Ski Mountaineering Skills & Coaching

Ski Mountaineering Skills & Coaching

Ski Mountaineering
Season
December to May
Difficulty
5 / 10 Moderate
Duration
Choose the number of days
Availability
Dec 2026 → May 2027
Group
max 2 people
Ratio
1 : 2
Meeting point
We agree on the meeting point once the area and the main training objectives are decided.

This trip uses our 1-10 overall difficulty scale (technical + fitness + exposure + environment). How this scale works

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights

  • Moving between skinning, bootpacking and skiing.
  • Crampon and ice-axe practice in suitable terrain.
  • Rope management and an introduction to glacier travel.
  • One or two participants, with time for individual practice.

OVERVIEW

About this trip

On more technical ski tours, skiing well is only part of what you need. There are times when you may have to carry your skis, climb in crampons, use an ice axe or travel roped together on a glacier. Knowing when to change from one technique to another, and being able to do it efficiently, takes practice.

This programme is for off-piste skiers with some ski touring experience who want to become more confident on technical mountain terrain. We start from the skills you already have and the situations you would like to become more comfortable with.

The learning takes place during real ski tours, with time set aside along the way to practise specific skills. Depending on your experience and the conditions, we can work on steeper ascents, moving from skis to crampons or bootpacking, ice-axe and crampon technique, rope management and glacier travel.

Route finding, snow assessment and decisions about terrain remain part of the whole day. The aim is not simply to practise individual techniques, but to understand when and why they are needed while moving through the mountains.

The programme below is an example of how several days could develop. We won’t try to fit every topic into a short booking: the priorities depend on your experience, the time available and what the conditions allow us to practise safely.

ITINERARY

Itinerary

  1. Section 1
    Touring foundations

    The sections below show what we can cover over several days. They are not compulsory stages, and a one-day booking will focus on a smaller number of skills.

    We assess your touring technique and work on efficient uphill movement, pacing, kick turns and transitions. On the descent, we focus on adapting technique and line choice to different snow and terrain. We also introduce or review avalanche rescue equipment and terrain-based decision-making.

  2. Section 2
    Moving with crampons and an ice axe

    On suitable terrain, we practise bootpacking, crampon and ice-axe use. We work on transitions between skis and boots, carrying skis and moving on steeper snow. The focus is on recognising when a change of technique is needed and carrying it out calmly.

  3. Section 3
    Ropework and glacier travel

    On suitable glacier terrain, we practise roping up, rope management and moving together as a team. We discuss crevasses, route choice and communication, and introduce the principles of crevasse rescue where the setting allows. An introduction to these skills does not replace the training and practice needed to use them independently.

  4. Section 4
    Planning and completing a tour

    We apply the skills being practised on a ski-mountaineering tour. Planning includes the route, forecast, avalanche conditions and alternatives. During the outing we use the techniques the terrain requires, which may include skinning, bootpacking, crampons, an ice axe or ropework.

  5. Section 5
    Further practice

    Extra days can focus on a skill that needs more practice or preparation for a particular ski-mountaineering objective.

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements

  • Previous ski touring and off-piste experience
    You should have previous ski touring and off-piste skiing experience. You need to be familiar with skins, touring bindings and basic transitions, and able to control your speed and turns in changing snow.
  • Fitness
    Expect several hours on the move, with time spent practising as well as touring. Typical days involve about 600–1,000 metres of ascent; we discuss the demands of the proposed objectives before confirming.
  • Avalanche equipment
    You must carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. Rental is available on request.
  • Winter mountain equipment
    You need appropriate winter clothing, a 25–35 L backpack, water and food. The final equipment list depends on the selected objectives.

GEAR CHECKLIST

Gear list

Required Provided Optional Available to rent

clothing

6
  • Gloves & hat
    Required
    Light gloves, warm gloves or mittens, wool hat / buff. Bring light gloves, a warmer pair and a hat or buff.
  • Insulated jacket
    Required
    Warm insulated jacket (down or synthetic) for stops, summits and emergency situations. Bring extra warmth for pauses while we practise.
  • Shell jacket & trousers
    Required
    Waterproof / windproof jacket and overtrousers (Gore-Tex or similar). Bring weather protection for the climb, exposed ground and changing conditions.
  • Ski clothing (layers)
    Required
    Breathable base layers, fleece or light insulating jacket, ski touring pants. Wear breathable layers for uphill movement, with enough warmth for teaching stops.
  • Ski touring boots
    Required Available to rent
    Ski touring boots compatible with bindings and crampons if needed. Let us know your boot size if you need rental. Boots must be compatible with the bindings.
  • Ski touring socks
    Required
    Technical ski touring socks suitable for cold conditions. At least one pair required.

emergency

1
  • Emergency bivouac shelter
    Provided
    Lightweight emergency bivouac shelter or thermal blanket for unexpected stops or emergencies. Guide carries an emergency bivy/thermal blanket.

