The right ski-touring equipment
So that every ski tour becomes a pleasure
Also in the Alps ski-touring becomes more and more a trend sport. Many winter-sportsmen and women long for untouched hillsides, for lonesome mountains and for pure nature. Instead of hustle and bustle on the slopes people are looking for the adventure and the peace in the mountains.
In the backcountry you are tracing your own "slope", you choose the best way up and down on your own. You need experience and certainly you need also the right equipment.
Ski -touring boots
The most important things for ski-touring-hikers are the right boots. Unlike normal ski boots, the ski-touring boots are more lightweight and softer. They have a "Walk" and "Ski" function to make the ascent easier and the descent safer. You should absolutely try the ski-touring boots before you buy them and – if it’s possible – where them for an hour in the sports-shop. Believe us, when the ski-touring boots hurts, you’ll surely not enjoy your tours. There are different producers who make ski-touring boots. Which one you choose depends on the type of the binding you get for yourself.
Ski-touring bindings
As the weight of the material is decisive factor for ski-touring, the bindings are lightweight, too. The most lightweight bindings are the so called Low-Tech binding systems. They are attached on the boots with clips and during the ascent – the heel is always free – you can move the foot without additional weight. Unlike traditional ski-touring bindings. They are heavier but they are easier in handling and considerably less expensive than Low-Tech bindings. For beginners we recommend such bindings. Please think also about the main purpose: if ascending is more important for you than descending, you will surely go for very lightweight bindings. If, however, you are more looking for downhill-experiences you should choose freeride-solutions. They are more robust and have a better performance. Disadvantage: a higher weight.
Ski-touring skis
As well as ski-touring boots and bindings also ski-touring skis aren’t comparable with slope-skis in terms of weight. Ski-touring skis are real featherweights. Often they don’t even have a wood-core to save weight. The low-quality of this ski you can feel while skiing down: the more lightweight and smaller they are the lesser you can ski with them in powder-snow. It’s is much better buying larger skis with a more solid construction, even though they are heavier. Freeride skis are perfect for descending and combined with a Low-tech binding system they are ok for the ascent, too. And not to forget last but not least: you need skins for the ascent, which have to be affix on the bottom side of the skis.
Avalanche safety package
The backcountry is not free of dangers. The biggest risk represents certainly the avalanche. It is not only essential to have the right equipment but also to have experience by choosing the safest ascent-trail and the best descent hillside. Every ski-touring hiker should take a safety package with, composed of transceiver, a shovel and a probe and he and her should also be able to handle the safety package in case of emergency. Please visit an avalanche-rescue class before you go in the backcountry!
Clothing
You will sweat during the ascent, and freeze during the descent. Functional clothes are very important and they will be worn in the multi-layer principle. Once reached the day’s target you should change your clothes and wear something dry. This gives warm and protects you from colds. We recommend taking a helmet with you, too. In the backcountry you will surely tumble oftener than on the slope and stones or ice can be hidden under a thin snow cover, the risk of injuries is very high.
Last but not least a tip for everyone: in the backcountry the nature controls the people and not the other way round. You have to conform to the environment and to the given facts. And you should be able to say "No" if the conditions are bad.