The Best Beginner Ski Tours in the Alps

Despite their reputation for "steep and deep" skiing, there's plenty of fantastic easier ski tours in the Alps too.

Charlie Boscoe

Images

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ColDuRateau SimonChristy/www.offpisteskiing.com

by SimonChristy/www.offpisteskiing.com

Creative Commons: Attribution
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The upper section of this route, as seen from the Rietzer Grießkogel ascent.

by Charlie Boscoe

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Amazing views of the Gaiskogel north face on the way up.

by Charlie Boscoe

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Wide open slopes on the lower section of the ski down.

by Charlie Boscoe

Licence Free

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Amazing clouds adding to the summit ambience.

by Charlie Boscoe

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Playing around on some fun terrain on the descent.

by Charlie Boscoe

Licence Free

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Skinning up in the late Spring heat.

by Charlie Boscoe

Licence Free

Description

Sitting at home and reading about the exploits of legendary skiers on high, wild mountains, it can easy to get psyched out by ski touring in the Alps before even getting there. And whilst there is plenty of exciting terrain all along this most famous of mountain chains, there's also a huge amount of easy, low-stress ski tours too.

This list represents a sample of those easier tours and hopefully demonstrates how geographically and topographically diverse mellow ski terrain is in the Alps. Now all that's left to do is to get hold of some touring kit, learn some skills and get skinning!

Adventures

Col de la Grassaz

A beautiful tour through remote scenery, ideal for working on your fitness and keeping yourself well away from trouble on those high-risk days.

Refuge de la Leisse Ski Tour

What this ‘descent’ lacks in quality skiing, it more than makes up with some of the most stunning ski touring available for beginner backcountry skiers.

Mitterzeigerkopf

A wild and remote peak with spectacular views across some rarely visited valleys.

Mont Fourchon

A low stress tour which can, conditions allowing, be possible anytime between November and June.