Kazakhstan, the ninth largest country in the world and rich in natural resources, looks to the future with confidence and with the aim of becoming one of the most advanced countries in the world.  The climate is severely continental with cold, crisp winters giving adventurous ski tourers the most amazing, cold smoke powder.  Furthermore, the Kazakhs are eager to develop tourism so we should go!

The Altay (or Altai) Mountains extend over China, Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan and are thus one of the major ranges in Central-East Asia.  This trip is potentially a one-off chance to ski tour in the Chinese part.  Trip Full.

Skiing in the land of the Berber – the High Atlas of Morocco.  Lying some 250km to the east of Marrakesh, the M’Goun Massif is more remote and less frequented by tourists than the Toubkal area.  We will ski many of the main summits in the massif, including 4,071m Oumsoud, the highest point.

Most of those who love skiing in unusual places know little of the mountains of Kosovo and Albania.  This is an opportunity for the adventurous ski tourer to discover and enjoy skiing these mountains.  Both countries hold a wealth of fabulous summits and descents.  We will be aiming for several summits, great turns and an insight into life in this corner of Europe.

In the southern Alps of Italy, not far from Monte Viso, lies a wild, sparsely inhabited valley – Val Maira.  Winter snows transform the surrounding mountains into a paradise for ski tourers.  There are so many great outings to be enjoyed and no ski infrastructure.  We will choose six day tours accessed from the warmth and comfort of the Rifugio di Viviere and La Marmu.  Trip Full

Crete has attracted visitors for centuries drawn by the climate, scenery, a rich history that spans millennia and the warm welcome from the inhabitants.  Dramatic mountains form the backbone of the island making it a gem for ski tourers who like something a little different. We shall be day touring from comfortable local hotels and guest houses, firstly to emblematic summits such as 2456m Psiloritis, the highest mountain on the island, and the surrounding slightly smaller summits, and then in the Lefki Ori, the White Mountains.  Trip Full.

Finland, as we all know, is a flat country and not somewhere that immediately comes to mind for Alpine skiing.  However, there are some lovely places to ski tour which feature in this trip.  We also visit Helsinki and travel the length of the country by train.  The vertical is never great with a maximum of 450m or so, but two different runs give 900m and if conditions are good, and we are having fun, we will do more.

Andorra is a tiny country with a lot of ski touring potential.   The guidebook lists more than 100 great looking outings of which we aim to enjoy six.  We will be based in the comfortable four-star Xalet Suites Hotel from where we will set off each day with light packs. We expect spring conditions and tours to summits of up to 2700m in altitude.  Objectives will be chosen according to group desires, weather and conditions.

We had a brilliant trip to the Spanish Pyrenees in March 2010.  For 2027 we revisit the Maladeta 3312m, Alba 3118m and Aneto 3404m, three of the highest and best ski mountaineering peaks in the Pyrenees.  We warm up a short distance away in the beautiful Val d’Aran.  Trip Full

This is a brilliant boat-based trip with a difference – we sleep ashore in Morten and Mathilda’s comfortable, fully-catered lodge.  Morten and Mathilda are delightful, and they run one of the best outfits I have ever encountered. Mathilda uses locally sourced ingredients to make the most delicious meals.  Last year we ate locally caught fish and reindeer from the island of Silda, with sauces, chutneys and flavours made from local plants and berries.  Oven-baked and salted seaweed accompanied our beer and angelica archangelica chutney our meat.  Special mention must be made of the willowherb ice cream!  Trip Full

The coast of Finnmark, northern Norway is without question one of the most beautiful in the world.  Rising from the shore are countless stunning mountains made for skiing.  We are going to sample the delights on a late-season ski road/ferry trip starting and finishing in Alta.  Driving and ferry distances are short so we spend minimum time in the van and maximum time on the mountain.

A true ski mountaineering adventure in the land of Genghis Khan. Many people think of Mongolia as a land of endless rolling grasslands but in the far western corner of the country the dramatic glaciated peaks of the Tavan Bogd rise from the steppes to form a natural border with Russia and China.   The Tavan Bogd, or Five Saints, are the highest peaks in the Mongolian Altai and we plan to ski at least two of them, 4375m Khuiten, Mongolia's highest peak, and 4180m Nairandal. We had a tremendous adventure here in 2007 and again in 2013.