Ski Touring for Beginners: A Guide to the Alps

What is Ski Touring?

The discipline involves traversing up the mountain using skins (a piece of fabric attached to the base of the skis to stop them from sliding back down when climbing uphill). For particularly tricky terrain, you may need to use crampons and ropes.

Despite the physical exertion, the rewards can be huge, with outstanding views and long descents, making fresh tracks in untouched powder. Plus, all that effort means guilt-free hot chocolate and a hearty dinner at the end of the day.

The Best Time to Go Ski Touring in the Alps

Before you head off on your next ski-touring adventure, it’s important to assess the best time to enjoy this activity. There are better times than others to go ski touring, ensuring you make the most out of the sport while staying safe.

The best time for ski touring in the Alps is often during late winter and early spring. Mid-March through mid-April is considered a great time to participate in this excellent activity. During this time, there is a good balance of snow conditions, longer daylight hours and milder temperatures.

It’s also important to take note of the risk of avalanches when ski touring, which is why mid-March to mid-April is a good time to embark on your excursion. The risk is lower during these months, although it’s important to check the risk rating on the day as it can change unexpectedly.

Ski Touring for Beginners: Things to Consider

After you have decided on the best time to go ski touring in the Alps, there are a few other things you’ll need to consider. Your fitness level, equipment and safety should all be a priority before planning your ski touring holiday. You’ll find more information for each of these below.

1. Fitness

To enjoy ski touring to the fullest, you need to be physically fit, and it helps to have some off-piste skiing experience. Ski touring also requires you to go hiking with skis, so you’ll need to think about the additional weight and snowy terrain, both of which can be strenuous for even the most active of skiers.

Ski touring is also better suited for advanced skiers due to the type of runs and fitness required. However, for those ready to embark on this unique excursion, a ski touring experience offers a thrilling activity for an array of adventurers.

2. Ski Touring Equipment

Ski touring gear is essential as it ensures you get the most out of this activity. The basic equipment you will need includes freeride skis with touring bindings and skins, a split board if you’re a snowboarder, crampons and most importantly, an avalanche rescue kit with a transceiver, probe, airbag and shovel. It is also important to wear lots of layers so you don’t overheat or get too cold when thinking about your ski touring set-up.

3. Safety

It is always recommended that unless you are familiar with the mountains you take a ski touring guide with you who is. They will be able to advise on the best routes and will have expertise on the terrain and weather conditions. You should also consider brushing up on your avalanche knowledge.

The Best Resorts for Ski Touring

There is an array of fantastic destinations for those looking for an alpine touring excursion. These resorts offer everything from luxury accommodations, fantastic snow conditions, impressive slopes and a ton of additional activities. This makes them perfect for an array of skiing holidays, catering to all tastes and preferences.

Whether you’re planning to explore the beauty of Switzerland or the outstanding slopes in France, below are some of the best resorts for ski touring.

Zermatt

With its high altitude and accessible backcountry, Zermatt is one of the best resorts for ski touring. With the backdrop of the magnificent Matterhorn, it is also one of the most beautiful destinations.

There are around 45 routes to explore from challenging glacier tours to more gentle routes. Good for beginners is the climb from Fluhalp (2,616m) to Pfulwer (3,314m). The tour offers impressive panoramic views and takes around two hours to complete. More demanding is the Shwarztor Tour; a short ascent and traverse followed by an extensive freeride descent over varied terrain. Also testing is the Trjiftisattel Glacier Tour, a tour in which you traverse no less than four glaciers.

Tignes

Making up one of the largest ski areas in the world, Tignes offers quick and easy access to an expansive amount of backcountry touring areas. Due to its high altitude, the resort offers tours well into spring and there’s even the opportunity to tour the mountains by torchlight.

The 3 Col’s is a peaceful six-hour tour with around three hours of uphill so a good fitness level is paramount. Another popular route is Vallon des Arses; an easy itinerary that starts from the Pissaillas summit. Finally, another great area to explore is the Vanoise National Park, in particular, the Col de la Sana, a tour that connects Tignes to Val d’Isere, ending in the Manchet Valley.

Chamonix

The Chamonix Valley and Mont Blanc massif are particularly popular for ski touring with around 21 routes to discover. With snow-sure skiing and extensive backcountry, Chamonix is the ideal destination for touring.

From the Aiguille du Midi there are numerous routes to explore. One of Chamonix’s classic ski tours, the Crochues-Berard four to six-hour traverse takes you through the stunning Aiguilles Rouges to the village of Le Buet.

Another classic is the Col du Belvedere tour, a four to five-hour route with a steep descent into the Berard Valley. Other options include Glacier du Toule, a route that takes you down towards Cormayeaur, and Pas de Chevre, with an ascent to the top of Grand Montets and a descent down to the Mer de Glace and on into Chamonix.

Multiday Ski Tours

Haute Route

This five to six-day tour takes you on a journey across huge glaciers and steep passes from Chamonix to Zermatt. The tour traverses two of the highest Alpine ranges - the Mont Blanc Massif and Swiss Valais. The route covers 120 km incorporating around 6,000m of ascent and descent with remote terrain and variable snow. With correct preparation, the tour is achievable by good intermediate off-piste skiers but you should have prior day-touring experience.

Central Bernese Oberland

Starting at Interlaken in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, this week-long tour has a spectacular setting, crossing over high glaciated passes and culminating in a glorious 2000m descent down the Lotschental. Suitable for very fit, intermediate-level off-piste skiers, there are various route options as well as opportunities to make descents of several summits, including 4,000m peaks.

Dolomites Circuit

Renowned as one of the most beautiful destinations for ski touring, the Dolomites is a great place to try ski touring for the first time. Steeped in history, the range is characterised by remote valleys and towering limestone cliffs. The Dolomites are also known for exceptional cuisine and hospitality making this a charming spot for a ski touring trip.

The Dolomites has over 100 hut-to-hut routes to explore but this traditional Grand Tour takes you through the eastern half of the mountain range, beginning in Falcade and finishing in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Over the course of a week, you’ll ski through two of the most beautiful natural parks in the Dolomites, explore the Marmolada Massif (the highest mountain and largest remaining glacier in the Dolomites) and experience a trio of cultures - Italian, Ladin and German.

Summary

Ski touring not only elevates your ski holiday further, but it also allows visitors to explore the Alps in all their glory. The combination of hiking and skiing provides an unmatched adventure, consisting of outstanding mountain views, fresh snowy tracks and a rewarding experience for all.

If you’re ready to book a ski touring holiday, we’re here to help. Our expertise in top Alpine properties and bespoke experiences ensures your luxury ski holiday will be meticulously crafted to your preferences.