€0.00
Shopping Cart

Activities

Ski Mountaineering Course – Learn the Essentials for Safe and Confident Touring

Monte Rosa Booking > Products > Ski Mountaineering Course – Learn the Essentials for Safe and Confident Touring
Level: 1
Season: Winter
Duration: 3 days
Participants: Max 7

My goal

Learn how to move through the mountains on touring skis

This three-day beginner ski touring course takes place in Ossola, where gentler terrain gives us a suitable setting to learn and practise. Accompanied by an IFMGA Mountain Guide, you’ll build the skills needed to explore the winter mountains on touring skis.

We work directly on the mountain. You’ll learn to use skins and touring equipment, find an efficient uphill pace, make kick turns and adapt your skiing to ungroomed snow. On the descent, your guide will observe your balance, control and technique, offering practical advice suited to your level.

An important part of the course focuses on route choice and avalanche awareness. You’ll learn to understand the key information in an avalanche bulletin, observe snow and terrain, and practise companion rescue using a transceiver, shovel and probe.

Three days are not enough to become fully independent in the mountains. The aim is to build solid technical and decision-making foundations, understand what a ski touring day involves and recognise which skills need further practice.

We choose Ossola for its learning terrain. Your IFMGA Mountain Guide selects each day’s route according to snow, weather and the group’s ability, introducing more demanding terrain when appropriate. This gradual approach helps you develop the technique and endurance you can later build on towards Monte Rosa’s 4,000-metre peaks.

During the course

  • Learn the fundamentals of uphill and downhill ski touring.
  • Practise skinning, kick turns, pacing and equipment management.
  • Begin to interpret avalanche bulletins and recognise relevant features of snow and terrain.
  • Practise companion rescue with a transceiver, shovel and probe.
  • Understand how a ski tour is planned and how your guide makes decisions on the mountain.

For further reading, explore the SLF’s guidance on avalanche awareness and prevention.

Available dates

22–23–24 January 2027
12–13–14 February 2027

The course runs in small groups, allowing time for individual feedback and practice suited to the participants’ abilities.

To continue developing your skills after the course, explore our ski touring trips to prepare for Monte Rosa’s 4,000m peaks.

Price per person: €520

The price includes: an IFMGA Mountain Guide from the Monte Rosa area for all 3 days of the course, return lift pass to Passo dei Salati, return lift pass between Pianalunga and Passo dei Salati, half board at Rifugio Grande Halte, half board in Alagna, technical equipment (harness and crampons), and avalanche safety kit with transceiver, shovel and probe.

Not included: anything not specifically listed under “The price includes”.

Please note: this is a group programme. The course is confirmed once a minimum of 5 participants has been reached.

Day 1 – Technical assessment and introduction to ski touring

The day begins with a technical assessment of each participant, both on piste and off piste, using ski touring equipment. Your IFMGA Mountain Guide will observe each skier’s level and give practical advice to improve downhill technique.

A short ascent will follow to assess the group’s fitness and allow everyone to become familiar with the equipment. We will then continue with a medium-length tour focused on the fundamental techniques of uphill travel: efficient skinning, kick turns and pace management.

Dinner and overnight stay at Residence Indren Hus.

Elevation gain: variable, depending on the group’s level
Duration: 4–5 hours

Day 2 – Avalanche safety and risk management

This day is dedicated to safety and to planning a ski touring day.

You will learn how to read and interpret avalanche and weather bulletins, observe snowpack conditions and assess terrain in order to choose routes that are appropriate for the actual conditions.

During the day, we will also run a practical avalanche rescue session, with exercises using a transceiver, shovel and probe, as well as search organisation and emergency procedures.

Dinner and overnight stay at Rifugio Grande Halte.

Elevation gain: 700–900 m
Duration: 5–6 hours

Day 3 – Guided ski tour and off-piste technique

The final day is a complete ski touring outing, giving you the chance to put into practice what you have learned over the previous two days.

We will return to uphill travel techniques, pace management and track selection. During the descent, we will work on balance, ski control and adapting your technique to different types of snow and terrain.

The aim is to bring together technique, safety and observation skills, while beginning to build greater independence for future ski touring days.

Elevation gain: 800–1,000 m
Duration: 5–6 hours

The programme and elevation gains are indicative. Your IFMGA Mountain Guide may change the routes and activities according to weather and snow conditions, safety considerations and the group’s actual level.

For the ski touring course, you will need:

  • touring skis and boots, skins and telescopic poles
  • ski helmet
  • avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
  • 30–35 litre backpack
  • layered ski clothing
  • warm gloves and lighter gloves
  • category 3 or 4 sunglasses and ski goggles
  • thermos or water bottle and snacks
  • headlamp
  • sunscreen and lip protection
  • sleeping bag liner
  • ski crampons and ice axe, when requested by the guide

A harness is provided by us.

