FAQs

This very much depends on which holiday you want to book, each of our hotels and holidays have different options available. Each holiday has the pertinent detail included in the holiday information section, the booking info document and in the hotel information documents. 

Yes, where the possibility exists to have single occupancy, a single supplement will be charged to you at the same rate that the hotel charges for the service, this will be emailed to you within 72 hours of you making the request via the contact us form. We will send you the code required to make the booking with a single occupancy supplement.  

Yes, specialised diets can be catered for if required due to allergies or intolerances eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free. The hotels can also cater for vegan and vegetarian diets. Please let us know any dietary requirements when you complete the extra information included in the email you will receive 6 weeks from your departure. We can then let the Hotel know in advance. 

Hot lunches are available if you do not want a packed lunch but would be self-funded. 

At breakfast you make your own packed lunch from the buffet selection or breads, pastries, meats, cheeses and fruits. We suggest that you bring a tupperware box with you to store your lunch. 

Other than the drinks provided at breakfast, drinks are a personal purchase. 

This depends on the location of the holiday:

• Holidays running from the Gassenhof have access to the amenities of the Ridnaun valley, and there is a shop, cafe and bar within a 15-minute walk of the accommodation. 

• Pellestova is remote, you must ensure that you bring everything that you need for the trip. In exceptional circumstances your guide may be able to get you to a local Supermarket or other convenience required. 

Yes, high quality skis boots and poles are included. We try to use the best available rental equipment (current season) or our own stock of high-quality equipment. 

In order for us to get your equipment ready, so that we do not lose time on the first morning of your holiday we need to understand your height for your poles, shoe size to make sure your boots fit and weight to ensure that the skis glide properly. 

By classic skiing we mean the traditional form of cross-country skiing, where the skis run in parallel grooves or spor created by the pisting machine. Propulsion from the legs is created by the ski gripping the snow by one of 3 methods: 

• Waxed skis – use a pocket of sticky wax applied and corked into the base of the ski – this is the traditional method. Waxed skis tend to give the best gliding effect, but application can be time consuming and at warmer temperatures It can be difficult to select the right wax. 

• Fish-scales – these rely on a ridged, fish scale pattern cut into the base of the ski to grip the snow. These are good for when waxing conditions are hard to judge, such as wet and slushy snow, but they are not ideal for the gliding factor and they make an extremely annoying buzzing sound as you ski. 

• Skins – these rely on a strip of carpet that has a napp pointing towards the tail of the ski that grips the snow as you compress the ski with all of your weight. These are the most modern of the 3 types of classic ski and allow you to ski in a wide variety of conditions. They are good a compromise. 

  Skate kiing is a much newer technique and was developed in the 1980s, it is also called freestyle. The technique is much more akin to ice skating, where the edge of the ski is placed on the snow as to grip it and allow a firm push off and the legs cycle in a skating motion aided by the arms and the poles. Skate skiing takes place on the flat groomed area of the track next to the classic groves. To note; classic skiers get very annoyed when skate skiers cross the classic groves and make them collapse, you have been warned… 

Yes, the equipment that you use for each technique is quite distinct: 

• Skis - Classic skis are about 10 to 15cm longer than skating skis, with a camber in the middle to allow the wax pocket to remain off the snow when your weight is on both skis gliding. Skating skis are shorter and stiffer with a more pronounced camber in the middle of the ski. 

• Poles - Classic Poles are around 10 to 15cm shorter than skating poles. For classic somewhere around the arm pit is right and for skating around the height of your nose 

• Footwear – You traditionally classic ski in a shoe that is very flexible in the forefoot, this is best for competent skiers as the degree of stability provided is low. For Skating you require a higher boot with more support and zero flexibility in the forefoot. To learn either technique we recommend a ‘combi boot’ is worn, this gives some of the enhanced support of a skating boot, but with enough flexibility to allow the classic technique. We find this the best balance overall for beginners and allows more confidence when descending and cornering and allows the foot some movement that is prohibited with a skating boot, this increases your comfort when worn for long periods. 

If you have previous experience of alpine/downhill skiing it will help initially with descending, understanding the mechanics of braking and you will already be familiar with the sensation of gliding on the snow. However, the equipment and techniques used in cross-country skiing is very different from alpine skiing. Our suggestion is that no matter how much Alpine experience you have, one of our beginner’s trips is still the right way to begin your journey into the world of cross-country skiing. 

Nordic skiing is simply another name given to cross-country skiing. It is skiing in pre-prepared tracks using thin/long lightweight skis and poles, with a boot that is only attached at the toe.  The term Nordic skiing is more-commonly used in the Nordic countries, such as Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Other countries such as the UK will refer to cross-country skiing, in France it is called ski de fond, in Italy sci de fondo and in Germany langlauf. 

As per our Terms and Conditions it is imperative that you are insured for mountain rescue, medical costs and repatriation. The areas we use are as safe as practicable, but in some situations, if you sustained even a minor injury helicopter rescue may be required. This can be extremely expensive if not covered by your insurance policy. We would advise that you check with your regular travel insurance first, and if not covered then you must purchase additional insurance for mountain rescue. 

