Club Tours 2018
| No | Dates | Title | Organiser | Grading | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16-19 Dec | Level 2 avalanche course |
Bruce Goodlad IFMGA |
E1 S1 M1 | Available | The level 2 course is for those with level 1 avalanche skills. We will go deeper into the science, and use this to have a better understanding of the nature of avalanche risk. |
| 2 | 21 Dec-2 Jan (TBC) | Powder skiing in British Columbia | E3 S3 M2 | Available | Heli in to a cabin for day touring during Christmas week, with valley based day touring for the rest of the time. | |
| 3 | 8-12 Jan | Chamonix Day tours | E2 S3 M1-2 | Available | 5 days of day tours based out of Chamonix. You are free to organise your own accommodation. There will be a morning pick up and we will use a minibus to access the best snow in the Chamonix valley and surrounding regions. | |
| 4 | 13-20 Jan | Gargellen (Austria) club meet |
Simon Duvivier |
E1 S2-3 M1 | Full | 15 places booked in the Gasthof Hotel Wulfenia with half board. Some shortish lift assisted day tours are planned, up to 600 m skinning but with 1000m or more of descent. In addition there is ample medium level piste skiing in Gargellen and linked resorts. |
| 5 | 13-20 Jan | Grimentz off-piste training |
Graham Frost IFMGA Tom Saxlund BASI |
E2 S2-4 M1 | Available | Develop your off-piste skills and mountain awareness. A combination of ski coaching and guided day tours with Tom Saxlund (BASI 4) and Graham Frost (IFMGA guide). |
| 6 | 13-20 Jan | Klosters #1 |
John Hogg IFMGA |
E1 S2 M1 | Available | A week for those wishing to improve their off-piste technique and confidence, with lots of instruction and short tours as well. S3s are welcome but it will be at an S2 pace. |
| 7 | 15-19 Jan | Chamonix off-piste training |
Alison Culshaw BASI Coordinator - Emma Cairns |
E1 S1-3 M1 | Full | Accessibly priced course based on the well-established "Ski Performance for Mountaineers". Develop off-piste performance and skiing with less effort in all conditions. Self catering. 12 people split into morning and afternoon groups of 6. |
| 8 | 15-19 Jan | Vallorcine day tours | E2 S3 M2 | Available | 5 days of adventurous ski-tours and off-piste skiing based around the mountains above Vallorcine, Argentière and the Swiss village of Finhaut. | |
| 9 | 20-27 Jan | Bivio Day tours |
Paul Cook |
E2-3 S2-3 M2 | Available | A week of day tours in this well known Swiss village. We will go touring every day the weather allows us. |
| 10 | 20 - 27 Jan | Les Contamines Off-piste Skills & Skiing | E1 S3-4 M1 | Available | MORNINGS: skills input “If it is white, we will learn how to ski it!” AFTERNOONS: putting it in practice on long, lift-served off-piste runs. Benefit from a BASI instructor with 30 years of off-piste skiing experience; open to Alpine & Telemark skiers. | |
| 11 | 28 Jan-3 Feb | Tour Leaders Course |
Rick Marchant IFMGA Coordinator - Neil Thompson |
E3 S3 M3 | Full | A course for those who wish to lead a Club tour. A return to the Champoluc valley. A week of lift accessed off piste and day tours. Staying in a very comfortable hotel. |
| 12 | 1-2 Feb | Navigation and skiing pick and mix | E1 S2-3 M1 | Available | The first of three new 2-day skills courses spanning the Argentière meet week end (below). Pick any or all from: Skiing and Navigation, Skiing and Snow safety, Skiing and glacier travel. 1 course: 250 euros/ person/course. 2 courses: 225 euros, 3 courses: 200 euros. | |
| 13 | 3-4 Feb | Snow safety and skiing pick and mix | E1 S2-3 M1 | Available | Three new 2-day skills courses spanning the Argentière meet week end (below). Pick any or all from: Skiing and Navigation, Skiing and Snow safety, Skiing and glacier travel. 1 course: 250 euros/ person/course. 2 courses: 225 euros, 3 courses: 200 euros. | |
| 14 | 5-6 Feb | Glacier travel and skiing pick and mix | E1 S2-3 M2 | Available | Three new 2-day skills courses spanning the Argentière meet week end (below). Pick any or all from: Skiing and Navigation, Skiing and Snow safety, Skiing and glacier travel. 1 course: 250 euros/ person/course. 2 courses: 225 euros, 3 courses: 200 euros. | |
