Pure Powder's Ski Blog

Call +44 (0)20 7736 8191


Off Piste skiing with Pure Powder in Klosters

Skiing in one of the finest resorts in Switzerland may conjure up grand ideas of royalty and fur headwear but I was pleasantly surprised when I visited Klosters last weekend for a Pure Powder Off Piste trip. The snow had an unbelievable base 3 metres deep so I was pretty excited to be out skiing but our first day on piste was met with teeth shattering temperatures of -22. My advice to anyone skiing in this weather is never to remove any item of clothing: if there is a good photo to be taken and that glove needs to come off don’t do it. It’s not worth it (hence the lack of photos of our piste days).Klosters

I was staying at the stunning Hotel Walserhof – a Relais and Chateaux hotel that has been known to house rather eligible royal guests in its time.  Situated 5 minutes walk from the centre, it has great access to the shops and slopes. The rooms are great and nicer than many of the other hotel rooms I saw. Remember this is an award-winning restaurant so portions are dainty and that second helping of muesli comes in handy with a tough day on the slopes ahead.

The trusty skills of the Gotschna Sport staff kitted me out with fabulous K2 skis that gave me a great mixture of on and off piste terrain. The shop is only 2 minutes walk from the main Gotschna lift ideal for those, like me, who don’t relish a long walk carrying skis. You can also leave your skis and boots here overnight meaning the days of walking back to your hotel in ski boots is long gone. What bliss!

Klosters

Klosters offers some wonderful piste action. The Gotschna lift provides access to the Parsenn/Gotschna ski area with famous runs such as the Weissfluhgipfel; one of the longest runs in Europe spanning 12km down to Kublis. The Parsenn bubble also has some fun runs to it and I was surprised by how wide (and empty: blame the temperature!) the runs were here. Add to that some of the finest mountain restaurants offering treats such as their infamous Rösti (a fried potato dish with cheese and bacon) that will weigh you down the mountain after lunch.  Family-friendly skiing can also be found on the Madrisa side of the mountain suiting for those looking for a gentler ride.

Endless off piste

When it comes to off piste delights, Klosters has it is in spades. With dozens of snow-covered meadows to choose from, the right conditions mean endless possibilities off the beaten track. Meeting our Pure Powder guide, Markus, at Gotschna Sport early gave us plenty of time to get our skis set up with touring bindings, skins and ABS packs. Kitted out, we made our way up the Gotschna bubble and were soon made to take our skis off and start walking up a cliff. Being met by local mountain goats with rather large horns (called Steinbock apparently but at this point I wasn’t that keen to study them up close) we then skied the gmeindböden down. This is a rather steep run to start off with (and a little crusty on the day) but finished off with superb tree skiing down to Parsenhutte.

Ski touring

We then scaled the Weissfluhgipfel starting with a superb black run but we veered off course at the top to ski the steep diretissima. This is when you’re faced with the endless expanse of off piste terrain on offer as the diretissima overlooks the back of the mountain and you can see Arosa in the distance. At the bottom is a ghost village of old ski lifts that look like it’s been stuck in time. Putting our skins on, we then started climbing up to drimachenspitz (about 1 ½ hours of walking) which wasn’t too steep until the last stretch.  Markus, our guide, cleverly provided a chocolate bar about an hour into the journey providing ample sustenance to keep us going! The skiing down from here was magical. Large meadows are the norm in Klosters and these make for a real treat. Skiing down to Kublis we were just in time for a train back to Klosters Platz (the ski guides know all the train timings and travel is free compliments of your ski pass). Lunch was a quick bite to eat back at the famed Chesa Grischuna before jumping on my train back to Zurich. I wouldn’t recommend turning up at Heathrow still with your ski gear on – it makes for some funny looks.

Ski touring

So Klosters has become one of my new favourite European destinations as although it’s expensive it’s more than worth it. Apres ski here is pretty good (pop into any of the traditional Schwendi bars on the ski home as the hot chocolates have alcoholic additions), nightlife is scarce but fun can certainly be had at Casa Antica, but my main pull back to Klosters would definitely be the skiing. Easily accessible from London with a simple train journey from Zurich, this is the off piste destination of choice!

Want to test the Klosters powder for yourself? Pure Powder still have off piste trips running to Klosters in the 2012 Season. Please contact us for more details on planning your perfect off piste trip

Posted by: Suzy Small

Mastering Off-Piste Skiing: An Introductory Guide

  For many thrill seekers, the tame slopes of a ski resort do not offer the excitement they’re looking for – this is where off-piste skiing offers an excellent alternative. The popularity of this adventure-based sport has increased over the past couple of years as skiing has become more accessible to more people. And yet, […]

Posted by: Samantha

Helicopter Skiing: The Ultimate Adrenaline Rush

  If you are interested in undertaking an outdoor adventure like no other, helicopter skiing may be the perfect option for you. Helicopter skiing involves off-piste, downhill skiing with the added thrill of a helicopter trip to reach untouched backcountry terrain.   Perhaps breathtaking views and an exhilarating experience are what you are after? If […]

Posted by: Samantha

About Heli Skiing: Myths And Misconceptions

  For those of you who have already had the chance to head out on your very own heli skiing excursion, you will know what to expect when embarking on your next adventure. For those who have not, this brief guide is for you – we will clear up some common misconceptions regarding heli skiing, […]

Posted by: Samantha

Heli Skiing: Prepare For An Unforgettable Trip

  In the past, heli skiing used to be a sport that only those adventurous few who could afford the exorbitant cost could enjoy. However, more recently, with the help of companies like Pure Powder, the sport has become more accessible than ever. Today more and more avid skiers are being introduced to and partaking […]

