Signing up for outings
The season’s schedule is published on this external website: https://skiclub-skitouring.web.cern.ch/. Registration for outings is done online directly on that site.
Outings take place on Saturday or Sunday, at each instructor’s discretion, with no minimum or maximum number of weekends. The season starts in January and runs as late as possible. In 2025, the last outing was in May! There are no level-based groups: some outings are easier and some are more challenging. Everyone is free to sign up for an outing based on their technical and physical ability. More information below!
By joining the ski touring section, you can sign up for all the outings offered. Although a provisional schedule of outings is prepared for the whole season, we only take registrations for the upcoming weekend, unless special registration arrangements are mentioned in the programme (for example for multi-day ski tours, the section outing, and special outings). In any given week, registration for the weekend’s outings opens on Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
The number of participants per outing is limited to 5 members per instructor. Exceptions are possible depending on the group and the route. If the number of registrations exceeds 5 members per instructor, the instructor(s) will select participants based on how well they match the technical level of the route and on the number of outings members have already done. Members who have done fewer outings will be given priority. Members not selected for an outing will be placed on a waiting list in case one of the registered participants cancels.
Cancelling your participation in an outing
Please note that cancellations are possible and acceptable, but within a reasonable timeframe, which usually means more than 24 hours in advance. Contact the trip leader whenever you need to cancel. Be aware that with less than 24 hours’ notice, it is often difficult to reach the people on the waiting list, and they may also have found something else to do. Remember that sending us a text at 6 a.m. on the day of the outing is not only rude, but also unfair to the people who were on the waiting list. Honour your commitment, respect the instructors, respect the other members, and prepare for your outing by taking it easy the night before!
Difficulty level of an outing
Skiing conditions can be hard to assess because snow accumulation and quality are constantly changing. A 35° slope that is relatively easy to ski in good snow becomes dangerous when the snow is icy. Similarly, a route crossing glacial terrain may turn out to be more or less difficult, or even impassable, because of the glacier’s changing nature or a lack of snow. The difficulty rating of outings tries to take all these factors into account, in addition to length, altitude, etc. Once on site, the conditions encountered may therefore be much worse than the initially estimated rating.
IMPORTANT: It is up to the trip leader to decide whether the level of a registered person is appropriate for the level of the outing. Therefore, even if you are an experienced skier but completely new to the club, we encourage you to first take part in one or two easier outings so the instructors and members can get to know you better. The instructor in charge of the outing has the right to turn you away from an outing if they consider your technical or physical level to be insufficient (this is rare and generally limited to outings with more than 1,500 m of elevation gain, or to AD-graded routes).
Never forget that the mountains are a dangerous environment. Whatever precautions we take, some risk always remains. Choosing your tour according to your abilities will ensure a safe outing for everyone.
Transport
We carpool as much as possible to get to the starting point of outings. Transport costs are at the driver’s discretion, typically fuel plus tolls divided by the number of people in the car.
Drivers, please try to have a vehicle with the appropriate equipment (winter tyres, ski rack, Swiss motorway vignette, etc.).
Behaviour during outings
During the outing, for safety reasons, never leave the group! We start the outing together, we do the outing together, and we finish the outing together. So make sure you sign up for outings that match your technical and physical ability: if you can no longer keep going on the ascent, the whole group will be forced to turn back before the summit. Of course, despite your preparation and good intentions, you may have a difficult day (struggling on the ascent, painful boots, etc.). If that happens, tell the trip leader quickly! They will adapt how they lead the group (pace on the ascent, alternative route, breaks, etc.) so that you can enjoy the outing as much as possible and stay safe. The worst thing you can do is say nothing while you’re struggling, then become unable to continue at all and have to call the rescue services!
If a member of the group cannot continue, or if we believe conditions do not allow us to guarantee the group’s safety, the instructor may make decisions up to and including calling off the outing, even if conditions seem good. Please respect these decisions! They are generally made after discussing and explaining things with the group, and they are for your safety!