring

The next morning was clear and no one was in sight. We took full advantage and skied the powder on the north facing slopes to lake Grattalu and then broke tracks uphill making our way through the valley of La Tourne. The valley La Tourne is one of my favourite ski touring itineraries. Its gentle and has breathtaking views especially when come out of the Col de Tourne and overlooking Tignes. It was an amazing two day adventure with great company and one that I will never forget.

This is what the team thought

“I love skiing, but getting a introduction to the awe inspiring backcountry of Tignes, gave me a new level of appreciation of why we ski. Nature is even more beautiful, impressive and so much more powerful than us out there beyond the ski area boundaries. Still, we can be part of it and enjoy it if we work together, breaking track, reading the snow conditions and finally huddling together in front of a fire in the cosy Col du Palet refuge. A truly unforgettable introduction to touring.” Leizel Cloke

Leizel enjoying the uphill of ski touring
Leizel enjoying the uphill of ski touring

“Such an adventure to be pushed safely right out of my comfort zone, experiencing an enemies depth of powder surrounded with such stunning scenery and Flo providing us with a photographic life time memory to share..thanks FREEFLO..amazing amazing.” Sally Coates

Sally skiing the powder
Sally skiing the powder

“The two day tour exceeded all my expectations from the glorious weather, the bouncy snow and the sunny scenery to the delicious refuge dinner and the comfy beds. It was a magical couple of days and Flossie inspired confidence by creating a safe and fun learning environment for all of us touring rookies…I am so please I booked it was my best two days of the week.” Amy Cardale

Amy having fun in the powder
Amy having fun in the powder

FREEFLO specialises in progressive on and off piste ski instruction, backcountry ski touring and women specific ski courses. We offer personal British ski lessons for skiers of all abilities, though our sweet spot is helping competent skiers to improve their technique on and off piste and in the backcountry. Our intuitive coach-approach will help you to progress, have fun and enjoy the full freedom of the mountains in a safe and confident manner.

Step into your next adventure and email: [email protected] or visit www.freefloski.com

FREEFLO Mountain Respect Workshops in Tignes for 2017/18

Posted on by Jocelyn Cockle

Step up your avalanche game!
This winter we are running avalanche training and snow awareness workshops in Tignes as last winter season, 2016/17 there were more avalanches and incidents than in a normal season.  This was a result of an unstable snowpack, caused by variation in temperature, high winds and the type of snow that fell. Out of the19 ski seasons I have done this one had the most avalanche activity I have ever seen.

New ski technology and the fast-growing trend in winter sports means more and more people are venturing into the off piste. They have good equipment but a with a lack of snow awareness and a lack of experience sometimes bad and riskier decisions are being made. The mind-set of getting ‘fresh powder tracks’ is creating a culture that shows little respect for others as groups and individuals are just focused on themselves.

Most of the time people get away with their route selection and decisions.  However, it’s a risky game to play and sooner or later it could be you or your friends who get caught out and trigger an avalanche onto someone else, or even be in it yourselves.

This is when you need to be ready.

I have a lot of clients, friends and seasonal workers that ask me how they can be safer in the off piste and backcountry. So, new for this winter, with 16 seasons ski teaching and guiding behind me, I am delighted to be coaching and introducing affordable half day FREEFLO Mountain Respect Workshops in Tignes.

The workshops are designed to help you be safer and make better decisions whilst off piste and in the backcountry. They will give you more snow and avalanche awareness and you will learn the skills that I use to help make the best decisions I can in avalanche terrain.

FREEFLO Making the right decisions in avalanche terrain Workshop
13th Dec 2017
14th March 2018

IMG_2743

FREEFLO Avalanche Transceiver Training Workshop
12th Dec 2017
13th March 2018

Avalanche training Womens
For more information on the workshops please visit FREEFLO If dates aren’t suitable or work for you drop us an email: [email protected] and we will be able to tailor other dates and workshops for you, your chalet staff, your clients or friends.

BE SAFE OUT THERE…..

Floss

BASI ISTD International Ski Teacher
APC Race coach Level 2
Mountain Leader MTA

Stay connected and like us on:

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How to improve your skiing on steeper terrain

Posted on by Jocelyn Cockle

How to improve your mindset when skiing in steeper terrain is a good place to start

If you are reading this there is a fair chance that you are interested in improving your steep skiing. You may be struggling to get to the next level. You might be feeling nervous when the gradient of the slope gets steeper. You might be worried and have a lack of confidence and focus or you might just be stuck in how to improve.

I know how this feels. I have been there myself. It was me when I first started skiing and doing winter seasons. I was terrible at it. I couldn’t link turns and be in control on steeper terrain on the piste and off the piste.

So I developed new skills and tactical strategies. I improved my fitness and my head game. With the right coaching and practise I got better and today I love it especially when I get the chance to ski in steep couloirs. It one of my passions and one of the many sides of skiing that I enjoy and coach in. .

