Ski Touring

Poster King

I am keen to get into doing ski touring (hiking up the mountain on skis with heel release bindings and skins) and am wondering has anyone on this forum done any of this.

I think I'd like to go somewhere away from the lifts and big resorts but stay in European Alps.

I guess it doesn't take long to get the hang of the uphill part, probably a few hours of lesson and practice and then just high level of fitness.

It is something I've wanted to get into for years now - to do the Haute Route is an ambition - but it was only after a magical day out at Luggala in Wicklow recently that I came to appreciate the satisfaction of skiing down a slope that you have ascended under your own steam.

Any advice and recommendations would be welcome.

Fattes

Start with Robbie Fenlon in Wilder places in Chamonix. One of the best there is when it comes to ski touring and guiding.

IanRossMcH

the Austrian Alpine Club (UK) has an active ski touring group - there are introductory weeks that will get you up to a hut with a guide and out there touring away - an easy way in...

hugoline

Poster King wrote: »

I am keen to get into doing ski touring (hiking up the mountain on skis with heel release bindings and skins) and am wondering has anyone on this forum done any of this.

I grew up in Switzerland and have done quite a bit of ski touring up to about 10 years ago (when I moved to this green island ). My dad has been doing it as a hobby for his whole life and now started guiding groups as well (part of the swiss alpine clup, SAC)

Poster King wrote: »

I think I'd like to go somewhere away from the lifts and big resorts but stay in European Alps.

I usually used the lifts of the ski resorts to gain some altitude (they usually sell single tickets), but then 'climbed' up a different valley/slope where none of the touristic infrastructure is visible. You will generally start early anyway (so the snow won't be too wet when skiing downhill), and avoid all the ski-tourists that way too.

Poster King wrote: »

I guess it doesn't take long to get the hang of the uphill part, probably a few hours of lesson and practice and then just high level of fitness.

The walking uphill part is easy enough, just make sure to get proper ski-tour boots if you want to do it in the long term. They have much more flex for walking (but can be arrested to give the stiffness required for skiing).
For the downhill you can start practicing by going off-piste in the ski resort. You can usually even hire ski-guides to specifically take you in deep powder for an afternoon,...

Besides the walking and skiing downhill, invest some time in understanding and practicing the safety equipment and what to do in case of an avalanche. An avalanche transceiver won't be any good if you don't know how to use it, and is a MUST if you go ski touring.

Poster King wrote: »

It is something I've wanted to get into for years now - to do the Haute Route is an ambition - but it was only after a magical day out at Luggala in Wicklow recently that I came to appreciate the satisfaction of skiing down a slope that you have ascended under your own steam.

I know exactly where you are coming from (but conditions like last December/January unfortunately won't return that often).

There are plenty of groups across the alps, both professionally and non-professionally organised, and I am sure the local tourist information could point you in the right direction in whatever place you choose to enjoy this sport.

For any further questions just ask...

earnyourturns

Hey! Yeah I'm just getting into ski touring at the moment. This is my fourth winter in Canada and just got touring bindings, skins, transceiver, shovel, probe. Just finished my Avalanche Skills Training Level One course as well which was AMAZING. I'd definitely recommend taking some sort of avvy course so you can recognise terrain traps, what stuff is going to slide etc as well as what to do if an avalanche does occur. You definitely can't be too familiar with how your transceiver works. For the uphill on skins the fitness is definitely crucial. For the downhill well hmmm before stepping away from the resort boundaries you definitely need to be comfortable on most terrain. And skiing pow is a whole different skill set to the groomers.

I love it though. If the best decision of my life was to start snowsports, the second best was getting decked out for the backcountry.

a148pro

Has anyone any advice on what clothes to wear when ski touring?

Was hoping to do a bit later this year, but am also in the market for a ski jacket at the mo, so might kill two birds with one stone.

Is it the same theory, that you should just wear layers - thermal, fleece and then windproof waterproof jacket? I notice that the top end jackets in outdoor shops are always really thin and light. So presumably they're designed to be worn with under layers. Are normal, heavier ski jackets a bad idea?

Also, should I be looking for breathable salopettes, or even ones with zips?

Finally I presume I should avoid black clothes in case its sunny and I'm going up hill?

Any advice appreciated, going to post this in the skiing forum too.

Fattes

Would look at something like the North Face Free Thinker Jacket and pants, Basically a paper think well vented shell.

They have them at 50% off in Kildare outlet at the moment for the jacket any way if you Like Navy and Green.

IanRossMcH

Yes, layers are definitely the best way, especially if it stays as hot as last week in the alps!

here's the clothing i wear/carry:

stretchy soft ski pants (wind and water resistant, very breathable, usually only found in black)
outer shell overtrousers (wind & water proof, somewhat breathable, fully zipped)
if its cold, thermal or fleecy long johns

wicking top
gillet (sleeveless fleece, windproof front, normal back)
soft-shell jacket (wind and water resistant, very breathable)
outer shell jacket (wind & water proof, somewhat breathable)
puffa (that squashes down to the size of a big hang sangwidch)

thin undergloves that never get taken off
thicker gloves that go over them

sun hat
buff
cosy hat

sun glasses
goggles



I would strongly steer away from a traditional ski jacket - the puffa/outer shell combo serves this purpose much more flexibly; traditional ski trousers aren't great either, but if you know you'll need that bit of warmth, you can often get away with them.

good luck!

a148pro

Thanks for the advice and for taking the time to reply.

My dilema was that I knew and 'all in one' ski jacket was warmer than multiple layers but I see the whole point of layers and carrying as little as possible. Also, it would obv be a pain dragging your ass up a slope with a heavy non breathable ski jacket on.

Tis a pity there is little compromise between warmth and breathability.

At least I now know what the phrase technical clothing means.

Does anyone offer a number of layers designed to complement each other?