Ski tour safaris... lighter touring, more off piste adventure...

Ski Touring Safaris

Ski tour safaris... lighter touring, more off piste adventure...

Ski Touring Safaris

Ski tour safaris...lighter ski touring, more off-piste enjoyment!

Our Ski Tour Safaris are the ideal ski trip for anyone wanting a week of less demanding alpine ski touring without losing out on plenty of out-of-resort off piste skiing. You get to enjoy fantastic skiing, awesome scenery, great camaraderie with the aerobic activity toned down a notch or two! Instead of staying in mountain huts almost exclusively, you will stay in hotels and the occasional hut and will therefore be able to enjoy the luxuries of more refined accommodation.

Each ski tour safari is 6 consecutive days of 6-7 hours of skiing and daily climbs may be 500-1000 vertical metres depending on the trip. At all levels ski touring is an endurance sport and all participants must have a good level of fitness that comes from regular aerobic exercise.


	Klosters-Andermatt Ski Touring Safari (Introductory)	This is a fantastic guided ski touring safari through Graubünden, the largest and one of the most beautiful cantons of Switzerland in the stunning Walliser Alps. Graubünden is also one of Switzerland’s leading winter sports regions with an abundance of above average altitude resorts and hence a reputation for great snow throughout the season... view
	Courchevel-Chamonix Ski Touring Safari (Intermediate)	A classic ski touring journey that spans both the French and Italian Alps and passes through seven of the most famous ski areas of the western Alpine region. This guided trip begins in Courchevel in France, passes through the 3 Valleys, La Plagne, Les Arc, La Rosière, La Thuile, Courmayeur, Helbronner (Monte Bianco and the Italian Vallée... view
	Monterosa Ski Touring Safari (Intermediate)	For the adventurous skier looking for something different, look no further! This guided off-piste bonanza just about has it all: pistes, off-pistes, ski touring, heli-skiing and guiding from top international professionals! A circuit by ski and lift of Monte Rosa, the Alps' second largest massif. This is the ultimate ski touring safari... view
	Haute Route Ski Touring Safari (Intermediate)	Our guided Haute Route ski touring safari is a mellow version of the classic high level alpine traverse between Chamonix and Zermatt. This ski touring safari is ideal for everyone who wants to enjoy the Haute Route region with great backcountry skiing and easier touring and have a more relaxed holiday than the high-octane challenge of... view
	Chamonix to Val d'Isère Ski Touring Safari (Intermediate)	This delightful guided ski touring safari with Mountain Tracks starts in Chamonix and visits the excellent off-piste resorts of Courmayeur, La Thuile, La Rosière and Sainte Foy before finally ending up in Val d'Isère, where you'll enjoy a day exploring the best backcountry off-piste runs in the Espace Killy. Each resort has very varied terrain... view

Skill Level Overview

Introductory

I can ski red and black runs on piste without a problem. I am new to off piste skiing or maybe I have skied a little on the sides of the piste, or even attended a previous off piste specific course. I would like to ski powder snow with confidence and learn to link turns off piste. Learning to vary turn radius and control speed is an important goal. Gaining confidence in a variety of terrain would move my skiing to the next level.

Intermediate

I have at least a couple of weeks off piste skiing experience and/or received some previous instruction on an off piste specific course. I can link at least 8 – 10 turns together in reasonable control, speed and style, following the fall line in most snow conditions. I would like to improve my skiing in deep powder, heavy crusty snow uneven terrain and trees. I am happy to hike or ski tour for short distances to get to the best snow and terrain. I aspire to ski fluidly off piste and to ski steeper slopes. At this level all ski tourers must have some previous experience of using a touring set up, skinning and kick-turns.

Advanced

I am confident skiing challenging terrain and steeper slopes. I can sideslip forward and backwards, side-step up and downhill and traverse steep slopes with no problems. I am happy to ski tour and hike for 1 – 2 hrs to reach the best snow and terrain. I aspire to ski the best snow available, push myself to ski steeper slopes and extend my ski touring experience. At this level all ski tourers must have some previous experience of using a touring set up, skinning and kick-turns.

Expert

I can ski fluidly and autonomously on all terrain. I often ski couloirs and gullies and seek out steep slopes to ski. I can jump turn in narrow couloirs and have experience of abseiling and side-slipping on steep terrain. I dream of skiing powder snow, I can ski fast, fluid “freeride” style turns, I can jump off small rocks, ski trees and challenging terrain with no fear or problems. I will often hike and ski tour to reach the best snow and terrain. I am familiar with using ice axe and crampons and some basic rope techniques. My aim is to push my skills and challenge myself further.

Stamina Level Overview

Level 1

I am fit enough to ski all day from the first lift, only taking short breaks every so often. When preparing for this trip aim for activities that increase your heart rate and build your aerobic levels e.g. running, cycling and swimming.

Level 2

I can ski all day with only short breaks and can hike up to 2 hours a day (600m of uphill).
When preparing for this trip aim for activities that increase your heart rate and
build your aerobic levels e.g. running, cycling and swimming.

Level 3

I can ski all day with only short breaks and can hike/skin for 3-4 hours most days (600-
1000m vertical). Endurance fitness is valuable so aim for longer training periods of walking, running,
cycling and swimming.

Level 4

I can ski all day and hike/skin for 4-5 hours every day (1100-1500m vertical). A prolonged period of cross training will help build endurance with 3 training sessions per week of at least 2 hours including sessions of walking, running, swimming and cycling.