FAQs

frequently asked questions

If you’re looking for other information, use the links below to jump to a category or simply scroll down this page. If your question is not answered here, please contact us.

ability

How good do I have to be?
It really depends on what trip you are considering.  We have provided guidance on each individual trip description.   If you have further questions, email or call us, as this is what we are here for!
In general, to get the most out of our trips we recommend that you are an intermediate skier or above.  If you can ski an ungroomed ‘black diamond’ at your local hill then you certainly belong with us.  Some of our group trips such as the Dolomites cater extremely well to intermediate ‘cruisers’ while others (Chamonix, La Grave ) provide greater opportunity for advanced and expert skiers to challenge themselves.
Most trips, particularly the self guided adventures, cater well to party members who are novices or less enthusiastic skier. We are happy to offer custom itineraries to suit your whole party.

I’m uncertain about the powder skiing, is it difficult?
It’s easy to learn – though it can be a bit frustrating at first. Provided you can ski red runs using parallel turns you should have no problem. Once you’ve learned, there’s nothing quite like it!  Most cat and heli ski operations, particularly the ones close to resorts (Whistler, Red Mountain, Fernie) cater very well to powder novices.

I’m worried about being worse than the others on a group tour?
As are most people. We do our best to ensure that the standard of the groups is compatible so that you are always with others who are of a similar standard.  See our individual trip descriptions or ideally contact us if you have any concerns.

accomodation

What are the accommodations like?
Whatever the trip, we work to find the best hotel for that particular class and price (which is generally 3 star and above).  Our self guided itineraries generally include very high standard accommodation (from deluxe secluded heli lodges to the luxury ski in ski out hotels). While our Group Guided Tours offer great accommodation (well located, clean, great facilities) they tend to be less luxurious to keep the trips as affordable as possible. Our guided trips in Europe and India are provided in catered chalets or hotels. They are always clean, friendly, and quiet. Hotels in North America usually have a pool as well as having hot tubs and sauna’s for relaxing after a day of skiing.

Can I book a single room?
Yes, as long as there is availability, although there will be a supplementary charge.

Can we change room types or accommodation?
No problem for ‘self guided trips’.  With the exception of the Dolomites tour, our accommodation in ‘group guided trips’ cannot be changed because the group needs to stay in the same hotel to keep the logistics feasible.

activities

I am a snowboarder. Can I join in the fun?
Yes, absolutely…we love boarders. Some group guided trips may require some off-piste touring, which may require going uphill.  Where there is walking to be done, you either have to walk in your boots, carry snowshoes to change into or use a split board.  Check our trip details notes for advice on how snowboarder friendly all aspects of the trip are.

I am a telemarker, can I come along?
Yes. Even better for you on some of the trips that have some off-piste touring.

Can I opt out of certain activities if I want to?
Yes. In most situations the itineraries provided are flexible so as to enable you to build your own holiday. The only exception to this rule is when we are offering a group guided tour, in which case you will need to pay for the full itinerary but may choose not to participate on a particular day.

What is the nightlife like?
It really depends on where you are.  Banff, Whistler, Chamonix have excellent nightlife….Gulmarg (India), cat ski lodges…not so much.  If you are looking for great nightlife we suggest those great locations, which also offer amazing skiing. But, if you’re looking to get away from it all or just something a bit more low key try our other trips.

availability

What is the availability on the trips?
Unfortunately, spots are limited. We have limited spots on our group guided trips and many of the top cat and heli ski operations are booked out a year in advance during the best ski months. Making your deposit and booking early is the best way to secure a spot. Please contact us to find out current availability.

cancellation policy

What if I cancel my trip?
A non-refundable deposit of A$500 per person per week is due at time of booking. Higher deposits are sometimes required by hotels, ski operators and airlines to confirm booking.  Once a reservation is made, change to an alternative date may be possible depending on schedules and availability. We advise clients to ensure they have travel insurance at the time of booking.  These generally cover cost of cancellation  (although they do not cover for change of mind).

