Ski Touring
If you enjoy skiing, spending time in nature and being in the mountains then Ski Touring, also known as backcountry skiing, could be the sport for you.
Ski touring is a winter sport that combines the activities of hiking and skiing. With the use of touring equipment, your skis function like snowboots, giving you the stability to securely and efficiently hike in snowy conditions. Commonly, a tour aims to climb a specific mountain or peak. When you complete your route and reach the top, you are not only rewarded with breathtaking views but also a great ride back down! But not all ski tours revolve around climbing peaks. Touring equipment can be used for shorter journeys as well. A small hike out of a ski resort can give you access to areas and snow that other riders just can’t get to.
Venturing into the backcountry is not for beginner skiers/snowboarders. It is recommended that riders feel secure and have experience in variable snow conditions. If you do not know how to use avalanche rescue equipment (avalanche beacon, probe, shovel) you should take an avalanche safety course to practice the use of these tools.
Why go Ski Touring?
Ski touring can be a memorable and rewarding hobby. If you like adventurous outdoor activities, it might be right for you. I’ve made a list of my 3 top reasons why I would recommend ski touring and 3 reasons why ski touring might not be for you:
1 To Explore the Outdoors
Ski touring equipment allows you to explore and discover countless areas in the mountains. Each new peak you climb has its own story and leaves a lasting memory. It’s a great activity to be in nature and to see the outdoors.
2 To Find Powder Snow
The feeling of riding fresh untracked powder is one of the best ski or snowboard experiences. When touring in the backcountry you can reach untouched powder runs that most riders can’t get to. If you love to slash turns in powder and spray snow in your face, ski touring can help you find that untouched fresh snow.
3 Mountain Experience
Ski touring is a great way to experience the mountains and connect with nature. Traveling through secluded wintery landscapes, far away from big crowds and noisy ski lifts, allows you to have a more intimate experience with nature.
Although backcountry skiing sounds like an incredible way to experience the mountains, it’s not for everyone. If you are unsure whether ski touring is for you, you should consider the following 3 points:
1 Ski Touring is Physically Demanding
If you are not a fan of hiking or cardio exercise, then odds are that ski touring is not the sport for you. The climb is the most time-consuming part of the ski tour and sometimes can take up to several hours. Some enjoy this part of the journey but to others it is unnecessary and exhausting. In the end, it depends on what kind winter experience you are after.
2 A Pricy Hobby
Buying Ski touring equipment can be expensive. When you factor in the costs of completing an avalanche safety course, this hobby can quickly leave a dent in your wallet. That’s why I would suggest to those trying out backcountry skiing, to rent your equipment first before deciding to buy your own. If you do decide to invest more into this hobby, you could save some money by searching for good deals in 2nd hand markets or at end of season sales.
3 Dangers of Exploring the Backcountry
Traveling in the backcountry is not without risk. One of the biggest dangers is to get caught in an avalanche. Although careful planning can minimize the exposure to avalanches, accidents do happen. That is why it is important to complete an avalanche safety course and to always read your local avalanche reports.
How do I go on my first Ski Tour?
So, you’re interested to get into the backcountry but you’re not sure where to start? If you have limited alpine experience and don’t know how to use avalanche safety equipment, then the best option would be to book your first tour through a ski school.
Many schools offer package courses that cover all the basic skills you will need, including lessons on avalanche safety and how to use avalanche gear. When touring, it is important that all riders know how to use their avalanche safety equipment. Learning from a certified school will ensure you learn the proper techniques needed to navigate safely in the backcountry. Once you complete an introductory course to touring, you will have the base knowledge for any future trips.
What do I need to bring?
To go ski touring you will need ski equipment and avalanche safety equipment. Both can be rented at ski rental shops.
Ski Equipment
Touring Skis / Splitboard: The main equipment you will be hiking and riding on. Snowboarders can tour on a splitboard. As the name suggests, the board splits in half, forming two skis for hiking up.
Climbing Skins and Poles: These are the tools that allows to securely hike through snow. Climbing skins are attached to the bottom of skis.
