One Day Ski Touring Workshop

Ski uphill, then learn why it matters. This one-day workshop near Bled gives you a practical introduction to ski touring, from fitting skins and using touring skis to reading snow and responding to an avalanche emergency. I especially like the small maximum group of six and the fact that the fee includes the main equipment you need. I also like the strong balance between classroom instruction and outdoor practice.

The main consideration is that this is an introduction, not a full mountain-safety qualification. At $366.71 per person, the price is fair if you need skis, boots, skins, poles, and an avalanche kit, but it may feel high if you already own all your gear. Snow and weather can also change the day’s location or plan.

Key points at a glance

• Starts with practical theory in Mojstrana: The day begins at Kofler Sport, where you learn the basics before heading into the mountains.
• Maximum six people: The small group allows the guide to correct climbing and turning technique in person.
• Equipment is included: Skis, boots, skins, poles, ski crampons, beacon, probe, and shovel are provided.
• Avalanche skills are central: You practice beacon searches and learn how probes, shovels, and mountain rescue fit into an emergency response.
• Routes can shift with conditions: The workshop may take place in the Karawanks, near Jesenice, around the Upper Sava Valley, or in the Julian Alps near Pokljuka.
• Transport is covered locally: Van transport from Mojstrana to the field area and back is included for up to 200 kilometers.

Why this makes a useful first step into ski touring

Ski touring asks you to do two very different things on the same pair of skis. You climb under your own power, then switch technique and equipment for the descent. That sounds simple until you are on a slope, handling skins, adjusting bindings, managing poles, and making turns on snow that may be firm, soft, deep, or uneven.

This workshop deals with that change from the start. You learn what the touring equipment does and how to use it, then apply the theory outside. That matters because ski touring is not just downhill skiing with a longer approach. Uphill movement, route choice, snow conditions, and avalanche awareness all shape the day.

I also like the clear purpose of the course. You are not being promised a grand summit day or a long back-country route. You are being shown the basics so you can decide if ski touring suits you. For anyone curious about the sport but not ready to buy a full kit, that is a sensible use of one day.

The course also treats safety as a working skill rather than a warning delivered at the beginning. You cover avalanche rescue equipment, snowpack stability, winter mountain hazards, and the correct steps after an accident. That makes the day more useful than a simple equipment demonstration.

The morning begins at Kofler Sport in Mojstrana

The meeting point is Savska cesta 1 in Mojstrana, a village in the Upper Sava Valley. The listed operating hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., every day, from October 31, 2024, through December 7, 2026. Your exact start time should be confirmed when you book.

The theory takes place at the Kofler Sport premises. This gives the first part of the day a practical setting: you can see the equipment, ask questions, and sort out the basics before moving outside. If you choose hotel or apartment pickup, the agency uses a branded van. Otherwise, you meet in front of the agency, identified by its name on the doors.

The opening session covers the pieces that can make ski touring feel confusing at first:

• Touring skis and boots
• Climbing skins
• Poles and ski crampons
• Avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel
• The technique and tactics of ascent
• The technique of descent

The focus is not only on what each item is called. You need to understand when it is used and how it affects movement. Skins allow the skis to grip while you climb. Ski crampons help when the snow becomes firm or slippery. The avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel work together, but each has a different role in a rescue.

That equipment lesson is one of the strongest reasons to consider the workshop at this price. Buying or renting a complete ski touring setup can be costly and confusing. Here, the required equipment is supplied, so you can test the sport before committing to your own gear.

From theory to snow in the Karawanks or Julian Alps

After the indoor session, the group travels to a suitable field area. The guide chooses among locations in the Karawanks, the Upper Sava Valley, the area above Jesenice, or the Julian Alps around Pokljuka. Transport from Mojstrana and back is included for up to 200 kilometers.

This flexible plan is important in winter. The best teaching area is not always the closest one, and snow quality may differ sharply between valleys and higher ground. One course day was moved to the Austrian mountains near Obertauern because Slovenian snow conditions were poor. That tells you something useful about the operator: the plan is not treated as fixed when the mountain conditions do not support good instruction.

You should also expect the chosen location to change. That is not a weakness by itself. A ski touring workshop needs safe and workable snow, not a particular postcard setting. A last-minute route change can produce a better day, even if it means giving up a planned destination.

The outdoor section is where the ideas begin to make sense. You practice climbing technique, learn how to move over different slopes, and work on turning during the descent. The guide can watch how you handle the skis and poles, then offer specific corrections. With only six people, there is a good chance you will not be lost in a crowd.

The exact amount of skiing depends on the weather, snow, and selected field area. This is a learning day, so you should judge it by the quality of the instruction rather than by distance or vertical gain.

Avalanche training gives the day its real value

The avalanche portion is not an extra lecture tacked onto a ski lesson. It is part of the basic skill set you need before making independent trips into winter mountains.

You learn about avalanche rescue equipment and practice searching with avalanche beacons. You also work with probes and shovels, and learn how mountain rescue services fit into the response. The course covers the proper procedure after an accident, which is valuable because an emergency demands calm, clear steps.

The workshop also introduces the snow itself. You examine a cross section of the snow cover, learn about different types of snow base, and carry out snowpack stability tests. These subjects help you understand why a slope can look harmless while still presenting a risk.

