Freeridecamps "Magic Lötschental"

Freeridecamps "Magic Lötschental"

Your destination...

Wowww! That was the first thought of Christoph, Vreni and Holger when they "tested" the Lauchernalp area in the Lötschental a few years ago! In the meantime, this Wowww! has been repeated several times by many of our guests - because the Lötschental, the "magical valley" - hidden behind the mountains of the Bernese Oberland, in the northernmost tip of the Valais and enclosed by mighty 4000-metre peaks - is a dream freeriding area and an indispensable part of the Sport65 freeriding programme...

Furthermore: As long as the levels are selectable in the booking form, you can choose your "desired level" here.
An overview of the different levels, what you can expect and what you need to bring along as a prerequisite can be found below...
Don't panic - we can always adjust on site so that no one is under- or over-challenged.
So you don't have any stress on site and can enjoy your booked freeride camp...
Cool, isn't it?

With the Matterhorn within reach on the opposite side of the Rhône valley, our freeride groups make their first turns down the 3100m high Hockenhorn ridge.
Stress and hectic, material battles, "posing" and "freeride attitudes" like in other "freeride top areas" - here absolutely no sign!
Après Ramba-Zamba and disco night fever, also in short supply.
But instead: Endless long runs with up to 1800 metres of altitude, some of which you reach directly from the lifts and some with short ascents and climbs.
The descents go down into the valley villages of Ferden, Kippel or Blatten - you ski right into them!
These villages look as if you are catapulting yourself back 100 years in time.
Cosy, ancient Valais houses, as far away from the mass tourism of other ski resorts as you can imagine.
Back to the roots, back to the roots of the original "freeriding", before Facebook and Insta became more important than skiing...

You won't find any big hotels with all the wellness bells and whistles here - but only a few tourists come to the valley.
Our small hotel is very simple - but also: simply nice, thanks to the hosts Steffi and Herbert - and it's the only one in the valley from where you can walk to the gondola and ride right up to the door in the afternoon.
And that's what matters to us, after all...
And your car: You can park it in the hotel garage for free (so you don't have to "dig it out" when we get heavy snow, as we almost always do...).

By the way: We have included the parking fee at the hotel, the local tax,... so that you don't have any more high costs on site and you can order the ski pass at a special price here. In addition, our hotel provides us with a packed lunch every day, so that we don't have any big extra costs on the way.

Information for the Sport65 Freeride Basic Camp Level:

The first step from piste to powder!

Your expectations...

• Improve your style and save energy due to a better technique.
  You will have a whole new skiing experience and take the next step of being an off piste skier
• We will be skiing on as well as next to the pistes and venture a little further off piste depending on the strenght and progress of the group. The main goal of this camp is to improve your skills and technique on piste and prepare you step by step for the off piste fun.
• First steps with the touring bindings and skins are on our agenda as well.
• Your progress will get documented and analysed by photos & videos - individual feedback given by the guide will guarantee a fast progress.
• Video- and individual analysis will guarantee a quick learning process
• Avalanche safety training is part of the daily routine
• During the day or after skiing: Different workshops according to your needs
• Size of the group:
  Only 6-7 participants per ski instructor and safety guide!
  That means you got two guides per group!

Your requirements...

• Fitness level: LOW-MEDIUM
  - A base of physical strenght and fitness is mandatory, we will be skiing a lot!
  - A big part of the Sport65 Index is your personal skiing experience as well - the better skier your are, the less energy you need to ski all day.
  - In short: Better technique makes up for a lack of endurance...
  - The guides will plan each day based on the strenght of the group, so everybody will have a good day.
• Skiing skills:
  - Skiing fluently on all kinds of pistes in a middle to higher speed
• Previous knowledge:
  - No experience in off piste skiing needed.
  - No experience in ski touring needed.
  - No experience with a beacon needed.
  - We will start from scratch!
• Equipment:
  - Allmountain/Freeride skis with touring bindings and skins.
  - The full avalanche equipment (shovel, probe, beacon).
  - INFO: If you need to rent any of this, no problem! Let us know in the booking form.
• Snowboarder: Can not participate in a Basic Camp, because we only improve ski technique...

Information for the Freeride Advanced Camp Level:

First freeride skitouring with skins, focused on the descent...

Your expectations...

• Experience new untouched terrain and lost valleys
  Freeriding and freetouring with a focus on downhill skiing accompanied by a UIAGM mountain guide and Sport65 Safety guide.
  In search for fresh powder or beautiful spring-time corn snow on medium to steep faces.
  A maximum of fun with the current avalanche safety and alpine dangers in mind.
  Always with a maximum in safety!
• Short hikes with skins are common, ranging from 20 minutes up to an hour. Depending on strength and ability of the group and first and foremost the snow conditions. If there is fresh powder next to the lifts, we will not start hiking past it. No worries!
• The guides will show you how to handle touring bindings and skins as well as hiking techniques and kick-turns to safe energy during hiking.
• Our mountain and safety guides are all passionate freeriders and ski instructors as well, they will be happy to give you some handy advice on skiing technique and line scouting to improve your off piste performance.
• Safety First!
  - The mountain guides teach you how to read a mountain and raise the awareness of alpine hazards and how to handle them.
  - Various avalanche trainings will be done as well as a daily analysis of the avalache bulletin.
• Size of the group:
  Only 5-6 participants per mountain guide and safety guide!
  That means you got two guides per group!

Your requirements...