| 15 | 2-4 Feb | Argentière (Hotel de la Couronne) |
Coordinator - John Hayward |
E1-3 S1-5 M1-3 | Available | Fourth year of this popular week end club meet for independent tourers with a focus on member to member day touring, but also the opportunity to join guided tours. Book accommodation directly with the hotel (http://www.hotelcouronne.com/en/), mention ESC and let John know you are coming. |
| 16 | 3-18 Feb | French Pyrenees (Luchonais) | E3 S3 M3 | Available | Day tours and a probable couple of nights at huts making the best of the local skiing including 3000m peaks and interesting couloirs. Valley delights include thermal baths. | |
| 17 | 5-11 Feb | Aosta valley day tours | E1-2 S3 M1/2 | Full | Based in St Pierre in a small hotel. Follows on from the weekend meet i.e. Monday to Sunday. Some lift assisted off-piste if the weather is poor. | |
| 18 | 11-18 Feb | Parnassos, Greece: Off-piste & Day Tours | E1 S2-4 M1 | Available | Untouched powder high above the Aegean Sea! Lift-served off-piste and touring in this unique environment from a valley base - with Greek food, wine and hospitality! Refer to the Yearbook for last season’s experiences. Open to Alpine & Telemark skiers. | |
| 19 | 11-16 Feb | Val Stura | E2 S3 M1 | Full | Val Stura is just south of the more well-known Val Maira. It has more snow, less people, a single chair lift and stunning ski touring terrain. | |
| 20 | 17-27 Feb | Morocco - Central High Atlas | E3 S3 M2 | Full | We will be based in the Tarkeddit Refuge in one of the less frequented areas of the High Atlas from which a number of attractive ski peaks are attainable. A reputable local agent will be used to help with logistics and we will have the opportunity to explore the area’s rich Berber culture. | |
| 21 | 17-24 Feb | Klosters #2 |
John Hogg IFMGA |
E2 S3 M1 | Available | This week is for good S3 skiers who wish to ski at a good pace in all snow conditions! Good parallel skiing technique and good fitness is a must! S4s are welcome but it will be at an S3 pace. |
| 22 | 18-23 Feb | Chamonix to Zermatt Winter Room | E3 S2-3 M2 | Available | The more adventurous way to tackle the classic Chamonix - Zermatt Haute Route! Before the main season most of the huts are still closed and the mountains deserted. | |
| 23 | 24 Feb-3 Mar | Tuxeralpen Fitness Tour | E3 S3 M1 | Available | Based at the Weidener Hütte and Lizumer Hütte. Up to 1600m a day focusing on moving faster, covering ground and skiing the good snow where we can find it. | |
| 24 | 2-10 Mar | Albula Alps Traverse | E2-3 S3 M2 | Full | The Abula Alps in the Engadine region of eastern Switzerland offer reliable snow, magnificent panoramas and great ski touring. A six day traverse for experienced ski tourers. | |
| 25 | 3-18 Mar | French and Spanish Pyrenees (Val d'Aure and Bielsa) | E3 S3 M3 | Available | Day tours and 3 hut tour in the St Lary Soulan area before heading over the border to Bielsa to tackle some of the 3000m peaks of Spain. | |
| 26 | 3-10 Mar | Andorra | E3 S3 M2 | Available | Ascents of some of the best of the ski peaks in Andorra from 2 comfortable huts which may be wardened. A good region for snow-holding. | |
| 27 | 3-10 Mar | Maurienne valley - steep off piste | E2 S4-5 M1 | 1 Place Left | A week of steep off-piste coaching and adventures. The lift systems of Bonneval, Val Cenis, Aussois, La Norma and Val Frejus are all within easy reach, with great terrain to test out and work on steep skiing skills, and endless touring possibilities too. | |
| 28 | 4-9 Mar | Relaxed Silvretta | E1-2 S2 M1 | Available | This tour is for Eagles looking for a relaxed approach. For those needing a rest or a shorter day, we have consecutive nights in some of the most comfortable huts in the Alps! | |
| 29 | 10th - 17th March | Val Formazza |
Ali Bramall |
E2-3 S3 M2 | Available | A hut to hut tour of the peaks on the border of Italy and Switzerland, some of which are part of the 'Tour de Soleil.' |
| 30 | 9-16 Mar | Silvretta Hut-to-Hut | E3 S3 M3 | Full | Classic hut to hut tour with plenty of opportunity for peaks along the way and comfortable huts. | |
