FAQ

What is Edinburgh Ski Touring Club? (ESTC)

The club is a lively group of people who are passionate about the outdoors in general, and about ski touring in particular. It's based in Edinburgh but with members living all around the UK and abroad. There are about 100 folk, with equal numbers of men and women, all ages and several nationalities.

Here are two articles about the club: Scottish Mountaineer and Outside magazine.

How much does it cost and what are the benefits?

Membership runs for a year from 1st July to the next 30th June and costs £25 for new members.

Members receive a regular email bulletin eNews to keep you up to date with club events. There is also members-only Google Group and Facebook Group for arranging short notice trips and sharing news on snow conditions.

Your subscription includes club membership of Mountaineering Scotland 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 British Mountaineering Council travel insurance. You will get discount arrangements with a number 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 largest ski touring club.

Where do we ski?

Anywhere in Scotland within reasonable reach of Edinburgh. Weekend trips are booked in advance for the season while additional ad hoc trips are arranged as snow cover develops.

What type of skiing do we do?

The club is a very broad church with members skiing at all levels and in all terrains depending on snow and weather conditions. On a given day, club parties may be bagging big mountains on skis, nordic skiing on forest tracks or doing laps on steep mountain terrain.

What else do we do?

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, slide shows and parties.

A pub night is organised for the first and third Tuesday of each month during the autumn and winter. See our events calendar for the date and place of the next meet.

I'm a beginner, how do I get started?

People new to ski touring are very welcome. If you're a beginner, we strongly recommend that you get some instruction. We organise instruction days, but also suggest you do a course with a recognised provider - some are listed on our Training page. 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. Mountaineering Scotland offer winter skills courses each year at reduced rates for club members. The British Association of Ski Patrollers (BASP) provide excellent first aid courses.

Safety, skills & equipment

All members taking part in club activities are responsible for their own safety. You should know how to use a map and compass and you must have appropriate clothing for severe weather conditions. It may sometimes be necessary to carry an ice axe and crampons. You should carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and to know how to use these. The club has this type of equipment available.

How fit do I have to be?

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. Hillwalking, running and cycling are all great ways to build up or maintain your fitness for skiing.

How do I join day trip or social event?

If you want to go on one of the day trips or social events listed on the Events page, you just need to book using the online system.

How do I book on a weekend trip?

Go to the Events page and click on the booking button. If you are not a member and wish to join a weekend, please contact our meets organiser.

​What's the schedule on weekend trips?

We usually leave Edinburgh between 5 to 7pm on Friday evening and return to Edinburgh around 7 to 8pm on Sunday evening.

There's no set programme during meets. 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 'skill share' groups which are intended to share experience in a structured way.

Where do we stay on meets?

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.

How is transport organised?

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).

What about food on meets?

A meal (usually with vegetarian options) 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. 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.

What do trips cost?

Depending on the location and accommodation, a typical weekend will cost around £60 - £100, 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.

What if there's no snow?

As winter meet venues 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.


Still keen? Still awake? You obviously have the stamina required to be a ski tourer. You should Join.