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Intro
Ski Touring Weekends 2010
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PHOTO:
Intro Ski Tour Weekend group ski touring across to Pointe
Helbronner.
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FEEDBACK:
"Our ski ascent over the Col du Passon and down
the La Tour glacier was a great finale.
The instruction we received was superlative"
Mick C, London, 2005
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| Course
Overview |
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These
weekends are for those wishing to learn ski touring
whilst minimising time off work. You have two full
days ski touring, as well as briefings, evening
theory and instruction sessions. The
itinerary is flexible to take account of the previous
skills, experience, and aspirations. |
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If
you have spent most of your time on skis on piste,
and want to escape the crowds, this course will
give you the skills to access the mountains throughout
the winter season. This course is also ideal as
an introduction or preparation for famous ski tours
such as the Haute Route (Chamonix to Zermatt). |
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In
terms of ski ability you should be able to ski any
run on piste and have some off piste experience,
even if it just skiing between / alongside the pistes.
Although there is usually only a little steep skiing,
the slopes can be icy in places, and there is usually
good powder on the descents. Any mountaineering
skills or knowledge of ropes are an advantage, but
not essential as all necessary techniques are taught
during the weekend. |
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Dates: 13
- 14 March 2010, 20
- 21 March 2010,
27 - 28 March 2010, 3
- 4 April 2010, 10
- 11 April 2010, 17
- 18 April 2010.
For current availability on this course click
here.
Extra dates run on demand for four or more people
booking together. |
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The
course at a glance... |
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Weekend course, run during the winter. Price from
£199pp, including safety kit. |
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No touring experience necessary. Avalanche safety
kit is provided for the days. |
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Top tip... this weekend can preceed a Chamonix to
Zermatt Haute Route tour. |
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You could also consider... Haute
Route
or
Off
Piste Clinic - Level 1 |
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Brief
Course Itinerary |
| Sat |
08:00
equipment checks and briefing. Meet guide at 08:30.
Day of introductory level ski touring, practising
how to use the equipment and kick turns. Guiding
ratio 1:6 (max). Evening instruction session. |
| Sun |
A
second day of guiding, run along the same lines
as the previous day, often touring across from Aiguille
du Midi to Helbronner, then skiing the Vallee Blanche.
By late afternoon you are free to depart for home. |
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technical elements covered during the course include the
following: |
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Avalanche
tranceiver searches |
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Use of skins and harscheisen |
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Crevasse rescue and hoists |
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Basic glacier travel ropework |
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Tranceiver
detection fields |
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Travel techniques on touring
skis |
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Trip
planning and preparation |
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Kick
turns and use of tour bindings |
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Equipment
choice and selection |
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Decision
making processes |
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Different
types of avalanches |
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Off piste
skiing techniques |
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| ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain
adventures are weather and conditions dependant,
so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans.
If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered.
Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to
the types of route / activity that you will attempt. |
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Course
Photo Gallery
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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2
days guiding, 2 days holiday in total |
£249* |
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Premium
course
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2
days guiding, 3 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus 2 nights B&B
gite accommodation) |
+£50pp |
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide
for two days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for in-resort logistics
& assistance, 3) Pre course information booklet, 4)
Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 5) Safety equipment
as detailed in the notes below, 6) Free 36 page technical
Course Instruction Booklet, 7) Road transport in Chamonix
valley, 8) Safety briefing before guiding, 9) Evening
instruction session on Saturday evening. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars (approx
£30), 3) Ski hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone
calls, lunches, evening meals, & any purchases in
mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 5) One or two nights
of accommodation in Chamonix, 6) Activities insurance,
& excess baggage charges. |
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| Price
Notes*: The
price drops to £199 for all those booking on this
course who also are on a week-long Icicle ski tour on
the following week after the weekend. |
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| Notes:
The
loan of all technical climbing equipment for each client
is included* in the course price as required: ice axe,
12 point crampons, helmet, harness, ropes, ice screws,
avalanche tranceiver, avalanche probe and shovel. |
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| Upgrade
options |
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Acclimatisation
Weekend
£99
(throughout the season) |
To
get the most out your course, acclimatisation is
essential so that you minimise the chances of AMS
(altitude sickness) later on during your course,
details. |
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Avalanche
Skills Day
£49
(throughout the season) |
To
learn avalanche prediction, reutschblocks and use
of avalanche tranceivers. Course is available on
any day during the week (includes ARVA),
details. |
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