Club Tours programme 2015
Application process
You must be a club member and logged in to the website to see the full tour description (itinerary, cost, contact details of the organiser etc). Please log in here: log in
If you’re not a member and would like to go on one of our tours or meets, please apply for membership. Rates are currently no more than £50 a year, which includes liability insurance for club activities and affiliation to Mountaineering Scotland. Find out how to join us here: Join Us
It’s very important that you choose the right tour for you by matching your own skills and aspirations with the tour grades and description. Before applying to join a club tour, please read the Types of Tour and Tour Grading pages.
For a tour led by a professional guide or instructor, the detailed tour description will provide information on how to apply. For a member-led tour, please complete the standard Eagle Ski Club Tour Application Form.
The leader or organiser of a tour will normally ask for two referees who can comment on your fitness and ability level (this helps to ensure that you would be suitable for the tour). Acceptance on a tour is at the sole discretion of the leader.
Taking part
Please read the Advice for Tour Participants page. This provides advice on safer ski touring, insurance, costs, low carbon travel, sharing accommodation, single room supplements, and writing up tour reports.
Browse the programme
You can search the tour list for availability, grade and type (P=professional guide/instructor, C=club leader) by using these filters:
| No | Dates | Title | Type | Organiser | Grade | Status | Tour Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4-5 and 6-7 Dec 2nd date added | Level 1 Avalanche Course, Tignes | Bruce Goodlad IFMGA |
E1 S1 M1 | Full | Due to demand we have added a second date 4,5 Dec 2 days of avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche terrain management and rescue. This course will follow the syllabus of the American Avalanche Association (see below). Combined classroom and on hill sessions. |
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| 2 | 3-10 Jan | Grimentz off-piste training | Graham Frost IFMGA / Tom Saxlund BASI |
E2 S2-4 M1 | 1 Place Left | Develop your off piste skills and mountain awareness. A combination of ski coaching and guided day tours with Tom Saxlund (Basi trainer) and Graham Frost (UIAGM guide). NEW smaller group size for 2015. 2 groups of 6 participants each. | |
| 3 | 5-9 Jan | Chamonix day tours and off-piste | Rick Marchant IFMGA |
E1-2 S3 M1 | Full | 5 days of guided day tours in the Chamonix Valley and the surrounding region (Aosta Valley, Lower Valais,Aravis). To rest legs or to take advantage of fresh snow we will also use lifts to ski off piste. |
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| 4 | 10 - 17 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. | |
| 5 | 17 - 24 Jan | Klosters #2 | John Hogg IFMGA |
E2 S3 M1 | 1 Place Left | This week is for those good, strong, Eagle skiers wanting to do lots of off-piste skiing using the ski lifts and our climbing skins. Our motto for the week will be; ” the best quality of off-piste skiing with the least amount of climbing on skins”. | |
| 6 | 17-24 Jan | Val D'Aosta day tours | Neil Thompson |
E2 S3 M1-2 | Full | Day tours based at a hotel in the Aosta valley using cars to access the various areas. Ideally we aim to climb a col or peak in a different area each day. | |
| 7 | 17-24 Jan | Méribel off-piste training | Tom Saxlund BASI trainer |
E1 S2-3 M1 | Full | 5 full days off-piste training with Tom Saxlund (BASI trainer) and other BASI instructors from New Generation. A great week for developing your off piste skills and confidence. Excellent luxury chalet accommodation, food and hospitality with Lou & Stu of Delicious Mountain at Chalet La Chouette. | |
| 8 | 19-22 Jan (IFMGA Guide 23 - 25 Jan) | Chamonix off-piste training | Alison Culshaw BASI, David Frost (coordinator) |