Group sizes are stated on the trip information, they will generally be between 4 – 6. The ages of our guests range from mid-20s to mid-60s with an even mix of solo travellers, couples and groups of friends.  What they will all have in common is a love for the outdoors, being in the mountains, and getting away from the hustle and bustle of routine life whilst learning or developing their cross-country skiing skills. 

Many of our guests arrive as solo travellers and leave with a group of new friends that are eagerly planning their next group trip. 

This is very difficult to answer, you should have a reasonable base level of fitness and be in good health to enjoy the experience fully. We advise all guests to consult their doctor before booking to ensure they have no underlying health issues that increases the risk of the activity for them. Cross-country skiing is low impact and is kind to your joints, a reasonable level of flexibility is required, but the most important aspect of your fitness is your cardiovascular endurance – the ability to conduct moderate activity for prolonged periods of time and be able to maintain a steady heart rate. 

But, it will be as tough as you want it to be, our guides understand that you are on holiday, and want to be able to enjoy the experience at your own pace, they will support your learning and development at all times and are used to coaxing the best out of people. 

If you get overly tired during the week there is always the option to take sessions off if required. If in doubt then call us to discuss your level of fitness and to see how we can help 

Working on your cardiovascular fitness will help you without doubt. Walking at a good pace, running, cycling or using any of the cardiovascular training machines at a gym will help. Consistency is key and you should aim for at least 2 sessions a week to see improvements, and think in terms of months rather than weeks; aiming to start a programme to prepare 3 months before your trip will allow you to really see the benefits. Improving your overall strength is also important for cross-country skiing with a good mix of upper and lower body strength recommended.  

In addition, some work on you balance will be of benefit, most of the time cross-country skiing you are balanced on one leg, so even basic balance exercises can help. Try brushing your teeth on one leg… 

Cross country skiing is a very active sport and you generate a lot of heat despite the cold, so thick bulky Downhill/Alpine clothing is not suitable. The mistake that many people make is to overdress, get very hot, then take a break and become cold almost instantly. Truthfully - If you are an outdoor enthusiast then you probably own most of what you need already. Lightweight, form fitting and layered clothing is the order of the day. On your legs, a set of synthetic thermals and heavy, windproof leggings or walking trousers are great. On your top half we suggest a long-sleeved thermal top, another light wicking layer, and some sort of tracksuit/shell/ outer layer that is water resistant but breathable and has a hood.  

You should also bring a waterproof jacket for any days when it is snowing, or really windy. If you do feel the urge to spend money on specific cross-country clothing then our suggestion is that you look at either Sportful or Swix clothing lines. Socks should not be overly thick as they detract from the feeling through your feet required to accurately control your skis. Hats should be reasonably thin too, so heat can escape from your head. Sunglasses are also a must, and a neck warmer Is also useful and really help retain warmth. 

Gloves are certainly a must but be aware of overly bulky gloves that restrict your hand movement, you are better off with a slightly thinner set of gloves with a thermal glove liner to add another layer. You should also consider having a spare pair of gloves with you in your daysack, especially when as a beginner, because the time that your hands become the coldest and wettest is when getting up after a fall… 

Yes, if you own your own cross-country skiing equipment then you are welcome to use your own, as long as you are satisfied that it is or the right standard. If you intend to use your own equipment you must inform us when completing the extra information form sent to you 6 weeks from your departure date. Please be aware that we will not be able to insure or be held liable if your equipment breaks, and nor can we guarantee that we could help you replace it immediately. 

Yes, you do need to bring something to drink from when we are out skiing, thermal water belts are normally what is used, but a standard drinks bottle inside your small daysack is sufficient. Please be aware that in cold, drinking tubes used on hydration systems such as Camelbacks can freeze, and we do not advise their use. 

Yes, a small day sack (10 – 20 litres) will not hinder your skiing technique, and will allow you to bring a drink, snack and warm layer to put on if we stop for a hot chocolate. 

This depends entirely on which holiday you come on, but as a rough guide the morning sessions will be a couple of hours and the afternoon about an hour and a half. 

Yes this is possible, use the contact form to let us know your thoughts and we will get back you to arrange a call to discuss options, some locations are a better fit for non-skiing travellers, and we will be only too happy to help you. 

There exists the possibility to Alpine Ski on most of our holidays, should you wish, however travel to and from the Alpine area, equipment hire, lift passes and the required insurance are all at your own cost. There will not be a reduction in the cost of your holiday. 

This is a holiday not a boot camp…if you want to take off a session or 2 then you just need to let your guide know. 

This is a possibility, please use the contact form to let us know what might work best for you and we will get back to you within 72 hrs to arrange a call so we can work out a plan. 

You will receive the phone number of your guide in the joining instructions sent to you 4 weeks prior to your departure. You should contact them as soon as you can with as much information about your delay as possible. The guide will make the decision as to whether the group transfer can be delayed, or another plan will be enacted to get you to the hotel. This will be at your personal cost.