Tutorial: a beginner’s guide to ski touring

Tutorial: a beginner’s guide to ski touring

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Tutorial: a beginner’s guide to ski touring

Les 3 Vallées provides trails reserved for ski tourers so you can discover the largest ski area in the world in another way and experience a different form of skiing. Far from the crowds, this is a wonderful way to get back to nature. If you choose to make use of the lifts in addition to your own efforts, ski touring can be way of relaxing. Or if you choose to yomp up the mountain at speed, it becomes a real challenge. Discover our ski touring tutorial...

UP...

1. Putting your skins on

Place your ski upright in the snow in front of you!

Put the clip or insert (depending on your skis) at the top of your ski tip! 

Slowly stick the skin down the length of the ski.

Clip to the tail of your ski.

2. Put your bindings and boots into "climb" mode

3. Step into your ski bindings on the flat

4. Start going uphill

Place your skis firmly on the snow and try not to lift the ski up

Go at a comfortable pace

Admire the scenery

Ski touring in Les 3 Vallées

...DOWN

5. Removing the skins

Place your ski upright in the snow in front of you!

Unhook the tail clip (if you have one)

Unstick the seal skin off from bottom to top

Do the same thing for the 2nd skin!

6. Folding the skin up

Once you’ve taken it off, you’ll need to carefully fold the skin in half!

Do the same thing for the 2nd skin!

7. Put your bindings and boots into «ski» mode

8. Put on your jacket and helmet and enjoy the descent!

Removing the skins in ski touring

Want to try it out for yourself?

Get in touch with one of Les 3 Vallées ski schools!

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An easy plan

Les 3 Vallées has created a whole range of skipasses to meet every need: you can ski on your own or with a group or family, for one day, a weekend, a week’s holiday or for the entire season.

Buy your skipass online before you arrive to gain time: buy your 3 Vallées skipass online to be the first on slopes, easy and comfortable. Less wait, more ski!

Buy your skipass online

To enjoy this exceptional itinerary and the entirety of Les 3 Vallées ski area in the best possible conditions.

WEATHER FORECAST

Knowing the snow conditions and weather forecast for the next 3 days in the seven 3 Vallées resorts is a real help when organising an unforgettable holiday in the heart of the largest ski area in the world.

Weather Forecast

WEBCAMS

Here you will find all the webcams in Les 3 Vallées ski area. These cameras are situated at strategic points in each of the resorts and provide a mine of useful information so you can prepare and make the most of your ski outings!

Webcams

SKI RUN AND LIFT OPENINGS

Each day, you can check what Les 3 Vallées has to offer you by viewing live information on the opening conditions and the times and state of the lifts, ski runs and links.

Ski run & lift openings



To prepare for your off-piste skiing day, consult the Avalanche Risk Estimate Bulletin. These information are essential in order to evaluate your off-piste outing. If you decide to do off-piste, think about to be accompanied by a mountain professional.

Avalanche Risk Estimate Bulletin



Check Les 3 Vallées app for access to live info when you’re on the ski area (ski run and ski lift opening times, opening times for links between Les 3 Vallées, weather forecasts…)

App 3 Vallées



Ski touring in Les 3 Vallées

Freeriding checklist

Ski instructor and Les 3 Vallées ambassador, Timy Théaux specialises in freeride and freerando. He's giving us his "equipment checklist" for an off-piste session.

EQUIPMENT

Skis equipped with specific touring bindings

Sealskins adapted to your skis

Poles with wide baskets to help you push properly against deep snow

Ski helmet

Ski goggles for the descent, sunglasses for the climb

Neck warmer

AVD, Avalanche Victim Detector charged up and with you (must-have items for going off-pistes)

Waterproof, breathable ski clothing

RUCKSACK

Shovel & probe (must-have items for going off-pistes)

Fully charged mobile phone

Survival blanket

Area map & Piste map

Water &  Snacks (cereal bar, dried fruits...)

Dry, warm clothes to change into at the summit

Spare pair of gloves

Sun cream

Sticky tape, string, Swiss army knife