If you do not have mountain rescue insurance and become ill or are injured while on the mountain, you may be responsible for the full cost of your rescue. This can include helicopter evacuation, medical treatment, and, if necessary, repatriation to your home country. Helicopter rescues are particularly expensive and can cost many thousands in local currency.

For this reason, appropriate mountain rescue insurance is a mandatory requirement for all of our trips in Europe. In the United Kingdom, helicopter rescue is generally provided without charge, but you should still have insurance that covers medical treatment and repatriation if needed.

We also strongly recommend taking out insurance that covers trip cancellation, curtailment, and loss or delay of luggage.

Our How to Book page includes a list of companies which offer mountain rescue insurance, as well as repatriation and coverage of medical expenses. As everyone's needs are different, we're unable to recommend a specific provider, so it's your responsibility to choose and arrange the insurance that's right for you. We don't review or assess the terms and conditions of individual insurance policies, so we encourage you to read the policy details carefully before purchasing.

The best place to start is by reading the trip itinerary carefully, paying particular attention to the daily distance and the amount of ascent and descent. Many people are surprised to find that the descents can be more demanding than the climbs, as they put extra strain on the knees and hips. (You may also find our FAQ on walking poles helpful.) For our cross-country skiing trips, the emphasis is generally more on endurance and covering the daily distance.

A good way to judge whether a trip is right for you is to think about the last walking, hiking or skiing trip you completed and ask yourself:

• Was the daily distance and ascent/descent similar to the trip you're considering?
• Did you enjoy it and feel comfortable with the level of challenge?
• Is your fitness now similar to when you completed that trip?
• Do you regularly take part in activities that use the same muscles and build similar endurance?
• Are you looking for a trip that feels comfortable, or are you hoping to challenge yourself?

Ultimately, you're the person who knows your fitness best. We can offer guidance, but only you can honestly assess how prepared you feel. Even if you arrive feeling a little less fit than you'd hoped, most people discover they're capable of more than they expected and enjoy rising to the challenge.

If you do find that you've taken on a little too much, it's often possible to take a rest day and rejoin the group at the next accommodation. Please note that if this requires a taxi between hotels, the cost will be your responsibility. On some hiking and trail running trips, such as our Alta Via routes in the Dolomites, this may not be possible because some accommodation is only accessible on foot.

If you're still unsure which trip is right for you, please get in touch. We'll be happy to talk through your experience, fitness and goals to help you choose the trip that's the best fit.

If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill, then yes, the accommodation will endeavour to cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free. It may not be a gourmet meal, but it should meet your requirements and provide nourishing food.

If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. They will also do their best for 'vegan' diets.

If we are overnighting in a village/town in the valley then the hotels usually provide tasty 'veggie' options. In the mountains if we are in a Refuge/Hut they will also provide a 'veggie' option, but it may consist of eggs/cheese/pasta, in other words a slightly more basic meal. In general the supplies to these mountain Refuges/Huts arrive by helicopter and they have a limited amount of food at their disposal each day. They cannot just 'pop out' to the supermarket, but you can be assured they will do their very best to cater for you. 

If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we cannot really 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. 

We are happy to give you general information about the make-up of your group. Obviously, we do not give out confidential details, but we can tell you how many are already booked, what age range is in the group, how many couples or solo travellers, and the gender. Our guests ages range from late 20's through to early 70's, with the most common age range being 40-60 years old. 

One thing we can state is that everyone who books a trip in the mountains has one thing in common with you, they love the outdoors. Put simply they wouldn't be booking if they didn't share your desire to walk/run/snowshoe/cross country ski in a beautiful part of the world. 

Many of our guests make wonderful new like-minded friends on our trips and return together for another trip. It is a real pleasure to see these friendships develop over the years, all because of a chance meeting on a Tracks and Trails adventure. 

We do not penalise single travellers, therefore you do not HAVE to pay a single supplement if you are willing to accept that you will be sharing a twin room with someone of the same gender. Sometimes, because of the make up of the group, you may find you end up with a single room anyway without having to pay extra. However, if you would like to reserve a single room, then YES a single supplement will apply. This is because almost every hotel will levy a charge for single use of a twin room which we then have to pass on to you. 

