The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Nendaz

The snow transforms rapidly on the sunny side of the Mont Gele so you have to be quick to enjoy fresh snow here. But you can often find good spring conditions here in the early afternoon too....

The Rock Garden is Verbier classic that offers some great off piste skiing without too much commitment. If you are prepared to hike for your turns, it is a more interesting alternative than the standard itinerary from the Col de Chassoure....

The Col Ferret gives access to a number of routes. Skinning is the most sensible way to reach the col - read essential after snow - but occasionally snowboarders will have put a boot track in - which can make skinning tricky! There are two main ways to reach the Col Ferret....

If you want to enjoy the tranquility and wild feel of the Backside classic but want to avoid the steep skiing, the Glacier du Petit Mont-Fort has the answer. The journey is a magnificent, unforgettable experience through the wild alpine glaciers, rolling moraines and finally the long track around the Lac de Cleuson....

If you want to enjoy the tranquility and wild feel of the Backside classic but want to avoid the steep skiing, the Glacier du Petit Mont Fort has the answer. The journey is a magnificent, unforgettable experience through the wild alpine glaciers, rolling moraines and finally the long track around the Lac de Cleuson....

A nice pitch of skiing that is often overlooked. From the Jumbo lift station, traverse right across the hanging shoulder. At the end of the shoulder drop in to the long slope that you follow all the way down to join the red Pistes from Gentaines to La Chaux....

This popular line - or rather bowl - is a large open area at a consistent gradient that offers excellent skiing and plenty of space for you to choose your own line....

Mellow and secluded off-piste skiing. From Col Ferret- see ski "Col Ferret Access" description- ski the open bowl straight down. If you stay skiers right, you join the main 'Backside' exit around the lake....

The snow in this North facing bowl tends to stay cold and light for a while - but only if you get there before everyone else does. From the Col de Gentianes, traverse high, skiers left to the N towards the 'Stairway to Heaven' col....

This enjoyable line follows interesting ski terrain down the ridge and through the widely spaced trees. There are plenty of options to choose your own line. From the Col de Chassoure traverse across to the Col de la Petite Mouche at 2482m....

Slightly shorter than other couloirs in this area but still a serious, and steep line with an adventurous, committing approach. At the bottom of the couloir you can join the Col de la Mouche to continue off-piste or join the Chassoure itinerary....

A variant on the classic Backside route, which by adding a small climb after the first steep couloir gives access to a beautiful open bowl under the North face of Mont-Fort....

The snow transforms quickly in this S facing couloir so get there quickly after fresh snowfall or wait for good spring conditions. The couloir is accessed as per Stairway to Heaven but you traverse across from the Col to reach the top of the couloir....

A serious, committing and steep line - a definite Verbier classic providing some of the best steep skiing along with a healthy dose of adventure getting to the start of the couloir....

A serious, committing and steep route in the shape of it's name. A definite Verbier classic providing some of the best steep skiing along with a healthy dose of adventure getting to the start of the couloir....

Perhaps THE Verbier classic freeride line - although more of a journey in to the wild mountains than a 'line'. 'Incontournable' as the locals would say. The skiing and environment is serious and should not be under-estimated....

An isolated steep line - a definite Verbier classic providing some of the best steep skiing along with a healthy dose of adventure and commitment getting to the start of the couloir....

A Verbier classic for those who don't / won't / can't walk and want a steeper more direct line. From the Col de Gentaines take a high traverse a continue traversing to the North, past the climb up to Stairway....

Another 'poubelle' couloir, so called because they were once upon a time used as the rubbish shoot. Only for very experienced riders, this descent is a very serious, very steep and exposed line....

A short skin to Col Ferret- see Col Ferret Access- followed by a short traverse gives access to some impressive steep couloir skiing above the Lac de Cleuson. The skiing is serious, exposed and the steep slopes above the lake are avalanche prone - to consider during the descent and also the traverse back to the dam....