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.
The Obergoms valley is renowed for it's 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 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. Once we reach Münster you can choose to either catch the train or ski back. If you choose the train you might like to know your train ticket is included in your ski pass, and you can just jump on whenever you feel you have had enough and head back for a sauna!
The ski tracks wind along the entire Obergoms valley, and today we start by taking the local train to the village of Münster where we finished yesterday. 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. Then it's back to letting the train take the strain as we return to Ulrichen where we hop off and ski the last 4.6 km (2.9 miles) back to our hotel. You can, of course, choose to stay on the train and travel all the way back to Oberwald. The choice is yours!
Today we will take a trip to the other side. 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 wise' in the Obergoms Valley. After lunch we will decide how far we would like to ski back up the valley, with the aim of hoping on the train when we feel we have done enough.
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 relaxded 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.
On all of our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, comfortable, characterful, family run accommodation.
We take time to research, update and view the best options available to us on every trip. Detailed below are examples of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable at the time of booking we will use alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
The trip fees are based on two people sharing a room. However on many of our trips single rooms are available on request for a supplementary fee.
Offering direct access to the cross-country ski trails, the 3* Hotel Glocke, is a traditional chalet style hotel located in Reckingen half way along the Obergoms valley at 1300m (4265ft). Our hosts, the Schmid Family, are proud to offer guests a relaxing stay in a peaceful environment. Each room has a private bathroom, hairdryer, radio, free toiletries and mountain views! There is a television room and library in the lounge equipped with a variety of games, like billiards and board games. Enjoy healthy home cooked 4 course evening meals and a guest sauna and steam bath.
Located in Reckingen half way along the Goms Valley, the 3* Hotel Blinnenhorn enjoys a sunny location with panoramic mountain views at 1300m (4265 ft). In 2018, Ines und Bruno Wolfisberg took over running the hotel and have since renovated many of the rooms, also adding a guest sauna which is always welcome after a day on the trails. All rooms are furnished in a traditional Valaisian style and offer satellite TV, a safe, ensuite bathroom with a hairdryer. The restaurant offers a range of local dishes and a fireplace in the dining room creates a cosy and warm atmosphere.
Our hotel is in the tiny and characterful village of Oberwald which is nestled at the far end of the Obergoms Valley. The rooms are cosy, with en suite facilities. Breakfast is plentiful and with a varied selection of food. Dinner will usually be eaten at a nearby restaurant. There is a fitness room and spa, with saunas.
The hotel is owned and run by Dirk, who is originally from Holland, and in our experience is very helpful. He will even collect you from the train station if you feel you need it.
The Obergoms valley is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane. 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.
It is a condition of booking that you have appropriate insurance for your chosen activity, including emergency helicopter rescue, repatriation, medical costs, as well as trip cancellation/curtailment insurance in the event of you being unable to join/complete the trip.
Please read the relevant clauses which are numbered 10, 11, 11a, 12, and 22 and are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
We also recommend your insurance covers you for baggage loss/damage. Tracks and Trails Ltd are unable to accept responsibility for the loss or damage to any client equipment or luggage.
If you are booking on behalf of other people it is important that you ensure that insurance has been arranged by all others included in your Booking Form.
You should bring all insurance documentation with you at the time of the activity. If you fail to provide proof of insurance we reserve the right to ask you to leave the trip.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
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 estimated to be 100CHF per person. We ask that you pay this sum directly to the ski shop which can be by cash or 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 are expected to cost approximately 14CHF per day and includes the use of the train up and down the valley. If during your week we do a day trip to the Andermatt valley the price for this train and ski pass is usually 30CHF return.
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.
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 there is a minimum number of guests required to book before we can 'guarantee' your trip will run. It depends on the particular trip in question, but it is normally 4. The 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 £280.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide/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.
For our walking, family, and snowshoeing trips your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. For our running trips your guide will be an International Mountain Leader, and an experienced mountain 'trail runner'.
If you have booked on a cross country ski trip you will be with a fully qualified professional BASI Nordic Ski Instructor or equivalent. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors.
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. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you choose and buy what you require. Buying supplies and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with the local people and to practise your language skills.
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 your day of activity. 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 choose to 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 and whether you need to purchase items in the evening or if the shop/market is open early enough the next morning not to delay your start. In all cases we would always ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks in the evening before you depart, and not on the morning of your last day 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 our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. 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.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
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.
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 European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance. Also note that if/when the UK leaves the European Union that the EHIC card may no longer be valid. 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.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that 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.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| From Price | £0 |
| Holiday Type | Cross Country Ski Instruction |
| Duration | 7 Days |
| Group Size | 8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1400m (4593ft) |
| Countries Visited | Switzerland |
| Meet In | Oberwald, Switzerland |