Will you ever cancel a group trip?
Seven Descents and its operators reserves the right to cancel a trip up to two months before the trip departure date. All parties try very hard to ensure this does not happen. A trip may be cancelled by due to disastrous weather and snow conditions, unforeseen extenuating circumstances, or in the unlikely event that not enough guests sign up for a tour.  In the unlikely event that a trip is cancelled we will contact you and ensure all payments made are refunded in full.

equipment

Do I need special gear to go off-piste?
Yes. All participants going off-piste will be required to wear an avalanche transceiver as well as carry a small daypack with a probe and shovel as well as personal gear. In respect to travelling around in the backcountry, special gear which allows you to go uphill on occasion is also required. As a skier, an alpine touring set-up which allows you to unlock your heels and put on skins for uphill travel is strongly recommended. As a snowboarder, you can use either a splitboard or snowshoes. We can arrange any and all rentals you may require. On a typical day off-piste we will travel uphill only 1-2 hours. We will provide you with an equipment list at the time of booking. For details see our touring equipment list for trips to Gulmarg, Chamonix, La Grave, Haute Route or multi day hut to hut ski touring. See our standard equipment list for all our heli ski, cat ski and standard packages.

Will my normal skis be suitable for the ski trips?
If they are reasonably modern your skis should be fine.  For cat skiing or heli skiing we recommend fairly wide skis (at least 80mm underfoot) which will just amplify the fun and make skiing easier.  You can always rent skis for a particular heli or cat ski day, just notify your guide or us so we can ensure availability.
Although our off-piste adventures in Gulmarg and Chamonix rely heavily on the resort lift systems, access to runs may require climbing and walking a short way so it is essential skis are mounted with a touring binding. An alternative is to carry an adaptor like the ‘Trekker’, although they can often be more trouble than they are worth.  You will also need ski skins.
Skis, skins and safety equipment is readily available in Chamonix for hire. On the other hand, you will need to arrange equipment before arriving in India.  Contact us and we can help you make arrangements.

What equipment do I need to ski off-piste?
Standard downhill skis, boots and bindings are fine for beginners. As you start to venture further away from the pistes (and the lifts) you will want to use touring boots and bindings. Touring bindings release at the heel to make walking on your skis easier. Touring boots are softer and more flexible than downhill boots and again easier for walking.
Everyone who skis off-piste also needs to be aware of the dangers involved. In particular the danger of avalanches. You need to ski at all times with 3 essential pieces of safety equipment: transceiver, shovel and probe. Your guide will explain what these are for and you will spend some time familiarizing yourself with the equipment, particularly how to use the transceiver.

financial security

Is Seven Descents financially secure?

Yes. Through its inclusion in the TravelManagers group, Seven Descents is a licensed travel agent (2TA005758) and a member of Australia’s Travel Compensation Fund (Travel Compensation Fund) and IATA.  Membership ensures that TravelManagers (and Seven Descents) meet and exceed the final performance and reserve requirements set down by IATA and the Travel Compensation Fund. The TCF is a legislated body governing the licensing and operation of travel agents in Australia. Failure to meet financial criteria reflecting the financial viability of a travel agent results in revocation of the agent’s licence to trade.

Who are Travel Managers?
TravelManagers Australia Pty Limited is an incorporated Australian company that holds a travel agent licence in every state of Australia. TravelManagers Australia is a network of Industry experts who have been selected to provide clients with the highest levels of service and travel expertise available. TravelManagers is proudly owned by House of Travel, one of Australasia’s most successful travel companies. House of Travel has a group forecasted turnover of $1b for 2008 and an extensive retail network throughout the region. It employs in excess of 1,350 people between New Zealand and Australia and is privately owned and operated since it was established in 1987. The combined buying power offers clients access to exceptional product and pricing

flights

Are flights included?
The prices you see on our website are quoted ‘land only’.  The only exception is the Gulmarg, India trip that includes airfare from Delhi to Sringar.

Can you include flights?
Yes! We are a licensed travel agent and can often secure flights as part of a package that are less expensive than any of the published fares. Ask us for a quote.

group trip information

How large are the groups?
Ski groups are usually a minimum of four per group and a maximum of 12.  Most trips have a guide to skier ratio of 1 to 6 although it may be higher if off-piste skiing is limited.  Please see individual trips descriptions for details.

