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Backcountry Explorer > Zinal Explorer

Photos

Skiing in Zinal, Switzerland (6 photos)

Available trips

Sat 9th Apr 11
- Sat 16th Apr 11
8 Days
Guide TBC £ 1045
Book Now

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.

On these weeks much of the uplift is lift-assisted but you will be using ski touring equipment and must be prepared for up to 2 -3 hours skinning (slow pace) in order to access some of the better runs. Previous ski touring experience is recommended but not absolutely essential and you'll learn the basic skills during the week.

These are ideal weeks for good off-piste skiers who want to join the backcountry revolution!!

Stamina: ***/*

Stamina-wise, you need to be able to ski all day for 6 consecutive days at a steady pace. On these courses the maximum skinning will be 2 - 3 hours per day.
If you have never ski toured before, you will find that climbing uphill on skins is hard work! Most newcomers are surprised by just how physically demanding ski touring can be.
To get maximum enjoyment from these trips you need to be working on your fitness well in advance of the tour which means plenty of aerobic exercise like running/cycling/swimming.

Zinal Explorer

This exciting and challenging week gives adventurous skiers the chance to ski some of the most impressive terrain in the Swiss Valais. We use a combination of lift access and touring, with the goal of providing the ultimate week of freeride adventure.

Read more about Zinal, Switzerland Enquire about this trip

Itinerary

The Val d’Anniviers in the Swiss Valais is one of skiing's best kept secrets and offers huge potential for the adventurous skier. The area is characterised by high alpine terrain, deep valleys and charming villages. This area is a fantastic antidote to the more heavily developed areas of the western Alps.

The skiing is about as exciting and varied as it comes. 1500m powder descents abound and there are many vast bowls where fresh tracks can be found even weeks after the last snowfall! The area features a high and comprehensive lift system and multiple slope aspects which ensure good conditions through out the season. A quality of the area which people find particularly appealing is that there is no mass tourism, no high-rise buildings, and few skiers off piste; the area is aesthetic and traditional, with only tentative signs of new development.

A single lift pass covers 4 areas: Zinal, Grimentz, St Luc and Vercoran. The sheer volume of terrain on offer ensures that it’s unlikely we ski the same run twice.

The week includes 5 full days of off-piste skiing, touring & instruction. There is also 1 'free skiing' day when no instruction is provided.

The itinerary below is based on our April 2010 trip - which got the thumbs up from all participants!

Day 1
Travel to Zinal and a welcome by Eric and Penny at the Auberge. A visit to Zinal Sports where equipment can be hired for those that need it. In the evening you will meet your guides who will give a briefing on the plans for the week.

Day 2
Ski in the local domain at Zinal. Avalanche safety briefing and transceiver training in the dedicated transceiver training park. Ski in the free ride area to the south of the lift area. Get the last lift up to the top and ski of the Corne de Sorebois 2895m and ski the north slope direct to Mottec. An off-piste day with no skinning.

Day 3 
Our first touring day - head up into the Zinal ski area and ski the north slope of Corne de Sorebois before turning left and skiing round to Grimentz. Take an early lunch and then go to the top of the Roc d'Orzival (2816m) to ski the north slope in to Orzival followed by a long easterly traverse back into the Grimentz lift area. Take the Bec du Bosson lifts and skin and ski to the Bec du Bosson hut (2983m) where we stay the night. Approx 150m of skinning.

Day 4
From the hut skin up to the Pointes de Tsavolire (3026m) before skiing the north east face. Skin back to the hut (150m) and ski into the plateau of the Lac de Lona (2640m) followed by the skin to the Basset de Lona (2792m) and the excellent ski down to the Moiry dam and back to Grimentz. Return to Mottec on the bus. In total: aprox 400m (2 hours) of skinning.

Day 5
We start with a road journey to St Luc where we take the lifts up to the top of the Bella Tolla (3025m) and traverse round the west side of the summit to ski the north north east facing bowl. This is followed by a 150m climb west to the Parilet. Ski down to above the dam and another short skin to get back in to the St Luc ski area where we stop for lunch. Back up to the Bella tolla and ski down the Bortertalli valley to Oberrems on north and east facing slopes. We descend with the cable car from Oberrems in to the Rhone valley before returning back to Mottec using public transport. This is a big day with rather complex travel arangments but it all fits together if you make an early start. A total of 250m (1.5hrs) of skinning.

Day 6
Back to Grimentz via Zinal ski area and then up to the Roc d'Orzival. This time go south west and ski north west from the Col du Tsan and skin north east to near la Brinta for 250m (1.5hrs). This gives accsess back to the orxival and the Grimentz lift area. Return to Mottec.

Day 7
There will be no guiding today. The minibuses will be on hand to take you to Zinal or Grimentz for a day of lift assisted free-skiing.

Day 8
Breakfast at the Auberge followed by outward travel.

Additional Information

Prices
The price includes 6 nights chalet-board accommodation (twin-rooms), 1 night in a high mountain refuge and 5 days guide fees & expenses.
The price does not include travel to/from Zinal, airport transfers, local transport & uplift, personal insurance, equipment hire, lunches & drinks

Single room occupancy is limited and where available will incur additional charges. Ask us for details.

Group Size
The minimum number is 4. The maximum group size is 12 with 2 guides.

 Accommodation
Our base is the Auberge Edelweiss in the hamlet of Mottec, 2kms from Zinal. The Auberge has been fully restored in 2008 and offers very comfortable accommodation. One night is also spent in the Bec du Bossons refuge.

Getting to Zinal
The best way to get to Zinal is to fly to Geneva or Zurich and use public transport.
From the airport take the train to Sierre (Geneva 2 hrs, Zurich 2.5hrs). At the station catch a yellow Post Bus going to Zinal - you may need to change in Vissoie (the bus will be marked to one of these places). Ask the driver for Mottec (it's a request stop). The bus stops right outside the Auberge - the large balconied house with grey walled ground floor and timber above, fronting the road. The entrance is around the back of the building.
For train and bus times look at www.sbb.ch/en

Equipment
For all our Backcountry Explorer trips you will need alpine touring gear (skis, boots & bindings), skins and ski-crampons. Confused about what skis, boots and binding combination to bring with you, then read our Ski Equipment page to find out more.
Harnesses, boot crampons and ice-axes are not required for this tour.
All skiers will need to carry a rucksack (25-30 litres) with safety gear and personal items. Our recommended kit list will be sent to you at the time of booking.
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. Please ask us for details.

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.