Leaving the slopes behind, at your own pace
Ski touring is the opposite of the chairlift. You climb with your skis on, using your legs, with climbing skins attached under your skis. You breathe, take in the landscape and move at your own rhythm. Then you remove the skins, switch your bindings to descent mode, and ski down through snow that is often untouched, far from the bustle of groomed slopes.
It is one of the most beautiful ways to discover the high mountains. And in Val d’Isère, the ski area offers terrain suited to absolutely every level, from complete beginners who want to try the discipline for the first time to advanced skiers looking for committed couloirs.
A dedicated Neva ski touring team
At Neva, we have a team of instructors specialised in ski touring. Not a regular ski instructor who also goes touring on weekends — instructors who make ski touring a core part of their work, who know the local itineraries inside out, and who can read the snow and terrain to take you to the right place according to your level and the conditions of the day.
This specialisation makes all the difference. You save time when learning the technical basics, discover areas that generalist instructors may not know, and ski with someone who shares your passion for the discipline.
Who is it for?
All levels. That is the advantage of Val d’Isère and the Espace Killy: the diversity of the terrain makes it possible to build a tailor-made outing.
- If you are new to ski touring but already ski confidently on piste, your instructor will take you on a short introductory itinerary. You will learn kick turns, how to apply and remove skins, how to manage your effort, and you will ski down a gentle slope where you feel confident.
- If you have already done some ski touring, we raise the level: longer itineraries, more demanding elevation gain, and deep-snow descents on preserved north-facing slopes.
- If you are an advanced ski tourer, the goal can be couloirs, summits and full-day outings that feel like real Alpine adventures.
The important thing is to tell us honestly where you are. Ski touring is not about performance: it is about the pleasure of climbing and skiing down at your own pace.
Format: minimum 3-hour private lesson
All our ski touring outings are booked as private lessons, starting from 3 hours. This is the minimum format needed to climb at a comfortable pace, enjoy a summit or viewpoint, and ski down without rushing.
We also offer half-day formats, 4 hours, and full-day formats, 7 hours, for those who want to go further — for example, a sunrise at the top of a mountain pass or a full-day tour.
All formats are available on skis or splitboard for snowboarders, depending on your practice.
Safety and equipment
Ski touring takes place outside marked and secured areas. Safety equipment, including avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, is therefore mandatory.
At Neva, we provide the off-piste backpack equipped with the avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe free of charge for every ski touring outing. There is no additional rental to plan and no extra charge — your safety kit is included in the service.
For your personal equipment, ski touring requires specific gear: touring skis, dedicated bindings with uphill and downhill modes, compatible boots and climbing skins. Neva does not offer rental for this equipment. Please bring your own or rent it in advance from a specialist ski touring shop. Remember to have it checked and make sure your skins are in good condition before the outing.
When should you go?
The ski touring season in Val d’Isère runs from December to May, with particularly interesting windows in March and April, when the days get longer and spring snow can offer exceptional conditions. Your instructor will confirm the outing or suggest alternatives depending on snowpack stability and the weather of the day.
Book your outing
For any questions about level, dates, equipment rental or current conditions: info@neva.ski · +33 (0)4 79 01 00 12.