The Tatras mountains offer great conditions for ski touring. The altitude is relatively low, at less than 2500m, but the continental nature of the climate often brings powder and spring snow conditions. The western Tatras have gentler terrain, in contrast to the wilder and less accessible high Tatras.  Ascents will generally be less than 1000m. The Tatras 2009 meet will be open to Alpine Ski Club members.

The meet will be based in the Tatras Mountains on the Slovakian/Polish border.  Ski touring activities in the Tatras National Park are restricted and so the meet will be organised into two parts:

• The first few days will consist of unguided day-tours into the southerly valleys of the high Tatras on the Slovakian side, using a comfortable B&B as a base in Stary Smokovec.  A local guide will be on hand to give recommendations on preferred routes and ski touring conditions.  Choices of routes will be up to the individual members.
  See http://www.tanap.org/en/ski-mountaineering.php for accessible areas of the Tatras and terms and conditons.
• The second part will be a guided 5/6 day hut-to-hut tour into the closed areas of the Tatras National Park. The itinerary is not yet finalised, but ideas for the routes can be gleaned from http://www.tatratours.com.
  

Access:
Regular flights to Bratislava.   Occasional flights to Kosice or even Poprad-Tatry.
Train journey from Bratislava to Stary Smokovec takes 5-6 hours.
Airport transfers can be arranged by the guide. 

For more information please contact the trip convenor Roger Upton