Ski touring hire

Ski touring first asks you to be comfortable on the way down: away from groomed runs the snow changes constantly and turns are more demanding. On the way up you don’t need to be an athlete to get started, but it’s wise to begin with short outings at your own pace.

For a first go, the marked routes around the resort are ideal. The official La Plagne website mentions ski touring as a way to gain height from Les Coches, notably across the Plan Bois plateau towards Plagne Bellecôte. Check which routes are open, and their rules, before you set off.

• Touring skis: light, and matched to your build and ability
• Touring bindings with climb and descent modes, set to your boot
• Climbing skins cut to the length of your skis
• Touring boots with a walk mode, depending on the pack
• Poles and helmet depending on the pack

Good to knowWhen you collect, we’ll show you how to fit and remove the skins, switch the bindings between climb and ski modes and use the boots’ walk mode. Five minutes in the shop saves a lot of fumbling on the mountain.

As soon as you leave open, marked pistes, the transceiver, shovel and probe trio is essential, along with knowing how to use it. To find out whether this safety kit is available to hire in our shops, ask in store: availability can vary.

Before any outing beyond secured routes, check Météo-France’s avalanche risk bulletin, tell someone your route and never go alone. If you lack winter mountain experience, go with a professional: a qualified mountain guide or ski instructor.

• Follow the resort’s rules for skinning up the pistes: times, permitted routes and piste-basher traffic.
• Dress in breathable layers: you’ll be warm on the way up and cold at the top.
• Take water, a snack, a head torch and a charged phone.

Touring means a lot of walking, and a poorly fitted boot means blisters. In our equipped shops the 3D foot scan helps pick the right size in seconds. We then check the fit with you in both walk and ski mode.

• Start early: the snow is better and the routes quieter. Ask the shop whether you can collect your kit the day before.
• Have a practice run at the bottom of the slopes: fitting skins, switching modes, a kick turn or two.
• Keep your skins warm inside your jacket during the break: they’ll stick better when you set off again.
• Keep it short: an hour of climbing is plenty for a first time.
• Book online to guarantee your kit: our booking page explains how.

The touring range can vary from shop to shop, so give your chosen shop a call or see our shops. To get your bearings, see our Montchavin and Les Coches pages and our guide to the Montchavin-Les Coches ski area. For the downhill side, our guide on which skis to hire helps you choose by level.