Club Tours 2012
| No | Dates | Title | Organiser | Grading | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Dec - 1 Feb | Antarctica | Phil Wickens | E3-4 S3 M3-4 | Completed | Club Expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula. Sailing from Ushuaia and heading as far south as the ice will allow. The expedition will be based on a yacht, with day tours and multi-day trips as conditions allow. |
| 2 | 7 - 14 Jan | Courmayeur Aosta Valley | Neil Thompson | E1-2 S3 M2 | Completed | Day tours and off-piste skiing exploring Val d'Aosta including Courmayeur,Val Veny,Val Ferret and La Thuile. |
| 3 | 7 - 14 Jan | Méribel off-piste training 1 | Hugh Sowerby | E1 S1-3 M1 | Off-piste ski coaching with Tom Saxlund and other BASI trainers from the New Generation ski school. | |
| 4 | 14 - 21 Jan | Méribel off-piste training 2 | Hugh Sowerby | E1 S2-3 M1 | Off-piste ski coaching with Tom Saxlund and other BASI trainers from the New Generation ski school. | |
| 5 | 14 - 21 Jan | Klosters Off-piste Training 1 | John Hogg IFMGA | E1-2 S2-3 M1 | Places Available | Klosters/Davos with 150 - 200 off-piste and touring routes offers, under normal winter conditions, the opportunity to ski a lot of good powder snow.The goal for this week is the best quality of off-piste skiing with the least amount of climbing on skins. Guided by John Hogg IFMGA. |
| 6 | 21 - 28 Jan | Klosters Off-piste Training 2 | John Hogg IFMGA | E1 S2 M1 | Tour Full | This week is for those Eagle skiers wanting to improve their off-piste technique. Lots of off-piste skiing using the ski lifts and our skins as well as instruction every day. Our motto is” the best quality of off-piste skiing with the least amount of climbing on skins”. |
| 7 | 21 - 28 Jan | Méribel off-piste training 3 | Hugh Sowerby | E1 S3-4 M1 | Off-piste ski coaching with Tom Saxlund and other BASI trainers from the New Generation ski school. | |
| 8 | 20/21 - 27/28 Jan | Odle-Puez Dolomites, South Tirol | John Moore: Meet: Convenor | E2 S2-3 M2-3 | An unguided winter meet (no leader) ski-ing and climbing easy to serious Dolomite summits.For moderately experienced independent ski mountaineers. Ascents will be 600-1300m per day to peaks of 2400m. Suitable for experienced and fairly fit Eagles. | |
| 9 | 28 Jan - 4 Feb | Queyras | Steve Goulden | E1 S3 M2 | Tour Full | Day tours at a reasonably slow climbing pace to the 3000 metre summits of this beautiful and quiet area of the Southern French Alps. Staying in gites and huts, and using cars to search out the best snow conditions and steep descents of the area. |
| 10 | 28 Jan - 4 Feb | Zinal Off-piste & Day Tours | John Eames BASI | E1 S2-3 M1 | 1 Place Left | Off-piste and day tours, using lifts as much as possible, with expert, very experienced tuition in technique and off-piste tactics. Also the chance to complete many of the classic off-piste runs and tours that abound in this area. Both Alpine and Telemark skiers welcome. |
| 11 | Jan 29 – 3 Feb | Chamonix off-piste and day tours | Rick Marchant IFMGA | E2 S2-3 M1 | Tour Full | A week of off-piste and ski tours based in Chamonix, using a minibus where necessary to allow tours in the Chablais, Aravis, neighbouring Switzerland, or the Aosta valley. Always with the priority of maximizing the quality of the snow, the weather and the views. |
| 12 | 4 - 11 Feb | Golden Pass Powder Safari | Julie-Ann Clyma IFMGA | E1 S2-3 M1 | 2 Places Left | A great journey from Leysin in Vaud to Lenk in the Oberland skiing off-piste and doing some shorter climbs, staying in characterful mountain and valley accomodation. |
