Avalanche Safety and Backcountry Freeride Camp Austria

The Avalanche Safety and Backcountry Freeride camp Austria is a shortski adventure in Klösterle (Vorarlberg, Bludenz) (for both skiers and snowboarders) where we focus on freeriding in the backcountry  and avalanche safety. This means that during this trip you will both theory as practical classes gets around avalanche safety and the use of safety equipment and that we look for the best snow we can find for a ultimate backcountry experience. In addition, we also offer the opportunity to give to your engineering to work.

From our hotel we drive approximately 30 minutes to one of the surrounding top touring and freeride areas. The hotel is located at the beginning of 5 valleys including Montafon with the famous Silvretta area and Klostertal with the Arlberg ski area. Arlberg, known as one of the best freeride areas in Europe has over 200 km of freeride routes and is also a 'schneeloch' (area of extreme snowfall). The exact location will be decided by the guide depending on the weather and snow conditions at the time.

Fresh lines away from the crowded ski slopes and knowledge around freeride and avalanche safety is what this trip is all about. All this will happen under the leadership of Irian Van Helfteren, Austrian ski instructor 'Staatlich Geprüfter' snowboard instructor and "snowboardführer" (guide) and also The first Dutchman to qualify for the Freeride World Tour!

Level 1 Camps

Have you little to no experience in the backcountry? Then this trip perfect suitable for you! Important conditions To participate in this trip are:

• You have a good on-piste level and get off red slopes smoothly. Black slopes you can descend slowly but in a controlled manner.
• You already have some experience off piste (off and between runs)
• You have little to no backcountry experience
• You have a good condition and can walk up to 30 to 40 minutes uphill in the snow. Indeed, we will be elevator accessed freeriding, but to reach the most beautiful descents we will also have to do some walking
• In terms of steepness, the backcountry terrain for this trip equals red runs

Level 2 Camps

Have you already experience in the backcountry, or did you already participate in our level 1 camps and now want to take it a step further? Then this trip perfect suitable for you! You will build on the basic avalanche training and learn, among other things, to recognize avalanche danger and hot spots independently, dig snow profiles and recognize problems in the snow surface. In addition, we look for even more challenging terrain, and go that extra mile!  Important conditions To participate in this trip are:

• You have a good on-piste level and get off red and black runs smoothly
• You have experience in the backcountry
• You have a good condition and can hike up to 50 minutes uphill in the snow. In fact, we will be elevator accessed freeriding, but to reach the most beautiful descents we will also have to hike bits and pieces
• In terms of steepness, the backcountry terrain for this trip equals red and black runs. Steep off piste sections are therefore possible
• The overall pace of the trip is faster than in the Level 1 Camps since the level of the group is higher than in the Level 1 camps.

(Photos by Miriam Lottes https://www.miriamlottes.com/)

CIA

Comfort 80%: You will sleep in a cozy and quality 3-star hotel equipped with the necessary comfort.

Intensity 70%: You will participate in an active trip that requires a basic level of fitness. This means that you will exercise about once a week and generally be active.

Adventure 80%: From a certain base of operations, explore pristine areas and use nature as your playground.

Avalanche Safety and Backcountry Freeride Camp Austria

• 14/12/2025 – 18/12/2025 (level 1 of 2 afhankelijk van de eerste boeking)
• 09/02/2026 – 13/02/2026 (level 1 of 2 afhankelijk van de eerste boeking)
• min. 5 persons - max 8 persons (*)
• € 1425 pp

(*) The trip will only take place once a minimum of 5 people have registered.

INDIVIDUAL/PRIVATE

• PERIOD on request
• NUMBER OF PERSONS on request
• COST PRICE on request

INCLUDING

• 4 nights' accommodation in serviced accommodation
  • Includes 4x breakfast and 4x dinner
• Guidance by Austrian "Staatlich Geprüfter" ski and snowboard instructor and "snowboardführer" Irian Van Helfteren (also known from the Freeride World Tour)
• Avalanche safety training (theory + practice)
• 4 days of freeride (last day until 1 p.m.)

*PS: Every year, we organize 2 avalanche courses in Belgium (1h30 theory + 1h30 practice) which you can attend for free as a participant of this trip. Keep an eye on our newsletters and social media for more info regarding the dates of these courses.

