An Introduction to Ski Touring

14th April 2025 | James Cove, Val d'Arly/Espace Diamant, France.

Last modified on April 22nd, 2025

It’s one of the fastest growing activities in the mountains and can begin with a gentle walk up a marked path and returning on a piste or by its side. Here’s how you can give it a try to see if it’s for you.

Many resorts are now offering marked ski touring routes as its popularity grows.

Instructors are on hand to offer tuition and look after the all-important safety aspects.

Val d’Arly in the Espace Diamant area of the French Alps is just one place that has seen a surge in interest.

Ski touring in Espace Diamant. Image © PlanetSKI

“There has been a huge growth in the numbers of people heading off the marked runs and walking uphill,” said our guide Thilault Chambellant from the local ESF.

“People want to get back to nature and use it as a form of exercise.

“It is not for everyone but many more people are experiencing its attractions.”

“Many shops now stock the equipment as routine whereas ten years ago it required some effort to find a shop that stocked the gear.”

Ski touring in Espace Diamant. Image © PlanetSKI

I joined an introductory session of five people in a group that was organised by the local ESF.

One person had never done it before, others had a small amount of experience while I have been doing it for many years.

Sometimes I go a season without putting on my skins and other times I do it on multiple occasions and head some way off the marked areas to access fresh powder.

Specialist equipment is needed and this includes boots that are lighter that normal ones, and are able to attach to touring bindings on the lighter touring ski.

The specialist binding allows you lift your heel to walk uphill and then be able to be clamped firmly back in for the descent.

When walking uphill skins need to be put on the base of the ski to prevent you sliding backwards.

Ski touring in Espace Diamant. Image © PlanetSKI

Then taken off for the downhill.

Ski touring in Espace Diamant. Image © PlanetSKI

It is not difficult to use the equipment, but it does take a bit of time to get used to if you are new to the activity.

Ski poles with larger baskets are also needed as they stop the pole sinking deep into the soft snow as you push down on it.

We kitted up the evening before at a local rental shop.

Ski touring in Espace Diamant. Image © PlanetSKI

Then set off for a short hike uphill in the resort of Les Saisies in Espace Diamant.

When going uphill the physical trick is to slide the ski along the snow and not to lift your foot as we do when walking.

It is easier to do and conserves energy.

The mental trick, especially if you are a beginner, is to slow down.

It is tempting to try to keep up with more experienced people but then all you do is burn up energy and you may not even keep up with them anyway.

My advice is simple – do it at you own pace and one that you feel comfortable with.

Ski touring in Espace Diamant. Image © PlanetSKI

I have done everything from week long-tours staying overnight in mountain huts, to day tours with four to five hours of going up hill.

Today I am just doing it for a few hours to report on the growing interest in the activity to PlanetSKI readers.

Ski touring in Espace Diamant. Image © PlanetSKI

I love it, as you may be able to tell.

The Val d’Arly area is becoming something of a mecca for just a morning/afternoon experience, or a simple day tours.

It is a perfect place to give it a go and see if it is something that might interest you.

“We have some marked areas for it and along with snowshoeing it is becoming increasingly popular with our guests,” said Elodie Curt-Comte from the local tourist office.

“We have superb natural terrain here in the Val d’Arly area with gentle slopes and beautiful nature to enjoy and indulge yourself in.”

“If you want to give the activity a try then we can help you.”

Ski touring in Espace Diamant. Image © PlanetSKI

Elodie was showing me around Val d’Arly in March, as I reported in this earlier post on the ski area little-known to the British:

PlanetSKI slows down in Val d’Arly

At the other end of the ski touring spectrum my 28-year old daughter Tashie has recently been in Chamonix for a week doing day tours and an overnight stay in a mountain hut with a summit thrown in.

See here for full details of her experiences: