guided mountain adventure
This fantastic off-piste skiing adventure explores two of Switzerland's lesser known resorts, Zinal and Lauchernalp. Zinal, in the Val d'Anniviers region, is only 2 hours from Geneva, and yet remains one of Switzerland's best kept secrets. Being a high altitude ski destination snow is reliable and the lift pass allows access to 5 ski resorts: Vercorin, Grimentz, Zinal, St-Luc and Chandolin. Four days with your IFMGA mountain guide taking you to the best off piste terrain will give you a good opportunity to ski the best the resort has to offer before crossing the Rhone valley to Lauchernalp.
So far, relatively few British skiers seem to have discovered Lauchernalp. The Lotschental valley is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Valais, located between the Berener and Walliser alps in the UNESCO World Heritage Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschorn. Views of the Bernese Oberland and the Matterhorn, are truly spectacular. The off-piste skiing has much to offer, with long, open runs. You can even ski right back to the villages of Kippel and Wiler at the end of the day. The south facing aspect means this excellent off piste area is best enjoyed in the company of your guide, who will take you to the best off piste runs whilst keeping the group out of avalanche prone terrain.
Click on the tabs to learn more about this trip.
We will be releasing dates for the new season in due course. Subscribe here if you would like to receive a reminder when these dates are published.
The Val d'Annivièrs is renowned for its variety of snow and the scope of its freeride domain. The Val d'Anniviers consists of five villages: St. Luc, Chandolin, Zinal, Grimentz and Vercorin which are all ski areas in their own right. During this trip we'll explore the whole length and breadth of the valley.
The ski domain of Lauchernalp in the Lötschental, reaches 3100m by a mixture of old and new lifts. From the summit ridge, with views north over the Bernese Oberland, extensive and challenging off piste terrain is accessible on each flank of the domain, to east and west. It's all south-facing but the area reliably catches big snowfalls, after which there's plenty to explore even within the domain itself. Accommodation is on-mountain, at 2000 metres, ensuring quick access to the best skiing each day.
DAY 1
Travel to Zinal. Meet up with guides for welcome meeting and briefing. Enjoy the first of 5 nights hospitality with Eric and Penny in Chalet Edelweiss.
DAY 2-5
4 days guided off-piste adventure around Zinal and the Val d’Anniviers.
DAY 6
We leave Zinal and transfer by road for 1½ hours to Lauchernalp where we ascend by the Wiler-Lauchernalp cable car to our hotel which is located high on the slopes at 2000m altitude. We book into the hotel, have some lunch before heading out for ½ days skiing in the afternoon. The Hotel Zur Wildi is a small, friendly family-run 3-star hotel with just 30 beds plus a bar and restaurant.
DAY 7-8
A further 2 days guided skiing around Lauchernalp.
DAY 9
Leave after breakfast. On request your guide can drop you off at a train station in the Rhone valley e.g. Sierre) for easy access back to Geneva airport.
The exact itinerary will be at the discretion of the guides depending on weather and snow conditions.
The price includes all guide fees and expenses, 8 nights half-board chalet/hotel accommodation (twin rooms), local travel.
The price does not include lift passes, lunches, beverages, personal insurance, equipment hire, travel to Zinal and from Lauchernalp.
Single room occupancy may incur additional charges. Ask us for details.
Our Off-Piste Adventure courses are run by our team of IFMGA Mountain Guides led by Olly Allen, Matt Dickinson and Nick Parks. Each course has no more than 6 skiers per guide. Each group can run with up to 12 skiers and 2 guides.
Our base in Zinal is the Chalet Edelweiss in the hamlet of Mottec, 2kms from Zinal. The Auberge has been fully restored in 2008 and offers very comfortable accommodation. In Lauchernalp we plan to stay in the Hotel Zur Wildi.
You should aim to arrive in Zinal sometime in the afternoon. There will be an initial briefing with your Mountain Tracks guide on the first evening. This is an opportunity to meet the guide and the rest of the party, to discuss the plans and objectives for the week and to ask any questions you may have relating to the week’s itinerary.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On all our off-piste weeks you'll be staying in comfortable catered chalets or hotels. When skiing you need to carry just a small day pack, which contains your safety equipment and any personal items you may need.
Possible characteristics might include bib-style front with braces (to keep the snow out), side-openings (useful for when you get hot), breathable fabric (Gore-Tex or similar), stretch knee pads, integral snow-gaiters. Bib-style trousers can be too warm in spring in which case waist-cut trousers would be better.
Made of breathable material (Gore-Tex or similar) and built-in hood. We advocate the ‘layering principle’ so a shell is recommended rather than a padded jacket.
Comfortable underwear with good wicking properties.
An approach that gives better heat retention and good flexibility. These tops are known as ‘mid layers’.
We use a 'buff' - a light, stretchable tube. Consider a fleece/cotton version for warmth or just a cotton one to keep the sun off.
To include warm hat. Mountain Tracks fully supports the wearing of helmets for skiing.
Must be good quality. Mitts are good if you suffer from cold hands.
Optional
Optional, but useful if you feel the cold.
Your best ski choice is a “freeride” style of ski which will give good stability and float in powder and varied snow. You want to be looking at a ski with a waist line of between 85 – 100mm underfoot. Anything wider than this starts to become cumbersome on pistes and narrow tracks and gullies and harder to make short turns on when skiing in the trees.
Expert skiers should be able to use fat powder skis in all types of terrain with no problem, less experienced skiers should opt for a “do it all ski” as described above.
For examples of skis that fit the profile outlined above check out these options:
Ski boot choice – it’s best to have ski touring boots for these trips, although if you only have downhill ski boots then you can use these too. The new generation of “hybrid” ski touring boots, that offer a wrap around shell (like a downhill boot) and greater stiffness in the shell are almost as good as a downhill boot, with the added bonus of a walk mode and a Vibram sole for easy of walking.
