Ski
Tour Long
Weekend 2025
Three day ski tour, with 2 nights
spent in mountain huts 
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| Course
overview |
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This
is an exciting
long weekend
of ski touring
where you can
minimise time
off work and
summit an
Alpine
mountain. You
have three
full days ski
touring and
spend two
nights in
mountain huts,
surrounded by
stunning
Alpine
scenery. The
itinerary is
flexible to
take account
of the
previous
skills and
experience. |
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If
you have
already had
some
experience of
ski touring,
but don't want
a full week of
touring, this
is an ideal
long weekend
adventure.
This course is
also ideal to
be used as
acclimatisation
or preparation
for one of the
famous week
long ski tours
such as the
Haute Route
(Chamonix to
Zermatt). |
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In
terms of ski
ability you
should have
some previous
ski touring
experience,
being able to
cope with
either icy
slopes or deep
powder. Any
mountaineering
skills or
knowledge of
ropes are an
advantage, but
not essential
as all
necessary
techniques are
taught during
the weekend. |
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Skiing
ability should
be fairly good
as although
there is only
a little steep
skiing, the
slopes can be
icy or rutted
in places,
with breakable
crusts. There
is also often
more than a
little powder
on the
descents! You
will encounter
most types of
snow
conditions.
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Dates: these are listed in the column on the right, and they
show the live
availability
from our
secure online
booking
system. When
you book
online, you
receive
immediate
confirmation,
your Alpine
Information
Booklet,
course
specific kit
list and
invoice. |
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Brief
Course Itinerary |
| Fri |
At
08:30 you meet
your Guide and
have an
introductory
safety
briefing.
After the
Guide has
checked your
kit you are
driven the
short distance
to start your
ski tour. The
ski tour up to
the mountain
hut usually
takes between
three and five
hours through
the forests
and alpages.
The
destination
mountain hut
is usually one
of the
following;
Argentiere or
Conscrits Hut
(France),
Velan Hut or
Grand Saint
Bernard
monastery
(Switzerland),
Benevolo or
Bonatti Hut
(Italy), or
another
suitable
location
depending on
snow
conditions.
You have a
three course
dinner cooked
for you in the
hut. On the
approach to
the hut you
practise your
ski touring
techniques and
use of the
avalanche
safety /
crevasse
rescue kit.
There is
usually the
chance to take
in a col or a
nearby summit
either on the
way to the
hut, or above
it after you
have dropped
off some kit.
Guiding ratio
1:6 (max).
Night in hut. |
| Sat |
There's
an Alpine
start, to take
advantage of
the overnight
re-freeze, to
tour over
crisp snow at
dawn, as you
ski tour
towards your
objective for
the day.
There's a
choice of
heading to a
different hut
for the night,
or returning
to the same
hut for a
second night,
to allow you
to leave some
kit there, so
you can ski
tour with a
lighter pack.
The guide will
generally make
this decision
based on the
snow
conditions,
weather
forecast, and
how busy the
huts are.
During the
morning the
objectives
could include
one of the
following;
France
- Col du Tour
Noir, Col du
Passon, Domes
du Miages
Switzerland
- Mont Velan,
Mont Fourchon,
Col de Fenetre
Italy
- Tete Entre
Deux Sauts,
Col des
Rhemes, Punta
Paletta
After
some fantastic
summit
photos, there
is the welcome
reward of the
long ski
descent back
down to a
mountain hut
for your
second night
in the
mountains.
Again you stay
half board, so
get a good
three course
evening meal
cooked for
you. Guiding
ratio 1:6
(max). Night
in hut. |
| Sun |
An
early start
from the
mountain hut
to the summit
or high pass
of an Alpine
mountain. For
the options
outlined
before, these
might include
one of the
following;
France
- Val
d'Arpette,
Armancette
Glacier, Mont
Tondu
Switzerland
- Three Cols,
Mont de
l'Arpille, Col
de la Cheval
Italy
- Col Malatra,
Grand Col
Ferret, Grand
Vaudalaz 3270m
After
some fantastic
summit photos,
there is the
welcome reward
of the long
ski descent
back down to
the valley. By
late afternoon
you are free
to depart for
home (flights
should be
after 20:00).
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technical elements
covered during the
course usually
include the
following: |
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Avalanche
beacon
searches |
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Use
of skins and
harscheisen |
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Kick turns on steeper terrain |
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Crevasse
rescue and
hoists |
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Basic
glacier travel
ropework |
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Trip planning and preparation |
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Transceiver detection fields |
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Techniques on touring skis |
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Equipment choice & selection |
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| ITINERARY
NOTES: Where
possible we
follow
itineraries.
