Ski Touring Off Piste
Ski touring allows the skier to access areas that would normally be out of reach from a ski lift. In Europe's top winter resorts there are many opportunities for the ski tour enthusiast to escape the main controlled area and experience the mountains in their true natural state. Just like off piste skiing, ski touring must never be performed without a fully qualified skiing teacher or qualified mountain guide unless you are a seasoned skier with good experience. Anyone that embarks on a ski tour must be able to cope with varied terrain and be a competent and experienced skier.
It is also possible to snowboard tour. This requires the use of snowshoes and telescopic poles that can then be packed away in a backpack for the descent on the snowboard. Exactly the same rules apply when touring off piste with any equipment, always be accompanied by a fully qualified international snowboard teacher or mountain guide.
Ski touring can involve very short trips of a few hours or much longer ones spread over days or even weeks. Europe's top winter resorts share an enormous range of ski touring possibilities for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities who travel from all over the world to experience the regions fantastic scenery. Qualified mountain guides will be able to take experienced skiers and snowboarders ski touring into the off piste terrain, with the correct equipment.
Long ski tours require a fairly high level of fitness and mental strength. When starting off it is advisable to embark on short, easy tours that might last from one to three hours. These tours can be on fairly flat terrain and will not stray too far from the controlled areas.
After gaining confidence with shorter tours the skier or snowboarder can embark on longer, more demanding trips. It is possible in Europe's winter sports resorts to stay overnight in cabins or mountain huts. Sometimes these huts can be large and staff or operators of the hut provide food. Sometimes they can be small and you are expected to bring your own supplies, all good fun.
