Decide what you want to do:
1	Telemark, Nordic, Alpine or Snowshoe – what's meant by these terms?
2	Course or tour – what's the difference?
3	'All Terrain', 'Off-piste Performance', 'Off-piste Performance Plus', 'Off-piste Adventure', 'Track & Telemark' – what do these mean?
4	Which trip next? Two-week combinations and weeks for friends at different levels.
Decide on your ability level:
5	Course or tour levels – skiing ability expected for each trip.
Decide on a date:
6	2009–2010 Season Planner – the calendar for the season.

 

2009–2010 SEASON PLANNER

When do you want to go away?

Check in the table below for the best dates and click-on that date for a link to the trip description and photos.Trips in the Planner are colour coded as below:

Telemark or Telemark/A ('A' indicates those courses and tours that are especially suitable for Alpine skiers wishing to develop skills and confidence in off-piste skiing and who wish to do tours. We include Alpine skiers on all our 'All Terrain' courses as well).

Nordic

Snowshoe

 

Date	Location	Type of skiing and grade
November 2009
7th – 14th	Hintertux, Austria	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
14th – 21st	Hintertux, Austria	Telemark: Advanced skills course & Aspirant Instructors (4 – 5)
14th – 21st	Hintertux, Austria	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
December 2009		TO TOP
12th – 19th	Tignes, France	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (1 – 5)
19th – 26th	Tignes, France	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (1 – 5)
26th – 2nd Jan	Tignes, France	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (1 – 5)
January 2010		TO TOP
2nd – 9th	Les Contamines, France	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
2nd – 9th	Les Contamines, France	Telemark/A: 'Off-piste Performance' (3 – 4)
7th – 11th	Mt Blanc Area Weekend, Italy	Nordic: Track skiing & coaching (intro/intermediate)
9th – 16th	Les Contamines, France	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
9th – 16th	Les Contamines, France	Telemark/A: 'Off-piste Performance Plus' (4 – 5)
10th – 17th	Mt Blanc Area Snowshoe Week, France	Snowshoe: Full day treks (intro/intermediate)
16th – 23rd	Fiescheralp, Switzerland	TelemarK: 'All Terrain/Off-piste' options (2 – 5)
17th – 24th	Mt. Blanc area, France/Italy	Nordic: Track skiing & coaching (intro/intermediate)
21st – 25th	Swiss Snowshoe Safari	Snowshoe: Village-to-village trek (intro/intermediate)
23rd – 30th	Lenzerheide, Switzerland	Telemark:'All Terrain' course (3 – 5)
23rd – 30th	Lenzerheide, Switzerland	Telemark: 'Off-piste Performance' (3 – 5)
23rd – 30th	Lenzerheide, Switzerland	Telemark/A: 'Off-Piste Adventure' (4 – 5)
30th – 7th Feb	Grand Traverse of the Jura, France/Switzerland	Nordic: Classic village-to-village tour (intermediate)
31st – 7th Feb	Mt Blanc Area Snowshoe Week, France	Snowshoe: Full day treks (intro/intermediate)
31st – 7th Feb	La Thuile, Italy	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (1 – 3)
February 2010		TO TOP
6th & 7th	Cairngorm, Scotland	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
11th – 15th	Swiss Snowshoe Safari	Snowshoe: Village-to-village trek (intro/intermediate)
14th – 21st	Parnassos, Greece	Telemark/A: ‘Off-piste Adventure’ (3 – 5)
18th – 22nd	Mt Blanc Area Weekend, Italy	Nordic: Track skiing & coaching (intro/intermediate)
20th & 21st	Cairngorm, Scotland	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
21st – 28th	Chamonix Snowshoe & Ski Week, France	Snowshoe & Nordic: Discover two winter activities; with day trips (introductory)
28th – 7th March	The Troll Trail, Norway	Nordic: Hut-to-hut tour (intro/intermediate)
28th – 7th March	Mt Blanc Area Snowshoe Week, France	Snowshoe: Full day treks (intro/intermediate)
28th – 7th March	Monti Sibillini, Italy	Telemark/A: 'Off-piste Adventure' (3+ to 5)
March 2010		TO TOP
6th & 7th	Cairngorm, Scotland	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
6th – 13th	Snohetta & Dovrefjell, Norway	Nordic: Hut-to-hut tour (intermediate/advanced)
6th – 13th	Stubai Alps, Austria	Telemark/A: Hut-to-hut tour (3+ to 5)
7th – 14th	Rondane, Norway	Nordic: Hut-to-hut tour with coaching (introductory)
11th – 15th	Swiss Snowshoe Safari	Snowshoe: Village-to-village trek (intro/intermediate)
13th – 20th	Obergurgl, Austria	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
13th – 20th	Tafjordfjell Summits, Norway	Nordic: Hut-to-hut tour (advanced)
14th – 21st	Skarvheimen Traverse, Norway	Nordic: Hut-to-hut tour (intermediate)
14th – 21st	Taivalkoski, Finland	Nordic: Husky supported tour (intermediate)
18th – 22nd	Mt Blanc Area Weekend, Italy	Nordic: Track skiing & coaching (intro/intermediate)
20th & 21st	Cairngorm, Scotland	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
20th – 27th	Lenzerheide, Switzerland	Telemark:'All Terrain' course (3 – 5)
20th – 27th	Lenzerheide, Switzerland	Telemark: 'Off-piste Performance' (3 – 5)
20th – 27th	Lenzerheide, Switzerland	Telemark/A: 'Off-Piste Adventure' (4 – 5)
20th – 27th	Hardanger Crossing, Norway	Nordic: Hut-to-hut tour (intermediate+)
20th – 29th	Jotunheim: Hidden Gems, Norway	Nordic: Hut-to-hut tour (advanced)
27th – 3rd April	Andermatt, Switzerland	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (2 – 5)
27th – 3rd April	Andermatt, Switzerland	Telemark/A: 'Off-piste Adventure' (4 – 5)
28th – 4th April	The King’s Trail, Sweden	Nordic: Hut-to-hut tour (introductory/intermediate)
28th – 4th April	Geilo: New to Nordic, Norway	Nordic: 'Track & Telemark' (introductory/intermediate)
April 2010		TO TOP
2nd – 11th	Geilo & Finse: Pistes, Trails & Tours, Norway	Nordic: 'Track & Telemark' with hut-to-hut touring (introductory/intermediate)
4th – 11th	Cervinia, Italy	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (1 – 4)
4th – 11th	Cervinia, Italy	Telemark/A: 'Off-piste Performance' (3 – 5)
4th – 11th	Gran Paradiso, Italy	Telemark/A: Hut-to-hut tour & day tours (3-5)
4th – 11th	Jotunheim: Pines to Peaks, Norway	Nordic: Hut-to-hut tour (Intermediate+)
11th – 18th	Cervinia, Italy	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (1 – 4)
11th – 18th	Cervinia, Italy	Telemark/A: 'Off-piste Performance Plus' (4 – 5)
11th – 18th	Cervinia, Italy	Telemark: 'Advanced Skills & Aspirant instructors' course (4 – 5)
17th – 25th	Chamonix – Zermatt Haute Route	Telemark/A: Classic hut-to-hut tour (4+ to 5)
18th – 25th	La Thuile, Italy	Telemark: 'All Terrain' course (1 – 5)
18th – 25th	La Thuile, Italy	Telemark/A: 'Off-piste Adventure' (3+ to 5)
May or June 2010		TO TOP
t.b.c.	Stryn, Norway	Telemark/A: 'All Terrain/Off-piste' course (3 – 5)

