Ski touring, good for all levels!

Whatever your level or style, ski touring is a highly virtuous activity.

A gateway to a quieter, wilder mountain world, it’s the perfect opportunity to take a deep breath of fresh air, recharge your batteries and take in the sights – more necessary than ever these days, don’t you think?

Whether you set off on your own or follow our signposted routes, one thing’s for sure: it’ll get your thighs pumping and your cardio pumping! It’s a great workout, and you’re free to set the intensity to suit you. It’s all about the thrill of the ride!

There’s nothing to stop you going up in the morning to enjoy a nice picnic break at lunchtime with a breathtaking view, or joining a chalet to share a meal or even a night, in the friendly atmosphere reserved for you by our wardens and janitors.

Ski touring is also the perfect opportunity to get together with friends, family and other mountain enthusiasts for a day out in the peace and quiet of the mountains.

It’s also (and above all) a great excuse to share a good fondue when the evening comes!

Ski touring

The most classic shape, the one everyone has in mind. For you, it’s out of the question to put your spatulas on groomed slopes, only off-piste counts.

If you’re looking for unexplored trails or hard-to-reach peaks, this is the practice for you.

If you’re looking for an even greater thrill or sporting challenge, why not try the Tarentaise ski tour? It’s an itinerary you can plan as you wish, and which will take you through this magnificent massif.

Ski fitness

It’s THE ideal activity for trail runners and runners who find themselves in a real bind once the trails are covered in snow. It’s hard to put on your runnings when you’re in constant danger of going from Kilian Jornet to Philippe Candeloro…

Ski fitness is all about cardio and burning calories. Well… let’s face it, one ascent might be a bit too much to get rid of last night’s tartiflette…

This practice is a mix between ski touring and downhill skiing. Most of the ascent takes place on off-piste trails, when the resort is still asleep. It’s the perfect opportunity to make your mark in the light of the rising sun… Spectacle and sensations guaranteed! Once you’ve reached the summit, the descent is quick and mainly takes place on the pistes. But beware of damage machines if you’re skiing early – visibility is vital!

Your choice of equipment should therefore focus on slim, lightweight skis and boots. The aim is to be fast on the ascent and solid on the descent.

Freerando or freetouring

Are you looking for the thrill of skiing in fresh, untouched snow, but don’t fancy the idea of skiing for hours on end? Then opt for freerando instead.

We prefer short approach walks, the ideal being to take advantage of the ski lifts to get some height (well, we’re not teaching you anything, it won’t be for a while). For this type of skiing, the lightness of the equipment is not the most important criterion: you’ll be looking for a ski that’s comfortable and easy to handle on the way down.

Support

In the mountains, you have to remain humble. Put out of your mind the idea of “let’s go and see”. Going off-piste is not something you can improvise, especially if you’re new to the mountains.

To limit the risks and leave with peace of mind, enlist the help of an experienced, qualified professional to help you discover all the joys of ski touring, while ensuring your safety. Our guides are true enthusiasts, and will take great pleasure in sharing their knowledge of the practice of ski touring with you, as well as their knowledge of the mountain, its fauna, flora and history.

Stéphane Rutard, a mountain guide in Tignes, gives us a few reasons to go with a guide: “If you want to discover this exceptional mountain environment, the guides are there to guide you in complete safety while sharing their knowledge to see the mountain from another angle.”

Get advice

If you’re getting into ski touring, you’re probably already familiar with the idea of having skis on your feet. But alpine skis and touring skis are very different! To make sure you don’t get off on the wrong track and end up with the wrong equipment, don’t give it another thought – come and ask the professionals for advice. In Tignes, you’ll find a multitude of retailers who’ll be able to advise you perfectly on choosing THE pair you need!

Olivier Duch, manager of the Duch Sport store in Tignes, gives us his advice: “There are several types of touring skis. Light, thin skis will suit skiers looking for a fast ascent, but will be more demanding on the descent. Conversely, wider skis will be heavier on the ascent, but offer greater comfort and safety on the descent. It’s important to take the time to talk to the skier and suggest the ski best suited to his or her needs.”

If touring skis are different from alpine skis, clothing and equipment are also different. “You have to bear in mind that you’re going to get warm quickly on the way up, but it’s going to be cold once you get to the top, as well as on the way down. If you don’t feel cold at the start, you’re probably overdressed. Always set off with a backpack that includes extra layers so you don’t feel cold on the way down. And don’t forget to hydrate regularly! With the cold we tend to forget it, but dehydration can cause minor injuries such as tendonitis”, advises Olivier.

Fully equipped

The management of the Tignes ski area warns us about safety and how to behave: “It’s important to remember that we’re already at 2100m altitude in the resort, so we’re operating in a demanding mountain environment that can involve risks. If you’re a beginner, stay on the marked slopes, which are safe and supervised by piste safety.”

Due to the closure of the ski lifts, the entire slope service has adapted to offer you safe discovery areas. “We’ve had to adapt to offer a quality service that allows everyone to enjoy it at their own level. However, if you wish to ski outside these areas, you do so under your own responsibility and in unsafe zones. It is therefore essential to be equipped with the triptych: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, so that you can practise first aid before help arrives in case of need”.