• Fitness level: MEDIUM
  - A base of physical strenght and fitness is mandatory, we will be skiing a lot and mostly off piste!
  - A big part of the Sport65 Index is your personal skiing experience as well - the better skier your are, the less energy you need to ski all day.
  - In short: Better technique makes up for a lack of endurance...
  - Slopes will only be used to get to the freeride zone or for the first run in the morning.
  - Our hike will take ca. 20 min up to 1 hour.
  - The guides will plan each day based on the strenght of the group, so everybody will have a good day.
• Skiing skills:
  - Experienced skiers on piste skiing all kind of terrain fluently in a good pace, black pistes and light moguls should not be a problem
• Previous knowledge:
  - First experience offpiste needed.
  - Experience in ski touring is not mandatory, we will teach you from scratch!
  - In the best case you have already joined one of our technique camps before.
  - You should have some basic knowledge of how to handle the avalache safety gear.
  
• Equipment:
  - Freeride skis or Freetouring skis with a min. of 95-100mm under foot with touring bindings and skins.
  - The full avalanche equipment (shovel, probe, beacon).
  - INFO: If you need to rent any of this, no problem! Let us know in the booking form.
• Snowboarder: Normally can not participate in an Advanced Camp, because skiers and snowboardes are moving too different in the backcountry.
  But: If you are a skilled Splitboarder with first experience in Hiking with skins or if you are a mixed group we can organize a camp for you!

Information for the Freeride Expert Camp Level:

For the true experts - leave your comfort zone with a maximum in safety!

Your expectations...

• Experience untouched terrain and lost valleys accompanied by a UIAGM mountain guide and Sport65 Safety guide.
  In search for fresh snow, stunning panoramic views and steep couloirs. But always with a maximum in safety!
• Short hikes with skins are common, ranging from 200 to 500 meters vertical.
  Depending on strength and ability of the group and first and foremost the snow conditions.
  If there is fresh powder next to the lifts, we will not start hiking past it. No worries!
  Hikes are not seen as a "Skitour" in the end they are only means to an end to reach nice runs and get away from the hustle in the ski resort.
• If needed we will do some rappelling as well to reach couloirs and untouched faces.
• More over the mountaing guides teach you how to read a mountain and raise the awareness of alpine hazards and how to handle them.
• You will be challenged in a positive way to experience new grounds and ski where only few others are skiing!
• Size of the group: Only 4-6 participants per mountain guide in the expert level!
  Small groups, fast moving and a maximum in safety.

Your requirements...

• Fitness level: HIGH
  - Personal fitness is mandatory, only this we you can stay concentrated and safe!
  - We are olny skiing in the slack- and backcountry in high alpine mountains.
  - Hikes from 200 to 500 meters vertical possible.
• Skiing skills:
  - Experienced skiers off piste skiing all kind of terrain fluently with very good technique
• Previous knowledge:
  - Already spent a lot of time off piste.
  - In the best case you have already joined one of our freeride camps before. So we can guarantee you the most of fun!
  - Experience in: Hiking with skins
  - Handling avalanche safety gear, further trainings will get done during the camp.
  - Experience in rappelling is not mandatory, if needed our guides will show you how to.
• Equipment:
  - Freeride skis or Freetouring skis with a min. of 95-100mm under foot with touring bindings and skins.
  - The full avalanche equipment (shovel, probe, beacon).
  - Harness, helmet
  - INFO: If you need to rent any of this, no problem! Let us know in the booking form.
• Snowboarder: Normally can not participate in an Expert Camp, because skiers and snowboardes are moving too different in the backcountry.
  But: If you are a a very skilled Splitboarder with experience in Hiking with skins or if you are a mixed group we can organize a camp for you!

Important information, rules and parts of booking at freeride trips:

• All backcountry equipment (backpack, beacon, shovel, probe) is required.
• A ski-backpack which you can carry skis with (no mountain biking backpack).
• Helmets are compulsory for all camps!
• Important: We strongly recommend the DSV Skiversicherung (German skiing association ski-insurance) which can be issued during the booking process. .
  A ski (also a rental or testski from us) can be damaged or lost quiet easily and emergency costs are also covered with the insurance.
• On Sport 65 freeride trips the certified UIAGM mountainguides or Staatliche Ski-Instructors accept responsibility for the group.
• A remaining risk can not be fully eliminated, even with professionell guides
• An insurance which covers emergency rescue costs is up to the participant. The organizer refuses to take any responsibility. We recommend you to take out for example the DSV Skiversicherung (DSV ski insurance) - only for EU citizens.
• Only a limited number of participants can be accepted on each trip. 
• The minimum number of people on this trip is: 5 people
• Individual participants can be excluded from a tour or change groups when all requirements are not met and/or when they put themselves, the group or the mountain guides at risk.
  A lack of riding skills, fitness and/or snow is not an acceptation for refund!
• Sport65 is allowed to cancel this trip 15 days before start in case of not reaching the minium number of participants.
  Any costs for booked transfers or transportation will not be refunded by Sport65.
  If Sport65 bus journey is booked it will be refunded.
• Participants travelling by their own form of transportation take responsibility for delayed arrival.
• In addition to that the general terms and conditions shall apply. Feel free to ask for translations.
• Got your own idea for a freeride camp with our guides?
  If you are a group of at least 4 people (company, ski club, private group etc. ) please feel free to contact us. All destinations at any time are possible!

New! The "Sport65 Season Pass" - permanently cheaper shopping for your sport!

As a "real Sport65er"  we have something very special for you and all the guests you register!
After your registration and payment of your Sport65 Trip of the Season 23/24 your will get:
The perfect collectible sent to you by mail, with which you can save money on every Sport65 purchase!
Save 20% until 9/30/24 when you visit the Sport65 store!
Of course, you can also use your season pass to store with us online - just contact us and we'll send you your personal coupon code if needed.

More information here...