Nailing your first ski touring outings
Do you love snow, the vast wild silence far from the crowds and the ski lifts? Then ski touring is for you! Bear in mind, though, that this activity requires a minimum of learning and technique to reach the summits safely and get some enjoyment out of it. A few days of initiation are therefore needed to get to grips with the equipment, find your rhythm on the snow and know your limits. In any case, it's an activity that requires you to be fit and ready to push yourself!
How to kit yourself out for ski touring?
To learn, the simplest approach is to hire the equipment: suitable skis and bindings, skins, boots, poles, an avalanche transceiver (DVA), a shovel and a probe. Many hire shops at mountain resorts offer ready-made rental packs and will take the time to explain the basics you need to know.
The ski should be parabolic and 10 cm shorter than your own height. Try on several pairs of boots to find the right fit — comfortable, with no discomfort or early signs of pain. For clothing, it depends on your tolerance for temperature changes. The layering system remains the most suitable: you'll inevitably remove one or two layers on the way up and put them back on as soon as the effort eases. In any case, invest in very good thermal base layers that are breathable, so you don't get cold despite sweating during exertion. A backpack is essential for carrying your beanie, a pair of gloves (to protect your hands on the descent), sunglasses, food and drink, and all your safety equipment.
Don't overlook your safety
Learning to use an avalanche transceiver is essential before heading out. There's no shortcut: only a trained skier or a guide can show you how to use the equipment properly. One of the two transceivers will be hidden in the snow and you'll have to find "the victim"! For your first ski outings, choose to go with a specialist guide: it will be an added safety net and a chance to learn the basics and tips from them directly.
Putting on the skis
First, you'll need to attach the skins to the underside of your skis — without them, moving forward is impossible! The days of seal skins are long gone. Only synthetic material is used today. To attach the skins, simply fix the top section into the slot provided at the ski tip, pull the skin along the ski and press it down until you reach the heel, then secure it with a small hook.
Ski touring boots have two positions: one for walking and one for skiing. So before stepping onto the skis, make sure the boot is properly closed and rigid. With a single click, you'll be locked into the bindings, just as in alpine skiing. The heel of the boot moves freely during the ascent but is locked in place on descents. For extra comfort on the way up, add a heel riser. And don't forget to attach the straps to your lower legs — otherwise you risk watching your skis head back down without you!
Let's go!
To move forward, slide the skis one after the other without lifting your foot. The stride can be longer or shorter: find your own rhythm and the optimal range of motion to move forward comfortably, without
the feeling of doing the splits with every step.
Little by little, you'll gain confidence and tackle steeper gradients. Heel risers are useful as soon as the slope gets more demanding, to relieve your calves and legs during the effort. If the slope becomes very steep, you'll need to switch tactics and ascend using kick turns.
Ski touring is a complete sport that works both strength and endurance. There's no carrying on without regular hydration and fuelling. Drink before you feel thirsty (every half hour) and in small amounts. Staying hydrated aids recovery and helps prevent cramps and muscle soreness.
Managing descents with care
A basic level of on-piste ski technique is essential if you don't want the outing to go wrong. Simply put, you need to be able to get through anything. The skier moves off-piste and the descent is both technical and demanding. Watch out for your thighs if you have to descend in a snowplough! Also manage your speed carefully, as you're not safe from pronounced terrain irregularities (the piste basher certainly hasn't been through there) and the slightest dip or small bump can result in a fall.
Choosing a suitable route
The choice of route must of course be based on the difficulty level (elevation gain, narrowness of the path) and snow quality. A beginner climbs an average of 250 m of positive elevation per hour, while a competitor can reach up to 1,400 m per hour! Also watch out on the descent, which can quickly become tricky on narrow paths. Don't be too ambitious on your first outings and get advice on routes suited to beginners and those new to the sport.
Weather is also an integral part of preparation. Cold and snow can make an outing hellish if you haven't prepared for it. Depending on the aspect and the season, the snow may be powdery, icy, crusty, wind-blown or slushy: you'll need to adapt. And of course, don't hesitate to postpone the outing if the avalanche risk is significant. In all cases, ask for advice from resort professionals.
You are now ready to try ski touring, which blends the sensations of downhill skiing with the endurance of cross-country skiing, a dose of adventure and a strong sense of freedom amid superb landscapes. It would be a shame not to give it a go this coming winter!
