It is essential to learn how to handle snow and alpine conditions. This course will guide you step by step towards independent ski touring. In line with the learning-by-doing principle, we will spend most of our time in open terrain.
Key practical elements include ascending with skins, performing kick turns and descending with touring equipment, as well as the correct use of standard emergency gear. This basic course also covers important theoretical topics such as snow and avalanche awareness, tour planning and equipment.
The pristine Gsiesertal, with its gentle ski tours and traditional mountain huts, provides the perfect setting for this course. On two days, we will head into the nearby Dolomites to enjoy their unique scenery. The Hochpustertal region, with its wide range of ski touring options, provides the ideal conditions for learning and practising all aspects of the course.
Our base is a well-run hotel in Val Casies which offers excellent food and a relaxing atmosphere.
Programme:
Sunday: Arrival at the hotel. Meeting at 19:00 with the mountain guide for a programme briefing.
Monday: Ski tour – getting familiar with equipment. Evening lecture on avalanche awareness
Tuesday: Ascent techniques, kick turns and practice with standard safety equipment (beacon, shovel and probe).
Wednesday: Ski tour: tour planning, navigation, interpreting weather and avalanche reports, setting tracks and assessing avalanche risk in the field.
Thursday: Training ski tour: consolidation of all skills.
Friday: Summit tour: application of all learned techniques, followed by departure.