Are you interested in getting into backcountry skiing? Earning your turns away from the busy slopes. Are you wanting to take your skiing in a new direction?
There has been a surge in interest around backcountry skiing since the Covid lockdowns and major ski manufacturers are getting on board with some fabulous new light weight but high performing gear.
How do you get started?
Here are 10 things to do to make a start toward skiing both uphill and down.
1. Make sure your skiing level is suitable
Skiing on piste on groomed terrain allows you to utilise a number of ways to decelerate or change direction which are not as useful in variable snow conditions. This does depend a little on the type of ski you are using but there are a few situations where a shaky technique can find you in a frustrating position in the backcountry.
As a self assessment:
Are you upper intermediate?
Can you initiate your turns on steeper blue terrain in parallel and steer the skis across the hill to control speed and finish the turn?
Can you do this without lifting the inside ski?
Can you control the speed while turning without needing to push the tails into a hockey stop type movement?
If the answer to any of these is no, it would be worth checking in with your local ski school and just fine tune the technique - especially for managing variable snow conditions. Deficits in ski technique are amplified in cruddy, grabby, deep or icy conditions- all of which can be experienced in the backcountry.
2. Ski off the groomed trails: even when conditions suck!
If you meet the criteria above , make sure you are getting off the groomed piste as much as possible and not only on days when the conditions are "ideal".
Ski the powder , the spring slush, the refrozen crud, the new snow on cruddy surfaces. Don't take on limb threatening situations . There is no need to try skiing the frozen waterfall of a mogul zipper line but do challenge yourself in as many different snow conditions as possible.
This achieves a number of goals.
The first is that consciously you become aware of what the snow you are looking at in front of you is going to be like to ski. You become more adept at finding aspects and pockets of snow that are better in the backcountry by recognising how these surfaces work below your skis.
It also allows you to develop the finest of skiing skills- pressure control. It's about how hard to push or how gentle to feather the ski in a certain type of snow. When to time the edge engagement, the edge release, the compression or extension in the particular condition. This becomes a subconscious reaction with enough time out there.
3. Ski with a Pack
It seems obvious but it is so common to see people skiing with a pack on their back for the first time on their first backcountry trip. If the only time you ski with some weight on your back is on tricky snow in the backcountry, you aren't setting yourself up for success. It is a different sensation.
Get used to that feeling on the groomers, then head off the piste. Wear the pack weight that you are intending to use on your trip/trips.
Be wary riding lifts- ensure the pack straps don't get caught in anything.
And have fun .
4. Consider buying some 50-50 skis and bindings
One way people make a foray into backcountry skiing is to take a hut trip or other backcountry adventure with friends and rent gear. That is a good cost effective way to start. If that is the way you start , take note of the other pointers in this post. Practice with the rented gear in a resort if you can before committing to a long trip in boots that hurt or are too soft etc.
Another way of approaching the backcountry experience is to consider the next pair of skis and bindings you purchase being a 50-50 set up. That is a ski that works in the resort just fine but isn't ultra heavy for the uphill and a binding that is solid and releasable but can be used for touring. Your choice of specific equipment is the subject of at least two more posts but the "why" I will explain.
Many people like the idea of backcountry skiing but ultimately find that they don't enjoy huge uphills and prefer the security of solid downhill gear. They may want to poach "side-country" fresh snow by traversing or short hikes or skinning from the resort but aren't interested in thousands of vertical metres of ascent. Modern ski and binding designs allow you to choose gear that can do this without massive sacrifices. There is no ultimate one ski quiver.
There will aways be some compromise but the technology out there at the moment is getting close.
5. Practice skinning technique in the resort.
Another way to iron out any technical or equipment issues is to play around with skinning in the resort. Check out the resorts uphill policy and stick to the designated trails and times according to this.
Practice getting the skins on the skis, the boots and bindings in uphill mode. Develop an efficient climbing technique and adjust any heel risers on the bindings to see what difference they make.
Practice the removal and storage of your skins, getting the bindings back into ski mode, and don't forget to secure the boots.
6. Get Educated in Avalanche and Snow Safety
If you haven't already, scour the internet for free avalanche safety information. In English, avalanche.org from the USA and avalanche.ca from Canada have some great on line learning resources.
Then do a hands on course.
And never stop learning.
Avalanche safety training has come a long way from the ultra science based , technical in courses of the past to very practical programs we find now. If you are really interested in the technical and forecasting side of things, each country has a pathway of education you can follow to satisfy this interest.
7. Do lots of hill walking
There are lots of options to train for backcountry skiing but if you are starting out, the simplest is doing plenty of hill walking. Start easy, gradually increase the gradients and distances.
Slow and easy to start with : the goal being building endurance on the uphill gradually. Using poles helps to get used to them on the uphill and saving the knees on the down.
There will be lots of tips on training techniques in future posts.
8. Do Some Strength Training
In addition to the endurance training mentioned above you should consider incorporating some form of strength training into your routine.
The benefits extend way beyond the preparation for backcountry skiing but let's just focus on this desired goal. Skiing variable snow after a long slog uphill can lead to some wobbly legs. Strength training gets those legs a bit more resilient to the wobbles .
You don't have to hit the gym and throw around a bar bell. There are many great ways to gain strength. Body weight exercise is a fabulous one.
More specific information will be in coming posts.
9. Progress to Some Sidecountry Exploration
Once you have the techniques, adequate starting knowledge and the appropriate backcountry equipment, start close to the resort. This is not because this terrain is any safer than other areas.
You should always assume uncontrolled, unpatrolled terrain to carry the same avalanche and other risks as anywhere else in the backcountry.
The benefit is that you don't have far to go or to get back from the skiing and you can test the waters.
Choose lower angle terrain that is much less likely to pose avalanche risk.
Never ski alone.
Always check local avalanche reports and with local ski patrol.
Sign an intention form if available and use designated exit gates if these are in place where you ski.
Always have the equipment and ability for companion rescue with you.
If someone does get caught in an avalanche, their best chance of survival is from companion rescue.
10. Go on a Guided Overnight Ski Tour
You can learn so much from a professionally guided tour. You don't have the burden of decision making but can ask and learn as you go. Overnighting gives the opportunity to take in the whole experience and share information with the guide and other guests in the hut. Some companies run concurrent overnight tours with avalanche education courses: a perfect introduction .
NOTE: Backcountry skiing is inherently dangerous and requires specific skills, knowledge and experience. This post and website is not intended as an instructional resource for backcountry skiing nor a guide to accessing backcountry terrain. Gain skills by being instructed by a professional education program.
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