Mountain
adventures are
weather and
conditions
dependant, so
occasionally we
are forced to
alter the plans.
If this is the
case, suitable
alternatives are
offered. Please
use this outline
itinerary as a
guide to the
types of route /
activity that
you will
attempt. |
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| Course
Prices |
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| Standard
course |
3
full days
IFMGA guiding,
1:6 max ratio
3 days holiday
in total,
Friday-Sunday |
£1295 |
| Live
availability |
Click
on the planner
logo to the
right to
see the real
time live
course
availability
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| How
to book |
Secure
payments,
bonded tour
operator
Details of how
to book,
click here |
Book online |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions:
1) IFMGA Mountain Guide
for three days, 2) Chamonix
concierge service for
logistics, advice and
support, 3) Pre
course information
booklet, 4) Equipment
discount voucher for our
UK shop, 5) Free 36 page
technical Course
Instruction Booklet, 6)
Road / rail transport to
and from the start point
from Chamonix, 7) Safety
briefing before guiding,
8) Two nights half board
(dinner, bed, &
breakfast) accommodation
in mountain hut for you
& Guide. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from
Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars
(not usually required), 3)
Ski / boot hire, 4)
Personal laundry,
telephone calls, lunches,
evening meals, & any
purchases in mountain huts
/ hotels / restaurants, 5)
Any accommodation in
Chamonix (should not be
needed), 6) Road transport
outside the Chamonix
valley, and any tunnel
passes or road tolls as
required, 7) Activities
insurance, & excess
baggage charges. |
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| Group
sizes: 2 - 6 people
per IFMGA mountain
guide. For group sizes
of over 6 people, there
are multiple guides, and
the teams travel
independently of each
other. Course guaranteed
once 2 people book on a
date. |
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Current
course availability
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Course Dates
Ski tour long weekend
- [ 4 ] 4 - 6 Apr 2025
- [ 4 ] 11 - 13 Apr 2025
- [ 2 ] 18 - 20 Apr 2025
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NOTE: This trip has
scheduled
dates, but if
there are four
who
are booking
together, it
can be
operated on
any date you
wish |
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Price:
£1295
 Book
online
You
can also book this as a private
2 per trip for £1395pp,
or reduce it to a 2 day trip with
1 night in a hut for £975.
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Client
feedback
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We
reached the
summit of this
mountain with
clear blue
skies and
no-one else in
sight. An
amazing
weekend, with
a great group,
and great
snow. I can't
wait until
next time!
Sandra
R , Ski tour
long weekend
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Great weekend. Thanks again all
Brian
M , Ski tour long weekend
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Picked up some good tips on ski technique, especially
for steep kick
turns, that
will really
help me in the
future for hut
to hut tours
Will
S , Ski tour long weekend
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| Testimonials |
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| Press
& media |
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| Films
& videos |
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| Photo
gallery |
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| Location
data for this trip |
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| The trips all start in Chamonix
valley in the
French Alps,
at the foot of
Mont Blanc. It
is easily
accessed via a
90 minute
transfer from
Geneva
airport. |
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Time
Difference
GMT +1hr
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Local
Currency
€ Euros
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Travel
from UK
1hr flight
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| Skis
& equipment advice |
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| Because
we know it is
so important
to you to have
the most
suitable
equipment and
clothing for
off piste
skiing and
touring, we
have devoted a
page
especially to
it, which you
can access by
clicking on
the image, or
by clicking here. This page outlines the key
equipment you
should bring,
and gives
examples of
skis that are
suitable for
the course. If
you have any
queries,
please do not
hesitate to
get in touch
with us. |
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| Suggested
reading and kit |
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View full course equipment list,
with examples
of kit, click here |
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| Any
further questions? |
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A key part of
choosing a company is
being able to come and
talk about your plans with
an experienced course
advisor face to face. In
an increasingly virtual
world, we know our clients
value speaking to real
people, getting open and
honest advice. The vast
majority of our clients
are British, and our
office and outdoor store
is based in Windermere in
the English Lake District.
 
Get in contact
to arrange a meeting, and
come in for a coffee to
discuss your course in
person with a trip
advisor.
Many people opt for this
service, and it is an
integral part of what we
offer, as we are keen to
ensure that you are
prepared as possible, and
that you select a course
that is suitable for you.
It makes it easier and
more enjoyable for you and
us, if you are on the
right trip. |
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