Ski Touring Courses

Introduction to Ski Touring Courses

Chamonix/Alps Intro Ski Touring Courses

Cost : Guide fees and expenses shared between the participants, lift tickets, gear hire, insurance

This is an introductory course over 3-5 days, for skiers making the transition to backcountry touring.  The course will be delivered by a fully qualified International Mountain & Ski Guide (IFMGA

What will it cover?

The skills covered are

  • choosing equipment,
  • personal touring skills, including skinning,  using ski crampons, boot and crampons and ice axe.
  • personal organisation and mountain safety,
  • glacier travel, backcountry route selection and planning , avalanche awareness and group management for backcountry touring.
  • input on downhill off-piste skiing, with tips and advice for skiing in all types of backcountry conditions.
What are the pre-requisites?
  • Some previous lift-served backcountry skiing experience
  • ability to link turns on ungroomed slopes of up to 30 degrees steepness
  • a basic level of fitness, to be capable of ascending at a rate of approximately 250-350 metres per hour for 2-3 hours each day.

If you have any questions about your suitability for this course regarding skiing level or fitness level, please get in touch with us and we can advise you accordingly.

Where is it?

The course is based in Chamonix, with options to ski in the surrounding areas, perhaps even in Italy or Switzerland . We may sometimes use lifts to access ski tours, or we may be able to start touring from the road, so we will buy lift passes on a daily basis if necessary to make the most of the conditions and weather on each day.

The itinerary starts with an introductory day in or near a ski area, looking at equipment and basic skills, before heading out on day tours for the rest of the week. We will try and include ski touring on a glacier, and the option of an overnight tour to include the use of a mountain refuge if conditions and weather are suitable (refuge cost extra).

How much is it and what’s included?

Cost of the Guide and expenses are shared between the participants. Maximum number on the course is 6

The Guide will provide

  • guiding and instruction
  •  avalanche safety equipment
  • basic glacier safety equipment

Does not include

  • Accommodation – but see accommodation suggestions here http://www.rpmguiding.com/accommodation/
  • travel to and from the course – travel tips here http://www.rpmguiding.com/travel/
  • personal ski touring equipment – gear lists and rental options here http://www.rpmguiding.com/gear-for-ski-touring/
  • insurance – http://www.rpmguiding.com/insurance/
  • ski lifts
  • all Guide’s expenses away from the  valley.

Ski & boot hire can be arranged for you.