Q. How large are your groups?

For skiing our groups are usually a minimum of four per group and a maximum of seven. For larger groups we can provide extra guides/instructors but the maximum guide client ratio is 1:7. For climbing the groups are usually smaller and the guide:client ratios vary between 1:5 and 1:1 depending on the severity of the climb. For trekking trips the groups are usually between 4 and 12 people.

Q. What type of person joins your trips & courses?

All sorts! There’s no typical customer profile and our trips are not particularly dominated by any particular age-group or male/female split. Most of the people on our trips are either independent travellers or in small groups of 2 or 3 people. Although we are very happy to deal with enquiries from larger groups!!

Q. Do I have to be especially fit?

Fitness is important for all aerobic activities and this includes skiing, trekking, climbing and other outdoor pursuits. To gain maximum enjoyment it’s important that you have a good level of fitness. We recommend that you should be taking regular aerobic exercise – running, swimming, cycling – for 2-3 months leading up to your holiday. By regular we mean 30-40 minutes 2-3 times per week.

On request we can provide you with more detailed information and sample training programmes.

Q. I'm worried about being worse than the others?

As are most people. We do our best to ensure that the standard in our groups is compatible so that you are always with others who are of a similar standard.

Q. What is included in the price?

Our prices typically include all the guide/instructor fees and expenses and the accommodation. Sometimes local transfers and uplift costs are also included. Prices don't usually include travel, lift passes, lunches, personal insurance or equipment hire. Long-haul trips e.g. outside Europe tend to include flights.

Q. What accommodation do you use?

On most of our trips in Europe accommodation is provided in twin rooms in catered chalets or hotels. Often your trip will involve nights in high altitude Mountain Huts where accommodation is usually in bunkrooms sleeping 4-8 people.

Our longhaul trips to Kilimanjaro and Nepal tend to be camping trips (2-man tents) with hotel accommodation at the start and end of trip.

Q. Can you help with my travel arrangements?

Yes!

These days we generally find that most of our clients arrange their own flights with their preferred low-cost airline. However if you'd prefer us to book flights for you no problem. Just contact our office for assistance.

We can also help with airport transfers, car hire and even airport parking.

Q. Who leads your trips?

Our trips are led by some of the best Mountain Guides, Mountain Leaders and Ski Instructors in the business. Most of our advanced trips - whether skiing, climbing or trekking - are led by Mountain Guides. The Mountain Guide qualification (IFMGA/UIAGM) is the highest level of professional qualification for people working in the mountains.

Trips that involve climbing or skiing on glaciated terrain will always be led by Mountain Guides. Other trips e.g. Foundation level off-piste courses are led by qualified Ski Instructors - usually BASI 1 although we also work with internationally qualified ski instructors who will have been through similar nationally-run training schemes.

For more information on our team, check out our About Us page.

Q. Do you provide equipment?

Where applicable we provide group equipment - e.g. ropes for climbing trips and camping gear for treks. The guides also hire out the safety equipment - transceiver, shovel and probe - required for off-piste skiing & ski touring. If you need to hire other equipment we can provide recommendations for local hire shops.

Q. Do itineraries change from the scheduled programme?

Yes, sometimes. The itineraries that we provide on the website are sample itineraries and subject to change depending on the weather, snow and underfoot conditions.

Q. Do you organise bespoke trips?

Absolutely! We love organising bespoke trips as we get the chance to fulfill your dreams & ambitions! Just let us know your preferred dates, venue and activities and leave the rest to us.

Q. Do you organise Corporate trips?

Yes. We can organise, manage and stage activities and events for corporate groups of all shapes and sizes! If you are looking for a safe, fun and exhilarating event – whether to reward your top staff, to entertain your best clients or to simply enjoy ‘because you can’ - we can help!

Q. Do you offer group discounts?

Yes we are happy to give discounts to groups. Contact us for further details.

Q. What is off-piste skiing?

Off piste is real skiing! Away from the piste-bashers and the crowds. The textbook definition is - skiing away from the recognised ski runs within the resort boundaries, or skiing outside the boundaries of a resort with a qualified guide. With Mountain Tracks you will do both – but always with our guides and instructors. You will encounter varying terrain and snow conditions.

Of course everyone dreams of soft powder snow but the reality is often very different. Off-piste skiers have to learn to live with what nature throws at them and by and large they enjoy it!

Q. Ski Touring – what’s that?

Ski Touring is exactly that – touring on skis. It combines the best bits of skiing and mountaineering and is a great way to get away from the resorts and the crowds. Sometimes lifts will be used to gain height. Purists will use only their own power!

You need to have special ski touring boots and bindings that allow you to travel uphill and ski down. For ascending you use 'skins' that are attached to the bottom of your skis and grip the snow allowing you to defy gravity and climb uphill. On more demanding tours, ice-axes, crampons and ropes may also be used.

