Mountain Adventure Holidays
Join us in the heart of the Swiss Valais for a week of cross-country skiing. The tracks in the Obergoms Valley are perfect for 'beginners' with excellent terrain that is mostly flat or gently undulating. Reliable conditions and up to 85 kms (54 miles) of ski trails offer something for everyone in this 'Swiss chocolate box' winter wonderland. On this trip you will be introduced to 'classic' style track skiing
The Obergoms valley is renowned for its top class cross-country skiing. The area is a mecca for cross-country skiers from throughout the world who want to enjoy the Swiss Alps and explore 'La vallee de Conches' the valley of the church bells. With the help of the local train we can explore new trails every day.
Cross-country skiing offers more than just the enjoyment of fresh mountain air and stunning views. Once mastered this 'low impact' exercise is a great way to improve your fitness while enjoying ever changing scenery!
The Obergoms is a beautiful open valley situated at the source of the Rhône river, where the language is Swiss German. This evening we meet you at your hotel, at approximately 1800 hrs, to brief you on the days ahead and answer any questions.
After collecting our skis we spend time warming up our 'ski-legs' and looking at the basic techniques of cross country skiing. Throughout the first morning we will do various exercises and drills that will promote confidence and enjoyment on your skis. The aim of your Instructor is always to make sure you get the most out of your week whether that be small improvements, or major changes in your skiing over the five days. Our aim is to help you achieve any goals you have chosen to set yourself. On the other hand you can just enjoy the skiing, eat cake, drink coffee and visit the sauna - it's not a boot camp! Today we will aim to ski the peaceful and scenic river trails which offer an excellent and easy introduction to the valley. Each village has it's own picturesque landscape and maintains it's mountain traditions. The continually tracked and groomed ski pistes have many detours where we can lengthen or shorten our day.
As part of this week your Instructor will film your ski technique and offer advice and suggestions for any improvements. This is, of course, optional but film is one of the best ways to provide feedback and for you to understand how you ski. Often viewing your ski technique is the best way to 'get it', and understand your challenges and how to achieve your goals. After doing some exercises to consolidate yesterday's lesson we will make our way along the valley to the wonderful old village of Münster. Usually we stop for coffee along the way, and take time to enjoy the views and the photo opportunities.
The ski tracks wind along the entire Obergoms valley, and today we start by taking the local train to the village of Münster. From here we begin our ski journey down the valley towards Neiderwald. The villages in this valley are truly wonderful, made up of old traditional houses of dark brown or black weathered wood with a topping of snow, and red window shutters. The route takes us through woodland, over rivers, and past old settlements, and provides plenty of options for loops and variations on the route. A morning stop at Reckingen where the farmer and his wife serve excellent coffee and cake is a must. We then continue to Neiderwald where lunch is often in the wonderful old cafe of "Drei Tannen", again a feeling of having stepped back in time.
Depending on the weather and conditions we have a choice for our sight-skiing day. We will either take a trip to the 'other side' or up a cable car to see the Aletch glacier.
In the winter months the road ends at Oberwald as the heavy snows make the famous Furka Pass impassable. However, the train keeps running and takes a route forged straight through the mountain under the Furka Pass via a tunnel which was opened in 1982. This morning we will take the train, and after about 25 minutes we will emerge in the next Swiss canton of Uri at the tiny community of Realp. We continue to the famous alpine town of Andermatt where we can enjoy skiing the local trails, and take lunch in the town which has a more Germanic influence that the 'other side' in the Obergoms Valley. The train ticket through to Andermatt is not included.
Alternatively we have the option to visit Blitzingen, 1290m (4232ft) and its four hamlets with chapels in the sun-soaked Lower Goms. The route takes us through woodland, over rivers and past old settlements. Then at lunchtime we can take the Obergoms train down to Fiesch where you can travel by cable car to a viewpoint overlooking the Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. The train to Fiesch is included with your ski pass. The return cable car ticket is not included.
For these additional costs refer to the 'What's Not Included' section under Dates & Prices.
Our final days skiing is back in the Obergoms valley where it's time to set your own challenge! The route known as the "Loipe Goms" runs a total of 26 km (16.3 miles) between Niederwald, at 1251m (4103ft), and Oberwald at 1368m (4487ft). En route we pass all the lovely old villages which line the valley with their ancient farms and barns where the farming traditions of the area are actively preserved. These wonderful old buildings are made of wood which has been weathered to a dark brown colour or in some cases black, with the passage of time. There is certainly plenty to look at as we make our way along by the river, and indeed plenty of cafes and restaurants to pause for a rest and a 'refuel'. If at any point you feel you want to have a more relaxed approach to this day you can simply hop on the train at one of the many stops.
Today is departure day, most likely on the local train?
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
You can be assured we spend a lot of time and effort researching the best accommodation available for the standard of your trip. Where possible we use family run establishments with a reputation for hospitality and food. Your booking is based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. On some trips a single room may be available on request for a supplementary fee. However, single rooms can be limited in number so do contact us as soon as possible to discuss this. We use one of several hotels along the Obergoms valley, depending on availability, and those are listed below.
