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Andorra-Ax Backcountry Ski Week

"The Andorra-Ax region of the Pyrenees is a hidden gem, packed with quality off piste terrain and lovely day touring. Quiet mountains and lift access on both the French and Andorran sides of the range, make this an ideal venue for a week of varied backcountry skiing. Accommodation is at a cosy Pyrenean village guest house, where hearty meals come with complimentary wine each evening."
  
6 days
Intermediate
6:1
Dates: 27 Feb - 03 Mar '12
Price: £625
Ski Ability: 2-3+
Fitness: 3
Experience: You need some previous ski touring experience to join this week.
Included: Guiding Fees and Expenses.
Other Costs: Accomodation and uplift during the week ~ £400
 
Summary
This is a lovely quiet off piste skiing and day touring area with reliable snow and great terrain. Some days can be started using lift access, on others we skin from the roadhead.
During the week we ski in both France and Andorra, from our base in the village of Perles on the French side of the range.
Recent Trip Reports - Mar '11
 
Course Base
We base ourselves at a newly renovated village guest house on the North side of the range. This gives easy access to both the French and Andorran sides of the region, in order to make best use of weather and snow conditions.
 
Sample Itinerary
Subject to weather and snow conditions, the plan for the week is as follows:-
andorra ski touring itinerary
Day 0 - Sun PM, meet at Carcassonne Airport - travel to Perles on the North side of the Pyrenees.
Days 1 -6 Mon - Sat

Ski touring in the Andorra-Ax region. Possible outings and circuits include:

Some days we use uplift and ski part of the day near resorts, on others we skin from the roadhead. Opportunities are available for dropoffs and traverses during the week.

NB Much of the reason that this area is so good, is that there is very little information in print about off piste skiing and touring in the region - ie it's a well kept secret that the locals continue to enjoy!
andorra ski touring
 
Food and Accommodation
The tour price includes cost of guiding & instruction only, with all food and accommodation costs being paid for seperately. During the week we stay at the very friendly Pyrenees Haven guesthouse run by British couple Gary and Debbie Devine who are both keen outdoor folk. Gary in particular, is a former British Fell Running champion and qualified ski instructor who skis regularly in the region, so is a great source of current information. Just let us know if you'd like to stay here and we'll put you in touch.
 
Travel

Full travel details are provided with your joining instructions. We will be organising an airport transfer from Toulouse Airport at ~10.30am on Sunday morning to link up with BMIBaby flights fights from East Midlands . A corresponding transfer will drop off at Toulouse ~08.30am the following Sunday for return flights home.

NB If required, we can also do a transfer from Carcassonne Airport on Sunday to link with Ryanair flights from Stansted.

 
Ability and Experience
You need to be a good off piste skier (see ski ability level 2-3+), with some previous touring experience in order to enjoy this week. On some days we will be skinning from the roadhead and on other days off lifts, so you can expect to be skinning for 2-4 hours a day (see fitness level 3).
 
Equipment
We will supply you with a full kit list. You are responsible for bringing personal clothing, a rucsac and ski mountaineering skis, boots and kit. We are delighted to be working on this tour with Backcountry UK, who provide excellent service and advice as a leading retailer of ski mountaineering equipment in the UK. (NB Telemark Pyrenees are also based 6km from where we are staying, in case you forget anything!)
 
     
 
 
 
         
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