We are delighted that so many of you ask if you can have the same guide as your previous trip. It means they are clearly doing a fantastic job. If you have requested a specific guide then we do try and oblige by asking the same guide to work on your next trip. However, any first class guide will get booked up early in the season due to their popularity and it may not be possible to secure your favourite guide if your booking has arrived late in the season or after we have already booked someone to guide your trip. 

We do sometime have guests asking which trips their favourite guide is doing and they then book the trip they are guiding! A real testament to the guide in question that they are an essential element to the success of a trip. 

What we can state is that we carefully vet all our guides and everyone of them will deliver a professional service, while sharing their enthusiasm and passion for the mountains. 

If you have booked a trip which INCLUDES luggage transfers then your bags will be taken from one hotel to the next by our luggage transfer services. You will find the information about whether luggage transfers are included on your trip itinerary under "What's Included:"

At the beginning of the trip we will ask that your bag is clearly labelled with a Tracks and Trails label which we will provide. We ask that you restrict luggage to one medium sized bag per person, quite simply because the driver has to lift the bags, and also because you may have to carry your bag up several flights of stairs as many of the old characterful hotels do not have escalators. 

If you have booked a trip which does NOT INCLUDE luggage transfers then we will have made arrangements for your travel luggage to be stored at your first hotel. This is normally the hotel to which you return for the last night of your trip. If this is not the case then we will have arranged for your bags to be collected at the first hotel and deposited at the last hotel. 

Again you can find this information on your trip itinerary details.

We ask that you restrict luggage to one medium sized bag per person, of approximately 15kgs (33lbs) quite simply because the driver has to lift the bags, and also because you may have to carry your bag up several flights of stairs as many of the old characterful hotels do not have escalators. Ideally this should be a 'soft' bag as it will fit better into the vehicle. Luggage with wheels is a good idea as you may have to walk a short distance to your room. 

We would advise that you do not leave valuable items in your luggage which is being transferred. That being said, yes, of course, many people leave their laptop, and various other items in their bags and we have never known any issues with items going missing. We would strongly advise that you padlock your luggage. Each morning your luggage will be left at the hotel, it will be collected by the driver, and then taken to the next hotel where it will once again be left in a common area for your collection. Policy would dictate that we always advise against leaving valuables in your luggage, but it's really up to you!

The clue is in the name. ‘Cross-country’ skiing is essentially travelling across the countryside on skis. Unlike ‘alpine’ or ‘downhill’ skiing it does not use ski lifts or other infrastructure to climb hills, instead it relies on skiers using technique and ability.

According to Wikipedia cross-country skiing is a "form of skiing where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain".

Think of a walking or running motion with skinny lightweight skis on your feet. The difference is that the skis give you a longer stride than you would gain from running or walking as they allow you to ‘glide’ across the ground.

People from the United Kingdom often refer to this type of skiing as ‘cross-country’, but it is also known as ‘Nordic’ as it hails from Scandinavia. Other names are ‘ski de fond’ in France, ‘sci di fondo’ in Italy, ‘langlauf’ in Germany, and ‘langrenn’ in Norway.

For more information we suggest you read this Cross-Country Skiing Guide which has an excellent film which demonstrates the technique.

By 'classic' skiing we mean the traditional form of cross country skiing. In other words in prepared tracks, using long thin lightweight skis with a lightweight boot that is only attached at the toe. The motion that is used is rather like running on skis. 

'Skating' is a form of skiing that has evolved from 'classic' and is now a separate discipline. In 'classic' we use a herringbone step to climb hills, and this is the basis of skate, and is indeed how skating was born.  In other words this herringbone step evolved into a motion like that of an ice-skater and a new type of skiing was born. 

'Skating' uses specialised boots and skis and depends on ski edge grip rather than on 'sole of the ski' grip. It is still 'cross-country skiing' or 'XC', etc. but is a specialised form of it.

Skating takes place on a machined trail running alongside cross-country skiing tracks and as mentioned it uses a motion that is very similar to ice-skating, but with poles to aid propulsion.