| 13 | 11 - 18 Feb | Val Maira | Rick Marchant IFMGA | E2 S2-3 M1 | Tour Full | Day tours in the Occitan Valleys of North Western Italy, which offer a great variety of ski tours and a warm welcome with comfortable gites and great food. Each day's tour will be chosen to maximise the snow quality. There are no ski lifts, so there will be skinning each day, but packs will be light. |
| 14 | 18 - 25 Feb | Haute Maurienne Traverse | Neil Thompson | E3 S3 M2/3 | 2 Places Left | A multi day tour probably starting in Val D'Isere using mostly unguarded huts, finishing in either Le Villaron or Bonneval Sur Arc. |
| 15 | 18 - 25 Feb | Verbier to Simplonpass Ski Safari | Roger Payne IFMGA Elly Schierbeek Co-ordinator | E1 S2-3 M1 | This is a great journey across the Valais range linking some famous resorts like Verbier, with others that are quiet and small, like Mt Noble. The skiing is mostly off-piste from lifts, with three short climbs on skins (of around 2 hours), and a mixture of transport to link ski areas. This is the trip to choose if you want an adventurous journey across a beautiful mountain range, minimizing time spent in ascent, and with comfortable accommodation. | |
| 16 | 18 - 25 Feb | Advanced Ski Mountaineering Course | Andy Perkins IFMGA | E3 S3 M3 | 1 Place Left | A valley-based instructional meet in Chamonix aimed at experienced ski-mountaineers. It focuses on training technical skills and knowledge for more challenging ski terrain and complements the Tour Leaders Course. |
| 17 | 18 Feb - 1 Mar | Pyrenees | Dave Wynne-Jones | E3 S3 M3 | Tour Full | An unashamed 3000m peak bagging trip to the Neouvielle / Pic Long area of the French Pyrenees coupled with a raid into Spain to climb La Munia. Staying in wardened and unwardened huts. |
| 18 | 3 - 10 Mar | Tour Leaders Course | Roger Payne IFMGA | E3 S3 M3 | Places Available | This 6-day course is for members who lead or would like to improve their skills in order to lead tours for the club. The focus of the training is in support of the ESC Instructions for Club Leaders (see http://www.eagleskiclub.org.uk/info/tour-leaders). |
| 19 | 25 Feb - 3 Mar | Picos de Europa | Tom Rye Co-ordinator | E2 S2 M1-2 | Day tours in the fascinating Picos de Europa range in Northern Spain, based at a 16th century farmhouse in Potes, possibly with 1 or 2 nights in refuges. This tour will be led by Mike Stuart of Picos Rock and Snow. TOUR DESCRIPTION NOW FINALLY ADDED! | |
| 20 | 25 Feb - 3 Mar | Wildstrubel | Rob Collister IFMGA | E2 S2 M2 | 1 Place Left | This area, to the West of the Bernese Oberland and north of the Rhone valley, is relatively low, making it suitable for early season touring, but it gives fine skiing, accessible peaks and magnificent views of the Valais to the South. |
| 21 | 25 Feb - 3 Mar | Haute Maurienne off-piste | Simon Christy BASI | E1 S3-4 M1 | Full | A week of off-piste coaching and adventures from a base in Bramans in the Maurienne valley. We will explore the different ski areas along the valley, using some skinning or walking to search out the best descents and snow, with technical coaching input along the way. |
| 22 | 3 - 10 Mar | Pyrenees | Christine Watkins | E2 S2-3 M2 | Tour Full | An unguided Club Meet in the central Pyrenees, exploring a superb area which is ideal for day tours. 2 night in Cauterets; one day skiing from Cauterets and then head up to the Wallon Hut, with opportunities for day tours to ascend the surrounding peaks. |
| 23 | 3 - 10 Mar | Grimentz off-piste training | Graham Frost IFMGA & Tom Saxlund BASI | E2 S2-4 M1 | Tour Full | This tour is now FULL. Please contact me to discuss alternatives or if I can help in any other way. tom.saxlund@gmail.com |
