Ski touring

Skiers in western Norway.

Ski touring is a form of skiing where both uphill and downhill travel are possible without needing to remove skis.[1] Typically touring is done off-piste and outside of ski resorts. Tours can often extend over a period of more than one day. Typically, skis, bindings, and boots allow for free movement of the heel to enable a walking pace, as in Nordic, and unlike in alpine skiing. While ski mountaineering can be practised recreationally or as a competitive sport,[2] touring is always recreational.

Ski touring and ski mountaineering have grown in popularity. It has been adopted by skiers looking for new snow, by alpinists, and by those seeking to avoid the high costs of traditional alpine skiing at resorts.[3]

Touring involves independently navigating and route finding through potential avalanche terrain, and often requires familiarity with meteorology along with skiing skills. Ski touring can also be faster and easier than summer hiking in some terrain allowing for traverses and ascents that would be harder in the summer. Skis can also be used to access backcountry alpine climbing routes when snow is off the technical route, but still covers the hiking trail.

History

The sport's pioneers include:

Technique

As the slope angles increase, the climbing ski-tourer will make switchbacks, using kick turns to change direction, typically resulting in a line that climbs at a moderate angle of 20-30 degrees. Skin tracks can be seen as zig-zags heading up a snowy mountain. Ski-tourers try to maintain the up-tracks in avalanche-safe zones as they head up the mountain, staying out from under dangerous cornices or slide paths. Setting a proper and safe skin track requires a great deal of skill and avalanche knowledge as the tourer spends most of their time climbing. Traveling quickly up the hill is important for safety as well. Thus physical fitness is one of the most important elements of safe mountain travel in potential avalanche terrain.

Ski touring requires the ability to ski off-piste, good navigation skills, and good awareness of the risks of the mountain environment in winter. In particular it requires the knowledge to assess and test snow conditions to minimise the risk of avalanche.

Equipment

Alpine touring ski boot, binding, and ski crampon

Styles of equipment:

Ski Touring Regions

Spring ski touring on Hardangervidda, Norway

Ski touring can take place anywhere that has suitable snow and terrain. Some examples include

See also

References

  1. A Complete Guide to Alpine Ski Touring Ski Mountaineering and Nordic Ski Touring Including Useful Information for Off Piste Skiers and Snow Boarders. Authorhouse. 2014. p. xvii. ISBN 978-1491888087. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  2. Volken, Martin; Schell, Scott; Wheeler, Margaret (2007). Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering. Outdoor Expert Series. The Mountaineers Books. p. 339. ISBN 1594850380.
  3. Volken, Martin; Schnell, Scott; Wheeler, Margaret (2007). Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering. Mountaineers Books. p. 12. ISBN 978-1594850387. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  4. "Ski Touring". Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  5. "Ski Touring in Rogers Pass and The Winter Permit System". Parks Canada. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  6. "The Wapta Traverse". Yamnuska. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  7. "Backcountry Skiing". Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  8. "Backcountry Huts". Ski Golden. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  9. "Kananaskis Country". Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  10. "Backcountry Ski Huts". Parks Canada. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  11. "Online guide to backcountry skiing on Teton Pass". Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  12. "Online guide to backcountry skiing on Loveland Pass". Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  13. "Online guide to backcountry skiing on Berthoud Pass". Retrieved 2010-04-09.
  14. "Ski Touring New Zealand". Retrieved 28 September 2015.

External links

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