★ Snowstars guide ★
Getting started safely with freeride – Safety Training and equipment
Untracked powder next to the piste – few things in skiing feel better. But beyond the secured slopes lies alpine terrain with real avalanche danger. Here's how to get into freeriding safely.
Founder of Snowstars ski school, 25 years of ski teaching experience, trainer of ski instructors · Updated: November 2026
What's the difference between piste and off-piste terrain?
Pistes are groomed, patrolled and secured against avalanches. As soon as you leave the piste, you're in open terrain – even if it's only a few metres away. Here you're responsible for your own safety.
What do I need to be able to do?
- Confident skiing on red slopes, ideally with short turns too.
- Experience in changing snow conditions: deep snow skis differently from a groomed slope.
- Knowledge of avalanche danger and how to use emergency equipment.
The equipment
Nobody goes off-piste without a transceiver, probe and shovel – everyone in the group carries them. Plus a helmet, backpack and a charged phone. You'll find the full list in our Ski touring equipment list. If you book with us, we'll lend you a transceiver, shovel and probe free of charge.
The Safety Training
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Wann | Jeden Sonntag, 11:00 Uhr |
| Dauer | 2 Stunden |
| Preis | € 50 pro Person, LVS-Ausrüstung inklusive |
| Treffpunkt | Talstation Kornockbahn |
| Teilnehmer | Mindestens 4, keine Liftkarte nötig |
In the course you'll learn to use safety equipment, search for buried victims and what to do in an avalanche. Register on +43 650 8484889.
Your first off-piste runs
The safest way to learn freeriding is with a pro who can assess the terrain and the avalanche situation. Our off-piste and freeride guiding is available for 2 hours (€ 299) or 4 hours (€ 449). If you'd also like to climb on skins, our Ski touring camps are the perfect way in.
FAQ
Do I need a lift pass for the Safety Training?
No, you don't need a lift pass for the Safety Training.
Can I borrow avalanche equipment?
Yes. If you book with us, we lend a transceiver, shovel and probe free of charge.
Is freeriding on the Turracher Höhe dangerous?
Off-piste, as everywhere in the Alps, there is avalanche danger. Training, equipment and being guided by professionals significantly reduce the risk.
Secure your place.
Our small groups fill up fast in the holiday weeks. Booking online only takes a few minutes.