Boots: there are touring specific ski and snowboard boots, but regular boots work fine for touring too.
Avalanche Safety Equipment
Avalanche Beacon: Each rider on a tour wears an avalanche beacon. It is the device that helps to pinpoint an avalanche victims’ location. It should be worn securely inside your jacket.
Probe/Shovel: When you pinpoint the location of buried rider, use the probe and shovel you dig out the victim.
Helmet: Protect your head whenever riding. Alpine conditions may have rocks and ice.
Touring Backpack: Carries your safety equipment, helmet and additional items.
Other items
Hat/Sunglasses/Sunblock: At high altitudes the sun can be very strong. Protect your skin when possible.
Gloves/Scarf/Masks: Protection against wind and sun. Thin gloves and masks are particularly useful in warm conditions.
Layers: Instead of one thick jacket, wear multiple thin layers of clothing to easily regulate your temperature while climbing.
Snacks/Water: Plan your provisions according to your tour. Be sure to bring enough food and water when in the outdoors.
I hope this introduction into ski touring has been useful to you. In my blog I plan like to share my outdoor sports experiences on topics like skiing and snowboarding with you. I hope you enjoyed my first post and are inspired to get out on a tour!
If you are interested in content on outdoor sports, consider reading my other blog posts:
Ski Touring – What you need to know for your First Tour
Titlis – A Freerider’s Paradise
Surfskating – Surfing the Streets
Bike Kingdom – Mountain Biking in Switzerland
Surfskating – 2 Week Learning Progression
Bike Kingdom – A Beginner Friendly Tour
SUP – 5 Tips for Stand Up Paddling
Informative and helpful!
Great content and overview about skitouring. I also did my first steps last year and I like about it to be in the nature, do something physical and feeling free when riding (hopefully) fresh powder! I really appreaciated that you adressed the avalanche safety equipment – as I have seen so many people without those items on the mountain.
Thanks a lot for your kind words Jennifer. Yes avalanche safety equipment is an important aspect to consider when skitouring. Stay safe out there and keep enjoying 🙂
Wow, super interesting post, Adrian! I didn’t realize the amount of preparation required for ski touring. Looking forward to your next posts!
Thanks Srishti! Stay tuned for more outdoor content.
Super interesting Adrian! I’ve only skied once in my life and I wouldn’t say it was my favorite activity haha, it can be very scary.. but maybe after reading this I’ll give it a second chance and be better prepared.
Thanks Pamela! Skiing can be a great hobby, I hope your next experience will be a better one. Stay safe out there!
Hi Adi! Hope your doing well!! Snow touring? Count me in! Take care and stay safe =)
Thanks a lot Bel. Yea i’ll gladly take you touring 🙂 I hope you are well
Very interesting and informative article Adrian! I have never skied in my life, as it is one the things that scare me the most. I would like to give it a chance though! 🙂 Riding fresh untracked powder snow sounds unique!
Great read and great hobby! I love touring myself. I’ve seen plenty of reports about unfit Alpine skiers having heart attacks, but not Ski tourers. Ski tourers are generally fit people, not one-week skiing wonders. I usually ski tour alone and I’ll mostly take the less risky routes both up and down. It gives me some time to prepare for some lone rangering in the wilderness. Sometimes some Ski touring groups are just far too big, they don’t leave enough space between them on risky terrain. When skiing down they stop where the avalanche could sweep them away or next to the bush I’m using to cuff the carrot. They generally take longer, so they are on top later on the day when the sun warms up the snow and I’m already shaking hands with the milkman. I guess compared to your dedicated, top fit, oiled up ski tourer, who gets up before the crack of dawn to celebrate palm Sunday and just generally moves quicker, a group is most likely riskier.
Hi Hans, thanks for your message. There are many aspects to consider in terms of dangers and safety, how large your group is and the order you ride down definitely can impact the potential risks in the backcountry.
Thanks for sharing and stay safe out there!
Just started skiing this year and dreaming about getting more skilled to make such tour! Thank you Adrian for such an informative and engaging post!
Thanks Sofia. I hope you stick with the hobby and try a ski tour one of these winters!