Ski FAQs

1. What is the difference between 'ski touring' and 'ski mountaineering'?

In an alpine setting, there is essentially no difference - as the two terms are used interchangably amongst regular practitioners ie basic mountaineering skills are essential for completing many classic days out 'ski touring' and vica versa (in France, they have just one phrase 'ski randonee'. You may come across the term 'ski alpinisme' occasionally, which is used to describe extreme skiing down couloirs in the high mountains and the phrase 'ski de montagne' which is the somewhat masochistic sport of ski mountaineering racing!)

2. When is the season for alpine ski touring?

People go out ski touring throughout the winter and spring from December till the end of May. Until mid March, tours tend to be single day affairs without overnight stays in mountain huts. It's only from mid March onwards that the snow cover has built up sufficiently on the glaciers to permit high altitude multiday ski tours in the bigger ranges of the Alps. The huts are then open right through into May, so a month either side of easter marks the main multiday ski touring season.

3. How well do I need to ski in order to do the Haute Route?

Realistically, you need to be an experienced off piste skier (see ski ability level 2-4), with with some previous ski touring experience already under your belt in order to do the Haute Route. It's a physically demanding week, which requires good levels of fitness (see fitness level 3), so you need both time and commitment to prepare properly for it.

Knowing what climbers are like - unless you are a keen, regular off piste skier then you probably need to be skiing better than you currently may be! Take a look at our ski ability levels. It's likely you might be better doing an off piste sking course first before going ski mountaineering - as you will only really enjoy the latter if you can ski well - as it's off piste from dawn till dusk.

5. I'm a skier - how well do I need to ski to take up alpine ski touring!

In order to really enjoy ski touring, you need to be a regular off piste skier rather than someone who skis the pistes and finds black runs difficult. Take a look at our ski ability levels for more information. If you are not sure about your current ski standard, it's a better idea to do an off piste skiing course first. If you are already a strong off piste skier (ski level 3-5) then either come on a ski mountaineering course, or join an intro level tour.

6. What do you do if mountain conditions prevent a particular ski tour taking place?

In general, we move somewhere else - all of our itineraries and meeting points are planned with such eventualities in mind. There is a lot of information readily available about snow conditions and weather forecasts throughout the Alps, so it doesn't take long to find an alternative venue where conditions are more favourable. If we are concerned about conditions in the run up to a tour, we will contact you and rearrange plans accordingly, taking into consideration your current travel arrangements so as to minimise disruption.

7. What qualifications and experience do your guides have?

All of our ski guides are all fully internationally qualified IFMGA guides, with a huge experience of ski mountaineering in the Alps and further afield. Many are also members of the British Ski Mountaineering Team and race regularly throughout the winter.

8. Do I have to use your recommended hotel?

No - you can stay wherever you want. We specifically don't include food and accommodation in our itineraries to give you this flexibility. Our recommended hotels offer a convenient, comfortable and good value option based on our experience in the region. On multiday tours, the guide will book each hut in advance and you simply pay for them as we go along.

9. What Equipment do I need?

Click here to see a ski touring kit list. You are responsible for bringing all items on the kit list. For the more specialist items - including avalanche safety equipment, ski kit and boots - local hire is usually available. Click here for more advice on buying ski mountaineering kit.

10. Do I need insurance?

Specialist rescue insurance covering off piste skiing, helicopter evacuation, medical treatment and repatriation is required for all of our ski courses. Many standard ski insurance packages specifically exclude off piste skiing (whilst others allow it in the company of a guide), so if you have an existing policy you need to check very carefully that you are covered. For more information on reccommended insurance providers, visit our insurance page.

11. Can I book a personalised version of tour '.......' with a private guide?

This kind of tailored guiding represents over half of our work - so no problem at all. Just send us some info about your skiing background and experience, what you would like to do and your prefered dates - then we can discuss options and ideas.