 

 

TELEMARK, NORDIC, ALPINE (A) or SNOWSHOE?

 

For a full explanation of the three different forms of skiing, please visit our Skiing Information pages.

 

Telemark skiing:
On- and off-piste freeheel downhill skiing (i.e. not only Telemark turns) and touring on Alpine terrain (day tours or hut-to-hut). Uplift is used on all courses. Shaped, wide or 'fat' Telemark skis and plastic boots are the norm. Skins and other specialist equipment are needed on touring options.

Nordic skiing:
Day tours, coaching sessions or multi-day tours using cambered, metal-edged skis and leather or soft plastic touring boots. Waxes are usually used and skins only for bigger climbs. Terrain is gentle to moderate, depending on the week. Skiing is usually on way-marked routes but sometimes through untracked snow. Only the easiest tours have machine-prepared trails.

For a full explanation of 'Telemark skiing; terrain and equipment' and 'Nordic skiing: terrain and equipment' click these links to read our articles.

Alpine (Downhill) skiing:
For those on downhill or Alpine ski equipment we offer courses for off-piste skiing, coaching in touring techniques and tours in Alpine terrain (day tours or hut-to-hut). Uplift is used on all courses. Shaped, wide or 'fat' skis are the norm, fixed heel bindings and non-flexing boots. Skins and other specialist equipment are needed on touring options.

