Intro to
Ski Touring
& Splitboarding
Your first step beyond the lifts. Learn ski touring or splitboarding from scratch in five days, guided by a UIAGM mountain guide or local ski guide (Skiführer). No touring or off-piste experience needed: just be a confident resort skier or snowboarder, comfortable on red and black pistes.
- 5
- Days of touring course
- 6
- Max riders — small group
- None
- Touring experience needed
- UIAGM
- Or local ski guide (Skiführer)
- DOWN
- Demo available
You can ski or snowboard well, but you have never toured. The equipment looks complicated, you are not sure how skins or touring bindings work, and going beyond the lifts feels like a big step. This course removes that barrier.
Over five days in a small group, a UIAGM mountain guide or local ski guide (Skiführer) takes you through the whole touring system: your setup, skinning and kick turns, transitions, how a tour is planned, and the basics of avalanche safety. You progress from the first steps on skins to a real tour in backcountry terrain.
By the end you understand your equipment, move efficiently uphill, know the basic transitions and safety principles, and know what to learn next, whether that is joining guided tours or continuing your education.
- 01
- No Touring Experience Needed
- 02
- The Touring System
- 03
- Uphill Technique
- 04
- Avalanche Safety Basics
- 05
- UIAGM or Local Guide
- 06
- Rent or Demo Your Gear
This is a beginner course in touring. If you can ski or snowboard confidently on red and black pistes, we teach you everything else.
Skins, bindings, boots and transitions: hands-on with your touring or splitboard setup until it feels routine.
Skinning, kick turns and efficient movement, so you climb without wasting energy.
Avalanche awareness, how beacon, probe and shovel work, basic rescue principles and smart decision-making.
Guided by a UIAGM mountain guide or a local ski guide (Skiführer): learn it properly from someone professionally qualified to take you into the mountains, in a group of max 6.
Don't own touring gear yet? Rent it or use DOWN demo skis, agreed with us in advance, and try a setup before buying your own.
Other Dates
Dates & Pricing
- Jan€1,390
- Mar€1,390
Trip Gallery
Red & Black Riders, New to Touring (T0) ← This Course
You control your speed and link turns comfortably on red and black pistes in normal conditions. You have never toured, and have little or no off-piste experience. That is exactly who this course is for.
You Don't Need Any of This ← This Course
Previous touring or splitboarding experience, avalanche training, earlier backcountry trips or advanced freeride skills. We start from zero and build it step by step.
Blue Rider — Not Yet
This course teaches touring, not skiing or snowboarding. If red and black pistes still feel like a fight, build your resort riding first.
The Touring System
- How touring bindings, boots and skins work
- Setting up and looking after your gear
- Transitions: from climbing to riding and back
- Packing for a day in the backcountry
Movement
- Skinning technique and efficient pacing
- Kick turns
- Moving on touring skis or a splitboard in varied terrain
- Off-piste riding tips for the way down
Safety & Decisions
- Avalanche awareness and reading the bulletin
- Beacon, probe and shovel: basic rescue principles
- How a tour is planned
- Smart terrain choices for the conditions
Get to Know Your Setup
We start with the equipment: bindings, boots, skins and how it all fits together. Then the first steps uphill on easy terrain, and a first look at the avalanche safety kit.
Skinning, Kick Turns, Transitions
A day on movement: efficient skinning, pacing, kick turns and smooth transitions between climbing and riding, repeated until they feel natural.
Understand the Risk
Avalanche awareness in theory and practice: what the bulletin tells you, how beacon, probe and shovel are used, and the basic principles of companion rescue. We apply it on a short tour.
Plan It, Then Ride It
The group plans a tour with the guide: route, conditions and terrain choices. Then we go and do it, with off-piste riding tips on the way down.
A Real Tour in Backcountry Terrain
Everything comes together on a real tour in backcountry terrain, chosen by the guide for the conditions and the group. We finish with a debrief on what you have learned and what to learn next.
Learn It
Properly
Safety First. Always.
You are entering an environment that is new to you, so the course is guided by a UIAGM mountain guide or local ski guide (Skiführer). Conditions and the avalanche bulletin are checked every morning, and the terrain is chosen to suit people who are new to touring: the goal is to learn, not to push.
Skiing and snowboarding insurance is not included. We recommend Austrian Alpine Club (Alpenverein) insurance — valid across all Alpine countries and covering mountain rescue.
Your Guides
Meet your guides
Accommodation & Logistics
Accommodation & Getting There
Accommodation is not included in the price. We find basic shared accommodation for the group (apartment or bed and breakfast), unless you arrange something different.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in the price. We find basic shared accommodation for the group (apartment or bed and breakfast), unless you arrange something different.
Food and drinks are not included.
Getting There
- Airport Arrivals: Fly into Munich or Salzburg airports
- Rental Car: Most economical and flexible option, allowing exploration at your own pace
- Hotel Shuttles: Direct service to slopes available from some hotels at premium prices
- Assistance Available: We'll help you select the best transportation option for your budget and convenience needs
Kit & Included
What You Need
& What's Provided
- 5 days of guiding and instruction with a UIAGM mountain guide or local ski guide
- Equipment introduction and use in practice
- Skinning, kick turns and transitions
- Off-piste ski/snowboard technique tips
- Avalanche safety theory
- Backcountry riding safety
- Tour planning
- DOWN Skis demo (agree your setup in advance)
Not included
- Ski/snowboard rentals (possible, agree in advance)
- Ski pass (can be purchased on arrival)
- Accommodation (we find basic shared accommodation for the group unless arranged differently)
- Travel expenses
- Skiing/snowboarding insurance
- Food and drinks
Accommodation is not included in the price: we find basic shared accommodation for the group (apartment or bed and breakfast), unless you arrange something different.
Avalanche beacon, shovel and probe *
Mandatory every day · rental possible, agree in advance
Helmet *
Mandatory
Touring skis with touring bindings, or a splitboard
Rental or DOWN demo possible if agreed in advance
Touring boots, climbing skins and adjustable poles
Rental possible, agree in advance
Backcountry backpack (30–40L) and headlamp
Headlamp with spare batteries
Layered technical clothing, goggles, spare gloves
For variable conditions
Piste: Red to Black rider. Touring: T0, no touring or off-piste experience needed. Not sure what that means? Read our guide to rider levels.
DOWN Ski Demo included
Reserve Your Place
Start
Touring
the Right Way
Five days. Small group. A UIAGM mountain guide or local ski guide.