Grand Traverse of the Jura Ski Tour
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. Note: winter cycling clothing is excellent apparel for cross-country skiing.
You must bring the following items:
Approach shoes / Snow boots or walking shoes
Rucksack – 25 to 30 litres maximum
(On a warm day you may need space to stow clothes as you warm up)
For GTJ you will also need a rucksack with ski loops or alternatively a rucksack with ties and an extra couple of bungee cords or a ski tie/strap
Waterproof/windproof jacket
Waterproof/windproof overtrousers. Sallopettes are not needed.
Thermal leggings or running/cycling long trousers
Thermal top – long sleeved
Thin fleece top – long sleeved
Gloves x2 – 1 thick and 1 thin
Warm hat
Sunhat
Scarf or buff for neck
Warm socks (like walking socks but not too thick or long like alpine ski socks
Gaiters
Comfortable underwear/sports bras for ladies (not wired)
Water container (1 litre) NB. Drinks tubes and bottles stowed on the outside of your rucksack usually freeze in winter
Small flask for multi-day trips and contents (tea bags/drink sachets etc)
Toilet paper and small pack of hand wipes
Waterproof bag for documents
Head-torch / head-lamp with spare bulb and batteries
Basic First Aid Kit - Our professional tour leaders hold first-aid qualifications and will carry a basic medical kit. You should bring your own personal first aid kit consisting of the following: throat lozenges, painkillers (anti-inflammatory), antiseptic cream/spray, plasters (band-aids) and blister treatment/tape, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets are a good idea.
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Slippers for your overnight accommodation
Spare clothing for use in hotels/chalets, 2 sets should be sufficient
Sheet sleeping bag (usually only needed for 1 night)
Ear plugs
Lightweight pack towel
Swimming costume – for sauna available in some accommodation
The following items are optional:
Extra pair of warm mittens
Head/ear band
Waistcoat – fleece or wind stopper
Camera, media, spare batteries
Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
Cross Country Ski Equipment
Cross-country ski boots*
Cross-country skis*
Ski poles*
The ideal skis to use for this trip are track skinny skis, classic/fishscale style for cross-country (Nordic) skiing. We will not be waxing or using skins. The majority of the skiing will be on prepared trails. Ski boots should be comfortable, warm classic style to match your bindings. Boots with a high ankle are more comfortable for this trip than a racing-style boot. Classic length ski poles (which should sit comfortably under your arm pit once stood on your skis) are also required.
Ski Hire / rental:
* Cross country skiing equipment, which includes, fishscale classic skis (not skates or waxables), boots and poles can be hired through the guide and picked up on arrival in Morteau at a cost of approximately €100 for the week (payable in cash). Rental must be arranged in advance, as the equipment will be picked up in Chamonix by your guide and brought to Morteau for you. Please contact our office if you wish to arrange equipment hire. We will need to know your height, weight, normal shoe size and the measurement of your height up to your armpits (for ski pole hire). Rental equipment will normally be Salomon boots and bindings. The guide will collect any equipment at the end of the trip and organise its return to Chamonix.
