WHAT IS SKI TOURING
Ski Touring is skiing where you "hike" up the mountain with your ski and boots on. There are
lots of other terms used to describe various types of touring.
skinning
The act of traveling uphill with your skis on your feet using skins.
Alpine Touring or AT
Ski touring where you lock your heel down and descend in traditional alpine
skiing fashion (the alternative would be telemark skiing where your heel is “free” during
the descent).
Splitboarding
The snowboarding equivalent of ski touring. The snowboard is separated or
“split” into two ski like planks for the uphill and then reassembled back into a traditional
snowboard for descending.
Backcountry Skiing (also referred to as “off-piste”)
Skiing outside of the resort bounds/setting. Backcountry skiing can be
accessed by both lift service or by ski touring.
Ski Mountaineering (also called Skimo)
Skiing where you ascend the mountain either with your skis on or carrying them
and then descend on your skis.
Don't let the jargon deter you. What matters is that you recognize how empowering and fun it
is to “earn your turns” a phrase used to describe ski touring because of the effort it takes
but the reward that comes with it.
gear
Touring requires different gear than traditional alpine (downhill)
skiing. Here is a list of what you'll need to get started:
Bindings
Touring bindings allow your heels to detach on ascents so that your boot can
pivot on the toe of the boot and you can have a natural uphill stride. Without this ability,
everyone would be doing that awkward shuffle that some alpine skiers do in the lift line to
"walk"/scoot forward. When you are done hiking up, alpine touring bindings allow you to lock
your heel and ski down in traditional alpine ski fashion.
skis
You can tour on any ski, but touring specific skis like the Zero G collection are much
lighter and allow you to get out for longer days.
Now that you know what equipment you need, it is time to beg,
borrow, steal to get a set up. Just kidding, how about rent, try, or buy. There are lots of ways
to get gear that will get you out on the snow. The cheapest way is getting a friend to lend you
a setup for a quick test.
If you are looking to go out touring with said friend, renting is a great
option for anyone looking to try touring for a day. Renting is also a great way to test out
different skis or boots if you are looking to buy and are unsure of exactly what you want.
At the end of the season, most shops sell their rental fleet, which is an opportunity to
pick up a used setup if you are looking to buy on a budget.
The one thing to always remember when buying ski gear is “date your skis, marry your boots"!
This is especially important with touring because you will be spending so much time moving in
the boots it is very important to get well-fitting boots so you are comfortable and can enjoy
days out touring.
Overall, the best gear for you to get is whatever gets you out there- whether that’s a new setup, a used setup, renting, or borrowing.
WHERE TO GET STARTED
You have gotten the gear you need, but you may be wondering… where do I go ski?
Resorts are a fantastic place to start ski touring. They offer a safe, controlled environment and terrain for people of all skiing abilities. On groomed terrain, you don't need to worry about avalanche risks, bring any safety gear or emergency equipment, you can carry little to no water and food, and know that if anything goes wrong your car isn’t far away.
If you're itching to get into the backcountry or leave resort lines behind, this may be a disappointing suggestion. However, practicing and getting comfortable with your gear before you are deep in the woods or mountains is not only safer but can save you from fumbling with gear out in the cold. If you head out to a resort, just remember most have uphill policies so make sure to check their website.
If you are hesitant to get out by yourself for the first time, check to see if there are any group tour options or local get togethers in your area. In New England, Inclusive Ski Touring is getting hundreds of new people out every year. They offer specific women’s and non-binary tours, and have onsite rentals.
This article was written by Meg Pierce. Meg is a 2023 recipient of the Hilaree Nelson Scholarship and a board member of Inclusive Ski Touring where she works to expand uphill access with a focus on Women's Programs.