At Tracks and Trails our trips focus on ‘classic’ OR ‘skate’.  

To summarise; ‘Classic’ is the original form of travelling across the landscape, the walking or running motion we have already referred to and ‘skate’ is like going to the gym. Skate requires more effort, is a great aerobic workout and uses the same leg motion as an ice skater.

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. There is no mechanical assistance such as a ski lift, and you use your own propulsion to travel across the landscape.

Often 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 Germay 'langlauf'. 

By 'off track' skiing we mean skiing where there are no pre-prepared tracks. This type of skiing is more adventurous because you do not have the tracks/loype to stabilise your skis and assist you to travel in the direction you want to go.

It generally comprises journeys over rolling plateaux and through mountains, such as those of Norway or Sweden. Off-track Nordic skiing involves travelling and coping with variable snow conditions beyond the trail systems (machine-made tracks) of Nordic resorts or centres, but avoids skiing the steepest slopes of these wilderness environments. It uses exactly the same techniques from' in-track' classic skiing, as well as downhill turns, but with heavier touring boots and metal-edged Nordic touring skis, bindings and poles. In other words, off-track skiing allows you to ski away from the confines of a track system, using familiar techniques, similar equipment (which is more appropriate to skiing away from the tracks) and allows you to discover new horizons, and explore new areas. 

We suggest you read our blog on Off-Track Skiing for a full explanation, information and advice.  

To the uninitiated ‘cross-country’ skiing can look easy. Surely you just line up your skis in the tracks and off you go? You will, however, quickly realise there are essential skills that cannot be self-taught and which require professional instruction.

Being able to stop is a crucial skill if you are to avoid damaging yourself. Being able to control your direction of travel is another vital skill. Skills that are easy to pick up but which without instruction can ruin your ski experience.

If you are already a ‘cross-country’ skier and find it 'difficult' then the chances are you are doing it all wrong. So-called experienced skiers who are self-taught and making very 'heavy weather' of this wonderful sport regularly approach us. It is much easier to invest time and money at the beginning of your career, ensuring many years of enjoyment on skis rather than learning bad habits.

All our Instructors are qualified professionals who excel at teaching. At Tracks and Trails teaching ski skills is top of our ski agenda. If you are enjoying your skiing because we have taught you well then you are more likely to join us again on our many adventurous trips. For us it is a major reason to invest our energy in ensuring you are taught in a supportive, enjoyable and safe way.

All our Instructors are carefully vetted for these attributes, and are fully insured and qualified to teach the skills you need to become a good ‘cross-country’ skier.

If you have previous experience of 'alpine' or 'downhill' skiing it can help, but it does not mean that you will have the correct type of experience and ability to join a our cross country ski trip. We would suggest that you try our introductory Italian Ski Breaks to acquire the correct technique to allow you to travel with confidence and efficiency on cross country skis. The skis, and technique are very different to those used in 'downhill' skiing. 

Having said that if you are a 'downhill' skier you may pick up cross country quickly in that you are used to sliding on snow, and should already have a good understanding of how to snowplough and therefore the ability to control speed and direction. 

However, you may find the equipment does not provide the support and stability that you are used to. You will be on thin/long skis with light weight boots that are only attached at the toe and it will feel very different to 'alpine downhill' skiing. But there is a joy to be had when using lightweight equipment and with that a wonderful sense of freedom. We do recommend that you give it a go, as we have converted many 'downhillers' over the years who are now enjoying long-distance ski journeys across Norway, Finland, etc. It will open up a whole new world!

If you are a runner, or hiker then you can use elements of your existing wardrobe for skiing. To put is simply you need warm comfortable clothing which allows you free movement. Restrictive bulky and heavy clothing such as that worn for ‘downhill’ is not ideal.

We suggest you do not waste money buying ‘cross-country’ ski clothing until you decide it is the winter sport for you. Our guests at Tracks and Trails who are ‘beginners’ will usually put on their skis for the first time when they join one of our Italian Ski Breaks. Or if it is ‘skate’ skiing that has caught your fancy it would be our ‘beginner’ Skate Ski Breaks.