The Hotel Astoria is located in the small village of Ulrichen. The hotel provides an ideal base to explore the valley. We have always found the staff to be amazingly accommodating and the the food at breakfast and dinner to be of a high standard.
The hotel has a Finnish Sauna that is available at 40 CHF/hr - a welcome addition to help ease those aching legs after a days xc skiing!
The Obergoms valley is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
If you're travelling from the UK to Switzerland by train then the easiest and quickest route is via the Eurostar to Paris and then hoping onto the TGV -Lyria to Geneva.
Within Switzerland the trains are by the far the easiest and most efficient way to travel. Visitors can obtain a holiday/ visitors card from SBB which enables you reduced rate rail from/to airports to your holiday destination and throughout your stay in Switzerland. Times and prices vary depending on the length of your stay. For further details please refer to the Swiss Railway website.
The closest airports are Sion & Bern (2.5hrs), then Zurich (3.5/4hrs), or Geneva is a little bit further away (4hrs) - all times are by train. By road the Obergoms is 2.5hrs from Chamonix, 1.5hrs from Martigny.
To find out more about the region then please visit: Obergoms and Andermatt Gotthard Tourismus.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Winter mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
In winter the weather can deliver everything from clear blue skies, and glorious sunshine, to heavy snowfall and strong winds. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality.
Temperatures vary depending on the month, generally December, January, and February are colder, but by March and April the temperatures are warming up and spring is on the way.
In December and January they can range from -10°Celsius (14°F) to 3°Celsius (37.4F), in February from -5°Celsius (23°F) to 7°Celsius (44.6°F), and in March from 0°Celsius (32°F) to 13°Celsius (55.4°F).
The above figures are a general indication only as the weather can vary considerably year on year for any given month.
The cross country skiing equipment we will use features lightweight track fishscale classic skis (not skate skis or waxables), NNN (or similar) boots, bindings and poles. The total ski hire for the 5 days is 118CHF per person for winter 2023. We ask that you pay this sum directly to the ski shop by cash or credit card.
Ski equipment hire is arranged in advance. Please make note of your equipment hire on our Booking Form. We will need to know your height, weight, normal shoe size (you must give us your everyday shoe size and not your personal adjustment for wearing boots) and the measurement of your height up to your armpits (for ski pole hire).
Ski passes can be purchased when you arrive and include the use of the train in the Obergoms valley. The latest prices are available here.
Depending on the accommodation available at the time of booking we either rent skis from Pische Sport in Oberwald or Gommersport in Ulrichen.
Your safety while skiing is our top priority. All skiers are requested to adhere to the Code of Conduct published by the International Ski Federation, or FIS. The aim is to make you, the skier, aware of how to avoid risks, take responsibility and act thoughtfully while on the cross-country ski tracks.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you will encounter and accommodation you will be staying in.
You require clothing that allows freedom of movement, and mobility. Warm leggings or trousers that are made of a stretch fabric are best. Layers are ideal for your upper body as they allow you to adjust your temperature. Alpine ski clothing is not appropriate as it is too bulky, too warm, and restricts movement.
Equipment
We use 'classic' style cross country track skis for this trip either ‘fishscales’ or ‘skintec’. You can choose to bring your own 'classic' track skis (non-metal edged), however, do check with us first to ensure they are suitable.
Skis, boots, and poles - can be hired at the start of the trip. The cost of hire is indicated in 'Trip Information'. If you are intending to hire you must inform us as soon as possible as equipment must be booked in advance. The type of ski supplied by the hire shop is provided in the 'Ski Rental' section of the Trip Information page. If in doubt about the suitability of your own skis please contact us.
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £350.
We go to great lengths to work with first class ski instructors who are passionate about their work.
Your ski instructor will be a BASI qualified, or equivalent, Nordic Ski Instructor. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors and is one of Europe's leading examining boards for those choosing a career in snow sports. For some countries your ski instructor will hold the national qualification required for the country you are visiting. All are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
In the majority of cases your instructor will also be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting.
Please note your instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
These trips are for newcomers to cross country skiing, those who have had some time away from cross country skiing, or cross country skiers wanting a refresher before moving on to more challenging trips. Previous alpine ski experience could be helpful, but is not essential. Full instruction is given on the ski techniques and equipment. All skiing will take place on prepared tracks on relatively flat terrain. Instruction will also be given on how to control speed and direction. You will be taught how to initiate a basic 'snowplough' to enable you to control your speeds on gentle slopes. We will expect you to have a reasonable level of fitness so that you can be active and on skis over the course of the day for approximately 4 hours.
One of the wonderful things about the Obergoms Valley is the train line which runs along the valley with services throughout the day. Your ski pass includes free train travel making it very easy for you to opt out of any part of the day. If you are tired you just hop on the train!
For this trip where you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, please note that not all the hotels we use have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We would suggest that luggage with wheels is generally a good idea.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun 18 Jan - Sat 24 Jan Code: SXC1 |
Price: £2020 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sun 01 Feb - Sat 07 Feb Code: SXC2 |
Price: £2020 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2020 |
| Holiday Type | Low Impact |
| Duration | 7 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1400m (4593ft) |
| Countries Visited | Switzerland |
| Meet In | Oberwald, Switzerland |
