En-suite bedrooms from £60pn. Book your course and then call us to book your accommodation
Find Out MoreSki Touring Improver (2 Day)
Learn LEVEL | 2 day(s) | Ratio 1:6
Overview
Develop the skills for independent ski touring days and enjoy the perfect way to travel efficiently through the mountains. If you have experienced the world of Backcountry skiing on our Discover Backcountry course, you are now ready to explore further into the remote mountain wilderness.
Over the two days, not only will you develop the technical skills essential for ski touring, but you will enjoy some fantastic Scottish skiing! Ski touring Improver will give you a solid foundation so that you are well on your way to venturing into the mountains or to join us for a guided ski tour in Scotland or the Alps.
DETAILED INFO
AIMS
Ski touring improver is all about arming you with the essential skills and techniques to begin your ski touring journey. Enabling you, as a skier, to plan your adventure, make robust decisions and enjoy the experience with confidence.
PRE-REQUISITES
Fit 2: All day skiing, with few stops or breaks. Off-piste skiing, top to bottom without the need for intermediate stops. Hiking and skinning for several hours at a time with a height gain of 800-1000m and be active for 6-8 hours a day. This uphill effort will have no significant detrimental effect on your downhill performance and you will be comfortable carrying a moderately heavy rucksack of 8kg.
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.
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 days 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 in the type of snow and terrain.
IS IT FOR ME?
You are an off-piste skier who has some experience of ski touring. You have completed ski tours in relatively benign terrain and are looking to progress your skills. Maybe you have been on guided ski tours and are looking for the skills to become more independent. You may be aspiring to access more challenging terrain and want to develop your skills to thrive in these environments.
Ski Touring Improver is the perfect place to develop and progress your ski touring skills, opening the door to more of the mountains you love.
CONTENT
During the 2-day course we will give you an introduction to the world of ski touring, the main topics covered are:
- Using ski touring equipment for ascent and descent
- Develop Backcountry ski techniques
- Navigation. Using map, compass and GPS
- Mountain safety skills, techniques and knowledge required to travel in the backcountry on skis including; emergency procedures, ski repairs & decision-making tools
- Avalanche awareness and risk assessment and its implications for safe route choice
- Avalanche transceiver training and preforming a single person companion rescue
The programme can be flexible due to individual needs, aims, weather and ski conditions.
Step 1
Book your course place online
Step 2
Call to book accommodation. Prices from £60pn
Media Gallery
USEFUL INFORMATION
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Instruction
In course transportation
Packed lunches
Afternoon tea and cake
Uplifts costs are not included in the course price. Students are required to purchase their own tickets. The ski area will be used and therefore you will need to buy a ticket if you do not already have a pass. Please do not buy your ticket until the start of the course as we may travel to other ski venues in search of better snow or different terrain.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IF YOU CHOOSE THE RESIDENTIAL OPTION - AS ABOVE PLUS
Accommodation in an en-suite bedroom. If booking as an individual, you will not be asked to share with a stranger.
Breakfast on each course day (except one day and back-to-back courses).
Dinner on each course day (except the final day, and on one day or back-to-back courses).
Use of the facilities at Glenmore Lodge.
Linen is provided along with a towel, you may wish to bring an extra towel if you would like to use the facilities.
NEED TO KNOW
WHAT WILL I NEED
The key to happiness and enjoyment in ski touring is having the right equipment so you can cope with whatever the environment throws at you. At Glenmore Lodge we are extremely fortunate to be partnered with Atomic skis and Scarpa ski boots. These partnerships allow us to maintain a modern range of ski touring boots and skis in our purpose-built ski store.
* Starred Items are available to borrow from GL Stores
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
• *Skis with touring bindings, skins and ski crampons
• *Ski Poles – ideally fixed length
• *Ski Mountaineering Boots – for example Scarpa Maestrale 2 or Maestrale RS2
• *Helmet
• *Avalanche Transceiver – for example Pieps DSP Sport or Pro
• *3m Probe and Shovel
PERSONAL CLOTHING
• Waterproof Jacket – breathable, Goretex Proshell is ideal.
• Waterproof Ski Trousers
• Thermal Bottoms, thermal Tops – long sleeves
• Mid Layers – Fleece or synthetic
• Soft Shell or fleece Jacket
• *Lightweight Belay Jacket
• Sun hut and Warm Hat
• Sunglasses
• Ski Goggles
• Warm Gloves: Thick and Thin
• Ski Socks
• *Compass and whistle – your Guide will have all the necessary maps and guidebooks
• Headtorch
• *Rucksack – 35 – 45 litres.
• Waterbottle or Flask.
• Suncream and Lip Salve – SPF 30 minimum
• Personal first aid – some tape, Compeed, plaster for blisters and your own pain relief (ibuprofen, paracetamol)
• Camera
