The 2026 alpine ski touring season has generally been good. We’ve had higher than normal snow levels though often with wind or high temperatures. Earlier buried weak layers had to be managed carefully and always borne in mind. That all said I don’t think I’ve ever been as relaxed as I have been this season. It feels like as you come to the twilight of your career you’re just learning how to do it right.
I completed a fulll 7day ski tour with the Kutarski group (my longest serving ski group) in the Thabor region. We went in via Valmeinier to a new (for us) refuge (Terre Rouge) then the more classic round of Thabor, Terzo Alpini, Buffere and Laval.
I then went straight over to the Vanoise where Blanka, Julie and I had our annual mid season ski escape. This time we chose the Refuge du Roc where we played pool and hung out in the Bain Nordique (as well as skiing!). Skiing with friends is always a different experience but one I value. We met wolf trackers on the way back to the car.
I finished in the Alps with Takeshi and friends from Hokkaido. They have come over for the past couple of seasons and really enjoy the classsic tours and European culture. We did a Verbier – Zermatt (Prafleuri, Dix and Vignettes) though from the Vignettes we chose to go over only the first col and descend to Arolla. We then headed to Italy where we summited the Gran Paradiso and finally went over to Valgrisenche for the Mont Arp Vielle.
Finally, I spent a few weeks in East Greenland (Kuklusuk and Appusijaat Islands) ski mountaineering this April/May.
Blanka & Julie in the Refufge du Roc, Vanoise
John and Martin in the Italian Enclave of Vallee Etroite
Masa on the Pigne d’Arolla
Greenland Husky