| 24 | 3 - 10 Mar | Leopontine Alps | Rob Collister IFMGA | E3 S3 M3 | 1 Place Left | A hut to hut tour taking in some fine peaks, such as the Besodino and Cristallina, in a lesser-known part of Switzerland, crossing into Italy for two nights. It has been designed for experienced mountaineers, confident in the use of axe and crampons. |
| 25 | 3 - 10 Mar | Ski and Sail Norway | David Hamilton | E2 S2 M1 | Cancelled | Day tours in the Lyngen Alps at 69° North (inside the Arctic Circle) where the snow cover extends from 1500m summits to sea level. Based aboard the comfortable 99 foot wooden sailing ship s/y Goxheim. |
| 26 | 4 - 10 Mar | Bivio day tours | John Hogg IFMGA | E1 S2-3 M1 | Tour Full | Bivio at 1770m in South East Switzerland, offers unlimited ski touring for all abilities. Easy and enjoyable day tours with 500m to 800m elevation gain. Gentle to intermediate descents. Traditional family run hotel with all comforts. |
| 27 | 10 - 17 Mar | Gressoney off-piste & day tours | John Eames BASI | E1 S2-3 M1 | 2 Places Left | Off-piste and day tours from a base in Gressoney, using lifts to access some great peaks and tours in the area of Champoluc, Gressoney and Alagna. Coaching available in all techniques. Both Alpine and Telemark skiers welcome. |
| 28 | 10 - 17 Mar | Silvretta | Catherine Mangham | E2-3 S3 M2-3 | Tour Full | Starting and finishing in Galtur, staying 2 days in the first hut, the Heidelberger, to allow for initial adjustments, we will follow the traditional route hopefully taking in the Piz Buin, among others on our way to the Silvretta Hut. For experienced ski tourers only. |
| 29 | 10 - 17 Mar | Venediger Gruppe, Austria | Adam Livett | E2 S2-3 M2 | Full | An unguided hut to hut tour in the Venediger Gruppe of the Hohe Tauern mountains of Austria, hopefully including an ascent of the Gross Venediger - the third highest mountain in Austria. This is a lesser known area, but it provides similar touring opportunities to the Oetztal. |
| 30 | 17 - 24 Mar | Silvretta | Andy Perkins IFMGA | E1-2 S2 M1 | 1 Place Left | This tour in the classic Silvretta region provides for Eagles who want a more relaxed approach to touring. The emphasis will be on enjoyment and comfort, with two nights in each hut enabling people to take a rest or have a shorter day if required. These huts are among the most comfortable in the Alps! |
| 31 | 17 - 24 Mar | Haute Maurienne | Andy Teasdale IFMGA | E2 S3 M2 | Full | A classic glacial traverse in this stunning area between the Vanoise and Gran Paradiso National Parks, taking in some of the finest peaks and steeper descents. |
| 32 | 17 - 24 Mar | Tour Soleil | Steve Wright | E3 S3 M2 | Tour Full | This tour will generally follow the classic Tour Soleil route, from Realp to the Simplon Pass, seeking the sun and the well-appointed accommodation on the the Italian side of the ridge, but with some long days. This tour can be combined with the “Monte Rosa East” tour, to make a satisfying journey from Andermatt to Zermatt. |
| 33 | 18 - 25 Mar | Ortler | Mike Hendry | E2 S2-3 M2 | Cancelled | Hut-based tour using two or three comfortable huts to access peaks up to 3750 m. |
| 34 | 24 - 31 Mar | Monte Rosa East | Steve Wright | E3 S3 M3 | Tour Full | This tour will follow the ridge from the Simplon Pass to the Signalkuppe summit of Monte Rosa, taking in a number of other peaks on the way. The views across to the Mischabel range and the East Face of Monte Rosa are formidable. It can be combined with the “Tour Soleil”, to complete a satisfying journey from Andermatt to Zermatt. |
| 35 | 24 - 31 Mar | Serre Chevalier | Alan Sloan | E1-2 S1-3 M1 | Proper tours for tourers, proper downhill for downhillers based in catered chalet. Format will offer families and others opportunity to be based together while skiing independently or together or both. Meet timed to be within university holidays but not UK or French school holidays. | |