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. Optional add-on’s with IFMGA Mountain Guides. | |
| 9 | 24-31 Jan | Val Maira | Dave Wynne Jones |
E2 S3 M2 | Full | Day tours in the beautiful Val Maira to the south of the Monte Viso massif based on valley hotel accomodation. | |
| 10 | 24-31 Jan | Méribel off-piste training | Tom Saxlund BASI |
E1 S3-4 M1 | Available | 5 full days off-piste training with Tom Saxlund (BASI trainer) and other BASI instructors from New Generation. A great week for developing your off piste skills and confidence. Excellent luxury chalet accommodation, food and hospitality with Lou & Stu of Delicious Mountain at Chalet La Chouette. | |
| 11 | 26-30 Jan | Vallorcine day tours | Hannah Burrows-Smith IFMGA |
E2 S3 M2 | Full | As this week is now full, an alternative week is possible for 19-23 January. Vallorcine-based day-tours in the Chablais and surrounding area. 5 days of adventurous ski-tours and off-piste skiing. | |
| 12 | 31 Jan - 7 Feb | Stuben am Arlberg | John Eames BASI |
E1 S3-4 M1 | Available | A mix of big off-piste runs, some coaching & half/full day tours exploring some lesser known steeper & deeper delights of St Anton, Stuben, Lech & Warth. Open to Alpine & Telemark skiers. | |
| 13 | 31 Jan - 7 Feb | Realp day tours | Rob Collister IFMGA |
E2 S2-3 M2 | Full | Day tours from Realp but including tours from Andermatt and the Oberalp Pass. | |
| 14 | 4-6 Feb | Level 2 advanced avalanche course – Avalanche Processes and Leadership | Bruce Goodlad IFMGA |
Full | This course is designed for keen recreationalist and backcountry leaders, desiring greater skills and knowledge. It follows the syllabus of the American Avalanche Association (see below) Level . | ||
| 15 | 6-9 Feb | Alpine Weekend Meet | Ella Schierbeek |
E1-3 S1-5 M1-3 | Full | Update: FULL at 30 members. Club dinner now on the Sunday. Weekend club meet, based at Hotel de la Couronne, Argentière. A new slot in the programme in response to the members survey. Levels 1-5. | |
| 16 | 7-14 Feb | Scuol | Rob Collister IFMGA |
E2 S2 M1 | Full | Somewhere new! Day tours from from the small resort of Scuol in the far East of Switzerland with two nights in the charming Tuoi hut, very close to Piz Buin and the Austrian border. | |
| 17 | 9-14 Feb | Vallorcine (Now to be based in Argentiere) | John Kentish |
E2-3 M1 S3 | Full | Day tours from a base in Argentiere. The emphasis will be on gaining summits with a good ski down. This meet follows the week end meet. The intention is that most tours will start from outside the Chamonix Valley, nearer Vallorcine. | |
| 18 | Feb-Mar | Zanskar expedition | Mike Spencer |
E4 S4 M4 | Full | The 2015 club expedition will be to Zanskar. The broad aim of the trip will be to ski through the country and to climb an appropriate ski peak(s). The team has now been selected. | |
| 19 | 14-21 February 2015 | Ski Photography Arolla | Andy Teasdale IFMGA |
E2 S2 M1 | Available | With photography as the main theme of the week we will explore local slopes and mountains for great scenic and action skiing images. | |
| 20 | 21-27 Feb | Winter room Haute Route | Graham Frost IFMGA |
E3 S2-3 M2 | 1 Place Left | Inspired by Rob Collister, this is a more adventurous way to tackle the classic Chamonix to Zermatt ski tour. Before the main season most of the huts are still closed and the mountains deserted, providing a truly memorable ski touring experience. | |
| 21 | 21-28 Feb | Maurienne Valley | Simon Christy BASI/UIMLA |
E2-3 S4-5 M1 | Full | A week of steep off piste coaching and adventures, based in Bramans, in the Maurienne valley. We will mix lift access with short tours to work on steep skiing skills. | |
| 22 | 21-28 Feb | Leaders course | Rick Marchant IFMGA (Coordinator Paul Cooper) |
E2 S3 M2 | Full | A training week for existing and prospective club leaders | |
| 23 | 28 Feb - 7 Mar | Grimentz off-piste and day tours | Andrew Kydd |