When you book, we will send you the complete equipment list. In the days before the course, your IFMGA Mountain Guide may suggest adjustments depending on the snow, weather and planned routes.

Mountaineering, ski touring, off-piste skiing and trekking take place in a natural, uncontrolled environment.
Weather conditions, snow, ice, terrain, visibility, altitude and physical fatigue can change rapidly and directly affect the course of the activity. For this reason, there is always an inherent level of objective risk, which cannot be eliminated but only managed.

All our activities are led by IFMGA Mountain Guides and Certified Hiking Guides (AMM).
The guide continuously assesses environmental conditions and the physical and mental state of participants, sets an appropriate pace, manages progression and ensures the correct use of equipment. If conditions require it, the guide may modify the itinerary or interrupt the activity, always in the interest of individual and group safety.

Participants are required to be in good physical and mental condition, adequately prepared for the level of the activity, and to follow the guide’s instructions at all times.

Group activities

During group outings, the pace is set according to the slowest participant. In case of fatigue or discomfort, the guide may decide to adjust the programme or return early. In the mountains, the group ascends and returns together.

? Learn more here

FAQ #1 – Do I need previous ski touring experience?
No. The course is also suitable for people trying ski touring for the first time. You should, however, be confident skiing red runs and have good general fitness. Your IFMGA Mountain Guide will adapt the terrain and progression to the group’s level.
FAQ #2 – How fit do I need to be?
You need good aerobic endurance and should be comfortable spending several hours in the mountains for three consecutive days. The course includes uphill sections using skins and descents on ungroomed snow, with the level of effort depending on the route and conditions.
FAQ #3 – What happens if the weather or snow conditions are unsuitable?
The programme is adapted to the actual conditions. Your IFMGA Mountain Guide may change the route, area or objective according to the snow, weather, visibility and snowpack conditions. We do not follow a fixed itinerary at all costs.
FAQ #4 – Do I need an ABS avalanche airbag backpack?
No. An ABS airbag backpack is not compulsory for the course. A transceiver, shovel and probe are essential safety equipment. If you do not own them, check with us when booking to see what equipment can be provided.
FAQ #5 – Will I learn how to use a transceiver, shovel and probe?
Yes. During the course, we practise the use of the avalanche rescue kit, including searching, probing and shovelling. We also look at the key information in the avalanche bulletin and the terrain features to observe before a ski tour.
FAQ #6 – Is the three-day programme fixed?
No. Each day is built around the group’s level and the mountain conditions. We may work on uphill technique, kick turns, equipment management, skiing variable snow and route planning, choosing the most suitable terrain each day.

Populate the form and secure your spot now!
Choose your departure date

Ski Mountaineering Course – Learn the Essentials for Safe and Confident Touring

€0.00

3 days

Categories: , ,

Insurance

Before departure, check that your insurance policy specifically covers mountaineering, glacier travel, altitude, trip cancellation, repatriation, and personal liability. For more information, read our complete guide to mountain insurance.

GET INSPIRED

You may also like…

logo guide Champoluc
logo Guide Gressoney
logo guide Alagna

Do you want to stay in the loop with real-time updates about the thrilling adventures waiting for you on Monte Rosa?

Subscribe to the newsletter, download the free guide, and start getting ready for your next alpine experience.

guida all'alpinismo

Follow Us

Instagram Youtube
Contact Us

Adventure Hub

Mountaineering
Summer Group Hike
Freeride Monte Rosa
Winter Mountain Access
4,000ers on skis
Multi-day ski tours
1–2 day ski tours

Useful links

Terms and Conditions
Contacts and Company Details
Booking FAQs
Safety and Mountain Guides
Pre-contractual Information (Package Holidays)
How Monte Rosa Group Climbs Work

Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy| P.IVA IT01858480021

WINTER

Level 1 – Explore
First freeride experiences. Controlled turns and a relaxed pace on accessible terrain.

Level 2 – Advanced
Confident skiing on ungroomed snow and able to maintain a good pace throughout the day.

Level 3 – Technical
Regular freeride experience, including on steeper terrain and in more exposed situations.

SUMMER

Level 1 – First experience
You should be comfortable with normal mountain hiking. No previous mountaineering or glacier experience is required.

Level 2 – Basic experience
You should already have completed hikes of several hours on mountain trails. Previous glacier experience or use of crampons is not required, but you should be ready to use them for the first time.

Level 3 – Mountaineering experience
Previous experience using crampons and travelling roped together on a glacier is required. The route may include short exposed sections.

Level 4 – Advanced experience
Solid experience using crampons and travelling roped together is required. The route may include exposed ridges, steep slopes and mixed terrain.

Level 5 – Experienced mountaineer
Strong experience on technical high-mountain routes is required. The route may include very exposed sections, climbing on rock, ice or mixed terrain, and may require knowledge of the main rope techniques.

The level indicates the technical experience required, not the physical effort.
The actual difficulty may vary depending on mountain conditions and the route.