| 36 | 24 - 31 Mar | Gran Paradiso | Keith Hampson | E2 S2-3 M2-3 | Tour Full | An unguided hut to hut tour, taking in as many peaks as possible, culminating in climbing Gran Paradiso 4061m. |
| 37 | 24 - 31 Mar | Central Valais | Andy Teasdale IFMGA | E2 S3 M2 | A hut to hut tour exploring some of the area covered by the Haute Route, but avoiding the crowds with careful route choices. | |
| 38 | 24 - 31 Mar | Oetztal | Andy Perkins IFMGA | E2 S2 M2 | Tour Full | This tour goes clockwise round this famous area from Vent, taking in various cols and peaks including the Weisskugel and the Wildspitz, highest peak in the Tirol. |
| 39 | 31 Mar - 7 Apr | Adula Alps | Rob Collister IFMGA | E3 S3 M2 | Tour Full | Hut to hut tour in the relatively remote and less frequented area to the south of Disentis in Eastern Switzerland. |
| 40 | 31 Mar - 7 Apr | Pyrenees | Andrew Duncan | E3 S3 M3 | 1 Place Left | A tour in the Maladetta-Posets Nature reserve, ascending several 3000m peaks including the two highest in the Pyrenees, Aneto to the east of the Benasque valley and Posets to the west, using both wardened and unwardened huts. |
| 41 | 31 Mar - 7 Apr | Oberland Traverse | Julie-Ann Clyma IFMGA | E2 S2 M2 | 2 Places Left | In the tracks of the pioneers of ski mountaineering, a tour between Grimselpass and Lötschental crossing the longest glaciers in the Alps and taking in easier peaks en route. |
| 42 | 1 - 8 Apr | Andorra day tours | Cathy O'Dowd | E2-3 S2-3 M2 | Full | Day tours in the mountains of Andorra. Take advantage of my local knowledge to enjoy great weather, good snow, quiet back-country, easy access, stunning views, many tour options, no glaciers. |
| 43 | 5 - 26 Apr | Bugaboos to Rogers Pass, Canada | Dave Wynne-Jones | E4 S3 M4 | Tour Full | The classic Bugaboos to Rogers Pass Grand Traverse of the Purcell & Selkirk ranges in Western Canada. Helicopter in then snow camping and peak bagging en route with the occasional basic hut. |
| 44 | 7 - 14 Apr | Arolla Introductory Alpine Ski Touring Course | Andy Teasdale IFMGA | E2 S1-2 M1 | 1 Place Left | A course for newcomers to ski mountaineering and ski touring. Hotel based in Arolla with one night in a mountain hut. It is also possible to combine this course with the Introductory Tour, the following week. |
| 45 | 7 - 21 Apr - finishes one day earlier than originally posted | Wapta Traverse, Canada | Steve Gould | E3 S3 M3 | Tour Full | The Wapta Icefields in the Canadian Rockies is an area of extensive glaciers and spectacular mountains, covering several hundred kilometres square. The objective of this trip is a north-south traverse of the icefields, staying at four unguarded huts along the way. |
| 46 | 14 - 21 Apr | Introductory Tour - Gran Paradiso | Andy Teasdale IFMGA | E2 S2 M2 | 1 Place Left | First hut to hut tour for those who have recently completed the Introductory Training Course, or who want to refresh their hut to hut skills. This tour explores the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy. |
| 47 | 14 - 21 Apr | Stubai | Andy Perkins IFMGA | E2/3 S2 M1-2 | Tour Full | The Stubai area just south of Innsbruck is a mecca for ski mountaineers. This classic 6 day circuit will go anti-clockwise round the head of the Stubaital taking in peaks as appropriate. |
| 48 | 14 - 21 Apr | Mont Blanc Massif | Phil Jardine | E3 S3-4 M3-4 | Tour Full | Basing ourselves at the comfortable Conscrits Refuge we will climb the peaks around the Tré la Tête glacier including the Aiguille des Glaciers and the Domes de Miage. Descent at the end of the week will be down the Armancette glacier - one of the longest and best descents in the Alps. |
