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New Alpine Activities for Winter 2020

There’s plenty happening on the slopes this year and we have been busy working with our resort partners to delve deeper into the new and exciting activities we can offer our clients. We have hand-picked a selection of our favourite new activities for you to try your hand at this winter. These range from exhilarating heli-skiing trips to scenic walks with a delicious mountain lunch and warming drinks. So whether you are an adrenaline junkie looking for your next hit, a powder fanatic looking for fresh tracks or if you are simply searching for some peace in the mountains, we have lots of exciting new additions, with something to suit everyone. 


Our specialist ski consultants and client concierge team are ready and waiting to help you plan your ski trip – whether you are looking for exploration, relaxation or just hardcore skiing, here at Powder Byrne we will create a holiday tailored specifically to your wants and needs. 

Which one of our new alpine activities will tempt you to the mountains this winter?

Sky & Ski

Heli-skiing

One of the most adrenaline-fuelled and adventurous activities in the mountains. Heli-skiing offers a rare opportunity to access untouched terrain and flawless powder, it’s on any keen skiers bucket list. This winter we are offering a range of brand new heli-skiing trips in a selection of our resorts.

Zermatt

A bird’s eye view of the iconic Matterhorn is something truly special. Ride over the glaciers and tour around this impressive mountain before landing at Test Grigia. You will then ski into Italy on 200km of empty pistes (having avoided the queues!) before stopping for coffee and lunch. As you will be in the capital of gourmet mountain dining it is sure to be a delicious lunch in one of Zermatt’s famed mountain restaurants.

Flims/LAAX

Get ready to really test your skiing legs with this thrilling heli-skiing trip. You will start the day skiing up to Vorab where you will hike up and ski the Vorab Glacier to Elms. This will take about 4 hours, skiing challenging off-piste, untouched areas you wouldn’t be able to access without the helicopter and guide. A helicopter will meet you at Elms to take you back to Flims where you will be greeted with a well-deserved bottle of fizz!

Arosa

If you fancy heading up into the sky and enjoying views of the mountains from above without the skiing, then the Helicopter Mountain Tour in Arosa is just the ticket. The 20-minute tour is perfect for families and takes you around the stunning mountainscape seeing the slopes, resorts and peaks from a different perspective. 

Paragliding

Fly high over the Alps suspended by a parachute – this has to be one of the most exhilarating experiences out there. We are offering morning or afternoon paragliding sessions in Lenzerheide starting from Rothorn or Scalottas and finishing in Parpan. Once you have overcome the fear of skiing off the edge of the mountain, you can relax in the calm above the hustle and bustle of the resort below. At one with the mountains gliding through the air and admiring the unbelievable views beneath you. Don’t worry, you’re not setting off alone, you will be doing this in tandem with a pilot so all that’s left for you to do is sit back, relax and enjoy soaring over Lenzerheide. You will be gliding for 20 minutes and the whole thing is videoed so you can show your friends and relive this unforgettable experience.

Hike & Ski

Skinning up the mountain

Ski-Touring

Itching to get into ski touring and explore untouched areas of the mountain? Well, this winter we are offering a ski touring taster session in Zermatt – the perfect introduction. This is a late afternoon session so if you still have some energy to burn after a days skiing then this is for you. You will get kitted out with all the equipment, head up the mountain and start the session by learning how to put the skins on. Easing you into the new feeling of having skins attached to your skis the first ascent is very gentle and provides beautiful views of the village. This is a fantastic way to take in the gorgeous mountain scenery you so often miss when flying down the pistes on skis. The ascent lasts for 60-90 minutes with a well-deserved refreshment stop halfway. After you have completed your walk, you will then ski back down into the village. As well as a great introduction into ski touring, this session will also give you the basic skills you need to head out and do it again… if you like it!

Snowshoeing with view of the Matterhorn

Snowshoeing, lunch and laser clay pigeon shooting

Clay pigeon shooting in a ski resort – well this is certainly something slightly different to incorporate into your skiing holiday! After getting kitted out with your snowshoes you will walk from Zermatt to Furi which takes between 45 mins – 1 hour. After a refreshment break, you will head to the laser clay pigeon shooting for an hour’s session and don’t worry if you have never tried it before, total beginners are welcome. After hitting a few bullseyes you can sit down and enjoy a delicious traditional lunch. If you’d like to burn off some of your lunch you can head back to Zermatt on foot or if you fancy a less energetic route you can make your way back down to the village in a ski lift.

Cross-country skiing

Home to some of the best cross-country skiing in Switzerland, we simply had to get involved and we are now offering cross-country taster sessions in Lenzerheide. This is a fantastic introduction to the sport which gives you a full-body workout and allows you to explore some of the most picturesque parts of the mountains. This is a great option to try altogether on family day with all equipment included and a guide to show you the ropes of classic and skating techniques.

Snow No Ski

Fat bike night ride

New this season is the opportunity to go fat biking at night. Fat biking is mountain biking on off-road bikes with oversized tires, which make riding on soft unstable terrain such as snow much easier! This sport has become increasingly popular and there are lots more fat bikes on the mountains thanks to their ease tackling snowy slopes. We are now offering a 2 and a half hour fat bike ride at night with bright lights on your bikes so you can see where you are going! You start with a gentle climb up before flying back down the tracks into Zermatt. This novel experience is only on offer in Zermatt – a great way to see the mountains in a completely new light!

Tobogganing on a Snooc

Join us and toboggan down the Alp’s highest toboggan run on a Snooc in Zermatt – this season is the first time this has been possible. A snooc is the latest design of toboggan and it consists of a lightweight seat set on one ski which makes it comfortable and ensures good grip with the snow. Zoom down the thrilling 1.5km descent from Rotenboden to Riffelberg on your snooc.

Our specialist ski consultants and client concierge team are the experts when it comes to the interesting activities and goings on in our resorts. Whatever piques your interest, they have got the inside knowledge, top tips and advice to ensure your winter skiing holiday is bursting with exciting new alpine adventures.


If some of these incredible new activities have you champing at the bit to get out there and have a go, give us a call on 020 8246 5300 and find out more.