Relating the ‘Here and Now’ of coaching from the book ‘Inner game of Tennis by W. Timothy: Galloway‘

What really improved my mindset on steep slopes was reading and the famous book the Inner Game to Tennis by W Timothy Galloway. Skiing on steep offpiste and in narrow unknown corridors which are often surrounded by rock is where focus, skill and belief is vital for a good and safe decent.

Rich skiing Pisteurs Couloir Val D I'sere
Rich skiing Pisteurs couloir in Tignes/Val D’sere

Learning to focus your attention is a master skill that has unlimited application. When skiing in a threatening environment where your skills are being pushed you need to learn to focus awareness in the NOW. It means tuning in to what is happening in the present and not in the past. It also means to be in the present and not in the future.

Tip 1: FOCUS
Don’t let your concentration and thoughts drift. Concentrate your focus on here and the NOW. Be in the present time and in the present space. Most accidents and falls happen when we lapse in concentration as we allow our mind to think about what is about to happen or to dwell whats has already happened in the past.

Tip 2: BELIEVE IN YOUR ABILITY
Especially for people who are lacking confidence don’t let your doubts in your mind take over and self 1 come into play. Don’t let your mind absorb itself in the world of “what if’s” “What if I fall over” “What if I can’t make that turn” and then let your mind wander away to “this happened to me last year and this is how I injured my knee” or something totally irrelevant “I can’t believe what that Facebook post said about me”. Since the mind has a will of its own and tends to wander, how can one learn to keep it in the present? The answer is by practice as there is no other way. Every time your mind starts to leak away, simply bring it gently back and be in the Here and the now.

Tip 3: TAKE ACTION
The next time you are in a couloir or on challenging terrain take this action plan. Focus your mind on the present, see and accept the environment that you are in and then ski it with one tactical or technical focus to block out any nervousness. Subconsciously believe in yourself and ability and you will be able to ski stronger and more effectively.

Have a look at the video below. When I was skiing this couloir I was blocking my thoughts out and my focus was on linking turns whilst being balanced. I was in the here and now. That’s where you should be when skiing steeper terrain.

For more skiing advice and tips please subscribe and like us on youtube.

I will look forward to skiing with you soon.

Take Care

Floss

Ski Touring
Director of FREFLOSKI

 

 

Pisteurs Couloir: Off Piste Skiing and Ski Touring Val D’Isere and Tignes

Posted on by iwood.web

Route: Tignes/Pisteurs Couloir/Tignes
Off Piste skiing between: 2770m-2441m N
Max Gradient: 43/45 degrees
Uphill: 25 to 40 mins boot hike dependant on conditions
Total Return Route time from Tignes:3.5/4hrs
Skiers Level: Advanced off piste
Start: From the top of the Grand Pre Chairlift
Finish: At bottom Fontaine Froide
Lift pass needed: Espace Killy
Map needed: 3633ET
Grade: 3:1
Exposure: E3

The north face of the Charvet is a super classic route reserved for skiers experienced in committing terrain. It is not  route for the faint hearted. From the top the Grand pre chairlift you hike up to the rocher de Charvet . Continue along the ridge line to the end. The far right entrance normally avalanche prone so its better to access from the top different route opportunities on the way down. Hire a British instructor to take you to these amazing secrets to improve your off piste skiing and increase your route knowledge using fatmap.

Steep skiing Tignes Val D'Isere
Steep skiing Tignes Val D’Isere

Steep skiing Pisteurs couloir tignes val D'sere
Steep skiing Pisteurs couloir tignes val D’sere
Steep skiing Tignes Val D'Isere
Steep skiing Tignes Val D’Isere

FREEFLOSKI offers Elite British Ski Coaching in the snowsure resorts of Tignes, Val D’Isere and La Grave. We specialise in all mountain and off piste skiing, plus backcountry ski touring and women specific ski courses. Step into your next adventure with FREEFLOSKI www.freefloski.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Couloir skiing

 

 

A day out with Ski Focus- Touring the Tuff de Grassaz and the 3 Cols, Tignes

Posted on by iwood.web

Time just flies by and every winter season comes round quicker and quicker. At the end of last season I managed to spend a day in the backcountry with Stuart Bernard the Director of Ski Focus.  It was a great opportunity to show him some of the beautiful backcountry that is on our door step and a chance to catch up with him after a busy season. The day was perfect for touring with blue skies and no wind and at the end of the season there was no one around. After dropping into the Col Du Palet we only saw two people in the distance all day. Ski touring is a great opportunity to make new friends and build strong relationships as you are away from any distractions and you get the chance to really talk.

After three and half hours of uphill and two hours downhill at the end of the day we returned back to Val Claret to finish a great day with a beer.

Stuart teaches skiing all year round he is based in the Espace Killy for the winter and teaches in the snow domes in the UK in the summer. He runs a number of Gap Ski Courses throughout the year as well coaches and examines people who want to become instructors. For more information and to ski with Stuart please visit: http://www.skifocus.co.uk.

FREEFLO specialises in private instruction, ski courses, off piste and ski touring within the resort of Tignes, Val D’Isere and La Grave. Visit http://jamesg134.sg-host.com.  For further information please don’t hesitate to get in contact and email: [email protected].

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