This stunning ski traverse tours high above the Engadine Valley in Eastern Switzerland, wedged between the two mega-resorts of St.Moritz and Davos. Named after the best known pass in the region, the Albula Range lacks the 4000m giant of the nearby Bernina Group or the wild glaciation of the Bernese Oberland, but rewards visitors with excellent ski terrain, an enviable snow record and potential for isolation. The route stays high throughout, with many options for peak bagging or alternate explorations. Each day ends in the relative luxury of an alpine hut, negating the need for snow camping, and most have cooked meals.

The tour begins at Julierpass a short distance west of Silvaplana and ends 6 days later at the junction of the Val Sarsura and Engadine Valleys near Vernez. The tour is divided at the end of the second day where a short train ride is required between Preda and Bergun. Although the journey down to civilization at first appears to be an inconvenience, the short train ride is one of Europe's most picturesque. From Bergen the route climbs towards Piz Kesch (3417m) the highest peak in the range, which can be summitted via a short boot hike. The views along most of the tour are outstanding, with a panorama that includes the highest peaks of the Bernina, Silvretta and Ortler Alps.

Although this route follows a quite corner of the Alps, several of the alpine huts are popular day tour destinations and skin tracks will be encountered. The route described here finishes with a gorgeous descent of the Piz Sarsura to the Engadine valley floor. However, it is possible to exit at other locations, in particular, the Fluelapass below the Silvretta (and continue north for an extended traverse) or even via the Dischma Valley into Davos.

The best time to complete the Albula Traverse is usually around March and April, with often a more stable snowpack than the mid winter months. Snow cover last well into May but the classic powder runs which makes this tour so desirable, are a far less unlikely encounter.

Symmetrical, glacier-clad Cotopaxi is Ecuador's most popularly climbed volcano and one of its most active, with the last major eruption being in 1904. Undeniably beautiful and as perfect as Japan's Mt Fuji, but twice as large, Cotopaxi is not technically difficult to climb and ski, however, people do fall into crevasses and die each year.

The normal route of ascent begins from a hut at 4800m on the northern side of the mountain and climbs scree slopes before reaching the glacier. An ascent from the hut to the summit can take between 5-8 hours for the 1,100m vertical on 40-50° slopes. Most ski tourers follow the same route down again with slight variations.

The world's sixth highest peak, offers the best opportunity for a quality ski descent from any 8000m peak. Many consider Cho Oyu the easiest peak of the giants with no real technical climbing required and very little objective danger. It is also one of the simplest peaks to access, with a 4WD road to base camp and a short and direct route to the summit plateau. Combined with big snowfields, mind-blowing views and the chance to get above 8000m, it is little wonder that Cho Oyu is the most popular skiing peak of this altitude.

Straddling the border between Nepal and China, Cho Oyu is a massif located 30 miles west of Everest. The standard route and certainly, the most skiable, is the dramatic Northwest Ridge. It was via this route that Cho Oyu was first climbed in Oct. 1954, by the Austrian Herbet Tichy, Sepp Jöchler and Pasang Dawa Lama. The NW route is accessed via Tibet, usually by a slow jeep ride from Kathmandu, or alternatively, from Lhasa. Advanced Base Camp is situated at 5600m, then a steep, walking trail climbs up talus slopes to Camp 1 at 6400m and the base of the NW Ridge. The ridge opens above Camp 1, with a short, technical section around 6700m, where fixed lines guide climbers to flatter ground. Camp 2 is on a large plateau at 7000m and the final Camp 3 at 7450m. Camping locations are firmly established due to the huge number of climbers. Most skiers leave for the summit in the early hours of the morning, reach the broad summit slopes and descend, often to Camp 3 for recuperation. Depending on snow cover, it is usually possible to ski all the way to Camp 1 at 6400 (and further), providing a full vertical descent of 1800m. Expect wild snow for the ride down, primarily windcrust, slab and pockets of soft snow, but it's mostly survival skiing. Avalanche hazards are the greatest threat, as are passages of ice which is customary on 8000m peaks.

