The 10 best ski tours in Europe (Part 2)

This is the second of 3 articles on our favourite ski touring trips. 

Ski Touring - especially multi-day hut-to-hut tours - offer a perfect opportunity to explore the winter mountains, far away from busy resorts and the mainstream ski industry.

The journeys selected here are geographically diverse and give the aspiring ski tourer a nice tick list. These tours reflect the choice and geographical diversity on offer to the adventurous skier within the mountains of Europe.

Number 4: The Gran Paradiso National Park

Country: Italy
Start and finish point: Valsavarenche valley, close to Aosta
Nearest Airport: Geneva or Turin
Length of Tour: 3-6 days

The Gran Paradiso at 4061m is the highest mountain entirely within Italy and sits in one of the most idyllic National Parks in the Alps. This hut to hut tour circumnavigates the massif and cumulates with an ascent of the Gran Paradiso. The trails are generally quieter than in France and Switzerland and when combined with friendly Italian hospitality it all adds up to a great week's ski touring. The massif is accessed via the Aosta Valley which stretches south from Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco in Italian) at its head. Attractive mountain villages pepper the hillsides and the area boasts great food and coffee and a rich offering of good wines.

Due to its national park status, the plant and wild life are protected so the tour itself is a paradise for nature lovers. There is no ski infrastructure in the National Park.

To reach the summit of the Paradiso itself (4061m) is a strenuous climb with a short rock scramble to attain the top. However it is all very worth while because skiers are rewarded with a descent of over 2000m.

What’s unique about this tour?

• The Opportunity to ski from a 4000m peak
• Explore an exceptional National Park
• Italian Hospitality

How difficult is this tour?

For fit, upper intermediate, off-piste skiers. 700m – 1300m of ascent per day. The length of each day varies between 6 -10 hours. The downhill skiing is never steeper than 35 degrees, but the descents are long and in variable snow. Crampons are ice axes are required for the final ridge of the Gran Paradiso.

Number 5: The Italian Haute Route

Country: Italy and Switzerland
Start Point: Cervinia
End Point: Zermatt
Length of Tour: 5-6 days

Nick named the ‘Spaghetti tour', This challenging hut to hut tour traverses the Monte Rosa chain situated on the Swiss Italian border. The Monte Rosa massif has the highest land area in the Alps over 4000m. There is an element of mountaineering in this voyage, so in addition to being a strong skier, tourers should also be able to handle an axe and crampons. It is possible for skiers to summits on several 4000m within this massif, so long and exciting descents are assured. The highest point in the Monte Rosa Massif is the Dufourspitze (4634m) which is the second highest mountain in the Alps. It is possible ascend by skins to all but the last hundred meters of this summit, the top section requiring mountaineering skills.

There is a mix of Italian and Swiss mountain huts in the area, all are comfortable with hearty meals and stunning mountain views. The tour can include a stay in the famous Margherita hut (4556) which is the highest in the Alps.

What’s unique about this tour

• A true ski mountaineering expedition
• Physically challenging, one of the most difficult of the classic ski tours
• The opportunity to summit on several 4000m peaks

How difficult is this tour?

For fit, advanced skiers with mountaineering skills. 700m – 1800m of ascent per day. The length of each day varies between 6 -12 hours. This is one of the most challenging of the classic tours, with a combination of long ascents and steep slopes (some above 35 degrees). In addition crampons and ice axe are used for sections of the journey to negotiate areas of ice and rock.

Number 6: The Austrian Alps: Silvretta Traverse

Country: Austria
Start Point: Landeck
End Point: Galtür
Nearest Airport: Innsbruck
Length of tour: 5-6 days

This classic ski tour and gives you a great introduction to hut-to-hut ski touring. There is wide choice of excellent ski peaks and the area has fantastic snow reliability. The fully serviced huts are very comfortable with hot showers, great beer and a jovial atmosphere. Many people choose the Silvretta to cut there teeth on their first hut to hut tour. The terrain is glaciated and on some summits will need to use crampons and ice axe to reach the top, but with the help of your guide no previous mountaineering experience is necessary.

The Silvretta Range is located along the Swiss, Austrian border south of the well known Arlberg ski resort of Saint Anton. The entire massif is covered with large but gentle glaciers and accessible cols. The terrain is particularly user-friendly to the ski tourer, the summits are lower than in Western Alps, typically between 3000m and 3300m, meaning it is possible to ski right of the top of the high summits, where in the Western Alps many of the high peaks demand a mountaineering approach. The route travels to the west, each day crossing high passes which access to the next valley system. Here the touring season starts early (mid-Feb) so this is a great early season ski tour.

What’s unique about this tour?

• An abundance of ski-friendly summits
• Suitable for first timers
• Some of the most comfortable huts in the Alps

How difficult is this tour?

For intermediate off-piste skiers. Touring skills can be learned en-route. 600m–1000m of ascent per day. The length of each day varies between 5 -8 hours. The downhill sections are 30 degrees or under, but as always variable snow should be expected. Crampons and ice axe are used to attain the summits of certain peaks, but these are not compulsory to complete the tours. Although easier than the other tours in this article the terrain is still remote and dramatic and as always a determined approach is required.

Number 7: Dolomites Circuit

Country: Italy
Start and Finish Point: Cortina
Nearest Airport: Venice
Length of tour: 5-6 days

The Dolomites are a 'must-visit' for all mountain lovers. Breathtakingly beautiful and steeped in history, a touring circuit in the Dolomites is guaranteed to fascinate and excite. The range is situated in the far north east of Italy a couple of hours north of Venice. Characterizing the region are remote valleys, dominated by the towering limestone cliffs and pinnacles.

Many people delve into the modern history of the area: Austrian mountain troops and the German Alpine corps along with the Italian 'Alpini' were present here from May 1915 until November 1917 and were engaged in a bitter struggle for survival. Many of the passes were strategically important, via ferratas and fortifications are still visible from this era. If you would like to swat up on the history before your tour (or take the book with you) we recommend ‘The White War’: Life and Death on the Italian Front 1915-1918; by Mark Thompson.

As with all the major ranges of the Alps, a multitude of tours are possible each with many variations. Here we have chosen the circuit around Cortina taking in many of the most famous sights like the Tre Cime, Cinque Torri and the Tofana di Rozes. This tour journey covers a lot of ground and although a classic and well known tour, peace and tranquility are guaranteed within the vast landscape.

In the Dolomites the ski touring is just part of the fun - a holiday here would not be complete without making the most of the wonderful local cuisine and culture. We have chosen a mix of charming small hotels and huts, specially selected with this in mind to ensure a fantastic trip.

What’s unique about this tour?

• Exceptional local food and hospitality
• Unique and dramatic scenery
• Rich history

How difficult is this tour?

For intermediate off-piste skiers. Touring skills can be learned en-route. 600m–1000m of ascent per day. The length of each day varies between 5 -8 hours. The downhill sections are 35 degrees or under, but as always variable snow should be expected. Crampons and ice axe are used to attain the summits of certain peaks, but these are not compulsory to complete the tours. As always good ski-fitness and a determined approach is required.