Basic Skills Course Ski Touring
Ski touring is one of the most rewarding winter activities, delivering stunning scenery, varied terrain, and a gratifying physical challenge. With this basic skills course you can be on your way to better understanding the equipment, techniques, and safety considerations in preparation for your own future, independent ski tours. You only need a little bit of off-piste experience and ski touring equipment in order to join this fun and instructive 2-day course in Grindelwald.
Tour Details
- Fitness Level: Moderate
- Experience Level: Advanced Beginner
You are a very experienced skier; black slopes are no problem. You have skied off-piste for at least 3 days and you have completed your first ski tour. A hiking duration of 3 hours with a backpack is not a problem for you.
- Getting to know your ski touring gear
- Uphill skinning techniques
- Avalanches: partner rescue
- Downhill skiing technique
- Avalanche science
- Navigation/ map reading
- Tour planning
In this course you will learn the basic skills of ski touring and will be equipped to plan easy ski tours by yourself or join more demanding guided tours. Your next step would be to join our advanced ski touring course.
Group Course (4-6 participants)
| CHF 490 per person | |
Private Course
| 1-3 people | CHF 1890 per group |
| 4-6 people | CHF 490 per person |
To book a private course please contact us:
Day 1: Training tour to the Spitzen at 2381m
The day begins with coffee, route planning, and an equipment check. You will ride the cable car up to First and further to Oberjoch. After a short descent we will put on our skins and begin the ski tour. Along the way, you will learn basic skills for efficient ski touring and have time to enjoy the peaceful mountain atmosphere. From the summit you will have an uninhibited view of peaks scattered across the Bernese Alps. You will ski down to Waldspitz where you will enjoy dinner and settle down in a cosy mountain guesthouse.
Day 2: Practice tour to Faulhorn 2680m
In the morning you will begin your ski tour to Faulhorn. You will make use of your newly-learned skills and practice your technique as you ascend. During the tour, your mountain guide will provide useful information regarding ski touring equipment and prepare you to use the gear independently on your next tour. At the top, enjoy the panoramic views, from the deep blue hues of Lake Brienz on one side, to the world famous Eiger north face on the other. A long descent on gentle slopes takes you back to the valley to complete your course.
| Season | December - April |
| Departures for official tours | See "Closest Bookable Dates" |
| Departures for private tours | Private tours can be booked daily |
| Meeting point | 8:45am at the Outdoor Shop and Café - Dorfstrasse 103, 3818 Grindelwald |
- Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
- His or her expenses
- 1 night in bunk room with half-board
- Tea for the next day
- Course Certificate
- Your expenses
- Snacks
- Costs for cable cars, ski lifts
- Rental equipment
- Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guides share)
Backpack
- 25-30l
Clothing
- Warm, functional clothing
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Mountaineering or hiking pants
- Sunhat
- Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
- Beanie or headband
- Extra underwear and socks
- Thermal underwear
Footwear
- Ski touring boots or snowboard boots
The basics
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Thermos flask, drink bottle
- Headlamp
- Toiletries
- Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
- GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have one)
- Earplugs (optional)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
Technical Equipment
- Ski touring skis or splitboard with skins and tele crampons
- Ski poles (preferrably telescopic)
- LVS (avalanche transceiver)
- Avalanche probe
- Avalanche shovel
- Avalanche airbag (optional)
- Ski helmet (optional but recommended)
Route
General Information for Mountaineering School
Our team is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit us in our shop in Grindelwald. We are happy to help!
OUTDOOR - Mountaineering School Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103
3818 Grindelwald
Switzerland
Trip status for group courses
1-2 days before your tour or course we will review the weather forecast and conditions with the mountain guide to determine if we can operate. We will contact you by phone with an update.
Minimum of participants (group tours)
As soon as the minimum number of participants is reached, we will send you a confirmation by email.
Cancellation
If we have to cancel your tour, you have the option to reschedule to a new date, or you will receive a full refund.
Equipment
Please refer to the equipment list for your tour or course. At our shop in Grindelwald, you can purchase technical equipment, mountain clothing, shoes, and backpacks. We also have technical equipment available for rent.
Clothing
Choose functional clothing that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Dress in layers so you can easily react to temperature changes. The range at our shop in Grindelwald is tailored to mountain tours and our expert staff are happy to advise you on the best clothing for your tour or course.
Lunch
Lunch is not included in the offer. We recommend bringing bars, dried fruits, nuts, or a sandwich. The amount you will need to drink depends on your individual needs and the length of the tour. We recommend .75 -1.5 liters of water, warm tea, isotonic drinks, or whatever you prefer. We also recommend that you hydrate enough the day before, so your body is well prepared for the tour.
Huts
A mountain hut is not a hotel. Running water is not guaranteed and electricity is not available everywhere, so it is not always possible to charge batteries or phones. If you have special dietary needs, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with the hut.
Safety
Our tours and courses are led by IVBV certified mountain guides or mountain guide aspirants. We prioritise your safety by requiring regular training to ensure our guides have relevant, up to date knowledge. Outdoor is certified by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) and our safety and emergency concepts are audited by this organization annually.
General terms of contract
Our General Terms and Conditions apply.