Q. What level of skier do I need to be to ski or ride off-piste?

Off-piste skiing isn't for complete beginners but you don't have to be an out-and-out expert either. Our recommendation is that as a minimum you should be able to ski red runs with linked turns.

Off-piste the conditions can vary greatly, but as long as you can at least traverse or sideslip and perform a downhill kick-turn, you will be able to find your way down most slopes.

Q. I am a snowboarder. Can I join in the fun?

Yes absolutely. But you can't climb uphill on a standard snowboard, so where there is walking to be done, you either have to walk in your boots or carry snowshoes to change into. If you get serious about off-piste riding you can also buy a split snowboard which allows you to climb uphill on the board. You will need to carry a pack that can carry your board.

Q. I am a telemarker, can I come along?

Yes. We welcome telemarkers on all our off-piste weeks and tours.

Q. When's the best time of the season to ski off-piste?

If only it were that simple! If we could predict at the start of the season when the best conditions are going to be, we'd be very, very popular! Of course it's great to be able to ski straight after a heavy snowfall when there's lots of untracked powder. Unless you're very lucky and have the opportunity to ski throughout the season, you can't really choose the snow and the conditions, they choose you!

The great thing about our courses and tours is that you are skiing with some of the best guides and instructors in the business and they know the best places to ski and ensure that even if conditions are not perfect you can still learn a lot and have great fun!

Q. Is skiing in soft snow difficult?

Not when you know how and it's easy to learn - though it can be frustrating at first. Provided you can ski red runs using parallel turns you should have no problem. Once you've learned, there's nothing quite like it!

Q. Will my normal skis be suitable for off-piste skiing?

If they are reasonably modern, carving skis then these should be fine for our foundation level and progression level weeks. For the more advanced courses we recommend that you use alpine touring skis.

Q. What equipment do I need to ski off-piste?

Standard downhill skis, boots and bindings are fine for beginners. As you start to venture further away from the pistes (and the lifts) you will want to use touring boots and bindings. Touring bindings release at the heel to make walking on your skis easier. Touring boots are softer and more flexible than downhill boots and again easier for walking.

Everyone who skis off-piste also needs to be aware of the dangers involved. In particular the danger of avalanches. You need to ski at all times with 3 essential pieces of safety equipment: transceiver, shovel and probe. Your instructor will explain what these are for and you will spend some time familiarizing yourself with the equipment, particularly how to use the transceiver.

Q. Is off-piste skiing safe?

Yes. Provided that you: (a) never ski off-piste on your own; (b) ski within the limits of your ability and exercise caution when making decisions; and (c) choose your routes carefully and be prepared to handle changing situations.

Q. What are the main hazards and dangers involved in skiing off-piste?

Avalanches are the most obvious dangers hence why you carry the safety equipment (transceiver, shovel and probe). If you are skiing on glaciated terrain then there will be crevasses to watch out for and avoid. General unfamiliarity with the off-piste terrain and snow conditions are a big problem and why we always recommend that you ski with a guide.

Weather conditions can change very quickly and so you need to know where you are at all times and how to get back to the piste/resort if the weather closes in.

Then of course there are the ‘human factors’: miscommunication, fatigue and complacency can all result in accidents.

By their very nature accidents off-piste can be more dangerous as you’re likely to be further away from the resort and the lifts and the slopes aren’t patrolled.

Q. What is the likelihood of getting caught in an avalanche?

Every year about 120 people die in avalanche. Hundreds more are caught in avalanches, partly buried or injured. Clearly if you travel in avalanche prone terrain you need to respect nature, recognise the danger signs and know what action to take to avoid being caught up in an avalanche.

Q. What sort of insurance do I need for your trips?

Any travel insurance with winter sports cover should include guided off-piste skiing as part of the winter sports cover. For more adventurous trips e.g. hut-to-hut ski tours or climbing trips where you will be using ropes and crampons, then you will probably need to take out additional cover. You must always check with your insurers rather than assume that you are fully insured.

 If you are looking for an insurance quote, we can help. We work with one of the UK's leading insurers and many of our clients choose our insurance cover. For more information, visit the Insurance page on our site by clicking here.

Q. Where are the best resorts for off-piste skiing?

Wherever there are mountains you are never too far away from some great off-piste skiing. Renowned resorts include Chamonix, St Anton, Verbier, La Grave and Jackson Hole (USA).

Q. Who are Mountain Tracks?

Mountain Tracks is a small UK company specializing in ‘guided mountain adventure’. The company is run by Nick Parks, a British Mountain Guide and his brother Chris - with a little help from Julie, Edward and Jane!

Their offices are in Wandsworth, (south-west London). They employ a number of British and International Mountain Guides, Leaders and Instructors.

Q. Need more information?

If you have a question that hasn't been answered here, feel free to contact us.