Snowshoeing:
Snowshoeing is simply winter walking made easier! Walking on snowshoes is an ancient method of winter travel, but today it has a new lease of life as a form of recreation. Snowshoeing is the perfect way to explore the mountains and valleys. It can be a magical experience of silent forests, beautiful mountains and stunning views
Snowshoeing using the new lightweight equipment has opened up a whole new world to those who previously thought mountain walking was a summer activity! It's not technical or complicated and allows access to a wonderful snow covered playground. You don't need any experience just some warm clothes and a sense of adventure.

 

COURSE OR TOUR?

Courses:
Instruction in Telemark, Alpine or Nordic techniques and skills. Usually held within ski areas, using on- and off-piste slopes or Nordic trails, as relevant to the course. 5 x half days instruction (and 5 x half days 'free'!) with a 6th 'free' day – or as detailed for some specialist courses. Video analysis will be available on most of the courses in the Alps.

Whatever your level, you will be coached only with others of a similar ability. Choosing the correct level means you can maximize enjoyment and progress. Courses of more than one level may run during a week. This allows couples/friends of different ability to come on the same week.

Tours:
Led by appropriately qualified instructors, leaders or mountain guides depending on venue or terrain, for the full period of day tours or multi-day, hut-to-hut tours, with coaching tips included ‘en route’.

 

COURSE OR TOUR GRADINGS

We show Telemark/Alpine levels first, you can scroll down or click the link for Nordic and Snowshoe levels.

FITNESS: In addition to the ability levels for both Telemark/Alpine and Nordic tours, each trip description gives an idea of fitness required, distances to be travelled and/or height gains expected.

 

Telemark/Alpine levels: Remember – 'Telemark' is freeheel downhill skiing (i.e. not only Telemark turns), so skiers on freeheel equipment might be on two different levels e.g. Level 3 for parallels and Level 2 for Telemarks.

Level 0 – No previous experience. Ask us which courses are suitable.

Level 1 – You can ski the easiest blue runs but find steeper, icy or awkward sections tricky.

Level 2 – You can ski all blue runs at a good pace and with confidence.

Level 3 – You can ski most reds but find steeper, icy or awkward sections tricky.

Level 4 – You can ski reds at a good pace whatever the conditions and are working on blacks, bumps and off-piste.

Level 5 – You can ski reds and blacks whatever the conditions and at a good pace. Want to further improve on steeps, bumps and off-piste so you can ski anything.

 

INTERPRETING YOUR ABILITY LEVEL
When deciding your ability level please note that we assume you are linking turns on the level of slope specified.
Linking turns: means joining the arc of one turn directly into the arc of the next turn and so on, forming a series of S-shapes. If one turn is followed by a traverse, whether short or long, before the next turn then these turns are not linked.
'Getting down a slope': we've found that if you use this term, or the following one, with reference to a slope, it usually means you are not able to link turns on it nor ski in control. For example, if you can 'get down' a 'red' piste (as of ability level 4) then you are actually ability level 3!
'Survival skiing': As above, if, for example, you are 'survival skiing' on a 'red' piste (as of ability level 4) then you are actually level 2!

ADJUSTMENTS FOR SPEED AND FITNESS
The levels described assume average speed and fitness. If you are below or above average fitness deduct or add 1/2 to 1 level as necessary. If you ski below or above average speed deduct or add 1/2 to 1 level as necessary.

UNSURE OF YOUR LEVEL?
You may find you are between levels, e.g. 3/4. A rough guess is fine to ensure that you are at or above the minimum standard. On the first day's skiing, we will place you in the best group. If you are unsure of your level give us a call.

If you have not been with us before and/or have not had instruction for a few seasons we would recommend that you are conservative with estimating your ability level. Telemark and Alpine ski equipment moved on a lot in the last few years, allowing better and more accurate skiing, and the general standard of skiing has improved from season to season. A 'red slope skier' to-day tends to be a better skier than a 'red slope skier' was 4 or 5 years ago. It is far easier for all concerned if you have to move up an ability group rather than the reverse!

MOVING LEVELS
As people may progress at different rates during instruction, we can re-organise the groups during a week, to maximise learning and enjoyment.

 

Nordic and Snowshoe levels:

Introductory: Never done any Nordic skiing or snowshoeing before or only a day or so. If you are interested in a skiing course and have never done Alpine/downhill or Nordic skiing before, please contact us to check the suitability of particular courses.