E1 S3-4 M1-2 | Completed | A return (final?) visit to the Val d'Anniviers. Unguided, mostly lift-assisted off-piste itineraries in the fantastic bowls, backbowls and trees of Grimentz and Zinal. Based in a comfortable hotel or self-catering chalet (TBC). | |
| 24 | 28 Feb -7 Mar | Arabba: less skinning, more skiing! | John Eames BASI |
E1 S3-4 M1 | Full | "As it says on the can"! Making the most of uplift, to explore & enjoy the hidden delights of the dramatic Sella and Marmolada areas of the Dolomites. Open to Alpine & Telemark skiers. | |
| 25 | 28 Feb – 7 Mar | Silvretta | Mark Gardiner |
E2-3 S2 M2 | Full | A Classic early season Hut to Hut tour in the Silvretta crisscrossing the Austrian Swiss border taking in a number of peaks en route. Starting and finishing in Galtur , Austria. | |
| 26 | 1 - 7 Mar | Andermatt | John Hogg IFMGA |
E1 S2-3 M1 | Full | Andermatt, my Swiss home town and one of Switzerland's powder snow meccas. Relaxed, easy ascents of 500m - 800m, with long descents to neighbouring villages. Comfortable family-run hotel with good food. | |
| 27 | 8-15 Mar | Dolomites | Dan Carron |
E2 S3 M2 | Full | A mellow week using a couple of comfortable huts in the Dolomites Fanes-Senes-Braies National park. Mostly day tours, starting in St.Vigilio. | |
| 28 | 7-14 Mar | Grimentz off-piste training | Graham Frost IFMGA / Tom Saxlund BASI |
E2 S2-4 M1 | Full | A great week in the Grimentz-Zinal area developing your skiing amongst some amazing scenery.Course focus is on off piste skills and mountain awareness. A combination of ski coaching and guided day tours with Tom Saxlund (BASI trainer), Steve Down (BASI 4) and Graham Frost (UIAGM guide). | |
| 29 | 7 -14 Mar | Western Oberland | Julie-Ann Clyma IFMGA |
E2 S2-3 M2 | 1 Place Left | A hut to hut traverse through the cantons of Vaud, Berne and Valais. A quieter area with some great ski descents, and classic peaks such as the Wildhorn and Wildstrubel. | |
| 30 | 7 - 14 Mar | Appennino ad Apuan Alp, Italy | Paul O'Brien |
E2 S3-4 M1-2 | 2 Places Left | Day tours and off-piste in the Appennino and Apuan Alps of Italy. Lively skiing in medium mountains – summits up to 2000m. Joint meet with local CAI experts who will search best conditions and challenging skiing. Valley based plus two nights guarded refuge. |
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| 31 | 7–14 Mar | Val di Rhemes | Chris Allan |
E3 S3 M2 | Available | Day tours from Rifugio Benevolo. Possible objectives, Punta Basei, Punta Galisia, Punta Calabre, Punta Tsanteleina. Possible return via Rifugio Chivasso and an ascent of Cima di Entrelor from Rhemes-Notre-Dame. | |
| 32 | 8–13 Mar | Technical Ski Mountaineering Course | Andy Perkins IFMGA |
E2 S3 M2 | 1 Place Left | A Chamonix based instructional meet focussing on knowledge and techniques for more challenging terrain. We aim to improve your individual skills as part of an Eagles group, whether guided or independent. | |
| 33 | 14 - 22 Mar | Southern French Alps - low impact for Good Skiers - cancelled | Steve Goulden |
E1 S3-4 M2 | Cancelled | Cancelled through lack of support \ |
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| 34 | 14-22 Mar | Haute Route Ossola | E2-3 S2-3 M2 | Full | Hut to hut tour (with one night in an unguarded hut) from Simplon to St Gotthard. This tour runs to the south of the more usual Tour de Soleil, following the Swiss – Italian border and taking advantage of the excellent Italian huts. | ||
| 35 | 13-20 Mar | Norway Sail & Ski | David Hamilton |
E2 S2 M1 | Full | Day tours in the Lyngen Alps (inside the Arctic Circle) where the snow cover extends from 1500m summits to sea level. Based aboard the comfortable 99’ sailing vessel s/y Goxheim. | |
| 36 | 15-20 Mar | Adamello off-piste and touring | Andy Perkins IFMGA |
E2 S3 M2 | Full | A quiet massif between the Ortler and Brenta. Three days of off-piste and day tours, then three days of hut-based touring in this compact yet wild glacial area. |
