Off Piste Performance Reviews 

A safe, fun and highly informative course. We have been wanting to get into ski touring for a while but did not know where to start. This course covered all the basics and much much more, all in 2 days. We have better awareness of what is going on in the mountains and the potential for avalanches and different snow conditions. James was an excellent instructor and guide. Can’t wait to put our new skills to use!

This is a great little course. 4 half days of solid ski instruction focussed on ski technique with a focus on managing conditions off the pistes. Skiing takes place mostly on lift-served off-piste terrain, with some drills carried out on the pistes. The group was well curated, with all of us having similar concerns about and aspirations for our skiing. I felt significantly more confident in my skiing by the end of the course, and towards the end of the week was feeling comfortable to explore off-piste terrain that was previously unknown to me with other members of the group during the afternoons.

Great course :)
Enjoyable whilst learning, good, solid, constructive & building instruction, measurable improvement, good value, definitely recommend the course & instructor :)

Great week skiing. Very useful

This was my third experience of this particular course as I continue to get so much out of it. It is ideal for ski mountaineers who need to improve off piste ski technique and you will learn a variety of very useful skills that you can put to work in different kinds of snow conditions in future. The lessons are really well planned to build techniques and to progress through the week. The instructors are first class and know exactly how to teach skills in well-planned, well-paced, friendly ways that are responsive to the needs of individuals and the group. Groups are a max of six (plus instructor), sometimes fewer, so it is a really good level of individual attention in the good-value context of a group lesson.
Administratively, the organisation and communication is excellent, both before the course and during the week - weather and snow conditions can affect the course quite a lot from day to day but instructors have plenty of things up their sleeve. I hope you have a great time!

I attended the ski performance for mountaineers course recently. The quality of the tuition was extremely high and provided specific, actionable tools to improve our skiing. The instructor employed techniques to reinforce learning by asking us for constant feedback and there was lots of two-way input. The pace of the course was optimal to enable learning to be properly embedded and practiced. I came away knowing that my skiing had been significantly improved. Thank you Shona !

This was my third off-piste course in Chamonix with Shona, who is a gifted and inspirational teacher. She is unfailingly upbeat, positive and encouraging, and provides detailed and helpful feedback for each individual. In challenging conditions, she gave me the confidence to push out of my comfort zone.

this was a fantastic introduction to skiing in Norway. The organisation of the trip was brilliant from start to finish. Alison and James provided a comprehensive travel plan and kit list which took all the stress out of the travel. The apartment was very comfortable and was in a stunning location. We were incredibly well looked after on the ski tours by James, Jonny and Alison with bonus ski tips thrown in for good measure. The icing on the cake (quite literally) was the fantastic food cooked by Emma. Would highly recommend to anyone and I can't wait to go back next year.

Wow, what a trip! It was so much better than we hoped it would be 😃
The guides went above and beyond to ensure we saw a variety of locations, taking into account the weather forecast each day, and offering options and flexibility for everyone in the group. All the while skiing amazing fresh tracks on every lap of every day, what more could you ask for?!
The accommodation and food was lovely (I was catered for at every meal and snack despite being gluten free) with an stunning view from the deck where we spotted eagles, porpoise and otters.
Will definitely be skiing with OPP again next year!

Just back from an awesome trip with OPP. The skill and expertise of the guides and instructor was great. We had 6 different days, all fantastic. can't wait for the next trip with OPP.

Troms Toptourer
My second Norway trip with OPP and multiple times skiing in Chamonix with Alison. Had a great week with expert guiding and tuition and lots of good food. Also a great group of people. We had lots of fun.
Cant recommend OPP enough.
Only question is where do I go with them next year?

I have skied with Alison twice before (in Chamonix), so this was my third trip and I had a fair idea what to expect. It was my first visit to Norway.
The logistics were spot on - pre-travel information was straightforward and clear (contact info, kit lists, background info).
On the ground in Norway from arrival throughout the whole week to departure, the trip was well organised. Transport was comfortable, the accommodation was well appointed
Catering was plentiful, healthy, imaginative, and very high quality. (Thanks to Chamchef Emma).
The ski tours were weather affected - however, that is out of anyone's control! Alison & George put together day tours that worked for the whole team. Having two guides meant they could & did make the days out fit the different aspirations within the team.
There is a down to earth, unfussy way things run with Alison/George & OPP, it seems to just work very well, and it seems effortless (though I am pretty sure it is not!).
From my personal perspective, I felt Alison & George were able to give coaching directed to my particular ability in off piste skiing.

I have no hesitation to recommend OPP & Alison & George. If I am to return to Norway for more off piste skiing, I simply wouldn't look anywhere else than Off Piste Performance.

I can thoroughly recommend the Chamonix Off Piste & Touring Skills course. It's well designed and well delivered. A very positive experience overall and I'll definitely be booking another trip in the future.

Individually tailored course to meet my specific needs. Plenty of time to practice techniques and really learn skills. Extremely knowledgeable guide.

Dee was very knowledgeable and able to give individual advice in a way that was easy to understand. She gave me confidence to try new things and push myself. I learned lots and had a great time!

Fantastic two days on and off piste at Cairngorm brushing up on old skills and learning new ones. Nice pace to the sessions, with a good balance between coaching exercises and putting it all into practice skiing. A small group of like minded and motivated individuals really added to the experience.

A constructive and effective learning experience. Thoughtfully, succinctly and clearly communicated and executed. Good to be in a small group of varied ability and blessed with good weather good company and plenty suitable snow. Very happy :-)

Gillian and Alison met the groups with smiles and enthusiasm. The ski training was tailored really well to everyone's individual skiing style and ability. Any feedback was timely and pitched in a really clear and easy to digest way with not too much information to think about all at once. Demonstrations were clear and easy to observe. There was a really good mix of on piste practice with off piste application and lots of opportunities to practice at what was suitable for the individuals in the group. Highly recommend!

Great company, course, coaching and guide on ski touring days. Recommended accommodation in Chamonix ( Breezy) was fab. Can’t wait for next outing with off piste. Org.Couple of members of Edinburgh Ski Touring Club participated and made club newsletter. Thanks again Alison and Rob

Excellent instruction helping me achieve my aim of skiing better and have tools to take onto rougher or steeper terrain. The instructor was very patient and flexible helping the course and content adapt to varying conditions. Would definitely use the instructor again and recommend. Thanks