The OPUS Hut is a full service European-style backcountry hut located high a top Ophir Pass, offering access to some the best and backcountry skiing in the country. From low-angle glades with open slopes above, to craggy chutes, there is a variey of terrain.
Dec 9-10 2017
A 2 day back-country skiing introduction offering continuing education credits for PSIA instructors.
Jan 13-14, 2018
In the middle of the Alps, surrounded by awe-inspiring mountain vistas and an idyllic winter landscape resides Davos, the highest city in Europe (5,118 ft), as well as the quaint mountain village of Klosters, with its picturesque chalets (3,937 ft). The two resorts are connected by the five ski areas of the Davos Klosters Mountains.
Jan 27-February 3, 2018
Itinerary for and unforgettable week-long excursion in the heart of Switzerland.
DAY 1: Arrive Zurich, train transfer to the village of Klosters. Enjoy a fun, easy and beautiful approach to the Prattigau in the Swiss Canton of Graubunden. It takes around 2 hours from the airport. Our hotel for the week is the incomparable Chesa Grischuna in Klosters Platz.
DAY 2: The Gotshnabahn is the principle tram rising from the center of the village itself. Today we will explore the legendary terrain of the Parsenn, slopes that put Klosters on the map from the early stages of skiing as we know it today.
DAY 3: A short train transfer (included with the ski pass) takes
us to the Pisha ski area. This special place is well known for open slopes and a wild atmosphere. We will have the opportunity to ski far from the beaten path today.
DAY 4: Another quick train transfer takes us finally to Davos and the renown Jacobshorn. Ski up 4000 ft. of vertical from the lift system here and a highlight will be to ski the backside of the resort to the hamlet of Teufi. After a fantastic lunch we return by post bus to Davos and ski all the way back to Klosters.
DAY 5: Taking the Klosters lift system to its highest point, the view from the Weissfluhgipfel at 2844 meters, over 9,000 ft. is remarkable. We plan to ski through the Hauptertalli to another unforgettable lunch in the 400 year old ‘Hiemli’. Then continue on skiing past several ancient villages until we reach Langwies, where a train takes us back to Klosters or even on to neighboring Arosa. This is a true ski safari!
DAY 6: Our goal is to ski the Madrisa today. This is the local friendly area above Klosters Dorf. After exploring all that Madrisa has to offer we cross the Ratschenjoch and ski north to the village of St. Antonien, just shy of the Austrian border.
DAY 7: No week in Klosters could be complete with out skiing the magnificent “Parsennabfahrt”, this most classic descent counts 6000 ft and well over ten miles! After an afternoon ‘Gluhwein’ in tiny Conters, we finish all the way down valley in the village of Kublis. Return to Klosters by train.
DAY 8: Depart. same day flights can be met from Klosters
This itinerary represents just some of many possibilities in the Davos/Klosters region. The lift ticket comprises 5 major areas! Our guides will orchestrate each day based on snow conditions, weather and our guests desires.
TRIP INCLUDES:
7 nights in the Chesa Grischuna, Klosters Platz, Switzerland.
6 days lift tickets Davos/Klosters
Dinner and breakfast daily.
6 days ski guiding with some of the most capable, thoughtful and caring guides around.
* Use of backpack, avalanche beacon, probe and shovel, as well as the basics of thier use to safely access the boundless ‘off-piste’ ski terrain.
* All of the fun we can possibly pack in to week of skiing. Our goal is to not miss a thing. We ski the best snow while soaking in monstrous views. We stay in an excellent hotel, family run for generations with every detail accounted for. We will sip little-known but excellent Swiss wines, perfectly dialed to accompany delicious cuisine. From waking up to the the ample ‘continental’ breakfast buffet to celebrating the skiing with a hearty Apres-ski, everything we do is done with authenticity and quality in mind.
The Arlberg region is birthplace of modern-day alpine skiing and offers 280k of marked runs and 180k for off-piste skiers. With more than a century of skiing tradition, true Austrian alpine hospitality, and fine cuisine, the area is comprised of five quaint Austrian villages, paired with incredible alpine terrain.
Jan 20-27, 2018
Enjoy a thrilling week of skiing in Austrias’ famed Arlberg region! Will be based out of the magnificent Hotel Mondschein in Stuben am Arlberg and ski in and out of the famous neighbors of Lech and St. Anton and more. Stuben is where it all began as far as the ski industry as we know it but here is a place that has stayed true to its roots. Charming and atmospheric, we absolutely love the authenticity here!
Day 1: Saturday January 20th. Meet for drinks and dinner in the Hotel Mondschein. This is an easy approach from Zurich or Innsbruck by train. Private van transfers are also available from both airports. We gladly help with travel arrangements.
Day 2: Stuben am Arlberg, Jan 21. Walking out of the hotel through the tiny village to the chairlift, we spend a fabulous warm-up morning skiing routes of the Sonnleitenlift before heading up to the Maroikopf and and long ski back to the village.
Day 3: St. Anton am Arlberg, Jan, 22. Again skiing out of the village, we will work our way towards St. Anton today. In the morning a classic descent into St. Christoph leads to the perfect Apfel Strudel and coffee break before heading back up. Our afternoon will be spent exploring the legendary off-piste terrain above St. Anton before delving into the even more legendary apre-ski scene in town. Return to Stuben by van.
