End of Winter Reflections: A Season with the Off Piste Club
Written by: Glenn Bloomer, Head of Outdoor Education
As the winter season draws to a close, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on what has been an exceptional term for Beau Soleil’s Off Piste Club. Designed for students with an adventurous spirit and a curiosity to explore beyond the boundaries of marked runs, the club has once again delivered unforgettable experiences in some of the Alps’ most spectacular terrain.
The Off Piste Club brings together students who are eager to step away from the predictability of groomed pistes and discover the challenge and reward of skiing in natural, untracked environments. While participants don’t need to be expert skiers, off piste terrain does demand a certain level of confidence and adaptability. This term, we welcomed a diverse group ranging from strong intermediates to some of the school’s competitive freeride athletes.
A key part of every trip is the support and expertise of qualified mountain guides. Their presence ensures not only the highest standards of safety, but also provides students with invaluable insight into mountain awareness, route selection, and decision-making in complex alpine environments. Learning directly from professionals in the field has been a defining feature of the programme.
Here’s a closer look at the four outings from this season.
đź“ŤGrimentz/Zinal
The first trip took the group to the stunning resort of Grimentz/Zinal—often described as one of Switzerland’s hidden gems. With an early departure from campus, students arrived ready to explore. Dividing into two groups, one team tackled the off piste itineraries around Grimentz, while the other began from the high alpine terrain of Zinal, just shy of 3000 metres. From there, they descended all the way to Lac de Moiry and back to Grimentz, enjoying over a vertical kilometre of powder skiing. After swapping locations at lunch, the journey home was filled with animated conversations, each group eager to share their highlights of the day.
đź“ŤGlacier 3000
The second trip took the group closer to home, to Glacier 3000. Here, students experienced exceptional conditions on the glacier itself before descending the vast and impressive Combe d’Audon. With the guidance of experienced professionals, students were able to safely explore glaciated terrain while continuing to build their confidence.
đź“ŤVerbier
The third trip took the group to Verbier, widely regarded as one of the world’s premier off piste destinations. Although fresh snowfall eluded us, the group benefited from exploring steep, technical terrain under the expert tutelage of local mountain guides. It was an invaluable experience in reading terrain and making safe, informed decisions in more challenging environments.
đź“ŤGrand Montets
The final trip of the term had originally been planned as two ambitious adventures: heli-skiing in Arolla and a descent of the legendary Vallée Blanche in Chamonix. Unfortunately, weather conditions forced a change of plans. Undeterred, the group adapted and instead skied the renowned Grand Montets area in France, where they were still able to enjoy outstanding conditions and terrain.
Beyond the skiing itself, a key focus of the Off Piste Club is education and safety. Throughout the term, students were trained in the use of essential avalanche safety equipment, including transceivers, probes, shovels, and avalanche airbags sourced from the school’s Outdoor Education department. Combined with the expertise of mountain guides, this ensured that students developed both the knowledge and confidence to operate safely in off piste environments.
Perhaps most rewarding has been witnessing the progression of our students. With each trip, confidence grew—not only in their technical ability, but also in their decision-making and independence in the mountains. Students began to take ownership of their route choices, assess terrain more critically, and ski with a greater sense of awareness and responsibility.
As we close this winter chapter, the Off Piste Club stands as a testament to the spirit of adventure that defines Beau Soleil. We look forward to building on this momentum next season, continuing to explore, learn, and push boundaries in the mountains.
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Admissions
We’re delighted that you’re interested in joining the Beau Soleil family. Your journey starts with our expert Admissions Team, who will guide you through the process – from helping you submit your application form to arranging a guided tour.
Our school – which is home to around 300 students – is small but diverse. This means places are limited, and we’d encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
