Equipment for Ski Guiding

If you don't have any of these items, don't panic! Give us a call for advice on what to buy. Items marked * can be hired from us for £3 per item per day. Items marked # are provided free of charge if you don't have your own, and must be replaced if lost.

Ski Boots
Ski & Poles
Ski touring equipment
Boots, skis, skins, avalanche transceivers - can be hired locally as needed at around 45 euros per day.
*Crampons
These should have ten or twelve points, and must have front points, eg Grivel G12. They can be clip-on or strap-on, depending on what fits best with your boots. Anti-balling plates are recommended.
Waterproof jacket and over trousers
These should be as light as possible. Trousers should have at least a knee-length zip so they can be fitted over boots and crampons, a full-length zip in the legs is preferable. The jacket should have a good hood that will fit over your helmet.
Gloves and Hat
Several pairs of ski gloves or mittens, and a warm hat plus spare. A buff is great as a a spare hat or neck protection.
Ski Goggles
plus glacier glasses plus spare pair of sunglasses if you have them. Essential to protect eyes against sun and snow glare. Glasses must fit close to your face, or have side panels to prevent light leakage.
#Climbing Harness
With adjustable leg-loops, so it can be fitted over thick clothing without removing boots and crampons, eg Black Diamond Bod style
*Ice axe
Rucksack
50-55 litres, eg Lowe Alpine Attack. A strong plastic liner is essential for keeping contents dry.
#8' sling with screwgate karabiner
Prussik loops
3 prussiks if you already have them, or 4m of 5-6mm soft cord to make them up when you arrive.
Headtorch with spare batteries
eg Petzl Tikka XP
First aid kit
Small personal pack including treatment for blisters
Water bottle
eg Nalgene, or Platypus/Camelback (better if insulated): 1 - 1.5 litres.
Ear plugs
Very useful when sleeping in mountain huts. Can be bought at chemist or DIY shop
Sun screen
Factor 15 minimum for skin, plus total block for lips
Lightweight sheet sleeping bag
For using in mountain huts
Clothing
Should include thermal top & bottom, fleece top(s) (two thin better than one thick), tracksuit trousers or lightweight trousers, ski socks, shorts, t-shirts, etc.
Compass, map, watch
Maps should be weatherproofed in strong clear plastic bag or covered in clear fablon or protected by a map case - Ortlieb cases are excellent. A watch with an alarm is very useful.
Mobile phone
Towel & wash kit
Camera
Current passport and Alpine skiing insurance
Insurance must include off-piste skiing
Money
Local currency can be obtained using Visa and debit cards from cash machines. Some mountain huts and telepheriques accept Visa