EXCLUSIVE

• Transportation there and back
• 4 days elevator pass
  • We do give you info on how and where to obtain these
• Travel insurance with additional off-piste insurance (mandatory) (advice on request)
• Cancellation insurance (advice on request)
• Ski and snowboard equipment
  • Can be rented on site (ask us for prices)
• Safety equipment (backpack with airbag, avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel) (mandatory)
  • Can be optionally booked (book in advance!)
• Lunch
• Beverage
• Personal expenses

Avalanche Safety and Backcountry Freeride Camp Austria

Day 1: Welcome

On day 1, we expect you in the evening around 5 p.m. in our accommodation at Austria. This is about a 9h drive from Sint-Niklaas, for example. Irian will give you here welcome, and you a detailed briefing give about the further course of the coming days.

Day 2, 3 and 4: Freeride & safety

These days are all about Backcountry freeride and avalanche safety training. If desired, we can also provide your brush up on technique. Occasionally we will also pieces of hiking (max. 50. minutes depending on the level of the camp) in order to the most beautiful descents to be able to drive.

Day 5: Freeride & departure

This last day you'll check out after breakfast and we'll go for another freeriding until 1 p.m.. Next, you will take farewell to Irian and can you returning home.

Avalanche Safety and Backcountry Freeride Camp Austria

Hotel

We are staying in a comfortable, cozy and quality hotel at Klösterle! This hotel features nice comfortable rooms, breakfast and dinner at the hotel, and a bar or room to after freeriding cozy after at talk With a fresh pint or a nice glass of wine! The stay is on the basis of double rooms. A single room is possible with the payment of an additional fee.

The bus stop is located near and every morning we drive about 30 minutes from our residence to one of the top areas nearby.

Avalanche Safety and Backcountry Freeride Camp Austria

Guides

Safety is our number one priority. The guides we work with must therefore meet our strict requirements. In Austria we work together with Irian Van Helfteren. Irian is a Austria's "Staatlich Geprüfter" ski and snowboard instructor and  "snowboardführer" who is thus allowed to guide off-piste and backcountry. Since 2003 he has lived in the Alps, guided in several countries around the world, and competed in downhill and big mountain competitions including the Freeride World Tour. In other words, he possesses a extremely good knowledge of the area and the required expertise around avalanche safety.

Safety Equipment

For each participant is safety equipment including backpack, avalanche pager, shovel and probe mandatory. As a backpack advise we have a airbag. Everyone should yourself safety equipment take away or can those hire from us.

Insurance

Finally, we require each participant to provide a Proof of purchase of travel insurance specifically for off-piste skiing and snowboarding for the entire period of the trip. An example is short-term travel insurance with winter sports/special winter sports coverage at Allianz or KBF. Call and email your insurer in advance, explain what you will be doing and make sure you have a good understanding of what all is covered and what the exceptions are! If desired, we will help you find the correct insurance.

Avalanche Safety and Backcountry Freeride Camp Austria

Level 1 Camps

Do you have little to no experience in the backcountry? Then this trip is perfect for you! Important prerequisites to participate in this trip are:

• You have a good on-piste level and get off red slopes smoothly. Black slopes you can descend slowly but in a controlled manner.
• You already have some experience off-piste (off and between runs)
• You have little to no backcountry experience
• You have a good condition and can walk up to 30 to 40 minutes uphill in the snow. Indeed, we will be elevator accessed freeriding, but to reach the most beautiful descents we will also have to do some walking
• In terms of steepness, the backcountry terrain for this trip equals red runs

Level 2 Camps

Do you already have backcountry experience, or did you already participate in our level 1 camps and now want to take it a step further? Then this trip is perfect for you! Important prerequisites to participate in this trip are:

• You have a good on-piste level and get off red and black runs smoothly
• You have experience in the backcountry
• You have a good condition and can hike up to 50 minutes uphill in the snow. In fact, we will be elevator accessed freeriding, but to reach the most beautiful descents we will also have to hike bits and pieces
• In terms of steepness, the backcountry terrain for this trip equals red and black runs. Steep off piste sections are therefore possible
• The overall pace of the trip is faster than in the Level 1 Camps since the level of the group is higher than in the Level 1 camps.

The better your physical condition and control, the more you will enjoy the camps! The camps are suitable for both skiers and snowboarders.