My partner is a novice/non skier, can they participate in a group trip?
Definitely, although some trips are more suitable than others.  We recommend you consider resort based trips such as the Dolomites and Powder Highway.  These allow partners the option to join the group, ski at their own pace or do alternative activities in the great towns and villages.

Can you arrange extra stops or ski days before or after the group trip?
We are happy to recommend and arrange stop over accommodation, additional resorts or places to stay in the area.  Talk to us as we can often arrange for the group tour to pick you up or drop you off at the best point to continue your journey.

Do you offer group discounts?
Yes, we are happy to give discounts to groups of 6 or more as we recognize the effort it takes off us. Contact us for details.

Do you organise bespoke trips?
Absolutely! We love organising bespoke trips as we get the chance to fulfill your dreams & ambitions! Just let us know your preferred dates, venue and activities and leave the rest to us.

Do itineraries change from the scheduled program?
Yes, but only sometimes. The itineraries that we provide on the website can be subject to change depending on the weather and snow conditions.

guides

Who guides the trips?
Our trips are led by some of the best Mountain Guides and Ski Instructors in the business. All our guided trips are led by qualified professional guides who either live and work in the area or have extensive knowledge of the area.  All guides are English speaking and share a passion for the destination. Likewise, we use reputable heli ski and cat ski operators who employ experienced and qualified guides.

For more information on a particular trip guide please contact us.

What is the guide ratio?
In general, for off-piste excursions it is usually 6 skiers to 1 guide.  Some group trips may be in groups of 10 or more, in this case more guides will be used or off-piste excursions will be limited to 6 skiers at any one time.  Please see our individual trip descriptions for more detail.

What if I don’t want a guide?
No problem, please see our Self Guided Adventures or Custom Trips, which only use guides for particular days such as Heli skiing, Cat skiing or Steep Instruction clincs.  If you are participating in a group guided trip that is skiing at a resort for the day, you are free to ski with our guides or on your own. Guides will happily give you tips on where to ski and safely explore. When our tours go off-piste, for the safety of not only yourself and the group, we ask that you stay with the guide.

health & fitness

How fit do I need to be?
It is not essential, but highly recommended that you have a good level of fitness. This is particularly true on the Group Guided Trips where there may be some small hikes and treks. Good fitness levels enable you to get the most out of your skiing ability and maximise your enjoyment.  See the trip descriptions or contact us if you would like more information on how physically challenging a particular trip is.
To maximise your ski fun, we suggest a regular training program leading up to your trip.  We will email you a sample training program eight weeks before departure.

inclusions / exclusions

What is included in the price?
Our prices typically include accommodation, domestic land transfers, professional guiding services and activity expenses (lift tickets, heli ski, cat ski). Please see trip descriptions for details as a number of trips include some meals while a couple do not include lift passes (La Grave, Chamonix). As standard prices do not include air travel, lunches, personal insurance or equipment hire.

partners, family and groups

I want to go on a cool ski tour, but my partner, family, etc are not big skiers…what should we do?
No problem, we fully understand this challenge. It is also critical if you want to keep having ski trips in the future!  There are plenty of options from separate ski activities (learn to ski lessons), alternate activities (shopping, dog sledding, cross country skiing, ice fishing, hot springs, snowmobiling) or a mix of both to keep everybody stoked.  Picking the right resort or resort mix is the critical first step.  Contact us, as we are happy to recommend a resort and plan an itinerary that will keep everybody happy.

safety

Is heli skiing, cat skiing and off piste skiing considered safe?
Yes, but there are risks. Avalanches are the most obvious risk. General unfamiliarity with the off-piste terrain and snow conditions are a big problem and why we always recommend that you ski with a professional guide who is experienced in the area or a reputable cat ski or heli ski operation. Seven descents uses experienced and qualified guides and tour operations to minimise risks and provide a safety focused environment.

What is the likelihood of getting caught in an avalanche?
Every year about 120 people die in avalanches. Hundreds more are caught in avalanches, partly buried or injured. Clearly if you travel in avalanche prone terrain you need to respect nature, recognise the danger signs and know what action to take to avoid being caught up in an avalanche. This is why we recommend you only ski in unpatrolled areas with a qualified guide that knows the area and conditions.

