What is ski touring?
Ski touring involves using specific equipment to climb a slope or an untagged route before skiing downhill. In general we use skis randos with a detachable fastening at the heel that allows you to walk ski to the feet.
Under the sole of the skis (From the spatula to the heel) for the time of the climb, the skier will use skins of seals to prevent it from slipping back, it's a bit like Nordic ski touring but on the climb ! Obviously sticks are also very important to push and balance. Once you have climbed, you will go off-piste off the beaten track.
How to prepare for ski touring?
On a physical level, ski touring is a slow endurance sport (moderate to strong intensity if you feel like it); it is necessary to walk with skis on the foot (with specific fixings allowing to raise the heel). If you are hiking in the middle of the summer and you know how to ski, you will start without any problem.
The preparation is the same as for mountaineering; a downhill ski trip before will be beneficial. If you want to progress in endurance you can use training techniques such as "interval training" which consists of walking 10 minutes to warm up, then run at your maximum for 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on your form, then rest 1 minute while walking slowly, then start again 10 times a run / rest cycle, you will be exhausted! It is effective and does not require significant durations. Nevertheless, for this demanding activity on the cardiac plan, it is in your interest to consult your doctor and possibly to practice the ski touring in a club before launching you autonomously towards the summits. Obviously there is no need to be a Killian Jornet for ski touring, you can also ride at a moderate pace to contemplate nature and landscapes!
What material for ski touring?
Today with the evolution of ski equipment you will find ski packs that will allow you to go downhill skiing than ski touring, the performances are equal. We recommend light skis on the climb but also good on the descent to enjoy the beautiful snow off-piste, we talk about all-terrain skiing.
The longer a ski is, the more comfortable it is in deep snows or difficult, but it is heavier on the climb.
The carbon material may be a lighter solution to climb but it is more fragile and less easy to descend, skis are often narrower.
The shoes with rubber soles with inserts will allow you to use the bindings of ski touring much lighter on the climb, do not forget that the comfort is important because we have the shoes several hours at the feet and on uneven sometimes important.
The sticks of telescopic preference will allow you to adjust them to your size for a better thrust in the climb trace whatever the altitude difference.
It is not uncommon also to put expensive that fits on the bindings and which allow to evolve on the climb on more hard or frozen snow.
And security?
Obviously this is the most important point, it will provide you with a backpack of 30 liters allowing you to take snow shovel and probe for avalanches, it will be necessary to equip you with a DVA (Victim detector). 'Avalanche) which will allow you to be found or to find someone!
The guides will give you a training before the departure by hike, if you wish to go further you can carry out a formation of 1 to several days in order to reach the autonomy.
Remember to never leave alone and to provide you with an adequate means of telecommunication to prevent the rescue (Telephone or Radio)
In any case, it is important to discuss your mountain experience and fitness with your guide honestly; as professionals we will adapt and offer you a race that suits you best for a mximum of pleasure above all.
Make your base camp in the Aravis
Annecy or Thônes are an ideal base camp for ski touring in the Aravis, a few minutes from the ski resorts of Grand-Bornand or La Clusaz, you will not only enjoy the resort village atmosphere, but also a large ski area where the snow cover is often very good.
The accumulations of snow in the valley of Maroly in Chinaillon are often the most important in the department of Haute-Savoie, go serene for your ski holidays!
Many accommodation or lodgings are accessible in valleys or in the resort, sometimes even on the ski area! You can therefore take advantage of the ski lifts for off-piste skiing, but also ski touring.
Where to learn ski touring in the Aravis?
Many unmarked routes are ideal for skiers wishing to learn about ski touring.
Among these unmarked routes, perhaps you have already heard of the Sulens mountain, the Col de l'Aulp in Manigod, the Col de Tulle in Serraval, the Porte des Aravis in La Clusaz or the Aiguille Green from Chinaillon to Grand-Bornand (a magnificent village resort), the panorama over the valleys and the Mont-Blanc Massif so close is spectacular, you can even see the glaciers.
Where to improve ski touring in the Aravis?
Now, you have the choice! Many topos exist and there is something to do even for those who want to ski extreme or steep ...
During your stay in the Aravis, you can do the Trou de la Mouche from the Confins car park, or even the Paccaly or Tardevant valley, although quite frequented the snow is often very good there, throughout the trip. 'winter.
At the top, you will enjoy a spectacular panorama of the nearby Mont-Blanc massif.