| 31 | 10-17 Mar | Grimentz off-piste training |
Graham Frost IFMGA Tom Saxlund BASI |
E2 S2-4 M1 | Available | Develop your off piste skills and mountain awareness. A combination of ski coaching and guided day tours with Tom Saxlund (BASI 4) and Graham Frost (IFMGA guide). 6 full days tuition. |
| 32 | 10-18 Mar | Iceland Day / Hut Trip | E2-3 S3 M2 | Available | Provisional dates. The Troll Peninsula, Iceland is a great location to spend a week enjoying descents to the sea and 4 nights in a remote hut in the interior part of the range. | |
| 33 | 15-23 Mar | Otztal High Level Route | E2-3 S3 M2 | Full | Hut to hut tour from Obergurgl to Huben (near Solden) in the Oetztal Alps, staying in comfortable guardianed huts. The ascent of plenty of summits is a priority, especially those with a good ski descent. | |
| 34 | 17-24 Mar | Gemmipass / Wildstrubel Tour |
Declan Phelan |
E2 S2 M2 | Full | The Gemmipass offers some great ski touring terrain, with options to suit most snow conditions and some classic summits, including Wildstrubel 3243m. Access is by cable car from Leukerbad and this circular tour will allow some consecutive hut nights. |
| 35 | 17-24 Mar | Ortler | E2 S2 M3 | Available | A lesser known area in the Stelvio National Park (Italy) with an interesting blend of Germanic and Italian culture, a reputation for comfortable huts, good food and ski touring terrain. | |
| 36 | 17-24 Mar | Sunnmøre Norway |
Bruce Goodlad IFMGA |
E2-3 S3 M2 | The Sunnmøre Alps is famous for its alpine and jagged peaks in combination with fjord view. The mountains here big by Norwegian standards and we will have regular days of 1200-1500m remember every step up is a turn down. | |
| 37 | 17-24 Mar | Tour Soleil |
Rob Collister |
E2 S2 M2 | Full | Classic hut to hut tour from Realp to Binn. Mostly in Switzerland but one night in Italy. Member led. |
| 38 | 18-23 Mar | Arolla - Slightly Steeper Day Tours | E3 S4 M2 | Full | The Val d'Hérens has lots of challenging skiing accessed by touring from the 3 lift areas. This week explores the more exciting day tours in Arolla and surrounding areas. For skiers who can ascend 1000+m and ski 40 degrees. | |
| 39 | 18-24 Mar | Upper Engadine Valley, Switzerland |
John Hogg IFMGA |
E2 S2-3 M1 | 2 Places Left | Beautiful day tours in a spectacular high alpine setting around St. Moritz, Switzerland. Very comfortable hotel accommodation with all facilities and excellent meals. Use of ski lifts for most tours. Climbs of up to 3 hours with easy to intermediate descents. |
| 40 | 21-28 Mar | Queyras | E2 S3 M2 | Available | Exploring the Queyras touring in Gites and Refuges. Meeting in St. Veran. Days of up to 1000m skinning. | |
| 41 | 24-31 Mar | Andermatt, Switzerland: Day Tours & Off-piste | E1 S3-4 M2 | Available | Day tours and off-piste discovering the delights of this quiet and ‘under-used’ yet superlative area, using uplift and local trains for access from an excellent valley base. Open to Alpine and Telemark skiers. | |
| 42 | 24-31 Mar | Urner haute route | E3 S2-3 M2 | Available | A skiers’ haute route. We’ll start with 2 nights in Engelberg and a lift-assisted day tour. Then catch the train to Realp, and ski to Engelberg with nights at the Albert Heim Hut, Chelanalp hut, Steingletscher Hotel, Sustli hut and the final night in Engelberg again. | |
| 43 | 24 Mar-1 Apr | Haute Route Imperial | E3 S3-4 M3 | Available | Starting from St Luc and heading South, this classic tour should allow us to summit the Bishorn (4153m), before traversing south over the col Durand to the Schonbiel Hut, exit via either Ferpecle or Zermatt. | |
| 44 | 31 Mar-7 Apr | Alpine Ski Touring Training - Arolla | E2/3 S2/3 M1 | Available | All necessary skills and techniques for safe travel in glaciated mountain country are covered during this skiing intensive week. During the week we can expect to go for an overnight hut tour. | |
| 45 | 31 Mar-14 Apr | Northern mountains of Iran | E3 S3 M3 | 1 Place Left | A 2 week trip exploring the Alborz range (north of Tehran) with a local guide, plus a cultural visit to Isfahan. We intend to avoid Damavand to focus on lower and quieter peaks. | |
