Overview
There is no better country in the World than Austria to learn to ski tour. All forms of skiing are national sports in Austria, skiers are national heroes, so where better to get to grips with ski touring and ski some untracked snow than the Austrian Tyrol.
We will be based in the heart of the Tyrol mountains, a short transfer from the skiing obseesed city of Innsbruck in the small village of Neustiff. Situated next to the glacial ski area of Stubia we will be surrounded by fantastic ski touring terrain. We will be able to use the uplift of the ski area to gain quick access to some great terrain to practice our skiing and skiing techniques as well as some nice peaks to ski off.
DETAILED INFO
AIMS
The aim of this non-residential course is do as much skiing and touring as possible, to explore different areas and find the best snow. We will be using ski touring equipment and make use of ski lifts to access the skiable terrain. The itinerary is very relaxed, and the pace of each day will be determined by the group and conditions, our focus is on skiing and enjoying the terrain. Each day there will be time to learn about the skills of ski touring or you can just enjoy the scenery and get excited about skiing some amazing powder! With the proximity of the Stubia glacier and some Austrian Alpine club huts we will also have the option to do some glacial skiing and if conditions and weather are favourable spend a night in a mountain hut so that we can ski one of the higher peaks.
Over the course of the week, we will cover:
- Skinning techniques for ascent and skiing techniques for descent.
- Avalanche awareness and avoidance, including companion rescue training.
- How to plan a ski tour and use alpine huts.
- Glacier travel and crevasse rescue
PRE-REQUISITES
This tour has been graded S2, M2, F2
Ski 2: You have been skiing for several weeks/years and are now confident on blue and red runs, controlling your speed by changing the size of your turns. Black runs are challenging but you are capable of skiing them under control by using skiddy turns perhaps with the occasional step or jump. Skiing off piste is a normal part of a day’s skiing but you are very much learning how to cope but mostly remaining upright. Your turns shape and size off-piste are very much dependent on the type of snow and terrain.
Mtn 2: Experience of using touring bindings and skins is necessary and some experience of ice axe and crampons is necessary. For skiers, coping techniques such as slide slipping and stem turns are essential and should be well practiced. Uphill and down hill kick turns may be familiar but require further practice.
Fit 1: Experience of ice axe and crampons is not necessary. Skiers should be well practiced in putting on and taking off skis on slopes in soft snow.
IS IT FOR ME?
This course is ideally suited to anyone who is an experience piste and off-piste skier looking to start ski touring. Alternatively, you may be an experienced ski tourer wishing to ski some great slopes and generally improve your ski touring skills and knowledge whilst enjoying some fantastic ski touring.
CONTENT
This is a sample programme, which is intended to give an outline of the type of skiing and touring we will undertake. It is based on the weather and conditions encountered over several years operating in this area and will give you a flavour of what to expect and is therefore ONLY for guidance.
Saturday: We will meet. Meet at the hotel at 18:00hrs to discuss the plans for the following week.
Sunday to Friday: There is a huge variety of terrain, ski areas and locations surrounding the village. We will aim to ski tour in a different area each day so you get to appreciate the full variety of ski touring.
Saturday: Depart after breakfast.
DATES & PRICES
| 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COURSE DATE | COST (no accommodation) |
PLACES | BOOKING | |
| Date01/03/25 | Cost (no accommodation)£1,300.00 | Places | ||
| Need a different date? Call 01479 861 256 to arrange your own date, or email [email protected] | ||||
USEFUL INFORMATION
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
What’s Included
- All guiding costs and expenses
- Guiding ratio 1:6 maximum
- Free use of Glenmore Lodge’s avalanche safety equipment (Transceiver, Shovel and Probe)
- Free use of Glenmore Lodge’s glacier travel equipment as required.
What’s NOT Included
- Travel to and from the start of the course
- Accommodation, you will need to find your own room for the week. Your instructor will arrange a meeting point for each day.
- Lunches – these can be bought at the huts or in local supermarkets.
- Equipment hire – this should be booked in advance, see equipment
- Local bus transport for warm up day
- Up lift – use of cable cars and ski lifts.
- Drinks in hotel and huts
- Alpine rescue insurance – Obligatory
We recommend taking out an insurance policy that covers both rescue and medical, check out Snowcard | Adventure & Winter Sports Insurance | Activity Travel Insurance or BMC Insurance (thebmc.co.uk)
Membership of Alpine Club – Optional
Staff :
All of Glenmore Lodge’s alpine ski touring courses will be staffed by certified IFMGA Mountain Guides. As qualified members of the international federation of Mountain Guides they hold the World’s highest possible qualification for leading in the mountains and the only UK qualification valid for climbing and skiing off–piste on glacial terrain. For more information on British Guides please check out: www.bmg.org.uk
Occasionally we will use Aspirant Mountain Guides, who will work alongside qualified Guides to gain further experience. This is an essential part of their training and will not be used to alter the advertised Guide/Student ratio.
NEED TO KNOW
WHAT WILL I NEED
Equipment List:
Ski touring equipment is very much a personal choice, and it is advisable that you get lots of practice in your boots and on your skis before undertaking a ski tour.
If you are choosing to hire, we recommend contacting one of the following shops and booking your equipment before your arrival:
Innsbruck: Die Borse – DIE BOERSE | Store | Rental | Service – Innsbruck Tyrol Austria
Sion: Follomi Sports – Follomi Sports | Follomi Sports | Sion
Leukerbad: Briandsport – Briandsport: Startseite
Martigny: Jean Pellissier Sports – Pellissier Sport | Martigny
Personal Equipment
Skis with touring bindings, skins and ski crampons – (if you are hiring please ensure skis come with the ski crampons)
Ski Poles – ideally fixed length with powder baskets
Ski Mountaineering Boots – for example Scarpa Maestrale or Maestrale RS
Helmet – (A lightweight ski touring helmet is strongly recommended)
Avalanche Transceiver – A modern digital version, for example: Peips DSP Sport or Pro
3m Probe and Metal Shovel
Personal Clothing
Waterproof Jacket – breathable
Waterproof Ski Trousers
Thermal Bottoms
Thermal Tops
Mid Layers – Fleece or synthetic
Soft Shell or fleece Jacket
Lightweight Belay Jacket
Sun hut and Warm Hat
Sunglasses – CE Cat 4 rating for high altitudes.
Ski Goggles
Warm Gloves: Thick and Thin
Ski Socks
Compass and whistle – your Guide will have all the necessary maps and guidebooks.
Pen knife
Lightweight Head Torch
*Rucksack – 35 – 45 litres.
Waterbottle – 1ltr Nalgene, camelbacks tend to freeze and don’t handle boiling water very well.
Suncream and Lip salve – SPF 30 minimum
Personal first aid – some tape, Compeed, plaster for blisters and your own pain relief (aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol)
Ear Plugs – optional
Camera, Money, Passport.
Cuddly toy!
Guidance on use of Ski Helmets for Backcountry Snowsports
Glenmore Lodge recognises that the use of ski helmets by its staff and students is fundamentally a personal choice and it does not wish to influence or prejudice an individual’s right to choose whether or not to wear a helmet.
We are committed to educating and informing our students on both the benefits and challenges of using helmets whilst skiing and touring in the backcountry. Through holistic and unbiased education we will empower both our staff and students to make a personal decision based on knowledge and preferences.
We also recognise that at specific times we will be undertaking activities, coaching drills or mountaineering practices were the use of a helmet could be considered to be vital. In these situations the mandatory use of helmets will be at the discretion of the delivering guide, instructor or coach.