We suggest wearing comfortable trousers that you might already have for winter walking, or winter running leggings. You also need some warm wicking layers for your upper body, and a waterproof jacket for any days when it is snowing. Other items such as a warm hat, warm gloves, warm socks, and sunglasses are usually lurking somewhere in your cupboards at home?

Skis and boots are available for hire on all our trips so this is not something you need to be concerned about when booking a holiday. We will just ask for your sizes when you book a trip and we will organise the hire.

If you like to look the ‘part’ or have already decided this is to be your new sport, then you can find professional ‘cross-country’ ski clothing on many on-line outlets.

If you live in a country which offers ‘cross-country’ skiing then there will usually be plenty of opportunity in sports shops within the resorts. You will find that sport specific clothing will be cut and constructed in such a way as to allow freedom of movement while skiing. The fabrics will be fit for purpose and warm and often shower proof or waterproof. In addition they come in a wide range of colours and styles.

Have fun adding to your winter wardrobe! You will then find you can also use the clothes for running or hiking.

When we talk about 'fish-scale' skis we are referring to 'classic' cross-country skis that have a moulding on the base of the ski on the area under, and in front of, your foot. This pattern ground into the ski base looks very much like the scales of a fish. When we push down on our feet we push the 'fish-scale' into the snow and it creates a grip which allows us to push off the ski and gain forward motion. 

Fish-scales were developed mainly for use in France, Switzerland, and Italy where the temperature gradient of the snow varies considerably throughout the day. It means that you do not have to stop and apply 'grip' waxes to the ski to make it adhere to the snow and create a platform to push off. In other words it's an easy way of gaining purchase under your feet and providing propulsion without having to use 'grip' waxes. Grip waxes are another subject, don't worry about it we will keep you right!

The Italian Dolomites are a dream for cross-country skiers! Imagine some of the world's most stunning and inspirational mountain scenery, with over 1000 km (625 miles) of expertly groomed cross-country tracks. This UNESCO World Heritage Site also hosts some of the most famous European cross-country ski races, and the local people have put a huge effort into making this the destination for cross-country skiers. 

To keep it very simple a 'waxing' ski is a ski where we use grip waxes to create propulsion. The area of the ski which is about 35 cm in front of your foot, to about the heel of your boot is the 'kick' zone. We apply grip waxes to this area. The waxes grip the snow when pressure is applied creating a platform for you to push off from. The waxes come in a range of colours which indicate the correct wax which should be applied to the ski relating to the temperature at the time. When waxes are used the ski usually travels smoother and faster than when we use skis with 'fish-scales'. See the question relating to 'fish-scales' for clarification. 

If your trip uses waxing skis you can be assured that your Instructor will advise you each day with regard to which wax to apply and how to apply it. Many call it a 'dark art', but we call it great fun and a wonderful way to get to understand the snow crystals and how they interact with your skis. 

Until the mid-20th Century, trails were tracked by the passage of skiers. Now, the grooming machines set 'tracks' for classic skiing. These are two lines which are about 2-5 cm deep, and are about 17-30 cm apart. You place your classic skis into these tracks and they help keep the skis steady when you are skiing. 

The remainder of the 4 metre wide groomed area is dedicated to 'skate' skiers who do not use the 2 'tracks' as they require a flat smooth surface to make the skating motion. 

The 'tracks' are also know as loipe, in Germany or løype, in Norway. 

The equipment for 'classic' and 'skate' skiing are not the same. For each discipline you will use different boots, poles, and skis. 

Skating takes place on a wide, evenly prepared track that has been groomed and pressed. The skis are shorter, stiffer and lighter than 'classic skis', and are narrower at the tip and tail than in the centre. Developed in the 1980's 'skating', or 'freestyle' as it's also known, is a form of cross-country skiing where we ski on groomed trails using a motion similar to ice skating. 

The poles used for skating are taller, and should come to roughly the same height as your mouth, unlike classic poles which should come to approximately the level of your armpit. The boots used for skating have a 'cage' for ankle support to help with balance and power, and are a little more rigid to help during the lateral side push of the skating motion. Classic boots, on the other hand, have no ankle support.

There is such a thing as a 'combi' boot which can be used for skate and classic, but it is a compromise in terms of performance.

