Ski touring: why it’s growing more popular, and five essentials you need to go off piste
- It’s the purest form of skiing – you hike uphill on skis, then ski back down. We take you through the kit you need, and recommend some best buys
- Skis, boots, bindings, rescue kit and backpack – we’ve got you covered
For the uninitiated, ski touring can mean everything from cross-country skiing to ski mountaineering.
But authentic ski touring, or “ski randonnee” as the French call it, is simply hiking uphill on skis and then skiing back down. No ski lifts are involved, it’s all about hitting the hills under your own steam.
Pack some of this latest gear for a safe, comfortable skiing trip
It is the biggest niche market worldwide in skiing at present, according to the Ski Club of Great Britain.
One of the main reasons for its growth in popularity has been the quantum leap in the design of ski touring equipment – everything has become lighter and easier to use, from skis, bindings and boots to clothing and rucksacks, while essential safety equipment – avalanche airbags and avalanche transceivers in particular – have also become more user-friendly and affordable.
It also helps that these days much of the gear used for ski touring also works perfectly well on ski slopes, so you do not necessarily need to have one set for use at the resort and one for use in the back country or remote areas.
Part of the reward of ski touring is the added workout involved, but the real attraction is that it allows you to encounter pristine mountain environments where the only tracks on the snow are your own.
However, because the back country can be a dangerous place, there has been an increased focus on safety within the sport.
When venturing off-piste, particularly into unknown terrain, you should always go with a guide who knows the lay of the land intimately and who can ensure you have a memorable adventure on your touring skis for all the right reasons.
Here is a selection of the best ski touring gear for this season.
1. Ortovox 3+ Avalanche Rescue Kit
2. Scott Alpride 24 ABS pack
The system uses cartridges based on the same technology as those in aeroplane life jackets, which means you can fly with it.
3. Salomon S Lab Shift bindings
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Users switch from a pin-style binding for climbing to a downhill-style binding for descending, and the system can be used with all types of ski boots.
4. The Black Diamond Helio 95 skis
5. Lange XT 130 free boots