IN NEED OF A NEW CHALLENGE
WHISTLER To channel your adrenalin
There is no thrill greater than the adrenalin rush of a really steep descent. But if you’re keen to tackle some big verticals, it’s best to have an expert at your side. Whistler offers some of the most challenging terrain in North America and this is where Extremely Canadian offers its two-day Steeps Skiing Clinic, combining instruction, skiing and snowboarding tactics and local knowledge; £304 plus local taxes (extremelycanadian.com).
Ski Line (020 8313 3999; skiline.co.uk) offers stays at Crystal Lodge in Whistler from £1,023 self-catering. Departs March 15
TIGNES To keep children competitive
The first tentative snowploughs may seem like yesterday, but it doesn’t take long before your kids are faster than you. For those who have outgrown ski school and are looking for the next challenge, Snoworks’ Junior Ski Race courses offer training for competition at all levels ranging from club to international. April sessions take place in Tignes where high-altitude skiing ensures a good chance of decent, late-season snow. Four days from £425 (snoworks.co.uk).
Mark Warner (0344 2736793; markwarner.co.uk) offers stays at Chalet Hotel Aiguille Percée in Tignes, from £1,899. Departs April 10
CERVINIA To polish your performance
Hone your skills with focused performance ski tuition in Cervinia in small groups of up to four people. The Warren Smith Ski Academy offers a five-day course covering technique on all terrains, including powder and moguls, with video footage for end-of-the-day analysis. Weekly courses start on Sundays in April. From £649 (warrensmithskiacademy.com).
Hotel Mon Reve (00 39 0166 940244; monrevehotel.it) offers special Academy rates in Cervinia from £50 B&B per night. Excludes flights and transfers
VERBIER To be prepared
It’s a situation you would never want to face but, if you venture off-piste, knowing what to do in an avalanche could make the difference between life and death. Powder Extreme offers training on using avalanche safety equipment in its five-day freeride ski and snowboard camp in Verbier from March 7-11.
This course also includes tuition on tackling steep, narrow ascents and performance technique, from £667 (powderextreme.com).
Ski Solutions (020 7471 7761; skisolutions.com) offers stays at Apartment Agate in Verbier, from £1,410 self-catering. Departs March 6
CHAMONIX To take to touring
Ski touring is a great way to see the mountains beyond the resort boundaries. Alpine Guides offer a supervised off-piste adventure to confident families in Chamonix, known for its vast off-piste backcountry. The first half of the week is spent learning ski touring skills from a comfortable hotel base, before the group heads to a remote mountain hut for two nights in the Western Oberland.
Alpine Guides (0113 815 1904; alpineguides.com) offers a Family Ski Touring course from £1,450, based on a group of four people. Excludes flights and transfers. Departs Feb 12 and 19
Prices quoted – for lessons and for travel arrangements – are per person. Holidays are based on a seven-night stay including flights and transfers, unless stated otherwise, and are subject to availability