todd1010's Blog

This post explains the essentials for new backcountry skiers.

Back country skiing is also known as: Randonee skiing ski touring, ski mountaineering or all terrain skiing (AT).

Knowledge and experience are the two things you need to succeed. Gain as much as possible.

1) You need the gear! Not some of it, all of it! Most backcountry skiers will not want you in there group if you do not have the essential gear and know how to use it. If you are an alpine skier, stick to skiing and use Randonee or AT gear. You don't have to learn to Telemark.

Essential Randonee ski gear (donâ€t leave home without it)
Randnee bindings
Backcountry skies
skins
Shovel (metal)
Avalanche beacon
Backpack
Avalanche probe
Telescopic poles
Regular ski boots or ski touring boots
Topo Map
Food
Water

2) Learn to use your backcountry skiing gear
Once you have all the gear, go try it out on the ski resort. Become familiar with how it all works. Many people ski on the resort with AT gear. Find some friends that own the gear and have them show you how it works. Some ski resorts have controlled off piste areas.

3) Avalanche safety / backcountry skiing course You can die very quickly with out avalanche safety knowledge. Read up on back county route selection and avalanche safety. Learn how to use your avalanche beacon.


4) Find a backcountry skiing partner: If something goes wrong who is going to help you!

5) Study Up!! Buy a topo map and a local backcountry ski guide.

6) Learn to ski in all types of snow: Crust, ice, powder, corn. You can experience all the different types of snow in 1 run!