Ski touring
introduction in Grimentz-Zinal
Your first day on touring skis. Learn to use skins and touring bindings, climb at a steady pace and ski down in fresh snow, with an instructor and close to the ski area.
Half dayor full day
Beginnertouring, no experience needed
1 to 5people per instructor
2012teaching in Grimentz-Zinal since
Ski Touring Introduction
Earn your turns
Ski touring is skiing without lifts: you climb on skis with skins under them, then take the skins off and ski down. It is quiet, it is a great workout and it opens up terrain that nobody else reaches. For many piste skiers it is the most rewarding step they ever take in the mountains.
This introduction is a first day on touring equipment, with an instructor who shows you how everything works and chooses a route that suits your fitness and level. You learn to put skins on and take them off, to walk efficiently uphill with kick turns, to switch your bindings and boots between climb and descent, and to ski down safely in ungroomed snow.
The Val d’Anniviers is an ideal place to start. Around Grimentz and Zinal there are gentle climbs close to the ski area, so you can learn the technique without a long approach and still enjoy a real descent. Our touring and freeride days run under Le Beau Ski, the freeride and ski touring brand of Bespoke Snowsports, with the same team and the same approach. Read our guide to ski touring for beginners in Zinal before your session.
What you will learn
- Equipment. How touring bindings, boots and skins work, and how to set them up for climbing and skiing.
- Climbing technique. An efficient, relaxed uphill stride, kick turns on steeper ground and how to pace yourself.
- Transitions. Changing from climb to descent and back without losing time or getting cold.
- Safety basics. Transceiver, shovel and probe, how to read the avalanche bulletin and why route choice matters.
Who is it for
Fit piste skiers with curiosity
This introduction is for skiers who are confident on red runs, reasonably fit and curious about the mountains beyond the lifts. You do not need any touring or off-piste experience.
It is popular with couples and small groups of friends who want to try touring together, and with skiers preparing for a bigger tour or a hut trip later in the season. Teenagers who ski well are welcome with an adult.
When you are ready for more, Le Beau Ski runs freeride days in the Val d’Anniviers and multi-day ski tours in Switzerland and beyond, with certified mountain guides for high-altitude and glacier terrain.
Before you go
What first-timers get wrong
Most first touring days go wrong for simple reasons. Your instructor will help you avoid them.
- Going too fast uphill. Touring is about rhythm, not speed. We set a pace you can hold for hours.
- Too many layers. You warm up quickly on the climb. We show you how to dress and when to change.
- Skipping the safety kit. Even close to the pistes, touring is off-piste terrain. We carry and explain transceiver, shovel and probe.
- Boots and skins left loose. Small set-up mistakes cost energy and blisters. We check your equipment before the first step.
Testimonials
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Good to know
Ski touring FAQ
How fit do I need to be?
You should be able to walk uphill for one to two hours at a comfortable pace, with breaks. The introduction is built around your fitness, so tell us honestly when you book and we will choose the right route.
Do I need my own touring equipment?
No. Rental shops in Grimentz and Zinal rent complete touring sets: skis with touring bindings, boots and skins. Ask us when you book and we will help you reserve the right size.
Is avalanche safety equipment included?
Every participant needs a transceiver, shovel and probe. If you do not have your own, tell us when you book so we can arrange them. Your instructor explains how they work at the start of the day.
How long is the session?
A half day is enough for a first introduction: equipment, technique and one climb with a descent. A full day allows a longer tour with a proper summit or col.
What happens if the conditions are not safe?
Your instructor checks the avalanche bulletin and the weather the day before. If the planned route is not safe, we adapt it or offer a different day.
Where do we meet?
We confirm the meeting point when you book, usually in Grimentz or Zinal near the lifts. Your instructor contacts you the day before with the details.
What languages do you teach in?
Our instructors teach in English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch and more, subject to availability. Tell us your preferred language when you book.
How do I book?
Send us a message with your dates, fitness and experience and we will plan the day with you and confirm the price. Touring days are booked directly with us, not through the online shop.
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Book your introduction
Ready to leave the lifts behind?
Teaching in Grimentz-Zinal since 2012. Tell us your dates and your group, and we will plan a first touring day around you with the Le Beau Ski team.