SKI TOURING
First steps: Ski Touring
A gentle introduction to ski touring, with a skinning ascent and a groomed-piste descent.
The experience
Curious about ski touring, but unsure how you’d manage an off-piste descent because you’ve never tried one? This is a relaxed first step into the world of ski touring: a chance to discover what it feels like to climb uphill on skis and learn the basics without the pressure of an off-piste descent.
We’ll take our time on a gentle ascent using skins and touring bindings, then return on a groomed piste. It’s an easygoing way to try ski touring and see if you’d like to take it further. This introductory experience does not include an off-piste descent and is not a learn-to-ski lesson.
Level & requirements
Requirements
You must already ski confidently on groomed pistes and be able to make controlled turns. No previous ski touring experience is required.
Level Guide
Each experience is rated separately for technical difficulty and physical effort.
Technical Level
Level 1 — Beginner
Controlled turns on groomed pistes; no previous ski-touring experience required. Suitable for introductory outings with a groomed-piste descent.
Level 2 — Basic
Some ski-touring experience or confident off-piste skiing. Basic transitions manageable with guidance; suitable for easy tours in favourable snow.
Level 3 — Intermediate
Regular ski-touring experience, independent transitions and confident skiing in varied off-piste snow. Suitable for longer ascents and more demanding routes.
Level 4 — Advanced
Extensive ski-touring and freeride experience and strong off-piste ability; confident in challenging snow and complex terrain.
Level 5 — Expert
Extensive ski-touring and freeride experience; ready for demanding, technical or multi-day objectives.
Physical Level
Physical levels for aerobic mountain activities are based on expected activity time, elevation gain and overall sustained effort. Altitude, terrain, weather, pace and backpack weight can increase the physical demands.
Level 1 — Easy
Gentle outings and short ascents up to around 5 hours of activity, usually with less than 600 m of elevation gain.
Level 2 — Easy to Moderate
Around 5–7 hours of activity or 600–1,000 m of elevation gain.
Level 3 — Moderate
Around 7–9 hours of activity or 1,000–1,500 m of elevation gain.
Level 4 — Demanding
Around 9–12 hours of activity or 1,500–2,000 m of elevation gain.
Level 5 — Very Demanding
More than 12 hours of activity or more than 2,000 m of elevation gain.
Practical information
Program
A 3–5 hour introduction to ski touring, with a descent on a groomed piste.
We’ll meet at the ski resort, check our equipment and go over the basic gear used for ski touring. On a gentle route near the pistes, I’ll show you how to put on and remove skins, use touring bindings and move uphill on skis for around a maximum of 600 m of elevation gain. We’ll practise the basic techniques at a relaxed pace, with time for transitions and breaks, before returning on a suitable groomed piste.
Many ski resorts offer terrain suited to this activity. I particularly recommend Crévacol, in the Gran San Bernardo Valley, and Pila, near Aosta. Other ski resorts as Champorcher,Gressoney or Cervinia may also be suitable. The route and pace will depend on snow and weather conditions and the group. The outing duration depends on the participants’ level and group size.
Equipment
Full ski touring equipment is required.
The following equipment is mandatory for each participant:
- Ski touring skis (with compatible bindings)
- Skins (compatible with your skis)
- Ski touring boots (compatible with the bindings and skis)
- Adjustable ski poles
- ARTVA (avalanche transceiver), shovel and probe
- Backpack (20–30 litres)
- Ski helmet (certified to EN 1077 for alpine skiing)
- Ski goggles and sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Light gloves and warm gloves
- Water (about 1 L) and snacks
- Sunscreen
- Clothes: thermal base layer (top and bottoms), fleece (or warm insulating mid-layer), warm insulated jacket, waterproof shell jacket, ski touring trousers, ski socks, warm hat or headband and neck warmer
During the briefing, we’ll check that your equipment is right for the activity.
If you need to rent any equipment, let me know in advance and I’ll help you find a suitable option.
For this outing, I recommend the rental shop Gal Sport. If we choose a different ski resort, I can recommend another suitable rental shop.
I also have a limited amount of equipment available to lend, subject to availability. Let me know in advance if you may need anything.
Booking & Conditions
A 50% deposit confirms your booking.
Get in touch with your preferred date and group size to check availability. A 50% deposit confirms your booking. Participants are strongly advised to have insurance appropriate to the planned activity and geographical area. For full details, including information about the special partner insurance rate, please refer to the Booking & Conditions.
The programme is indicative and may be adjusted according to snow and weather conditions, ski area access and the group’s level.
Prices
| Group size | Price per person | Total price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €350/pax | €350 |
| 2 people | €190/pax | €380 |
| 3 people | €150/pax | €450 |
| 4 people | €120/pax | €480 |
| 5 people | €100/pax | €500 |
| 6 people | €85/pax | €510 |
Included
- Guiding service
- Professional liability insurance of the Guide
- Technical equipment provided by the guide when specified
Not included
- Rental equipment
- Ski lift pass (if needed)
- Transport to and from the meeting point
- Food and drinks
- Personal insurance
Any other expenses needed for the experience that are not expressly listed under “Included”, for you and the guide.
Gallery