| 49 | 15 - 21 Apr | Ortler | Bruce Goodlad IFMGA | E2 S2 M2 | Full | The Ortler in the Sud Tirol of Italy provides many genuine ski peaks where you can skin onto the summit of 3800m mountains and some superb north facing descents. This tour will access the range from Bormio and then use the excellent Branca, Casati and Pizzini huts. Being Italy we should enjoy some great hospitality. |
| 50 | 21 - 28 Apr | Tour du Ciel | Roger Payne IFMGA | E3 S3-4 M3-4 | This is a hut-to-hut tour for experienced, fit and acclimatised ski tourers only, taking in the wild terrain in between Zermatt and Zinal, starting underneath the Matterhorn and finishing above St Niklaus. | |
| 51 | 21 - 28 Apr | Bernese Oberland | Misha Gopaul | E3 S4 M3-4 | Places Available | An unguided, hut based week for fit, experienced members taking in some of the more challenging peaks and skiing in the area including a number of 4000ers such as the Finsteraahorn, Gross Fiescherhorn and Aletschhorn. |
| 52 | 21 - 30 Apr | Pure Haute Route | Rick Marchant IFMGA | E3 S3 M2-3 | Tour Full | The pure version of the Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route, using no taxi or bus - skiing via the Grand Lui and Grand St Bernard Monastery. A 10 day trip allowing the option of carrying on to Saas Fee if conditions are good, or possibly extending the trip to include Mt Blanc. |
| 53 | 4-19th May (dates changed 5th December 2011) also possible to attend for shorter period. | California - Eastern Sierras | Steve Gould | E3 S3 M2-3 | Places Available | The California Eastern High Sierras have world class corn snow descents - sunny, steep, & easy. There are many long, consistently steep drops from peaks of 9000’ – 14,500 feet. This 2 week trip is late in the season to allow access by 4WD truck to trailheads for one and two day tours and multi-day trips. |
| 54 | 5 - 12 May | Monte-Rosa and Mont Blanc | Roger Payne IFMGA | E3 S3-4 M3-4 | This is a week for experienced, fit and acclimatised ski tourers, that will take in a number of easier 4000m summits in the Monta Rosa group and then attempt Mont Blanc as weather and conditions allow. |
Notes
Even though tours appear on the club programme, the Eagle Ski Club is not a party to the financial arrangements between members and the providers of tours or courses. Members taking part in any of the tours on the programme should be aware that the relationship is solely between themselves and the tour organiser - not the club.
Members should make appropriate enquiries regarding the standard, costs and other relevant factors before committing themselves to a tour or course.
Tour Details
Tour details (including contact details for the leader and costs etc) are only available to club members once they are logged in. If details are available for a tour, these can be accessed by clicking on the tour title, which will be shown underlined. Details for tours are added progressively after publication of the outline programme, and all should be in place by September.
Tour Application Process
You must be a member to apply to join a tour - details of how to join the club are here.
The detailed description for each tour describes how to apply for that tour. Many tours require the standard Eagle Ski Club Tour Application Form to be filled in. This is available in 2 formats:
The leader of a tour will normally ask for 2 referees who can comment on the fitness and ability level of the tour applicant, to ensure that the applicant would be suitable for the tour. Acceptance on a tour is at the sole discretion of the leader.
Children under 18, except where expressly invited, are normally only accepted at the organiser's discretion. See the Child Welfare Policy.