If you are hiring skis then yes, of course, you can bring your own boots. However, you need to be sure the profile of the sole of your boots matches the binding on the skis you will be hiring. There are two different type of profile, NNN (New Nordic Norm) and SNS (Salomon Nordic System) and your boots need to marry up as follows. NNN boots require an NNN ski binding, and SNS boots require an SNS ski binding. Each of these also has a BC (Backcountry) version. For example, NNN BC boots require an NNN BC ski binding, and the same with SNS and SNS BC. We have made a film which you can view on this page. It demonstrates the different boot types and hopefully will help you form an opinion on whether your boots will fit the hire skis. Information about the hire skis is given on each trip page under 'Trip Information'. Otherwise contact us for information.

It is as tough as you want to make it. Yes, it requires effort and a reasonable level of fitness, but if you have professional lessons at the beginning of your career you will develop the correct technique thereby minimising the effort.

My mother, a non-skier, put on her first pair of ‘cross-country’ skis in her 70’s and had a lovely time shuffling along beside me. The key word here is ‘shuffling’. You can choose to ‘shuffle’ to travel on your skis, or you can learn the correct technique and develop the ability to ‘glide’ and to ski correctly, becoming a vision of efficiency and elegance!

Do not take offence Mum, you were great. You gave it a go and had a lovely afternoon and that is what I would say to all ‘beginners’.

Give it a go and let us teach you correctly and see how it goes from there. The point I am making is that many people of all abilities can stand on skis and move forward, but to gain the most enjoyment and develop correct technique it is better to seek professional help.

You will have more fun being taught by a qualified Instructor, learning techniques that will keep you safe, and control your speed and direction.

At Tracks and Trails we have taught many people to ‘cross-country’ ski, some whom have never skied in any shape or form, and others who have been ‘downhill’ skiers all their lives. People who were beginners to 'cross-country' just one or two years ago, are now joining Tracks and Trails for multi-day ski journeys across the likes of Norway, France, or Finland.

Compared to ‘downhill’ skiing 'cross-country' is not expensive. In Norway the ski tracks are free, and in other countries such as France, or Italy a day pass to use the trails was about £10 in 2019. On the other hand a ‘downhill’ ski pass will average around £50 per day and hiring boots and skis will cost from £33 per day, while ‘cross-country’ hire for skis, boots and poles will be around £10 per day.

So to ‘downhill’ per day it will be around £85 and to ‘cross-country’ it will be around £20 per day, and in Norway where the tracks are free about £10 per day.

If you get the bug and decide to buy your own ‘cross-country’ equipment you can expect to spend around £300 to £350 to get a decent set, which is reasonably inexpensive compared with ‘downhill’ when you can expect to spend up to and beyond £1000.

Please note the prices quoted above were at the time of writing in 2019.

Essentially snowshoeing is simply walking in the snow with something on your feet which makes it easier. You will find that after about 30 minutes you will have got used to this new sensation. So in this respect you do not need previous experience of snowshoeing, but you do need previous experience of walking and of dealing with winter conditions. In other words being out in the snow and dealing with snowy or cold weather does not pose a problem for you. 

It also depends on the grade of the snowshoe trip you are interested in. For example, our Snowshoeing in the Allgäu Alps does not require any previous snowshoe experience, but it does require a certain level of fitness and walking experience. 

Other trips which are a more challenging grade might also state 'no previous experience' required, but we may require a higher level of fitness and experience of walking in the mountains and of winter conditions. You can find full details of our snowshoe grades here. 

There is no doubt you will expend energy snowshoeing, but not a lot more than you would on a day in the mountains hiking. You need a good level of general hiking fitness. It really depends on the conditions and whether the trail is compacted snow where many have already passed, in which case it is easy, or if it is fresh snow which means you will sink a little into the snow. We have taken all ages from children to grand parents and they've loved it. 

Snowshoeing is simply winter walking with something on our feet to make it easier. So dress for a day of walking in the mountains in winter. We are often asked if alpine salopettes (downhill skiing gear) is suitable, and the answer is 'no', they are too restrictive and often prove to be too hot as well. For every trip we give a kit list on the website page for that trip where you can go through the complete list of items and clothing required for your trip. You find this under 'Trip Information'.

