The Pyrenees are an ideal place to get off the beaten tracks and into the real mountains.
Ski touring is a technique which allows experienced skiers to travel across all different types of terrain in the open mountains. It uses a special type of binding, leaving your heel free for uphill skiing. Skins are attached to the bottom of the ski, which grip the snow for easy climbing. During descents, the heel is clipped down and you ski in a normal, Alpine fashion. Our ski touring holidays are also open to "free heel" Telemark skiers.
Ski touring Pyrenees - putting the skins on
Ski touring Pyrenees - putting the skins on
Who is this for?
The wild interior of the mountains can be opened up to skiers who are comfortable on red-runs, have some experience off-piste, and are confident at controlling their speed with a turn.
Ski touring Pyrenees - the breche on the Quatre Termes
Ski touring Pyrenees - the breche on the Quatre Termes
What do we see and do?
For Winter 2012 we’re offering three different levels of ski touring holiday, using qualified local guides with a lifetime of experience skiing and exploring the area.
During a week’s guided ski touring in the Pyrenees, you will discover the breathtaking scenery of the Pyrenees National Park and the wild glacial lakes of the Neouvielle Nature Reserve, ski to the summit of a 3000m peak, and watch the sun setting from a remote, high mountain refuge.
New for winter 2012, we’re offering a trip to the Alps to do the classic Alpine high route, from Chamonix to Zermatt, with an additional ascent of Mount Blanc (weather dependent).
Ski touring Pyrenees - Telemark turns in powder
Ski touring Pyrenees - Telemark turns in powder
What fitness level do I need?
To get the most out of your holiday you should be a confident skier, able to make parallel turns on red runs. You will also need to be fit and healthy - able to walk uphill for two and a half to three hours a day (with an average height gain of 800m). Most of our clients like to do some form of fitness training before their holiday.
High Mountain Guide Henri Nogue
High Mountain Guide Henri Nogue
Who leads these ski-touring holidays?
MountainBug ski touring trips are led by experienced, qualified local guides. They will give you instruction where necessary, as well as planning your routes so that they are safe, enjoyable and at the right level for you.
For avalanche safety, you will carry a transceiver, probe and snow shovel whenever you are skiing off piste. The use of avalanche security equipment is covered in our "introduction to ski touring" course and also reviewed and practiced on any touring trips.
These are the ski-touring holidays we are currently offering:
Pyrenees ski-touring - based in our 3* chalet
Pyrenees ski-touring - based in our 3* chalet
Pyrenees ski-touring - leave the piste behind
Pyrenees ski-touring - leave the piste behind
Pyrenees ski-touring - based in our 3* hotel
Pyrenees ski-touring - based in our 3* hotel