Intermediate: Skiers with previous Nordic skiing experience, able to travel over undulating terrain and to ski down moderate slopes at the most, in a variety of snow conditions. A confident snowplough and the ability to traverse are the minimum downhill technique requirements. For snowshoe trips at this level this level includes those who have snowshoed before and also those new to snowshoeing but who are fit and are regular hill walkers, used to spending full days walking in the mountains.

Advanced: Skiers who have successfully completed at least one, week-long hut to hut tour. Confident downhill using Nordic touring skis on steeper slopes in variable, un-pisted snow, i.e. turning down the slope without need for long traverses and able to control speed and direction. Experienced in Nordic travelling techniques and using waxes, i.e. not just using skins, and able to maintain a reasonable pace.

The '+' suffix: These tours are at the stated level technically but involve skiing in more remote areas, usually on un-tracked snow and with some 'long days'. An appropriate degree of self-sufficiency and stamina will be expected.

 

'ALL TERRAIN', 'OFF-PISTE', 'TRACK & TELEMARK'

'ALL TERRAIN' COURSES

Our standard Telemark instruction weeks based in a ski area but with the emphasis on developing your skiing performance for all snow conditions, slopes and speeds – the all-rounder week for skiing the whole mountain. Our most popular course now has a sharper focus on your skiing versatility and adaptability, whatever the technique and your level.

 

TELEMARK & ALPINE SKIERS: We include skiers on Alpine/Downhill equipment on these 'All Terrain' courses as well. Over recent seasons we have found this works well and we ensure that both Alpine and Telemark skiers receive equal and appropriate instruction. Typically early in the week Alpine and Telemark skiers will be in the same group focusing on the same techniques e.g. snowplough and parallel turns. Later in the week the group will be split so Telemark skiers can focus on learning/developing Telemark techniques whilst Alpine skiers will maintain the focus on improving their parallel skiing skills. No one is compromised and everyone improves.

 

'OFF-PISTE' COURSES

The focus of these courses is on being able to ski any snow that is not groomed or made from snow cannons, i.e. that snow beyond the piste markers. To quote Sir Arnold Lunn, the inventor of slalom skiing and promoter of lift-served skiing in the Alps in the 1920s and 30s: 'for excitement the piste is perhaps the best, but the beauty and variety and subtlety of skiing is only known to the expert on natural snow'. We’ll show you how to adapt and enjoy 'the beauty and variety and subtlety of skiing' in this challenging but supremely rewarding environment.

TELEMARK & ALPINE SKIERS: We have found that these off-piste specific courses work extremely well whether ski equipment is Telemark or Alpine/Downhill. As we are focusing on skills, strategies and tactics for off-piste skiing, it is not significant what the technique (or equipment) is; more important is developing the adaptations that are needed for that technique to achieve confidence and success off-piste. A mixed group of Telemark and Alpine/Downhill skiers then works perfectly well. It is also very interesting to compare and contrast performance of those on different equipment.

We run two types of off-piste instructional course: 'Performance' and 'Performance Plus'. These are suitable for different levels of off-piste ability (see Planner above). These courses focus on technique, skills and tactics for off-piste skiing. We may spend some time on-piste, e.g., to work on a particular skill which is easier to 'take on board' in a less challenging environment.

We also offer 'Off-piste Adventure' weeks. As well as coaching in off-piste skills, these weeks will also include substantial amounts of time skiing relatively remote off-piste itineraries (with short sections of skinning to reach them) and half- or full-day tours. Each of these weeks is slightly different and full details are given in the trip Dossiers.

 

'TRACK & TELEMARK' COURSES

For many skiers this course is the best option for developing technique, skill and confidence prior to undertaking Nordic hut-to-hut tours. These centre-based courses focus on:
TRACK: Nordic travelling techniques for skiing on the flat, uphills and gentle downhills (diagonal stride, double poling, herringboning, half plough in track etc).
TELEMARK: using the term generically for all Nordic Downhill techniques, including snowplough, stem, parallel and Telemark turns, as appropriate to your ability level.

 

 

WHICH TRIP NEXT?
TWO WEEK COMBINATIONS
WEEKS FOR FRIENDS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS

WHICH TRIP NEXT?

Trips that you could consider, having done another TeleSkiCo trip in a previous season or earlier in the '08-'09 season. Many options exist so do get in touch if you would like individual help with this. The suggestions below are not exhaustive, as there are many different paths you could follow, but should guide your planning.

