Introductory Course in Ski Touring and Avalanche Safety | Safiental at the Berghotel with a mountain guide

• Course content & procedure

  • Meeting place

    10.30 a.m., Thalkirch, Turrahus mountain inn, Turra

    We meet at the back of the Safiental, at the Turrahus mountain inn in Turra. There we will get to know each other during a short round of introductions and start the course. We will leave our luggage at the accommodation.

  • Day 1 - Arrival and introduction with a short ski tour

    800 metres altitude

    800 metres altitude

    We’ll kick off the course with a leisurely ski tour. Throughout the tour, we’ll explain and discuss the key aspects of ski touring. On the first day, we’ll learn a lot of new things through hands-on, practical exercises. We’ll take the time to deliberately go over the topics several times to ensure everyone feels confident.

    Daily destination: You have learnt the basics of ski touring and gained experience in the use of safety equipment.

    Course content: 

    Basics of ski touring

    • Operating touring skis with tips and tricks from professionals
    • Mounting the touring skins
    • Walking techniques
    • Hairpin bends

    Materials and equipment

    • What we need and don't need for ski tours

    Theory Meteo (evening)

    • Which apps and tools do we use
  • Day 2 - Learning and applying

    800 metres altitude

    800 metres altitude

    During a practical session, we revise what we learnt the day before and learn some new things.

    Daily destination: Stay safe whilst ascending on touring skis – the movements involved in techniques such as kick turns become second nature.

    Course content: 

    Repeat what you have learnt

    • Operating touring skis with tips and tricks from professionals
    • Mounting the touring skins
    • Walking techniques
    • Hairpin bends

    Avalanche victim search

    • Correct and efficient operation of safety equipment
      • LVS - avalanche transceiver
      • Probe
      • Shovel

    Tour planning (evening)

    • 3×3 tour planning
    • Avalanche bulletin
    • Avalanche awareness
    • Risk check
  • Day 3 - Learn and apply

    800 metres altitude

    800 metres altitude

    During a practical session, we revise what we learnt the day before and learn some new things.

    Daily destination: Your perception goes outwards: Where am I and what are the conditions like? You gain your first experience of the decision-making processes that are necessary for ski touring.

    Course content: 

    Repeat what you have learnt

    • Ascent techniques
    • Tips and tricks

    Assessment of the terrain in which we move

    • Steepness
    • Avalanche danger
    • Risk check in the field

    Ski technique

    • We cannot teach you how to ski on the slopes during ski tours, but we are happy to give you a few tips. If you want to improve your skiing technique, we recommend taking part in one of our skiing technique courses.
      • • Ski technique courses

    Materials and equipment (evening)

    • Repair kit - what makes sense to have with you
    • How to pack lightly and ergonomically

    Reflection and tour planning

    • Expectations and feedback
    • Where do we stand - what is still missing?
      • Tour planning
  • Day 4 - Apply and consolidate

    800 metres altitude

    800 metres altitude

    During a final tour, we will once again cater to your needs and support you individually to gain more confidence and knowledge.

    Daily destination: Your expectations are fulfilled and you go home satisfied and with a lot of joy.

    Course content

    Orientation

    • Reading maps in the field
    • Compass
    • Altimeter, contour lines and slope

    Reflection

    • Feedback
    • What's next?
  • Conclusion

    approx. 15:00, Turrahus, Thalkirch

    We finish the course together at the Turrahus.

• Requirements

  • No previous ski touring experience required.
  • You know how to ski on black pistes.
  • Stamina for short ski tours with an ascent of around 600 - 800 metres at a leisurely pace (~300m/h).
  • Splitboarders are welcome.

• Price and services

  • CHF 1090.-
  • Small group with 4 - 8 guests per mountain guide.
  • Including professional planning and realisation with a mountain guide and his travel expenses.
  • Including accommodation and half-board in twin rooms up to a maximum of four-bed rooms.
  • Excluding travel expenses, possible train tickets, personal consumption.

• Material and equipment

  • For this tour you need the material from this PDF. We carry our equipment with us the whole time. Only pack the essentials.
  • General material and packing tips we have also put together for you.

That's what our guests say:

Impressions: Ski touring basic course Safiental

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