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Activities

Family Freeride in Alagna and Gressoney

Level: 1
Season: Winter
Duration: 1 day
Participants: MAX 6

My goal

A freeride day you can truly share with your family

Family Freeride is an off-piste day shaped around your family and the mountain conditions, rather than a route planned in advance.

In the Monte Rosa ski area, between Alagna, Gressoney and Ayas, we can move gradually from groomed pistes to ungroomed snow, choosing slopes and descents suited to both children and adults.

Parents and children do not need to ski at the same level. The IFMGA Mountain Guide observes how each person skis and adapts the terrain, pace and difficulty to those who need more time, explanation or reassurance.

The aim is to discover off-piste skiing together: adapting to changing snow, learning to read natural terrain, choosing a line and exploring beyond the groomed pistes.

The experience is suitable for children aged 8 and over and adults who already ski red runs with control. No previous freeride experience is required.

Before setting off, the guide gives a safety briefing, explaining how to move off-piste, what to look out for during the day and how to use the safety kit provided by us, including an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Snow, weather and visibility determine where we ski. The day may take place in Alagna, Gressoney or Ayas, with the guide choosing the route according to the actual conditions and your family’s skiing ability.

Everyone can take part at their own pace. The aim is to find terrain where each person can enjoy themselves, learn something and share the mountain experience with the rest of the family.

3-4 participants — €420.00
5-6 participants — €450.00

The price includes

  • Full-day guidance and assistance from an IFMGA Mountain Guide
  • Avalanche safety kit: transceiver, shovel and probe
  • Technical equipment: harness and crampons, when required.

The price does not include

  • Anything not expressly mentioned under “The price includes”.

A day of freeriding with your family

The day begins with a meeting with your IFMGA Mountain Guide and a short briefing: an equipment check, distribution of the safety kit with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and an explanation of the essential rules for skiing together off-piste.

The first descents allow the guide to observe how children and adults ski and choose suitable terrain for the family. From the pistes, you gradually move onto ungroomed snow, working on balance, speed control, line choice and adapting to different snow conditions.

The programme does not follow a fixed itinerary. Depending on snow, weather and visibility, the guide decides whether to ski in Alagna, Gressoney or Ayas and continually adjusts the difficulty, pace and length of the descents.

The day is mainly lift-accessed. When conditions and the family’s ability allow, a short ascent using climbing skins may also be included.

Throughout the day, there is time to stop, take a break and discuss what you are learning with the guide. The aim is for the whole family to ski together without pressure, with no expectation that everyone must tackle the same terrain.

Skiing time: approximately 5–6 hours.

Vertical distance: varies according to the routes chosen; most uphill travel is by ski lift.

Who is it for?

Families with children aged 8 and over who already ski red runs confidently and want to try off-piste skiing together.

No previous freeride experience is required. Parents and children can have different skiing abilities: the guide chooses the terrain, pace and difficulty to make the experience suitable for the whole family.

For your Family Freeride day, you will need:

  • Freeride skis
  • Ski boots
  • Ski poles
  • Certified ski helmet
  • Backpack of approximately 30 litres
  • Layered ski clothing
  • Ski gloves
  • Warm hat or beanie
  • Neck warmer
  • Category 3 or 4 sunglasses
  • Ski goggles
  • High-protection sunscreen
  • Water or a thermos flask
  • Snacks

The safety kit, including an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and a harness when required, are provided by Monterosa Booking.

If the route includes a short ascent using climbing skins, the guide will let you know before the day whether any additional equipment is needed.

Mountaineering, ski touring, off-piste skiing and trekking take place in a natural, uncontrolled environment.
Weather conditions, snow, ice, terrain, visibility, altitude and physical fatigue can change rapidly and directly affect the course of the activity. For this reason, there is always an inherent level of objective risk, which cannot be eliminated but only managed.

All our activities are led by IFMGA Mountain Guides and Certified Hiking Guides (AMM).
The guide continuously assesses environmental conditions and the physical and mental state of participants, sets an appropriate pace, manages progression and ensures the correct use of equipment. If conditions require it, the guide may modify the itinerary or interrupt the activity, always in the interest of individual and group safety.

Participants are required to be in good physical and mental condition, adequately prepared for the level of the activity, and to follow the guide’s instructions at all times.

Group activities

During group outings, the pace is set according to the slowest participant. In case of fatigue or discomfort, the guide may decide to adjust the programme or return early. In the mountains, the group ascends and returns together.

Learn more here


FAQ #1 – Do we need previous off-piste skiing experience?

No. This day is also suitable for those trying off-piste skiing for the first time. However, you must be able to ski red runs with control. The guide chooses the terrain and difficulty according to your family’s actual skiing ability.

FAQ #2 – Can children take part?

Yes. The experience is suitable for children aged 8 and over who ski red runs confidently. The IFMGA Mountain Guide adapts the pace, terrain and difficulty to the participants’ ages and skiing abilities.

FAQ #3 – Do we need experience using an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe?

No. Before setting off, the guide explains how to use the safety kit and introduces the essential rules for moving off-piste. The avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are provided by Monterosa Booking.

FAQ #4 – Will we use ski lifts or climbing skins?

The day is mainly lift-accessed. If conditions and your family’s skiing ability allow, the route may also include a short ascent using climbing skins.

FAQ #5 – What equipment is included?

An avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are included. A harness and crampons are also provided when required. Skis, boots, poles and personal clothing are not included.

FAQ #6 – What happens if snow or weather conditions are unsuitable?

We do not follow a fixed itinerary. The guide may change the terrain, valley or programme according to snow, weather, visibility and mountain conditions, choosing the most suitable option for your family.

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Family Freeride in Alagna and Gressoney

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Insurance

Before departure, check that your insurance policy specifically covers mountaineering, glacier travel, altitude, trip cancellation, repatriation, and personal liability. For more information, read our complete guide to mountain insurance.

WINTER

Level 1 – Explore
First freeride experiences. Controlled turns and a relaxed pace on accessible terrain.

Level 2 – Advanced
Confident skiing on ungroomed snow and able to maintain a good pace throughout the day.

Level 3 – Technical
Regular freeride experience, including on steeper terrain and in more exposed situations.


SUMMER

Level 1 – First experience
You should be comfortable with normal mountain hiking. No previous mountaineering or glacier experience is required.

Level 2 – Basic experience
You should already have completed hikes of several hours on mountain trails. Previous glacier experience or use of crampons is not required, but you should be ready to use them for the first time.

Level 3 – Mountaineering experience
Previous experience using crampons and travelling roped together on a glacier is required. The route may include short exposed sections.

Level 4 – Advanced experience
Solid experience using crampons and travelling roped together is required. The route may include exposed ridges, steep slopes and mixed terrain.

Level 5 – Experienced mountaineer
Strong experience on technical high-mountain routes is required. The route may include very exposed sections, climbing on rock, ice or mixed terrain, and may require knowledge of the main rope techniques.

The level indicates the technical experience required, not the physical effort.
The actual difficulty may vary depending on mountain conditions and the route.