It essential you break-in and wear the boots prior to skiing for the first time, even if this is just walking round the house or office.
When buying new boots its imperative you visit a reputable ski boot fitter to ensure the right boot is purchased for your foot and lower leg shape. Not every boot will fit or suit every person and a good boot fitter will be able to select the right boot to suit your foot shape and type of skiing you do. You should always get a moulded insole or “footbed” made to go inside your ski boots. These will help stabilise any unwanted movement and can also correct or help with alignment problems, high or low insteps and other foot related issues.
There will be a limited choice of ski touring boots for hire in most resorts - very often just lightweight 3 buckle boots.
For examples of suitable ski touring boots check out these options:
'Thermo-fit' liners are often offered as standard equipment. Heated and moulded to your foot and boot for a perfect fit, they can make all the difference especially if you have trouble finding really comfortable boots. Zipfit liners are a great option for anyone seeking total customisation in fit and comfort. They will replace the original liner.
Essential kit to provide additional comfort and ski control.
Investing in good quality ski socks will improve fit, warmth and feel when skiing for long periods.
For introductory Off-Piste Adventure ski courses standard bindings are acceptable. For Intermediate, advanced and expert Off-Piste Adventure ski courses ski touring bindings are advised. If you don’t have touring bindings and the guide suggests some touring then you will have to rent suitable skis with bindings in resort. Please remember if you bring your own skis with touring bindings you MUST bring your own skins as it's not possible to rent skins on their own.
As with the boots, the new touring bindings are every bit as safe for downhill as ordinary bindings, yet you have the additional advantage of being able to walk uphill with them to access the real off-piste. Expect to pay a little more but the advantages are huge! The most frequently used ski touring bindings are the Diamir Fritschi Freeride. These are great bindings and very easy to switch between walk and ski mode and they have 3 different riser levels for walking uphill.
Marker make 2 bindings: the Duke and the Baron both are good choices for day ski tours, but rather heavy for any more than a few hours uphill.
A combination of one of these bindings and a ski as outlined above gives you the opportunity to ski the whole mountain on and off piste with a downhill and ski touring boot, so you have total flexibility.
Please be aware that renting a fat freeride ski with a touring binding and skins is almost impossible in most resorts.
If you have a set of skis with downhill bindings and you are only likely to be skinning for short periods only then you can use an Alpine Trekker binding adaptor. This is an adaptor that clicks into your binding which you then attach your boot to and it allows you to walk up hill with a free heel. They are only suitable for short tours and not a long term solution but they are worth considering for our off-piste adventure courses.
Most touring bindings have ski crampons specifically designed for the binding. We always carry these just in case they are needed. They are an integral part of the Fritschi ski binding.
You must have skins that fit your skis, it is not possible to rent just skins in resort. They cost around £100 - 150 to buy and the shop can cut and fit them to your skis exactly.
Useful to have 2 pairs on powder days in case of head plants!
Good quality sunglasses - UV factor category 4 recommended
1-1.5 Litre water bottle/nalgene bottle - or water drinking system like Camelbak (can freeze in cold weather)
The guide will carry comprehensive set for emergencies
carry spare batteries as well
The “Safety Trilogy”
Remember it is not enough just to carry this equipment; make sure you know how to use it. If you have never used this sort of equipment before consider joining one of our Winter Mountain Skills courses.
Most resorts have ski shops that hire ski equipment.
Prices do change by resort/country, but here’s an approximate guide to hire costs:
Our guides also generally have additional sets of safety equipment (transceiver/shovel/probe) which they hire out to clients for €60 for 6 days hire. This must be booked in advance.
The Val d'Annivièrs is a typical Walliser Valley with five idyllic and picturesque villages; St. Luc, Chandolin, Zinal, Grimentz and Vercorin which are all ski areas in their own right. They stretch between 1200m – 3000m. With skiing on all aspects of the compass the valley is reknowned for its variety of snow and the scope of its freeride domain.
We rate Zinal and the Val d'Anniviers as one of the best areas for off-piste and backcountry skiing in the Alps.
For our weeks in Zinal we stay in the newly renovated Chalet Edelweiss.
Our good friends Eric and Penny Kendall have created a fantastic chalet in the village of Mottec just 2 minutes from Zinal.
Find out more about the Auberge at www.skizinal.com
The area has a large network of lifts servicing about 200kms of pistes up to an altitude of almost 3000m. The whole area is characterised by stunning, high alpine terrain, deep valleys and charming villages. There are 4 main ski domains: Zinal, Grimentz, St Luc-Chandolin and Vercorin, all of which are well-connected by local buses. The area also has the advantages of being relatively unknown (and therefore not so busy) and easily accessible from Geneva, Zurich or Sion airports.
You want to arrange to arrive in Zinal by late afternoon on day 1.
At the end of the week the course finishes after breakfast on day 5. We recommend that you arrange your return/onward flight for mid to late afternoon to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport without having to rush!
The most convenient airports are Geneva or Zurich airport from where you can take the train to Sierre (Geneva 2 hrs, Zurich 2.5 hrs). At Sierre catch the yellow Post Bus to Zinal, you may need to change in Vissoie. Ask the driver fro Mottec (as it’s a request stop) and the bus stops right outside the Auberge Edelweiss. This is the large balconied house fronting the road. Train and bus timetables can be found at www.sbb.ch/en Alternatively you can hire a car at the airport, driving time to the Auberge is approximately 2 hrs from Geneva and 2.5 hrs from Zurich.
250 York Road, London
SW11 3SJ, United Kingdom
info@mountaintracks.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 8123 2978
Fax: +44 (0)20 7905 0921