 

Previous course	Next course or tour
TELEMARK & ALPINE (Trip names without a link are those form previous seasons and are no longer available.)
'All Terrain' levels 1 & 2	More 'All Terrain'
'All Terrain' level 3	'All Terrain' level 4–5 OR 'Off-piste Performance'
'All Terrain' levels 4 & 5	'Off-piste Performance' OR 'Off-piste Performance Plus' OR 'Off-piste Adventure’
'Off-piste Performance'	'Off-piste Performance Plus' OR 'Off-piste Adventure’
'Off-piste Performance Plus'	'Off-piste Adventure’ OR easy hut-to-hut tour in the Alps
Hut-to-hut tours in the Alps e.g. Silvretta & Oetztal, Stubai Alps tour	Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route
NORDIC (Trip names without a link are those form previous seasons and are no longer available.)
Geilo, Bjorli or Skei Nordic OR Rondane Hut to Hut OR Geilo & Finse, Skei & Espedalen OR Taivalkoski Nordic OR Iso-Syote ‘Track & Telemark' OR Any Nordic week or weekend in the Alps	Telemark 'All Terrain' course
Geilo, Bjorli or Skei Nordic OR Rondane Hut to Hut OR Geilo & Finse, Skei & Espedalen OR Taivalkoski Nordic OR Iso-Syote ‘Track & Telemark' OR Any Nordic week or weekend in the Alps	The Troll Tour OR Rondane Hut to Hut OR Taivalkoski Husky Tour OR The King’s Trail OR Geilo & Finse
Intro/Intermediate hut-to-hut tour e.g. Tour to the Telemark Region Skarvheimen Traverse	Telemark 'All Terrain' course OR Hardanger Crossing OR Snohetta & Dovrefjell OR Jotunheim: Hidden Gems OR Jotunheim: Pines to Peaks OR Tafjordfjella Summits OR The King’s Trail
Intermediate or Advanced tour e.g. Tafjordfjella OR Jotunheim: Peaks, Passes & Glaciers OR Hardanger: Beyond the Ice OR Trollheim Triangular OR Jotunheim: Peaks, Passes & Glaciers	Alternative tours of same level OR Telemark options

 

TWO WEEK COMBINATIONS

Some of our weeks are programmed to make a two week holiday feasible without any great logistical problems and that will make a natural progression from one to the next.

 

1st week	2nd week
Tignes 'All Terrain' 12 or 19/12/09	Combine with a second week at Tignes
Les Contamines 'All Terrain' 02/01/10–09/01/010	Les Contamines 'Off-piste Performance Plus' 09/01/10–16/01/10
Les Contamines 'Off-piste Performance' 02/01/10–09/01/010	Les Contamines 'Off-piste Performance Plus'09/01/10–16/01/10
Skarvheimen Traverse 14/03/10–21/03/10	Hardanger Crossing 20/03/10- 27/03/10
Cervinia 'All Terrain' (at level 3–4 min.) 04/04/10–11/04/10	Cervinia: 'Off-piste Performance Plus' 11/04/10–18/04/10
Geilo: New to Nordic 28/03/10–11/04/10	Geilo & Finse 02/04/10–11/04/10
Cervinia: 'Off-piste Performance Plus' 11/04/10–18/04/10	Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route 17/04/10–25/05/10
Fiescheralp 'All Terrain' 16/01/10–23/01/10	Lenzerheide 'Off-piste Adventure' 23/01/10–30/01/10
OR any other 2 week possibility that fits your holiday time and aspirations, contact us to discuss

 

WEEKS FOR FRIENDS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS

These weeks are for couples, partners and groups of friends, who have differing aspirations and abilities but want to enjoy being on holiday together at the same venue! In addition any course or tour with a wide-ranging ability level stipulation will accommodate those of varying levels (but in separate groups for coaching).

 

Date	Venue	Partnered courses/tours
07/11/09–14/11/09	Hintertux	'All Terrain' all levels + Advanced skills & Aspirant instructors
02/01/10–09/01/10 & 09/01/10–16/01/10	Les Contamines	'All Terrain' most levels + 'Off-piste Performance'
23/01/10-30/01/10	Lenzerheide	'All Terrain' most levels + ‘Off-piste Adventure’
20/03/10–27/03/10	Lenzerheide	'All Terrain' most levels + ‘Off-piste Adventure’
27/03/10–03/04/10	Andermatt	'All Terrain' most levels + ‘Off-piste Adventure’
04/04/10–11/04/10	Cervinia	'All Terrain' all levels + 'Off-piste Performance'
11/04/10–18/04/10	Cervinia	'All Terrain' all levels + 'Off-piste Performance Plus' OR Aspirant Instructors training
18/04/09–25/04/09	La Thuile	'All Terrain' all levels + ‘Off-piste Adventure’