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Piste Basher Driving - Snowcat Driving
£100 / person
Get behind the controls of a Piste Basher (snow cat), learn how to drive and operate this large tracked vehicle a genuine grooming machine round a varied circuit assisted by a professional pilot.
| Piste Basher driving (Snowcat driving) - Operation times |
| daily excursions available |
| depending on snow conditions and instructor availability |
Piste basher driving or snowcat driving excursions are available daily but are governed by two factors. These factors are are instructor availability, if there is not a qualified instructor available then the activity itself can not take place. Secondly and the factor that effects the operation the most of all is that of snow conditions. The operating company likes to run you through everything to do with piste basher driving, this includes the pushing of snow around which then can be groomed as if you were doing it on the slopes and ski runs themselves. If there is not enough snow to perform this task then the activity will NOT operate.
Although this activity operates at quite a high altitude approximately 1900m due to the recent snow conditions we have been having over the last few years the Piste Basher driving activity has only operated a few weeks during the season.
| Piste Basher driving (Snowcat driving) - location |
| Piste basher and snowmobiling circuit |
| courchevel 1850 |
The Piste Basher Driving circuit is based in Courchevel 1850 near Courchevel Altiport and next to the restaurant Cap Horn. The circuit consists of a 1.2km track with high bends, embankments, bumps and sloped corners but being in a piste basher you will be able to go pretty much anywhere.
| How to get there from Meribel |
- SKI
If you are going to ski to the Piste Basher Driving activity YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE NORMAL SHOES with you in order to take part.
From La Chaudanne Meribel's main lift area you will need to catch the Burgin Saulire cable car (bubble lift) The dirty looking yellow coloured lift that takes you to the top of the Saulire (the main link fro Meribel to Courchevel). At the very top station you will need to get out of the bubble car and walk down the rubber matted slope to where everyone puts their skis on. Once you have you skis or snowboard on you will need to turn right and ski the top of the Sanglier as if you were skiing towards Meribel. Near the bottom of the first main slope there will be a huge rock with sign posts on it saying right for Meribel, left for Courchevel. You will need to go left. From here you will need to ski the the Creux (a red run), about half way down the Creux just before it runs flat for a short distance you will see that it splits, you need to take the left hand split just above a lift station and ski along the track. This will eventually bring you to the top station of the Creux lift - KEEP skiing, from here you will see the Suisse Chair lift on the left hand side. At the Suisse chair take the far right hand fork and ski along the flat slope. On the right hand side just before the restaurant 'Cap Horn' is the Piste Basher Driving Circuit. Look for the Piste Basher and the instructor.
| Piste Basher driving - Operation / Duration and Format |
| 10-15 minutes instruction |
| 15 minutes driving |
You should arrive to meet the Instructor 5-10 minutes before the requested time. The Instructor might keep you waiting but PLEASE do not keep them waiting. If you need to catch lifts and ski runs in order to get to the meeting point please allow time for lift queues, time to travel on them and time to ski the runs.
When in the Piste Basher the Instructor will give you a quick brief and run you through all the controls. During the session the instructor will be sat beside you providing you will guidance throughout. You will learn how to push snow, how to groom the slopes, ultimately how to drive a Piste Basher.
| Piste Basher driving (Snowcat driving) - Restrictions |
| Age - minimum 18 - with a driving license |
| 17 if you drive agricultural machines for a living |
The only restrictions for the Piste Basher Driving activity are that of age. To take part you must be 18 years old and hold a driving license. If you are 17 but drive agricultural equipment for a living it maybe possible to take part.
| Piste Basher driving (Snowcat driving) - Suggested items |
| Dress Warm - Ski Clothing -Jacket - salopettes - hat - gloves |
| normal shoes to take part in the activity |
Piste Basher driving is a daytime mountain activity PLEASE dress appropriately - dress warm ski clothing is essential there is nothing worse than feeling cold whilst tacking part in an activity. Being cold will effect the overall enjoyment of the activity. You will need normal shoes to take part in the activity.
| Piste Basher driving (Snowcat driving) - Numbers |
| Maximum - 1 |
Piste Basher driving can only cater for one person at a time although it is possible for a passenger to sit along side in the cab just for the ride.
| Piste Basher driving (Snowcat driving) - EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS |
| Piste-Basher / snowcat |
360 degree turning
Caterpillar tracks for momentum
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