The two seasons for skiing Cho Oyu are late Spring or Fall. Spring sees typically warmer temperatures, more stable, thinning snowpack, and a greater risk of volatile weather, as well as the nearing threat of monsoonal storms. Fall is the more popular option for most skiers as the snow conditions are usually better, skies are often clear and no monsoonal threat. The best months tend to be September and October. Permits are obviously required for Cho Oyu, as well as Tibetan Entry Visas, Liaison Officer, bureaucratic patience and several thousand dollars in savings. The entire trip to the top of Cho Oyu from Kathmandu and back can take no more than 6 weeks.

The permanently snow-capped Mount Shasta dominates the skyline of northern California and southern Oregon for hundreds of miles in any direction and is quite simply one of, if not, the greatest ski mountain in North America. Whether you wish to overlook the spiritual hyperbole that surrounds Shasta there's no denying that this magnificent volcanic peak is deservedly a climbing and skiing mecca. The fact that Shasta is the second highest volcano in the lower 48 United States (behind Rainier) and rises almost 12000 ft (3600 m) above the surrounding makes the peak a drawcard for ski mountaineers. But it is also the relative absence of serious glaciation on most summit routes, somewhat predictable Californian spring weather and deep, winter snowpack that contributes to Shasta's popularity. Apparently 90% of skiers attempt the Avalanche Gully descent, although the mountain abounds in worthy descents - all of which offer phenomenal vertical.

The route up Avalanche Gulch begins off Interstate 5 with the plowed Everitt Memorial Highway providing quick and easy year-round access from the City of Mount Shasta to the south and west sides. Pick a sunny day in spring and early summer and no doubt you will find yourself in a long line of many hungry ski tourers wishing to climb this classic, crevasse-free route. On the northeast side lies the Hotlum-Wintun Ridge, which some skiers consider to be the greatest descent on Shasta, due the greater sense of solitude and otherwise offering similar vertical on a slightly steeper, direct line from the summit. Also worthy of consideration is the impressive Bolam Glacier, and the more moderate Wintun Ridge and Clear Creek routes which do require more effort but perhaps more reward.

Jebel Toubkal receives considerable attention from ski tourers due to it being the highest point in the Atlas Mountains, and also the highest point in North Africa. It is often a migratory mission from ski bums at the end of a European winter who wish to remain on snow and to experience the colorful Moroccan culture.  The High Atlas does receive substantial snowfalls, despite the close proximity to the Sahara Desert. There are no glaciers in this area however, although some small, permanent snowfields exist on shaded north slopes.

The standard skiing route for Toubkal begins from the northern village of Imlil and climbs to the Neltner Refuge at 3200m. Routes ascend to the summit via the north and south cwms, and numerous possibilities for high ski traverses also exist. The region is also home to one of the few ski areas in Africa (and certainly the best), Oukaimeden, located in a high valley about 10 miles northeast of Toubkal, with several lifts which run from 8500-10600 ft elevation (2600-3250 m).

Elbruz has been on the skiers radar for many years, largely due to it being one of the is one of the "Seven Summits" and the highest peak in Europe. Mt Elbruz dominates the central Caucasus and is one of the world's great strato volcanoes, with two distinct summits. The mountain is covered by a huge glacial system, covering almost 150 sq km and apparently up to 400m thick.

It is a very popular climb and ski descent throughout the spring and early summer and apart from the weather and altitude, the ascent of a mid 5000m peak is about as simple as they come. Two cable cars plus a final chairlift transport skiers from the Baksan Valley at 2200m (7218ft) to the top station "Barrels" at 3900m (12,795ft), on the south side of Elbruz. The standard ascent route continues up moderate glaciers above the lifts to the saddle between the two peaks (5416m) where the summit of either peak can be quickly reached. Numerous routes on glaciers on all sides of the mountain have been skied making Mt Elbruz a popular ski touring destination during the months from April - June.

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