hut

1
  • Overnight kit
    Optional
    Overnight kit for hut or bivouac nights: sleeping-bag liner (huts) or lightweight sleeping bag (unmanned bivouacs), spare socks, small toiletry kit; see the trip note. Only needed when a hut stay is agreed: sleeping bag liner, spare socks and base layer, and a small wash kit. Bring a headtorch.

personal

6
  • Backpack
    Required Available to rent
    Backpack with a gear-carry option; recommended size varies by trip, see the note. A backpack with space for the day's equipment, food and clothing.
  • Mobile phone
    Required
    Fully charged mobile phone for communication and emergency use.
  • Personal kit & snacks
    Required
    1L thermos or bottle, small personal first aid, snacks for the day. Pack food and drinks for the planned outing, plus any personal medication. We will confirm how much to carry for your route.
  • Sun protection
    Required
    High SPF sunscreen and lip balm for protection against sun and wind at altitude. Bring sunscreen and lip protection for the day.
  • Sunglasses & goggles
    Required
    Category 3–4 sunglasses and ski goggles for bad weather. Bring sunglasses for bright snow and goggles for wind, snowfall and the descent.
  • Power bank & cable
    Optional
    Power bank and charging cable to keep devices operational in cold conditions. Recommended to keep devices operational in cold conditions.

safety

6
  • Avalanche transceiver / beacon (ARTVA)
    Required Available to rent
    Modern 3-antenna transceiver/beacon with fresh batteries. Each participant needs a working avalanche transceiver. We check the equipment together before setting off.
  • Probe
    Required Available to rent
    Avalanche probe (240–300 cm). Each participant needs an avalanche probe; rental is available through us.
  • Shovel
    Required Available to rent
    Metal avalanche shovel (no plastic models). Each participant needs an avalanche shovel; rental is available through us.
  • Skimo Helmet
    Required Available to rent
    Ski Mountaineering helmet. A helmet suitable for the planned skiing is required. Available to rent through us.
  • Lightweight harness
    Optional Available to rent
    Lightweight harness for glacier travel or short roped sections. Required for glacier travel or ropework if included in the agreed programme. We confirm the equipment beforehand.
  • Whistle
    Optional
    Emergency whistle, often integrated into backpacks or chest straps. Recommended (often integrated into backpacks).

technical

11
  • Climbing skins
    Required Available to rent
    Skins cut to size and in good condition, with reliable glue. Bring skins fitted to the skis you will use, or arrange a complete rental setup.
  • Poles
    Required Available to rent
    Adjustable ski poles for touring.
  • Ski crampons
    Required Available to rent
    Ski crampons compatible with your bindings, for hard or icy snow. Ski crampons must match the bindings; these are different from boot crampons.
  • Ski touring skis
    Required Available to rent
    Touring skis suitable for ski mountaineering, with touring bindings. Touring bindings are needed for the uphill sections. Tell us what you already use or what you need to rent.
  • 120 cm sling or daisy chain
    Provided
    120 cm dyneema sling or daisy chain for glacier travel and rescue.
  • Ice screws
    Provided
    Ice screws for anchors and short roping on technical sections. Provided by the guide when required.
  • Navigation tools
    Provided
    Map, GPS device or smartphone app with offline maps and route information. Guide carries primary navigation tools (map/GPS/offline maps).
  • Screwgate carabiners (x2)
    Provided
    Two locking carabiners for glacier travel and safety systems.
  • Ski repair kit
    Provided
    Basic ski touring repair kit (duct tape, cable ties, multitool). Usually carried by the guide. Basic repair kit carried by the guide (duct tape, cable ties, multitool).
  • Boot crampons
    Optional Available to rent
    Crampons compatible with your boots (if conditions require). Required if the agreed route or training session calls for boot crampons. We confirm this beforehand; rental is available.
  • Ice axe
    Optional Available to rent
    Lightweight ice axe for ski mountaineering (if conditions require). Required if the agreed route or training session calls for an ice axe. We confirm this beforehand; rental is available.

PRICES

Prices

  • 1 people
    €450 Per person / day
  • 2 people
    €280 Per person / day

INCLUDED

Included

Included

  • IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide and coaching for each booked day.
  • Individual coaching focused on your experience and the skills you want to practise.
  • Planning and daily route choice for the agreed programme.
  • Shared ropes, protection and group glacier equipment used by the guide. Personal technical equipment rental is separate.
  • Teaching during the tour, with time to practise ski mountaineering skills and discuss decisions.
  • Equipment checks and briefings before and during the tour.
  • Flexible choice of objectives across the Dolomites, Brenta and Adamello, according to conditions.

Not included

  • Personal clothing and other personal items.
  • Personal technical equipment rental, unless specifically included in your quote.
  • Lift tickets and cable cars used during the programme.
  • Accommodation and meals for clients and guide, including hotels, B&Bs, mountain huts and meals.
  • Transport to and from the meeting point and any local transfers not specifically included.
  • Personal travel, health and mountain-rescue insurance.
  • Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses.
  • Anything not explicitly listed under Included.

Optional

  • All personal technical equipment needed for the outing is available to rent through us. Tell us what you need when you send your request; we will confirm the equipment and rental cost before you book.