| 46 | 4-11 Apr | Ortler | E2 S2 M2 | Available | Starting and finishing in Bormio we will have 3 nights at the Branca hut and 2 nights at the Pizzini. Comfortable huts offering a wide choice of excellent ski tours. The dates are midweek to offset with the Easter weekend. | |
| 47 | 6-15 Apr | Lyngen – self catering |
Christine Watkins |
E1-2 S3 M2 | This trip is for women only (sorry lads). Based from a self catering base with day tours in close-by mountains in the Lyngen area. Flying into Tromso and hiring a couple of cars for transport. We may also use a boat to access mountains on some days. | |
| 48 | 7-14 Apr | Norway (Tamok Dalen) |
Andrew Duncan |
E2-3 S3 M2 | Available | Day trips from a self-catered cabin in Tamok Dalen, a 30k valley surrounded by mountains of up to almost 1600m, using a car to find the best conditions; with emphasis on interesting descents. |
| 49 | 7-14 Apr | Gran Paradiso Introductory Hut to Hut Tour | E2 -3 S3 M2 | Available | Start and finish in the Aosta valley, heading into the Val di Rhemes for two nights, then towards the main Gran Paradiso massif. Some days will be hut to hut, others will be day tours returning to the same hut. | |
| 50 | 7-14 Apr | Venediger group | E3 S3 M2-3 | 1 Place Left | A moderately challenging excursion in the Venediger group for experienced ski-mountaineers comfortable with ropes and glacier travel. A combination of hut-hut and day tours with various summits on offer from the Essener-Rostocker, Johannis and Kursinger huts. | |
| 51 | 7-14 Apr | Val d'Anniviers Ski Tour | E2 S3 M2 | Available | A high-level hut-to-hut tour amongst the spectacular rocky peaks and glaciers that surround the Val d'Anniviers, with the main objective being the ski-peak of the Bishorn, with the Brunegghorn, Barrhorn and the Blanc de Moming as additional ski peak options. | |
| 52 | 8-14 Apr | Saas 4000m |
Terry Ralphs IFMGA (coordinator Brian Mead) |
E3 S3 M2 | Full | A circular high level ski tour, from Saas Fee, climbing the 4000m peaks of the Allalinhorn, Strahlhorn and Alphubel. This is a demanding high altitude ski tour and will give a big glacier experience. |
| 53 | 9-18 Apr | Alaska Ski Road Trip |
Joe Stock IFMGA (Coordinator Phil Jardine) |
E3 S4 M2 | Available | A road and ferry loop starting and finishing in Anchorage. We start in the Kenai Mountains, ferry through Prince William Sound to Thompson Pass at Valdez, and finish by driving and skiing back through the Talkeetna Mountains to Anchorage. Optional M2M add on (possibly Eklutna traverse). |
| 54 | 14-21 Apr | Bernese Oberland | E3 S3 M2 | Available | Accessing the Bernese Oberland from the south. Nights will be spent in the Konkordia hut, Finsteraarhorn hut, Monchjoch hut and Hollandia huts. | |
| 55 | 14-22 Apr | Oberland Traverse | E3 S3 M3 | Full | A crossing of the Bernese Oberland from Kandersteg to the Grimsel Pass, following in the tracks of Arnold Lunn, who made the journey in 1909. One night in an unmanned hut and a possible ascent of the Finsteraarhorn. | |
| 56 | 15-21 Apr | Relaxed Jotunheim | E2 S3 M1 | Available | We will tour along the western edge of the Jotunheim, staying for consecutive nights and doing day tours from 2 different huts. More flexibility and less demanding than the classic traverse. | |
| 57 | 21 Apr-6 May (TBC) | USA | E4 S3 M2 | Available | Sierra Nevada, California or Wind Rivers, Wyoming. An adventurous wilderness camping journey with peak bagging en route for self sufficient ski mountaineers. Decision on location taken once snowpack develops. | |
| 58 | 22-28 Apr | Ski photography week | E3 S3 M1 | Available | This week is aimed at developing your eye for ski photography. We will be looking at uphill and downhill ski photography during a week in the stunning Bernese Oberland. | |
| 59 | 29 Apr-6 May | NW Spitsbergen | E2 S3 M2 | Available | Day tours in the remote northwestern fjords of Spitsbergen, from sea level to 1000m. Based on the classic and comfortable 153ft sailing ship Nord Noorderlicht. |