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| 37 | 15-21 Mar | Ortler | John Kentish |
E3 S3 M2 | Full | A traditional hut to hut tour, loosely based around the Zufritt Hut, Marteller Hut, Pizzini Hut, Branca Hut and Schaubach Hut. | |
| 38 | 21 - 29 Mar | Picos de Europa | Christine Watkins |
E2 S3 M3 | Full | An unguided Club Meet in the Austurias area of the Picos de Europa. The meet will be based at two refugios, enabling day tours from each. The trip is planned to be Saturday to Sunday. |
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| 39 | 21-28 Mar | Montgenevre | Andrew Duncan |
E1-2 S1-3 M1 | Available | Day tours and downhill skiing based in a catered chalet in Montgenèvre, part of Milky Way ski area. Minimum age 4. (18 if not with parent.) | |
| 40 | 21-28 Mar | Bernese Oberland | Rob Collister IFMGA |
E3 S3 M3 | 1 Place Left | A hut to hut tour in the central Bernese Oberland involving some long days and requiring a good level of skiing ability and familiarity with ice-axe and crampons. Weather permitting, the itinerary includes an ascent of the Finsteraarhorn and the fine descent from the Mittaghorn into the Lotschental. | |
| 41 | 21-27 March | Arolla "slightly steeper" day touring | Graham Frost IFMGA |
E3 S4 M2 | Full | The Val d'Hérens has lots of challenging skiing accessed by touring from the 3 small lift areas. This is not an "extreme" skiing week (!) but aimed at skiers who can climb 1000+m and ski 40 degrees on day tours. The guiding ratio is limited to 5:1 to facilitate guiding steeper descents. | |
| 42 | 21-28 March 2015 | Haute Maurienne | Andy Teasdale IFMGA |
E2 S3 M2 | 2 Places Left | 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. |
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| 43 | 22-28 Mar | Oetztal | John Kentish |
E2-3 S3 M3 | Full | Hut to hut tour in the Oetztal Alps, staying in the comfortable guarded huts of the region. The ascent of plenty of summits is a priority, especially those with a good ski descent. |
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| 44 | 21-27 Mar | Stubai | Mike Hendry |
E2 S2-3 M2 | Full | Hut-to-hut tour in the north-western part of the Stubai range, with two nights in each of three comfortable wardened huts. | |
| 45 | 21 Mar - 5 Apr | Pyrenees - Benasque | Dave Wynne-Jones |
E3 S3 M3 | Full | An Alta Ruta de Benasque, making a circuit of the Aneto-Maladeta and Posets massifs using guarded and unguarded huts and including day tours climbing peaks from the huts on the circuit. | |
| 46 | 22-27 Mar | Ortler | Andy Perkins IFMGA |
E2-3 S2-3 M2 | 2 Places Left | Hut to hut tour in the Ortler area of the southern Tirol which is well known for great snow, dramatic peaks and stunning huts. Andy Perkins loves Italy, dolce vita and neve buono. Va bene così! | |
| 47 | 28 Mar - 6 Apr | Ecrins | Alain Hosley |
E3 S3 M3 | Full | A circular tour around the Ecrins Massif based out of La Grave, taking in the Dome de Neige des Ecrins several days with climbs over 1500m. | |
| 48 | 29 Mar - 3 Apr | Relaxed Silvretta | Andy Perkins IFMGA and Julie-Ann Clyma IFMGA |
E1-2 S2 M1 | Full | This tour in the classic Silvretta region provides a relaxed approach. We have consecutive nights in very comfortable huts to enable people to take a rest or have a shorter day if required. | |
| 49 | 29 Mar -5 Apr | Andorra day-tours | Cathy O'Dowd |
E2 S2-3 M1 | Cancelled | Hotel-based days tours in Andorra (Pyrenees). Local club leader, good weather, no glaciers, skis on your feet from the carpark, a wide range of possible peaks. | |
| 50 | 3-12 Apr | British Columbia Base Camp | Owen Day ACMG SG |
E2-3 S3 M2 | Available | Fly in/fly out base camp trip out of the Frisby Creek in the Northern Monashees. Large tent with wood stove for communal area. This location has loads of excellent skiing terrain, from ski mountaineering objectives, long glaciated runs and great tree skiing. |
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| 51 | 4-10 Apr | Albula Alps Traverse | Bruce Goodlad IFMGA |
