Mountain Tracks at 25: Celebrating a Quarter Century of Excellence in the Mountains

This season marks 25 years of Mountain Tracks - a milestone that reflects who we are and how we operate. While the adventure travel industry has changed significantly, our approach has remained constant: proper mountain travel, guided by true experts, delivered with precision, honesty, and genuine passion for the craft.

From the outset, Mountain Tracks was never intended to be a high-volume, conveyor-belt holiday operator. It was built by guides and shaped by people who live and breathe the mountains. That ethos still underpins everything we do today. Every trip, every course, every decision is rooted in experience on snow, skin tracks, and the terrain that makes this sport addictive.

Where It All Began - A Guide-Led Philosophy That Still Holds True

Twenty-five years ago, Mountain Tracks set out to create something simple yet rare: off-piste and ski touring experiences where technical standards weren’t compromised, and where guests genuinely learned, progressed, and developed mountain skills. The goal wasn’t just to ski good snow, it was to foster competence, confidence, and a lasting connection with the mountains.

This approach quickly set us apart. Guests returned because they felt cared for, challenged, and supported. Trips ran with small groups, careful planning, and guides who knew how to balance safety with ambition - without sacrificing enjoyment. Over the years, this philosophy didn’t merely survive - it grew.

Growing the Programme, Growing the Community

As our guests advanced, our programme evolved with them. Introductory off-piste weeks naturally led to advanced coaching, and single-day tours expanded into multi-day hut-to-hut journeys. Destinations like Zinal, Chamonix, Sainte Foy, and Zermatt became staples - chosen for terrain quality, conditions, and reliability rather than trendiness.

The iconic routes: the Haute Route, Bernese Oberland, Silvretta, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc, and the hidden corners of the Alps form the backbone of our ski touring season. We also refined shorter coaching formats, offering focused development for skiers seeking technical progression without committing to a full expedition. Regardless of format, the goal remains the same: trips that are personal, purposeful, and guided by true expertise.

Led by Mountain People - On the Hill and in the Office

What truly defines Mountain Tracks today is its people. Our network of IFMGA guides, off-piste coaches, and instructors remains central to everything we do. Their judgment, fieldcraft, and professionalism set the standard our guests expect and deserve.

Patryk Konrad Szymanski - General Manager
Patryk combines snow-sports passion, tourism insight, and operational leadership. With a background in snowboarding and instruction, he directs the company’s strategy, ensuring trips are safe, expertly led, and true to the Mountain Tracks ethos.

Max Balmford - Senior Sales & Operations Executive
Max brings ski expertise and operational skill to every aspect of trip planning and client experience, ensuring Mountain Tracks delivers seamless, high-quality adventures from booking to the mountains.

The business is managed as we run trips: organised, transparent, quality-focused, and adaptable to real-world conditions. Supporting the leadership team is a dedicated office team and the longstanding partnership with the Ski Club of Great Britain, whose heritage and community reinforce the core values of Mountain Tracks.

25 Years of Change - Why Our Approach Still Matters

Since Mountain Tracks began, adventure travel has transformed. Gear is lighter, skis are wider, avalanche education is more advanced, and demand for genuine mountain experiences has grown. Yet these changes have only strengthened the importance of our original principles.

People want authenticity. They want real instruction, honest assessments, and routes chosen for quality rather than convenience. They want to learn, not just follow a trail. And they want a team that genuinely knows the mountains.

That’s why Mountain Tracks has endured. We’ve stayed true to the technical side of the sport while keeping the experience warm, human, and enjoyable - a combination that is hard to replicate.

Looking Forward - The Next Chapter

As we step into our next 25 years, our direction is clear: build on what works. That means exploring new destinations, refining coaching pathways, creating deeper progression structures, and maintaining our commitment to small groups, high standards, and meaningful trips.

Our guests are more experienced than ever, and the mountains demand respect. We’ll continue doing what we’ve always done: thoughtful planning, expert leadership, and a culture prioritising safety, technique, and enjoyment.

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

Mountain Tracks wouldn’t be here without the people who have shaped it: guides and coaches providing world-class experiences, the office team keeping everything running smoothly, and guests who return season after season, eager to learn, explore, and push further.

Twenty-five years in, we’re proud of what we’ve built and even more excited for what’s next.

The mountains aren’t going anywhere, and neither are we.

Here’s to the next chapter.