Posted by: Samantha

Plan An Unforgettable Off-Piste Skiing Trip

  If you are eager to set off on an unforgettable off-piste skiing trip, then you have come to the right place. Pure Powder is one of the best ski specialists based in the UK, but we organise off-piste ski adventures all around the world. In this quick read, we will cover some essential information […]

Posted by: Samantha

A Comprehensive Guide To Heli Ski Preparations

  Let’s get into the ins and outs of trip preparation for your next heli ski adventure! At Pure Powder, we take care of all the logistical aspects of your skiing experience, but there are a few things you can do from your side to make sure that you kick off the excursion as prepared […]

Posted by: Samantha

Helicopter Skiing vs Resort Skiing: A Comparison Of Skiing Experiences

  Over the past few years, there has been a rapid rise in the popularity of helicopter skiing. Spurred ever onwards by this increased interest in the sport, Pure Powder strives to make heli skiing an accessible activity for skiing novices and veterans alike. With helicopter skiing now more accessible than ever, avid adventurers have […]

Posted by: Samantha

Steep Heli Skiing: Exploring Alaska

  If real thrills are what you’re searching for, heli skiing with Pure Powder is the way to go. We organise heli skiing trips all over the globe, tailoring each experience to your level of expertise. For the experienced skiers looking for an adrenaline rush, Alaska is the holy grail of pure skiing freedom.   […]

Posted by: Samantha

Heli Ski Gear Guide: Must-Have Skiing Equipment

  If you have ever participated in a heli ski experience, you will know that having the right equipment is essential. Not only does the heli ski gear protect you from the elements out in the backcountry, but it can also improve the entire experience overall. Regarding heli ski gear, experienced skiers stick to functional […]

Posted by: Samantha

Incredible Heli Skiing Destinations

  If you are considering setting off on your very first heli skiing adventure, allow us to walk you through some of the amazing options you have at your disposal! In this brief guide, we will have a look at a few different heli ski destinations and consider what makes each of them unique.   […]

Posted by: Samantha

Off-Piste Skiing: Embrace The Freedom Of Untracked Slopes

  Very few sensations can be compared to the feeling of off-piste skiing in deep powder snow. If you have yet to throw yourself into one of these incredible ski excursions, allow us to fill you in on the basics of off-piste skiing. In this brief guide, we will cover what exactly an off-piste skiing […]

Posted by: Samantha

Helicopter Skiing: The Ultimate Alpine Experience

  Helicopter skiing is a great way to take your ski experience to the next level. In this brief guide, we will explain the differences between our tailored heli skiing excursions and your typical ski getaway. Of course, this is not to say that a standard resort skiing trip cannot be a great experience, but […]

Posted by: Samantha

Some Useful Advice For Your Heli Skiing Adventure

  As exciting as a heli skiing trip surely is, it is always best to go prepared. In this quick read, we will walk you through a few different aspects of our heli skiing adventures, arming you with everything you need to know about heli skiing before you embark on your trip.   When you […]

Posted by: Samantha

Best Heli Skiing In Canada: Make Your Next Adventure Unforgettable

  CMH Heli Skiing offers not only the best heli skiing in Canada, but some of the best off-piste skiing adventures in the world. The interior ranges of western British Columbia, Canada have been hailed as the Mecca of heli skiing excursions, and for good reason. There is no shortage of choice with Canadian Mountain […]

Posted by: Samantha

Exploring The Heli Ski World: An Introductory Guide

  When hearing the term “heli ski”, peoples’ minds often wander to the world of action movies. The word may evoke images of James Bond or Jason Bourne leaping off a helicopter several feet in the air onto a steep slope, followed by villains, as they expertly manoeuvre their way down death-defying heights and avoiding […]

Posted by: Samantha

Off-Piste Skiing: Your Questions Answered

  If taking on challenging terrain sounds like a thrilling adventure, then off-piste skiing may just be the ideal outdoor sport for you. Venturing outside the boundaries of standard ski resorts can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to leave behind the groomed slopes and instead make tracks across the fresh snow of the backcountry. […]

Posted by: Samantha

Heli Skiing: Everything You Need To Know

  Heli skiing is an invigorating outdoor sport involving breathtaking views from remote backcountry slopes. Whether you are an excited first-time/beginner skier or a seasoned skier looking for a new challenge, heli skiing has something to offer. In this quick read, we will be covering everything you need to know about heli skiing.   If […]

Posted by: Samantha

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Whistler/Blackcomb

Location: Most famously known as just Whistler, Whistler and Blackcomb are two mountains that sit side by side and make up Canada’s biggest resort. Together they make up a whopping 8,171 acres of terrain, split between pisted runs, Alpine bowls and glaciers. Whistler Village is at the base of Whistler, the hub of the village […]

Posted by: Georgie Knox

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Silver Star

Location: Located in the stunning Okanagan Valley, Silver Star is British Colombia’s fourth largest ski resort where you can expect the famous champagne powder we all know and love due to being further west. The varied terrain spreads over 3,282 acres and attracts every kind of skier. Getting there: Silver Star is extremely easy to get […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell

Pure Powder’s Skiing Resort Guide: Sun Peaks

Location: Sun Peaks is the second biggest ski area in Canada, behind Whistler. It is the perfect warm up destination for anyone who is heli skiing at CMH’s Cariboos Lodge. Getting there: Sun Peaks is located in the heart of British Columbia, only a 45 minute drive from Kamloops and less than an hour by […]

Posted by: Zillah Bell