Day 4: Lech am Arlberg, Jan 23. No trip to the Arlberg would be complete without an excursion to Lech. We will expedite things with a quick van ride to the village itself and spend the morning making a tour in the vicinity of the Rufikopf and connecting over the Burstegg and the ski lifts in Warth. We then ski back to Lech in time to enjoy the sophisticated side of Apre-ski in that beautiful village.
Day 5: Zurs am Arlbeg, Jan 24. Using the new flexenbahn super gondola above Stuben, we connect to wonderful terrain above Zurs today. So many possibilities including the Gehrengrat off the Madlochbahn or the Grubenjoch back to the Flexenpass are easy day ski tours that skiers have always loved. If the snow conditions allow we plan to ski back to the village of Stuben by way of a little used but excellent off-piste route!
Day 6: Rendl, January 25. A quick transfer to the Rendl ski station by St. Anton allows us plenty of time to ride to the top of the lift system here. Breathtaking scenery and lots of north facing terrain make this a sure fire bet for great skiing. One of our favorite routes here over the Rendlsharte ends up far below St. Anton, returning by train to Langen and our hotel in Stuben.
Day 7: Kaltenberg, January 26. This is worthy objective to finish out the week. From the lift system in Stuben we head out and up. The Kaltenberg is one of the highest peaks in the area and holds great snow on the remnant of an ancient glacier. We will plan on returning by way of the Kracken ridge with a very long ski to the village of Langen!
Day 8: Jan 27 Departure. Same day flights from Zurich and Innsbruck can be met, we are happy to help with these arrangements. Or even better, continue on with us to Kolsters! Ask us about a significant discount for the two trips combined.
Located in the Savoie region of the French Alps, on the border with the Aosta Valley (Italy), the Haute-Tarentaise covers part of the Vanoise massif, the south face of the Beaufortin and the frontier-straddling Mont Blanc massif. Nestled among these peaks lies La Rosière-Montvalezan, a convivial ski resort that upholds the traditional values of the Haute-Tarentaise Valley.
March 31-April 7, 2018
An Epic Week In Val D’ Isere
Day 1: March 31. Arrive Geneva and transfer to the Isere river valley in the French Savioe. The beautiful approach drive is just over two hours and continually intriguing. After a brief stop in Bourg St. Maurice, we arrive in the ancient farming village of St. Foy Tarantaise. Drinks and dinner at our hotel, Le Monal.
Day 2: April 1. A perfect warm up day at the local favorite St. Foy Station. A short ride above the village brings us to this authentic and friendly ski area. After skiing the great terrain on the arae, we head out on our first tour. An introductory climb to the nearby Pointe de Foglietta. Now, depending on the snow conditions, we make a looping ski descent either to the Northwest all the way down to St. Foy village or by a fantastic run to the south passing through our hotels namesake village, Le Monal. Then returning to the St. Foy station and the trips premiere apre-ski! A great start.
Day 3: April 2. Famed Les Arcs is easily accessible from our base village of St. Foy. We begin by riding the big tram to the over-arching vista-point of the area, the Aiguille Rouge. From here views across the Italian Aoste Valley and the Monte Rosa itself are possible! Next ski through the Grand Col and climb up toward the glacier and the summit of the tremendously beautiful Mount Pourri before making an absolute classic off-piste descent all the way back to where we started, charming Villaroger.
Day 4: April 3. To ski across the Petite St. Barnard pass into Italy for lunch is an early highlight of our trip! After a stunningly pretty 20 minute drive on back-roads high above the valley we reach La Rossiere, the French side of the interconnect. Our day of skiing takes advantage of much wide open terrain as we ski from basin to basin working our way to the Italian boarder. After a proper lunch in Italy, taking the close in views of Mount Blanc we make the most of the return by exploring the varied and scenically engaging terrain that is just plain fun to ski all the way back to La Rossiere.
Day 5: April 4. Time to transfer up valley to Val d’ Isere itself! Starting our ski day directly from the center of town and our very conveniently located hotel, we ride the Solaise lift in search of powder. The off-piste run of Le Haute Cugnai never disappoints and leads us to one of our favorite mountain restaurants, catering only to back-country skiers. The Afternoon is spent on the Bellvarde face, well known for its Olympic history.
Day 6: April 5. Today we set out for Tignes and the mighty the Grand Motte. This is a bucket list type of a European ski day. Everything from old school triple lifts, t-bars and even an underground funicular lead to the main tram! The terrain of this lift is spectacular in every way and makes a perfect days outing from our base in Val d’ Isere.
Day 7: April 6. Always striving to save the best for last we head out above the village of Le Fornet. After a fun loop route through the Grand Pissailles, we sneak through the Col Pers before skiing the big vertical of the legendary ‘Great Vale’. A proper apre-ski in Val d’ Isere center rounds out the day before our final dinner in the Village.
Day 8: April 7. Depart. Late morning flights out of Geneva can be met but even better to spend a night or two in this wonderful city in what is a lovely and uncrowded time. We are happy to help with any arrangements!