Ski touring vacations

The guides

Ski touring should always be with an expert high mountain guide, with qualifications and experience recognised by International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA). Because these are not just winter walks in the park, but quite serious expeditions on snow and ice. The IFMGA was founded in 1965 by guides from Austria, France, Switzerland and Italy, but now represents mountain guide associations from more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, representing a total of almost 6,000 guides. They will be trained not only in guiding, but also in mountain safety. Knowledge that they will also pass on to you before you head off into the hills.

The go to people

Emma Mason, our leading supplier of ski touring vacations in the French Pyrenees Mountain Bug, gives great ski touring vacations travel advice: “Your ski-touring clothing will be more like hiking gear than ski wear. There is no point packing heavy salopettes and padded jackets, as you will quickly overheat when skiing uphill. The key is to pack plenty of layers – always a lightweight, wicking base layer (not cotton), with a thin fleece or softshell jacket. Bottoms should be flexible and breathable – preferably specific ski touring trousers, which will have a built-in ankle gaiter, but comfortable synthetic walking trousers are a good substitute. In wet or snowy weather, you will need a lightweight, waterproof jacket and trousers. Generally these can stay packed in your rucksack, along with a warm fleece or duvet jacket to put on during stops.”

“Other kit essentials include a day rucksack (ideally with straps to attach skis), ski socks, waterproof gloves, ski goggles, sunglasses, a warm hat and sunhat. Some people do wear a ski helmet for the descents, but bear in mind that you'll need to carry it during the climbs. Technical ski touring equipment (skis, poles, skins, crampons) and avalanche security kit can be hired in-resort. If your ski touring trip includes one or more nights out at a mountain refuge, you will also need a head torch, sheet sleeping bag liner and a lightweight wash kit.”

“We're quite excited about the development of split-boards for snowboard touring. Obviously there are a lot of snowboarders who would like to visit the wild mountains just as much as the skiers. The concept of a "split board" allows a snowboard to be divided into two long-sections, similar to a pair of skis. The bindings can be rotated to enable a forward-facing position for climbing, then the two halves can be reunited to make a snowboard for the off-piste descent. It's great to think that skiers and snowboarders will be able to go out exploring together, and no one will be held back.”