E2 S2 M2 | 1 Place Left | The Albula Alps in eastern Switzerland were made for ski touring. We plan to traverse the range joining the St Moritz and Davos valleys enjoying great huts peaks and passes. | |
| 52 | 4-11 Apr | Catalan Pyrenees | Peter Edgerton |
E3 S3 M2 | Full | A circuit of the Pic D’Estats region, with some unwardened huts and many 3000m peaks. An area noted for plenty of snow and relatively remote. | |
| 53 | 4-11 April 2015 | Introduction to Alpine Ski Touring | Andy Teasdale IFMGA |
E2 S1-2 M1 | Available | 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. | |
| 54 | 11-18 Apr | Val d'Anniviers Ski Tour | Hannah Burrows-Smith IFMGA |
E2 S3 M2 | Full | A high-level hut-to-hut tour that travels amongst the spectacular scenery of rocky peaks and glaciers that surround the Val d'Anniviers, taking in one or two of the ski-peaks en route. | |
| 55 | 11-18 April 2015 | Introductory hut to hut tour | Andy Teasdale IFMGA |
E2 S2-3 M2 | Full | A first hut to hut tour for those who have recently completed the Introductory Training Course, or those who want to refresh their hut to hut touring skills. This tour explores the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy. | |
| 56 | 11-18 Apr | Mont Blanc Massif | Catherine Mangham |
E2 S3 M2 | Cancelled | A weeks touring based in the Conscrits refuge | |
| 57 | 11-18 Apr | Tour of the Valpelline | Rick Marchant IFMGA |
E2-3 S3 M2 | Cancelled | Due to conflicting commitments I will not be able to lead this tour on these dates... sorry. | |
| 58 | 11-18 Apr | Haute Maurienne | Steve Wright |
E2 S3 M2 | Full | Quality ski touring away from the crowds, following the classic glacial traverse of the Haute Maurienne - including the "three cols" and the traverse of the Alberon. |
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| 59 | 18-25 Apr | Gran Paradiso | Susie Amann |
E3 S3 M3 | Full | Exploration of the Gran Paradiso Massif, with attempts on the Becca di Montandayne and Gran Paradiso, staying at the Chabod, Vittorio Emmanuele II and Pontese huts. | |
| 60 | 18-26 Apr | Bernina Alps | Graham Dudley/Sonia Roschnik |
E3 S3 M3-4 | Full | The Bernina Haute Route involves around 6 days of hut to hut touring starting from St. Moritz in the Engadine valley. Several ascents of peaks above 3500m including Piz Bernina 4049m. | |
| 61 | 20-27 Apr | Alaska Neacola Mountains | Joe Stock IFMGA (Phil Jardine coordinator) |
E4 S4 M2 | Full | The granite summits and vast glaciers of the Neacola Mountains offer Alaska’s most dramatic ski mountaineering. From a comfortable fly-in base camp we’ll ski untouched slopes. Optional add-on unguided extension. | |
| 62 | 25 Apr - 3 May | Vanoise Traverse | Mark Gardiner |
E3 S3 M2-3 | Full | A repeat attempt of April 2014’s crossing of the Vanoise national park from Val Thorens in the west to Val D Isere in the east taking in a number of peaks and cols en route with an optional ascent of the highest peak in the park at 3855 Metre’s La Grande Casse |
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| 63 | 25 Apr - 2 May | Oberland Classics | Julie-Ann Clyma IFMGA |
E2-3 S2 M2 | Cancelled | The end of April is a perfect time to explore the huge mountains and glaciers of the Oberland on ski. Some days will be quite long, but the technical difficulties are not great. | |
| 64 | 30 April -9 May | Iceland Troll Peninsula | Rick Marchant IFMGA |
E2 S3 M1 | Full | An excellent road network will be used to access ski tours from a central base. Option to extend the trip on an individual basis. Group costs and guide fee/expenses will be on a shared basis. | |
| 65 | Aug/Sept; 3 weeks flexible. | New Zealand | Dave Wynne-Jones |
E3 S3 M3 | Cancelled | It seems there is no interest in the venue for this introductory expedition that would enable ESC members who wish to go on to more full-on expeditions to acquire the experience to do so, similar to the Chugach expedition of 2013. |