Five-Day Beginner Ski Touring Course

What to bring

• A complete ski touring setup, including touring boots. Equipment can be rented locally; ask us about rental.
• A waterproof jacket and trousers, such as Gore-Tex or equivalent.
• Trekking trousers and a 200-weight fleece or equivalent.
• A thermal base layer.
• Gloves and a spare pair.
• A warm hat, cap, sunglasses and ski goggles.
• A 45- to 50-litre backpack.
• Sun protection.
• Food for the practical outings and 1.5 litres of water.

Equipment we can lend you if needed

• Ice axe and crampons.
• Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
• Helmet.
• A large backpack, if you do not have one.

Contact us to discuss equipment and rental.

Who is this course for?

Alpine skiers or ski tourers who want to discover ski touring through personalised teaching and straightforward ascents in the Pyrenees.

No previous ski touring experience is required. You must be able to descend blue and red pistes using basic parallel turns.

If your skiing needs further work, we can offer downhill technique lessons on piste. The instructor can then assess whether you are ready for the course.

If you are unsure about your level, call us or contact PirineoSur for help choosing the most suitable course.

Course objectives

Learn foundational ski touring movement and risk-management skills, working towards greater independence on straightforward outings in simple to challenging mountain terrain.

Indicative daily timetable

Meet at 08:00 at PirineoSur, C/ Antonio Beltrán 1, Jaca. Pickup from a hotel or apartment may be possible. Practical sessions finish at approximately 15:00; theory sessions generally run from 18:00 to 19:00 and finish at approximately 19:00.

The first two days focus on ski technique in a ski area. Days 3 to 5 are mountain outings.

Day 1: downhill foundations, snow and avalanche awareness

• Check and adjust ski equipment, warm up with joint-mobility exercises and easy descents.
• Work on body position and balance, including the trunk, arms and legs, and movements such as flexion, extension, transitions and angulation.
• Practise off-piste technique and correct errors on gentle terrain around a ski area.
• Theory: objective and subjective mountain hazards, behaviour in hazardous sections, interpreting avalanche danger levels and snow bulletins, and responding to an avalanche accident.

Day 2: downhill turns, equipment and route preparation

• Warm up and practise turns commonly used in ski touring on slopes with undulations and moguls, selecting turns according to the situation.
• Video recording for feedback on technique.
• Theory: types, uses and handling of touring skis, boots, bindings, climbing skins and their attachments, poles, crampons, ice axes and backpacks.
• Individual and group safety equipment and its uses.
• Basic itinerary preparation using the 3×3 planning framework.

Day 3: uphill travel, transceiver searches and first aid

• Carry out transceiver start-of-tour checks and learn to fit and remove skins and crampons.
• Practise basic uphill steps and gliding, gradual direction changes and introductory kick turns.
• Apply these skills on a straightforward mountain outing with moderate slopes and limited elevation gain.
• Practise avalanche transceiver use and search methods.
• Theory: behaviour and actions after an accident, environment-related health problems, responding to avalanche victims, requesting help and helicopter signalling.

Day 4: route choice and navigation

• Choose an itinerary and manage ascent pace, hydration and protection from the mountain environment.
• Discuss behaviour in hazardous sections and practise changes of direction on a straightforward outing with moderate slopes and limited elevation gain.
• Read map symbols and topographic maps, learn basic compass use and practise navigation with map and compass in good visibility.
• Introduction to GPS use and preparation for the following outing.

Day 5: apply the skills on an outing

• Put the course skills into practice in a simulated exercise on a straightforward mountain outing with moderate slopes.
• Follow an itinerary using a map and compass in good visibility.
• Practise introductory ice-axe and crampon techniques and self-arrest methods.

The programme is designed for small groups and can be adapted to participants' needs. Contact us to discuss dates and arrangements.

Included

• Five full days with a qualified higher-level high-mountain sports technician.
• Ice axe and crampons, if you do not have your own.
• Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, if you do not have your own.
• Local transport during the course.
• Initial assistance insurance.
• Photographs and video of the course.
• Technical advice.
• Taxes.

Not included

• Touring skis, climbing skins, ski crampons and boots.
• Accommodation and meals.
• Travel to the meeting point.
• Ski area lift passes.

Contact us about equipment or accommodation.