Making the most of your first ski touring outings
Do you love snow, vast wild silence far from the crowds and the lifts? Then ski touring is for you! Bear in mind, though, that this discipline requires a minimum of learning and technique to reach the summits safely and actually enjoy the experience. A few days of initiation are therefore essential to get to grips with the equipment, find your rhythm on snow and understand your limits. In any case, it's an activity that demands good fitness and a genuine drive to push yourself!
How to kit yourself out for ski touring?
To learn, the simplest option is to hire equipment: skis with appropriate bindings, skins, boots, poles, an avalanche transceiver (DVA), a shovel and a probe. Many hire shops in mountain resorts offer ready-made rental packages and will take the time to walk you through the basics.
Choose a parabolic ski 10 cm shorter than your own height. Try several pairs of boots to find a comfortable, well-fitting pair with no pressure points or early signs of pain. On the clothing side, it depends on your tolerance to temperature variations. The layering system remains the most suitable approach: 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, plan for very good thermal, breathable base layers 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 all your safety equipment.
Don't neglect your safety
Learning how to use the avalanche transceiver is essential before heading out. There's no shortcut — only an already trained skier or a guide can show you how to use the equipment. One of the two transceivers will be hidden in the snow and you'll need to locate "the victim". For your first ski tours, choose to go out with a specialist guide: it's an extra safety net and the best way to learn the fundamentals and pick up tips from someone experienced.
Putting on your skis
First, you'll need to attach the skins under the skis — without them, moving forward is simply impossible! The days of real seal skins are long gone. Only synthetic material is used now. To attach the skins, simply fix the upper part into the dedicated hole in the ski tip, pull the skin along and press it onto the ski as far as the heel, then secure it with a small hook.
Boots designed specifically for ski touring have two positions: one for walking, one for skiing. So, before stepping into your 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 remains locked on the descents. For added comfort on the climbs, add a heel riser. And don't forget to attach the safety straps around your calves — otherwise you risk watching your skis head back down without you!
Let's go!
To move forward, slide your skis one after the other without lifting your foot. The stride can be more or less wide — find your rhythm and the optimal stride length to move comfortably, without feel
ing like you're 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 steeper, to take the strain off your calves and legs during the effort. If the slope becomes very steep, you'll need to change tactic and switch to kick-turns to ascend.
Ski touring is a complete sport that works both strength and endurance. Keeping going without staying hydrated and fuelled is simply not an option. Drink before you feel thirsty (every half-hour) and in small quantities. 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 your hiking to turn into a disaster. Simply put, you need to be able to handle any terrain. The skier is moving off-piste and the descent is both technical and demanding. Watch out for burning thighs if you have to snowplough your way down! Manage your speed too, as you're exposed to significant terrain irregularities (the piste basher certainly hasn't been through here) and even the smallest hole or bump can mean a fall.
Choosing a suitable route
The choice of route should, of course, be based on its difficulty level (elevation gain, narrowness of the path) and snow quality. A beginner climbs an average of 250m of elevation per hour; a competitor can manage up to 1,400m per hour! Watch out for the descent too, which quickly becomes challenging on narrow paths. Don't be too ambitious on your first outings — seek advice on routes suited to beginners and exploration.
Weather is also an integral part of preparation. Cold and snow can make a day out hellish if you haven't prepared for it. Depending on the aspect and the season, the snow may be powder, frozen, crusted, 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, seek advice from the resort's professionals.
You're now ready to take on ski touring, which blends the sensations of downhill skiing with the endurance of cross-country skiing, a dose of adventure and a strong feeling of freedom amid stunning landscapes. It would be a shame not to give it a try next winter!