This does not turn one day into a guarantee of safe decision-making. Snow science is complex, and mountain conditions can change quickly. But it gives you the right questions to ask before setting out. You begin to look at the snowpack, terrain, weather, and route rather than treating a ski tour as a simple uphill walk followed by a run down.

For me, that safety focus is the most important part of the experience. A beautiful descent is memorable. Knowing what to do when something goes wrong is more useful.

Small-group instruction makes a difference

The maximum group size is six people. That is small enough for the guide to observe each person during the practical work. It also gives you a better chance to ask questions without holding up a large class.

Small groups matter most when you are learning beacon searches, climbing technique, and turns. These are hands-on skills. A guide needs to see how you move, not just explain the movement from a distance.

The workshop has received praise for clear explanations, plenty of practice, and field work that feels closely tied to the theory. Additional materials and resources are provided after the session to help with safer planning and preparation for future tours. That follow-up is a useful touch, since one day of instruction can easily become a blur once you return home.

The named guides connected with the experience include Igor and Gregor. Igor received particular praise for guiding a ski tour to Spirzinger and for handling a last-minute change of plan well. Gregor was praised for choosing a good location and leading a back-country tour in a safe, friendly, professional way.

Those details suggest that the guiding style is not rigid. The group may need to change plans because of weather or snow, and the guide has to make that call without turning the day into a source of stress.

What the $366.71 price includes

The fee is $366.71 per person. That is not a low-cost introductory activity, but the package includes more than a guide and a short lesson.

Included equipment covers:

• Touring skis
• Skins
• Boots
• Poles
• Ski crampons
• Avalanche beacon
• Avalanche probe
• Shovel

Professional guiding and guide-related costs are included. Transport from Mojstrana to the selected field area and back is also covered, up to 200 kilometers. You receive a gift as well.

The equipment package is the key value point. If you have never tried touring, you probably do not own boots, skins, skis, and avalanche equipment that fit together. The workshop lets you use the full setup during a guided day and decide if you want to continue.

The value is less obvious if you already own touring equipment. In that case, you are mainly paying for instruction, safety practice, transport, and a small-group format. That can still be worthwhile, especially if you want a structured refresher or help correcting technique, but you should compare the cost with a private lesson or a longer course.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring your own provisions for the day. Transport beyond the included 200 kilometers costs extra, so ask about the planned field area if you are arranging a pickup far from Mojstrana.

Who should book this workshop

This experience suits you best if you are curious about ski touring and want a guided first look before spending heavily on equipment. It also fits skiers who want to learn the basics of avalanche rescue and winter route planning in a practical setting.

You should be comfortable with the idea of skiing outdoors in changing conditions. The course is built around climbing and descending on snow, not around a resort lift and prepared pistes. The supplied information says most participants can take part, but it does not state a precise minimum skiing level, so ask Kofler Sport about suitability if you are new to skiing altogether.

The workshop is also a good fit if you value instruction over a big mileage goal. You may not finish the day with a dramatic summit achievement. You will, however, work through the equipment, ascent, descent, snowpack, and rescue basics that support future trips.

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed route, fixed scenery, or a powder day. The plan may change because conditions in Slovenia are poor, and the experience requires good weather. If weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Practical details before you reserve

Pickup is offered from a hotel or apartment, using the agency’s branded van. You can also meet directly at Kofler Sport in Mojstrana. The activity returns to the same meeting point at the end.

The tour is offered in English, and mobile tickets are available. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transport. Confirmation is provided at booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local Slovenian time.

Because the activity depends on good weather, keep some flexibility in your schedule. A date change may be better than forcing a ski day into poor conditions, and the operator has shown a willingness to move instruction toward better snow when needed.

Should you book the One Day Ski Touring Workshop?

Book it if you want a serious introduction to ski touring without first buying a complete equipment kit. The small group, practical outdoor work, avalanche training, and included transport make the $366.71 fee easier to justify.

I would be especially interested if I were staying near Bled, Mojstrana, Jesenice, or the Upper Sava Valley and wanted more than a standard winter excursion. The course gives you a clear look at both the fun and the responsibility of touring.

Skip it if you already have strong touring skills, your own equipment, and regular avalanche training. You may not get enough new material for the price. But for a first step, a safety refresher, or a guided test of the sport, this is a well-organized and sensibly designed day.

FAQ

Where does the One Day Ski Touring Workshop start?

It starts at Savska cesta 1, 4281 Mojstrana, Slovenia, at the Kofler Sport agency.

Is hotel or apartment pickup available?

Yes. You can choose pickup from a hotel or apartment. The agency uses a van with its logo. You can also meet directly in front of the agency.

Where does the outdoor part take place?

The workshop may take place in the Karawanks, the Upper Sava Valley, above Jesenice, or in the Julian Alps around Pokljuka. The location depends on suitable conditions.

Is ski touring equipment included?

Yes. The fee includes touring skis, skins, boots, poles, ski crampons, an avalanche beacon, a probe, and a shovel.

How many people can join the workshop?

The maximum group size is six participants.

Is transport included?

Transport from Mojstrana to the selected location and back is included for up to 200 kilometers. Transport beyond 200 kilometers costs extra.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the workshop to be canceled.