Do you provide safety equipment?
Safety equipment (tranceiver, and often shovel and probe) is mandatory for all heli ski, cat ski and off-piste excursions.  Where it is mandatory it will be provided or made available for hire.  Some trips, such as the Dolomites, do not go outside patrolled areas and therefore do not require additional safety equipment.

travel insurance

What sort of insurance do I need for your trips?
Travel Insurance is mandatory on all our trips.  Please ensure your coverage does not exclude any of the activities you are participating in (heli skiing, cat skiing, off-piste skiing). You must always check with your insurers rather than assume that you are fully insured.
If you are looking for good travel insurance, we can help. For more information, visit the Insurance page on our site by clicking here.

types of skiing (heli, cat, off-piste, ski touring)

What is the difference between Heli Skiing and Cat skiing?
Both are about skiing or riding in powder on untouched terrain….a truly amazing experience for any skier.  There are no lifts, and the terrain is often very similar.  The key difference is that the runs are accessed by helicopters or snowcats.  A snowcat is like the grooming machines you would see at your local hill with an enclosed cabin to carry 10 to 14 passengers.  Both types of operations usually limit skiers per day to 12 to 36 for the whole area….which can be anwhere from 15,000 to 500,000 acres!

Why would I chose heli skiing over catskiing, or viceversa?
A couple of reasons for each. Although you will count yourself very lucky if you do either!
Heli skiing is the quickest and most scenic transportation method.  It can also drop skiers into a wider area of terrain which can sometimes allow less tracked runs and more variety (although, cat skiing does not often suffers from tracked runs and lack of variety).
The biggest reason people would choose cat skiing is…cost.  Cat skiing can often be 30% to 50% less expensive.  The other advantage of cat skiing, is that there are less ‘no ski’ days due to weather which can sometimes stop helicopters from flying.  Even on the heaviest snowfall days, Snowcats can still get you up there to scoring powder in the trees or on other safe terrain.
If cost is not an issue and you are not concerned about the odd ‘no fly’ day then the heli option is probably the best choice.  If, on the other hand you are a first timer to either and you are looking for a less expensive option then we highly recommend you consider Cat skiing.

What is off-piste skiing?
Off-piste is real skiing! Away from the crowds and skied out runs.  In Europe ‘pisted’ runs generally refer to the well packed or runs groomed by the snowcat.  Therefore anything away from these runs is ‘off-piste’.  In North America the equivalent is often referred to as ‘backcountry skiing’. With Seven Descents you will do both – but always with our guides and instructors. You will encounter varying terrain and snow conditions.
Of course everyone dreams of soft powder snow but the reality is often very different. Off-piste skiers have to learn to live with what nature throws at them and by and large they enjoy it!

Ski touring – what’s that?
Ski Touring is exactly that – touring on skis. It combines the best bits of skiing and mountaineering and is a great way to get away from the resorts and the crowds. Sometimes lifts will be used to gain height. Purists will use only their own power!
You need to have special ski touring boots and bindings that allow you to travel uphill and ski down. For ascending you use ‘skins’ that are attached to the bottom of your skis and grip the snow allowing you to defy gravity and climb uphill.

visa information

What are the visa requirements for the trips?
Most trips of our trips do not require visas for Australian residents. Please contact your embassy or check with us at booking to confirm, as this is your responsibility. To find a nation’s embassy in any country, visit www.embassyworld.com

weather

When’s the best time of the season to ski off-piste? Will I get powder?
We wish it was that easy. We will pray to the snow gods for all your trips, just as we pray for powder when we go on ours.  This unpredictability is what often makes a great ski trip so special.
We have built trips and selected locations based on their reputation to deliver the goods…powder!  If you are lucky and ski right after a snowfall at the resort then there should be lots of untracked powder. But, the best chance to powder is to go cat skiing, heli skiing or ski touring during the best months (usually late Dec through March) where top quality powder can last weeks after a big snowfall.
The great thing about our trips and tours is that you are skiing with some of the best guides in the business. Even if the conditions are not perfect, our guides know the best places to ensure you have the best possible terrain and snow conditions for fun skiing.