Advanced Course Ski Touring on Glaciers

Moderate
4 days
Ski tourer with skis strapped on the ridge.
Self-arrest on ice
Ski tourer with skis strapped on the ridge.
Safe travel in a rope team with crampons
Crevasse rescue and risk analysis
Tour planning for challenging glacier ski tours

Season:

March May

Departure Times

10:15

Key info

At least 6 days of ski touring completed
A strong skier who handles black runs with ease
Experience skiing deep snow in a range of conditions
Comfortable with 4 hours of hiking while carrying a pack

Overview

Recommended for: Anyone who trades comfort for the view.

Safely navigate glaciers: Enhance your skills in crevasse rescue, rope techniques, and tour planning for high mountain ski tours.

This course provides you with the essential knowledge and techniques for safe ski tours on glaciers. You'll learn how to avoid crevasse falls, use crampons and ropes, and navigate in high mountain environments. Theory and practice go hand in hand, ensuring you can embark on your next tours with confidence.

Course details

Academy

Learning objectives

  • Plan and undertake independent ski tours on glaciers
  • Set safe uptracks and how to manage ski descents on glaciers
  • Risk management and avalanche assessment in glaciated terrain
  • Navigate glaciers using map, compass, and GPS
  • Walk safely with crampons and in a rope team
  • Using ropes while ski touring on glaciers
  • Learn about and practice crevasse rescue

Assessment methods

Progress is continuously assessed

Learning progress is continuously recorded through practical exercises and feedback from the mountain guide. The focus is on the safe application of techniques, understanding of planning and navigation, and group behavior, which are observed and reported back.

Certification

Certificate: Advanced Glacier Ski Touring Course

Upon completion of the four-day course, participants receive a certificate. This confirms successful participation in the Advanced Glacier Ski Touring Course, but is intended as a keepsake and is not an official document.

Issued by:
Outdoor Switzerland AG

Itinerary

Meeting points
Day1
Day 1: Improvised Glacier Rescue
The meeting point is at Jungfraujoch. The first focus on the glacier: crevasse rescue. You'll learn how to use a pulley system to rescue someone from a crevasse. Theory and practice blend seamlessly here. On the way to Konkordia Hut, we deepen our knowledge of rope handling and tour planning.
Day2
Day 2: Training Tour to Trugberg (3,880 m)
Early in the morning, we start the ascent to Trugberg. An ideal tour to analyze crevasse zones and set a safe track. When do we rope up? How do you spot a hidden crevasse? We address these questions along the way. The descent through untouched powder snow provides the perfect end to the day.
Day3
Day 3: Navigation at Anuchnubel (3,589 m)
Today focuses on navigation. Map, compass, and GPS are used to find the right path to Hollandia Hut and onward to Anuchnubel. We sharpen our eye for the terrain and question our route choices. The descent to Hollandia Hut rounds off the training day.
Day4
Day 4: Application Tour to Mittaghorn (3,892 m)
The highlight: A challenging tour to Mittaghorn. The summit ridge requires concentrated travel with crampons and rope. How do we position the rope team? When are crampons necessary? Here we put what we've learned into practice. The reward: a 2,300-meter descent to Blatten in Lötschental. An intense conclusion to 4 days of high mountain experience.

Whats included

Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
Expenses of the mountain guide
Overnight stay(s) with half-board for the mountain guide
Hut reservation
Course Certificate

Not included

Costs for cable cars and travel expenses of the guest
Overnight stay(s) in bunk room with half-board for the guest
Snacks
Technical equipment
Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guide's share)

Pack list

Weather info

General weather info

Weather can influence any tour, and a clear decision is often only possible on the day itself. We review conditions carefully and remain within our safety limits, and bad weather alone does not mean we have to stop.

Make sure we can reach you with current contact information in case your booking changes. Silence from us means your tour is still planned or the final call is not yet made. If we need to cancel, you can rebook, choose another activity, or get a full refund.

For detailed advice on how to prepare for (and enjoy!) bad weather days in Interlaken, check out our weather blog 

Meeting points

Meeting points
Activity location

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