The snowshoes we use can be adjusted to fit a range of sizes, the smallest possible size with the brand and model we use is EU 37.5 which is equivalent to US 6.5 or 4.45 UK. The largest boot size they will take is EU 47 which is 13 in the US, and 12 in the UK. If you are concerned about the sizing being too small or too large then do email us with your boot size so we can be sure to have a pair that fits. Another consideration is the type of boot you wear. If your boot is very chunky and a size 12 UK then combined with the size of your feet it might be a tight fit on the snowshoe, so perhaps think about a boot that is less robust, but still warm. 

We use TSL snowshoes, which are produced in France, and having used TSL for over 20 years we have found they do the job well. For winter 2023 we have replaced all our TSL snowshoes with new ones which are fantastic for walking as they flex as you walk and have less impact on knees. The model we are now using is the TSL Symbioz Access. We have also replaced all our walking poles, with a model that is not a 'twist grip' for making adjustments to length, but instead has a flip lock. These make life a lot easier and there is less room for operator error.

You should have a rucksack that allows you to strap your snowshoes to it if required. This is because sometimes we need to hike to the snow level, especially later in the season, and they can be awkward to carry in your hands when you actually want to be using your poles. This is especially necessary on point-to-point journeys such as the Traverse of the Chablais where each day we begin lower down in a valley where there may, or may not be a lot of snow, and the same at the end of the day when we walk lower again for our overnight accommodation. Some trips there is no need to strap them on your rucksack because the snow is sufficient right from the door of your hotel. 

We believe in 'best practice' and your safety is paramount. The technology is available to improve safety and therefore we use it. It does not mean we ever take you anywhere where we think we will need it. Most cars now come with 'airbags' in case of accident, but you do not buy a car expecting to use this feature. We go snowshoeing and do not expect to use avalanche equipment in earnest, but we prefer to have it. An avalanche beacon is worn under your jacket and emits a signal which means we can find you in the snow if we needed to.

If there is fresh snowfall, say 40 cm, then it does make snowshoeing harder as we have to forge through the snow. The reason we wear snowshoes is that they spread the weight on the surface and prevent us sinking in further than needs be. Your guide will normally be at the front and bearing the brunt of the effort, the second person in line will find it a little easier, the third easier still and so on as the trail becomes compacted. The further down the line you are the easier it becomes, and if you are already tired we would place you near the end of the line to make it easier still for you. We do often ask our guests to take turns at the front for a few minutes just to let them see what it feels like. 

Each day we take a packed lunch with us so that we can stop whenever is necessary and fuel up. We also take snacks, and energy bars, and plenty of fluid for fuelling up during short stops. Your lunch is not included in the trip fee as we find that people prefer to choose their own mountain food for exercise. Your lunch can either be ordered the night before from your accommodation, or if there is a bakery or supermarket some people prefer to shop for items for lunch. On some occasions we might pass a mountain hut where we can buy a bowl of soup and a hot drink, but it is always better to take food with you in case we have an unexpected situation and we do not arrive at the hut by lunchtime. No one likes to go hungry especially in winter. 

Yes, please! It is really important to us that we have your honest comments/thoughts about your holiday. We like to think that we have tried our best to give you an amazing holiday, but as we have high standards we always feel there is room for improvement. By just taking a few minutes of your time to complete our Feedback Form, you really are helping us to improve our itineraries, and often it helps us create new trips as well. 

After the season is over we gather all the Forms together and go through your comments and discuss how we can act on any new information. Of course, Feedback can also be about how amazing your experience was and in that case we pass your comments to your guide, and to any other people who have been involved in preparing your trip. 

All of our trips which are Scheduled Departures are also available as private/tailormade trips. Just have a look at the itineraries on our website and let us know which one you would like to do. 

We often find that our guests make friends with members of their Scheduled Departure group and request a private trip with their new found friends the next time around. We love to see this kind of dynamic! 

Of course, you do not have to select a trip which is featured on our website, you can simply tell us what you would like to do and we will take it from there.