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Holidays for advanced skiers and snowboarders

Kayte Williams
(Holidays Expert)

Crystal Ski - Crystal have an online 'Resort Finder' service to show all the resorts suitable for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

Iglu Ski - Iglu Ski have a section under their 'ski resort' tab allowing you to search the best resorts for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

See more of our recommended companies

How advanced is advanced?

These days a lot of skiers and snowboarders tend to subdivide this category of riding. At the very least, they like to talk about advanced, expert and freestyle. Be honest with yourself about where you stand in these categories, and design your holiday accordingly. Remember: just because you can ski a black piste when it's covered in freshly-groomed snow, or pull a 360 in the half-pipe, doesn't mean you can handle yourself in a 45-degree couloir when the clouds come down.

Advanced skiers and snowboarders are the ones who have broken away from groomed snow, and are reasonably comfortable on bumps and in powder. They're probably masters of neither yet, and need both tuition and guidance to get the most from their holidays. American-style 'camps', such as those run by the Warren Smith Ski Academy in Verbier, or the famous Steep and Deep camps of Jackson Hole, Wyoming are tailor-made for this kind of rider - taking them into terrain they might never before have attempted, and offering tips on how to deal with it. Many who try them never look back.

Advanced skiers and snowboarders don't need to listen to the likes of me about where to go or what to do. These are the guys who know how to handle themselves in the toughest terrain, and have probably tackled tricky off-piste descents without guides in a 'home' resort. The only advice I can offer is that whenever they go to a new resort, they should always hire a guide. No two mountains ever avalanche in quite the same way.

Freestyle skiers and snowboarders are the terrain park junkies. Obviously, they'd be nuts to visit a resort without a terrain park - but these days some terrain parks are much better than others. The European site 'snow-parks.com' offers a great introduction to the range of quality out there.

These days, there's a growing trend for freestylers to take their tricks out of the park and onto the wider mountain. But it's a dangerous game to play if you don't know the mountain, and its avalanche risks.

What to take with you

At the advanced level, it's time to get serious about your equipment. If you don't already have them, it's time to invest in your own all-mountain skis, and high-quality Gore-Tex outer wear to keep you dry even on the sweatiest days. You should buy avalanche transceivers, poles and probes, too - and  make sure all your skiing and snowboarding buddies have them too. One other useful purchase at this stage is a book called 'Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain' by Bruce Tremper. Reading it is a great way to learn about how little you know.

Safety on the slopes

Advanced skiers, or those who believe they are close to that level, can sometimes find themselves in unexpected and challenging situations on the slopes. In most cases, their existing skills are enough to help them deal that situation.

But there may be times when that challenge is too much to cope with. So, regardless of your skills, take care when you are out on the slopes. Always make sure you have a phone with you - and that people know where you are heading for the day.

Ski and winter sports insurance

Now's the time to get serious about your insurance too. Most regular policies specifically exclude the kind of skiing and snowboarding you'll be doing. You'll need to shop around and will probably have to pay increased premiums to get the cover you need.

Where to go

Who do we recommend?

With so many companies to choose from, we have researched the market to find those with a wide range of choice as well as some that are more specialist.  Browse our list below to find the right company for you then click through to their web site for more information and how to book.  It couldn't be easier!

Further guides on ski holidays