Photos
Val Senales Day Tours, 3-10 March 2007 (18 photos)
Available trips
No trips currently scheduled
Please contact us if you are intrested in future trips.
Skill: ***
For the Backcountry explorer weeks you need to be a competent off-piste skier, experienced in all kinds of snow conditions,
you are able to do parallel turns in powder snow, and linked stem turns in more difficult snow. The skiing is generally not too
technical but there my be the occasional steep section and so you need to have the right attitude to challenge yourself and go
outside your comfort zone.
Previous ski touring experience is useful but not essential and you'll learn the skills and techniques during the week. There maybe times when you will need to put crampons on your boots and carry your ski's on your rucksack.
Stamina: ****
Stamina-wise, you need to be able to ski for 4-6 hours each day. Ski touring is hard work and we do find most newcomers are
surprised by just how physically demanding it can be!
To get maximum enjoyment from these courses you need to be working on your fitness well in advance and we recommend
plenty of aerobic exercise to boost your cardiovascular fitness like running/cycling/swimming.
Average daily ascents will be between 700-1000m, 3-4 hours of skinning each day.
The Val Senales is a relatively unknown valley & ski area in the Southern Tirol on the border of Italy & Austria.
There is some excellent off-piste & ski touring terrain and it is the ideal destination for a week of outstanding
entry-level day touring from your unique base in the Schone Aussicht mountain cabin – a high mountain hut with a difference!
Itinerary
The Oetztaler Alps is a chain of mountains in the Central Alps many of which are accessible on skis.
After an initial warm-up day you’ll enjoy 5 days of stunning ski touring including possible ascents of many summits,
including the Finailspitze (3514m), Similaun (3606m), Saykogel (3660m) and Weisskugel (3739m).
We've categorised this trip as a 'Backcountry Explorer' trip as we spend the week in the excellent Schoene Aussichts hut
rather moving from hut-to-hut. However this is really a beginner level ski touring week and average daily ascents will be
between 700-1000m, 3-4 hours. There is one mechanical lift from the valley up to the hut but otherwise it's all skinning.
The Hochjoch glacier covers much of the terrain and so at times you will be roped up for extra safety.
Additional Information
Prices
The price includes 7 nights HB accommodation (twin-rooms) and 6 days guide fees & expenses.
The price does not include travel to/from Val Senales, airport transfers, local transport & uplift, personal
insurance, equipment hire, lunches & drinks
Accommodation
You'll spend 6 nights in the unique Schoene Aussicht Mountain Hut which sits high above the valley floor at 2842m. The
hut operates more as a hotel with showers and central heating! Facilities include sauna and outdoor hot tub. The food here is
excellent - genuine hearty traditional cooking.
The last night will be spent in the Hotel Goldene Rose in Karthaus.
Equipment
Ski touring skis, boots and bindings are essential for this tour.
You will also need skins, boot & ski crampons and an ice-axe.
Our recommended kit list will be sent to you at the time of booking.
This is a hut-based tour and so you will only need a small pack (25-35 litres).
Everyone is expected to ski at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment: transceiver,
shovel and probe. If you ski off-piste regularly we recommend you purchase your own set and we have a special offer on BCA’s
excellent DTS Tracker. Alternatively the guides will have a limited number of sets for hire. These need to be booked in advance
and paid for in resort direct to the guides.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Bolzano, which is 56kms away. Other airports include Verona (202kms), Innsbruck (175kms) and
Friedrichshafen (270kms)
The nearest train station is in Merano, which is 29kms away.
Maps
Tabacco Verlag, Schnalstal Nr 04 – 1:25,000; Oetztaler Alpen- Weisskugel – 1:25,000
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured for ski touring covering personal accident, rescue and third party
risks. You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.
If you are looking to purchase insurance for your trip we recommend
SNOWCARD. They specialise in travel insurance for adventure sports particularly skiing
and snowboarding. Their rates for both single trip and annual policies are very competitive.
For details on their policies and to get a quote
CLICK HERE or contact our office
for further details.