We're a group of people who are passionate about the outdoors in general, and about ski touring in particular. We're based in Edinburgh but have members living all around the UK.
We have about 170 members at the moment, with equal numbers of men and women, all ages and several nationalities (including Swiss, Canadian, American, Dutch… but the Australians are still winning…). There are a number of active families in the club. We have some non-skiing members who join us in other activities including socials.
Although we're snow hounds who whoop and shriek at the sight of a bit of the white stuff, we don't just ski! Our love of the great outdoors also takes us to all the best parts of Scotland on foot and by bike.
Membership runs from June to May and costs £20 for new members.
Members receive a regular news bulletin (sent by email), so you can always keep up to date with what's on in the club. We also have a members-only Google Group for arranging trips and sharing news on snow conditions.
Your subscription includes club membership of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) which gives you access to affiliated club huts, discounts on top quality winter skills training courses, a regular magazine and, most importantly, third party liability insurance cover. It also means you are eligible to apply for BMC travel insurance.
We are invited to club discount nights at Tiso's in Edinburgh, and also have discount arrangements with one of the main suppliers of ski touring equipment in Scotland.
But perhaps the best benefit of membership is the wide circle of friends that you'll make from belonging to Scotland's biggest 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 are announced as snowfall demands and inspires.
We usually organise a longer meet at New Year, and have run touring and piste-based trips to Scandinavia, the Alps, the Dolomites, Eastern Europe and North America - about three overseas trips a year.
In Scotland the best snow is generally found above 2,000 feet and so most of our touring tends to be in the mountains. This means trips can involve covering substantial distances over varied terrain, and weather conditions can range from relatively mild to positively arctic - all in one day!
Recently, with more low level snow, many members have rediscovered the joys of nordic skiing on undulating hills, forest tracks and valley floors. The type of skiing you do will influence the type of kit you use - many club members use telemark free heel bindings with plastic boots but an increasing number (particularly converts from downhill skiing) use alpine touring equipment. Others prefer 'skinnier' nordic skis and lighter boots. Some enjoy using all three, depending on the type of terrain!
We're active all year round. When there’s no snow we go hillwalking, cycling, backpacking or climbing. We also have a very active social calendar with pub meets, meals out, barbecues, film and theatre visits, slide shows, ceilidhs and parties.
A meal and pub night is organised for the first Tuesday of every month.
People new to ski touring are very welcome. The club has good quality ski equipment for hire if you don't have your own.
Lots of people join us with hillwalking and/or downhill skiing experience and both are an excellent background. If you're a beginner, we strongly recommend that you get some instruction as good technique will make tours safer, less tiring and not least more fun! We organise at least one instruction weekend a year, but also suggest you do a course with one of the commercial companies offering free heel/telemark instruction - some are listed on our useful links page.
All members taking part in club activities are responsible for their own safety in the hills, and it is advisable that you know how to use a map and compass. If you plan to go into the mountains in winter, you must have appropriate clothing for what at times can be severe weather conditions. It may sometimes be necessary to carry an ice axe and crampons, and you will need to learn how to use these if you plan to ski or walk in steeper terrain in icy conditions. In certain conditions and terrain, it is also advisable to carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and to know how to use these.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) offer winter skills courses each year at reduced rates for club members. And we work regularly with MCofS and the British Association of Ski Patrollers (BASP) to organise bespoke courses for members in avalanche awareness, navigation, first aid and crevasse rescue.
It's important that you have a reasonable standard of fitness as well as experience of the mountains in winter if you want to come on a mountain ski tour. This is for your own safety and enjoyment, as well as others'.
If there's snow at lower levels, skiing through lowland forest tracks or along valley bottoms obviously requires a lower level of fitness.
Hillwalking, running and cycling are all great ways to build up or maintain your fitness for skiing.
If you want to go on one of the day trips or socials listed on the what's on page, you just need to contact the organiser and let them know you'd like to come. Sarah can give you the organiser's contact details if they're not listed.
If you want to go on one of the weekend trips listed on the what's on page, email the organiser first to check availability. If there is space they will send you a booking form, or if it is booked up they may be able to put you on a waiting list. (Again, Sarah can give you the organisers' contact details if they're not listed.) Many venues have limited bedspace and bookings are only confirmed on receipt of payment. Organisers attempt to reserve a few places for new members but nevertheless you are advised to book as soon as possible.
Deposits are non-refundable unless you cancel your booking at least 8 days in advance and someone else fills your space, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Any deposits retained go into club funds and are used towards future events/purchase of club equipment. The organiser will contact you a few days before the meet to tell you about all the arrangements and to answer any questions you may have.We usually leave Edinburgh between 5 to 7pm on Friday evening and return to Edinburgh around 7 to 8+ pm on Sunday evening.
There's no set programme during meets except on training weekends. Plans for each day's tours are usually discussed the night before, and people divide into small groups so that they can ski or walk with other people with similar aims for the day. The meet organiser will try to make sure you link up with a suitable group, but you are responsible for your own activities and for your own safety. Some weekends have ‘buddying’ groups which are intended to share experience in an organized way.
The meets throughout the ski season are usually based in self-catering accommodation – hostels, bunkhouses and huts belonging to other clubs. They often have mixed dormitories, small bunk rooms or sleeping platforms, and are simple but comfortable. Typical locations include Strathspey, Deeside and Glencoe.
Backpacking and camping are popular in the summer. We usually have at least one 'country house' holiday each year, often in very comfortable lodges set in wonderful Highland scenery.
We try to keep costs and environmental impact to a minimum by arranging lift-shares for weekends. Mileage costs are worked out at 25p per mile. The meet coordinator organises the car pool, and you are assigned a car and driver – or passengers – a few days before the meet. (Or you can choose to travel independently if you prefer).
A meal (usually vegetarian) including a couple of glasses of wine is normally provided on Saturday nights. People take turns to prepare the meal and clear up, and everyone eats together. It's always very sociable as everyone relates their day's tales and plans their next adventures. The meet organiser chooses the cooks for the meal, (but don't worry, you won't be asked to cook on your first meet!)
You will need to bring food for all other meals and snacks during the weekend.Depending on the location, a typical weekend will cost around £50-60, which covers accommodation, transport (if travelling in the car pool) and Saturday night's meal and wine. Exact costs are usually calculated by the trip co-ordinator on the Saturday night and split between everyone attending. Additional costs could be ski hire, tuition, ski passes, and food or drink en route on Friday or Sunday.
As winter meets are booked about a year ahead, it's impossible to know if there will be enough snow for skiing or not. The trip will go ahead anyway regardless of snow or weather and we simply hike or cycle if ski conditions aren't right. No worries!
Contact Helen, who deals with new enquiries, and tell her a bit about yourself and your interests/experience. She will add you to the mailing list to receive our weekly newsletter, send you an information sheet, and answer any initial questions you have.
You're welcome to attend pub nights, social activities and ONE day or weekend meet of up to 3 days without becoming a member. However to book onto any further meets or a holiday you'll have to pay the current season's subscription.
To join the club (either straight away or later – it's only £20!) read these explanatory notes and send our Membership Secretary Jan a membership form (either spreadsheet version [preferred] by email, or pdf version by post). You will also need to send a cheque to Jan by post. If you wish to pay electronically by BACS then please contact Jan for the ESTC bank account details.