The ESTC is an informal gathering of people with a keen interest in ski touring and the outdoors in general. We are based in Edinburgh although we have club members living all around the UK.
We are currently around 100 people of equally mixed numbers of men and women and varying nationalities... even Australians. We have a mix of ages, with some younger, some older and some with kids.
We welcome non-skiing members who wish to join us in other activities including
socials.
Membership runs from June to May. The 2008/2009 costs are:
After payment you will receive a sexy membership card. New members will also receive a welcome pack.
The subscription includes membership of the MCofS (Mountaineering Council of Scotland). This membership covers you for civil liabilities on club activities e.g. liabilities to other people, not your own health or welfare.
Members receive about 4 newsletters a year (posted electronically), the MCofS magazine and a weekly update email, not to mention the privilege of belonging to Scotland's premier ski touring club.
Anywhere in Scotland within reasonable reach of Edinburgh for day and weekend trips. Weekend trips are booked in advance for the season and additional ad hoc trips announced as snow fall demands!
The club also organises a longer New Year meet in addition to ski tours
and instruction holidays abroad. Lately we have averaged
about 4 or 5 overseas trips each year.
When conditions allow, Nordic ski touring on forest tracks or valley floors is also popular.
Club members use a variety of equipment from Nordic ski touring equipment to fixed heel ski mountaineering equipment. At present telemark skis with plastic boots and unfixed heels tend to be the most popular equipment.
The club organises tuition weekends/holidays and provides equipment for hire.
We are active all year round. When there’s no snow we keep busy through hillwalking, cycling, backpacking, climbing, running, sea kayaking, sailing – and more. We also have a very active social calendar with pub meets, meals out, barbecues, film and theatre visits, slide shows, lectures, ceilidhs, parties and anything else that comes up!
A meal and pub night is organised for the first Tuesday of every month.
Many members have a strong ”ecological” or “green” commitment to preserving the Scottish countryside and promoting access.
Camping is popular throughout the summer.
A three course meal, including wine, is normally provided on Saturday nights. This is a communal meal with preparation and eating being a shared experience and an opportunity to relate tales of the day and to plan the next adventures. The meal always caters for vegetarians. Tea, coffee and milk is also provided. Costs for the communal meal are shared by everyone.
Members bring their own breakfasts, lunches, snacks and any extra drinks they wish.
Car pools are organised by the meet co-ordinator to help reduce costs and to help in the club’s commitment to the green agenda. You will be assigned a car and driver – or passengers – by the Thursday prior to a meet.
There is a 50/50 mix of club members using card pools and club members electing
to travel independently.
People new to ski touring are very welcome.
Please note though, that you are responsible for your own safety in the hills and it is advisable that you are familiar with using maps and compasses and are prepared for the mountains in winter. Many new members join us with hillwalking and/or downhill skiing experience and both give excellent grounding for ski touring. The club does provide opportunities for less experienced members to learn through instruction weekends/trips and from the wealth of experience and knowledge held by current members.
The club organises tuition weekends throughout the season for both beginners and intermediate skiers as well as tuition holidays abroad.
There are a variety of commercial instruction holidays which members take advantage of.
The club provides equipment for hire.
If snow conditions allow for skiing through lowland forest tracks or valley bottoms, a lower level of fitness would be required.
Hillwalking and cycling are excellent ways to maintain/build up fitness.
If you wish to go on a weekend meet down load a booking form and forward it with a non returnable deposit of £15.
Many venues are limited in size so bookings are accepted on a first come/first served basis.
The meet co-ordinator will organise the communal catering for the Saturday night and the car pool and will contact you during the week before the meet to advise you of transport arrangements.
A typical weekend will cost around £60 for accommodation, evening meal (with wine) and transport – although this can vary. Costs for accommodation, transport, food and wine are divided between everyone attending the meet.
You will need to bring food for breakfasts, lunches, snacks and money for extras such as pub trips and when relevant, instruction, ski passes etc.
Members usually leave Edinburgh between 5 and 7pm on Friday evenings and return to Edinburgh around 7/8+ pm on Sunday evenings.
The club is providing the venue and organisation of transport for members to get together but there is no set programme during the meets (except for tuition weekends) and members are responsible for their own activities, safety etc.
A typical weekend will cost around £60 which will cover accommodation, transport and the communal meal (with wine) on Saturday. Exact costs are calculated by the trip co-ordinator during the course of the weekend and split between everyone attending.
Extra costs can include tuition, ski hire, ski passes, visits to the pub.
As meets are booked well in advance for the ski season, it is impossible to determine whether there will be adequate snow for skiing or not. Invariably the trip will go ahead anyway regardless of snow or weather and we will simply hike or cycle if ski conditions aren't right. No worries!
You are welcome to attend day trips, pub nights, any other social activity and one winter weekend meet without becoming a member. However to book onto any further weekend meets you will have to pay the current season's subscription.
Contact the membership secretary Caroline Weinberger and have a chat or just download a Membership Form .