Frequently Asked Questions

Booking Protection & Ski Safari

Has Mountain Tracks changed ownership?

Yes. Mountain Tracks is now part of the Ski Safari family. You will still book and travel with Mountain Tracks, supported by Ski Safari’s wider travel expertise.

How are my payments protected?

Ski Safari protection is provided under ABTA. This means your booking is financially protected in line with UK travel regulations, giving you full peace of mind.

My booking was previously ABTOT protected — has this changed?

Yes. With the transition to ABTA protection under Ski Safari, future bookings are now protected under ABTA rather than ABTOT.

Any existing bookings will also move to ABTA protection, ensuring continued financial security for your holiday. There is no change to the delivery of your trip or the arrangements already confirmed.

For more information on ABTA protection, please visit: ABTA Travel Protection

Has anything changed for existing bookings?

No. All existing bookings remain unchanged and will run as planned.

Will I still book through Mountain Tracks?

Yes. You will continue to book directly with Mountain Tracks, with the same team supporting you throughout.

Choosing Your Trip

How do I know which trip is right for me?

You can use our trip calendar to view all available departures and sort trips by activity type, skill level, stamina level, duration and destination to find the most suitable option. Each trip clearly shows its requirements in the information bar, and you can click through for full details of what the ratings mean.

Do I need to be able to ski off-piste already?

No. We have some holidays suitable for customers with no prior off-piste experience, whether you are looking to learn off-piste skills or combine an off-piste and ski touring introduction week. You should, however, be a confident on-piste skier.

What is ski touring and do I need experience?

Ski touring involves climbing using skins on your skis before skiing down off-piste terrain. No previous touring experience is required for beginner-friendly trips, but a good level of skiing ability, fitness and experience skiing off piste is important.

What is the difference between off-piste skiing and ski touring?

Off-piste skiing uses ski lifts to access ungroomed terrain, while ski touring involves climbing under your own power before skiing down. Many of our trips combine both.

What level of fitness should I have for one of your trips?

For each Mountain Tracks trip we outline both a skill level and a stamina level. This information is shown on the trip page in the information bar. If you need more detail on how our ratings are defined, you can click each level to view a full explanation.

Who Travels With Us

What type of people travel on Mountain Tracks trips?

Our clients come from a wide range of backgrounds, and many return year after year for the Mountain Tracks experience. Our group trips are a great way to meet like-minded people who share a passion for the mountains. We also offer bespoke trips for those looking to tailor an itinerary around their own schedule.

Is there an age limit on your trips?

No. We do not operate any age restrictions. Most of our customers are between 30 and 65, and groups typically include a mix of ages. As long as you meet the skill and stamina requirements of the trip, you are welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

I'm travelling alone – can I join a trip?

Yes. Many of our guests are solo travellers joining scheduled group departures. Private guiding is also available for those with specific objectives. In some cases, a single room supplement may apply where accommodation allows it.

Guides & Safety

What qualifications do your guides hold?

All Mountain Tracks guides are IFMGA-qualified, the highest international standard for mountain guiding. This ensures the safest and most rewarding experience, with expert knowledge of terrain and conditions.

Our ski instructors are qualified to BASI Level 4 and bring extensive experience in teaching off-piste skiing and technical development.

Is ski touring or off-piste skiing dangerous?

All mountain activities carry inherent risk, but our trips are led by highly qualified IFMGA guides who manage safety carefully and make decisions based on current conditions.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Mountain conditions change frequently. Your guide will adjust the itinerary daily to find the safest and best available skiing or climbing.

Is avalanche safety equipment provided?

Avalanche safety equipment is not automatically included on all trips. Please contact the team to confirm what is available for your specific trip, as some holidays include equipment while others require rental or personal kit.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. You must have comprehensive travel insurance covering your chosen mountain activities.

Equipment & Logistics

What equipment do I need?

Each trip includes a detailed kit list. Some specialist equipment may be provided or available to hire. A full pre-departure briefing is sent before departure.

Can I hire ski touring or avalanche equipment?

Yes. We will advise on local rental shops for ski touring equipment and help you arrange hire where needed.

Can I bring my own equipment?

Yes. Many guests bring their own skis or boots, but we can also advise on suitable rental options if needed.

Accommodation & Mountain Huts

Can I have a single room?

In hotels, single rooms can usually be requested for a supplement and are subject to availability. In mountain huts, single rooms are rare but may occasionally be available and can be requested, though they cannot be guaranteed.

What type of accommodation will I be staying in during my trip?

Accommodation varies depending on the activity. Hotels are comfortable and well located for the trip. On hut-based itineraries, accommodation is more basic and designed for mountain access. Huts typically feature shared dormitory-style rooms, often mixed-sex, with simple facilities. They are an integral part of the alpine experience, allowing access to remote mountain terrain with minimal travel time and light packs.

What is a mountain hut?

Mountain huts are remote alpine refuges in high mountain terrain, providing basic but comfortable accommodation for ski tourers and mountaineers.

What are the sleeping arrangements like in mountain huts?

Accommodation is usually in shared dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms are rare and cannot be guaranteed.

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

Please refer to the kit list for your individual trip for full details. For any trip involving a Mountain Hut, you will need a sleeping bag liner. 

Are there showers in mountain huts?

Facilities vary depending on location and conditions.

Is there electricity and phone signal in mountain huts?

Some huts have limited electricity for charging devices, but availability is not guaranteed. Mobile signal and Wi-Fi are often unavailable.

What food is provided in mountain huts?

Huts typically serve hearty breakfast and evening meals designed to support mountain activity. Dietary requirements vary by hut and trip, so please speak to the team to confirm options.

Booking & Travel

Which trip arrangements will I have to arrange myself? Can Mountain Tracks assist?

On most trips, you will need to arrange travel to the meeting point for your trip, as well as onward travel at the end of your holiday. We can provide advice and suggestions for flights, rail and coach travel depending on your destination, and also assist with local ground transport such as transfers.

When is the best time to book?

We recommend booking early, especially for peak season (January–March and June-August), as group sizes and hut spaces are limited.

What do you need from me to book the trip? 

A deposit is due upon booking. The final balance is due 10 weeks prior to your trip’s start date. Given the nature of our trips, we may contact you after booking to confirm you have the experience needed for your chosen trip

Can I extend or combine trips?

Yes. We can often help arrange extensions or combine trips within the Ski Safari network.

Private Trips & Extras

Can I book a private trip?

Yes. We offer private guiding and bespoke itineraries for individuals, families, groups and corporate clients.

Are dietary requirements catered for?

We have experience accommodating a wide range of dietary requirements. Please contact us so we can advise on what is possible for your chosen trip. Options may vary depending on location and itinerary.