Do you want to explore the mountains off the crowded slopes and are a ski touring beginner? Then you are right here!
You want to start ski touring, but are unsure what you need to pay attention to and whether this is something for you? I felt the same way at the beginning.
I tried it for you. A friend who has already done many tours took me along and explained the most important basics.
So that you do not feel completely lost as a ski touring beginner before your first tour, I have summarized the best tips for you here :)
Table of contents
In order for you to ski with pleasure and, above all, safely, you need to keep a few things in mind. Most importantly, you must be a good skier. Not a professional, but still very safe. For bad or insecure skiers touring is taboo!
This is the ultimate packing list for your ski vacation!
What you should know about the equipment as a touring ski beginner
For a ski touring beginner it does not pay to invest in expensive equipment. Rent boots, skins and skis. Ski poles and helmet as well, if you don't have them.
The equipment is not very cheap even for rent. I recently paid 50 euros. But for the first try, that's perfectly fine.
You can't use your normal ski boots for touring. There are special touring ski boots that are cut differently and are not as stiff. They fit into the binding of the touring skis, which is not comparable with a normal ski binding.
The boots are only attached to the binding at the front when going uphill. In the back they are loose so you can pull the ski up the hill.
You never lift the ski off the slope, only the heel. When it gets steep, you can adjust the binding with the ski pole and stand steeper in the binding. You can compare it with pumps with wedge heel. In the photo you can see it well with the right foot.
When you ski down the slope later, you fix the boots in the binding. And then you have normal skis.
So you need
- Touring ski
- Touring ski boots
- Skins
On the underside of the touring skis are skins. They prevent you from slipping away. On normally steep and not too icy terrain, this is perfectly sufficient. On very steep and icy slopes, you'll need snow irons to have enough grip.
Once you've reached your destination and you're ready to head back downhill, you remove the skins from the skis. They stick to the underside of the skis, are glued to a foil and then stowed in the backpack.
That's why skiing is so healthy!
How you will feel as a ski touring beginner
Very unfamiliar at first. Because instead of lifting the skis, you drag them on the snow all the time. That feels a bit strange, because somehow I always had the feeling that I had to lift the skis.
If you've tried cross-country skiing before, you'll find it easier. However, it is not difficult. After the first 20 meters it's quite automatic.
But you should bring along a little bit of stamina. Because to go up the mountain is quite exhausting. I admit that I snorted quite a bit.
But then you just have to take it slow and be flexible. So just go slower and make breaks again and again. So you also have more time to enjoy the beautiful landscape 😉
To be honest, for a short time I cursed out loud. It was so steep that the skis began to slip. Shortly before I have shot fully motivated this beautiful photo. Directly behind the curve, the steep, icy part started.
In such a case, you have to keep a cool head. Unstrap your skis and carry them. Or just put on the snow irons.
As you climb, you should also learn about the hairpin technique. When it gets steep, you can get further with the hairpin bend.
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What muscles you are guaranteed to feel
You can be sure that your thighs will glow. And the steeper it is, the more you'll additionally feel your upper arms. Even though my thighs were really, really busy, I didn't have any soreness the next day.
My friend told me that she had pretty bad muscle ache in her thighs at the beginning. So it's worth it if you are at least a little sporty before the first ski tour :)
We were on the road for a total of 3 hours on my first tour. In that time, we covered 500 meters in altitude. And I burned 874 calories according to my fitness tracker. So it's really not a little strenuous.
But every single step and every drop of sweat is worth it for this view.
The descent is beautiful. Just unfortunately not as beautiful as you might hope. Instead of perfect fresh snow, it went steeply downhill for us on icy terrain.
This is very exhausting. As a ski touring beginner, you should plan the tour so that you can ski down a prepared slope. Your first ski tour should not take too long.
What you should know about the clothes
Unlike normal skiing, you are constantly on the move when touring. You will get very warm. Therefore, do not overdo it when getting dressed.
But do not take too little with you! I take a lot of stuff with me and then decide on the spot what comes in the backpack and what stays in the car.
This was my equipment for one day at -5° and light clouds
- Ski socks - Ski socks only, no second pair of socks
- Ski underwear
- Touring ski pants. Compared to ski pants, they are not so heavily lined. If you start a ski tour with the thickly lined pants, you will melt.
- Sports bra and short sleeve functional shirt
- Long sleeve ski underwear
- Ski jacket
- Thin fleece jacket in backpack
- Scarf
- Headband and cap
- 2 pairs of gloves
Never underestimate the wind on the mountain. Make sure your clothing is wind resistant.
What clothes you should take with you
As a ski touring beginner, you will certainly totally misjudge. I was mega unsure. And glad that I could ask my girlfriend.
I'll just say this: You'll sweat. For sure. And not a little. So take at least a long shirt and a sports bra with you. And a small towel. Depending on how much you sweat, you change either on the mountain or then down in the valley.
A second pair of gloves is also worthwhile. I had a pair of thick ski gloves with me and my thin running gloves. And that was exactly perfect.
What must be in your backpack
A backpack with 25 to 30 liters is more than big enough.
Lots of tissues. When I exert myself in the winter, my nose runs massively. If it's the same for you: Take rather more handkerchiefs with you than too few.
Sunglasses. You need them for going up the mountain. The snow reflects the sun, which is enormously blinding.
Water. For 3 hours I had a liter with. So much I did not need, but better to take a little more than too little. I had a normal water bottle. A backpack with hydration bladder and hose is but certainly not a bad idea.
Granola bar. Nothing tastes better than a snack at the summit.
Helmet and ski goggles. You will need them later for skiing. When you go uphill, you take your sunglasses, a headband or a cap.
The best tips for ski touring beginners
You now know how it feels, what you need to take with you and roughly what to expect. Now here are a few tips to help you on your first tour.
Never go alone
Logical, right? No matter how good you are as a normal skier. For touring you should not set out alone. Firstly, it's not so much fun alone and secondly, it's better to have someone on hand in case of problems.
As a beginner, it's always good to have someone at your side who has already done a few tours. That way you can get expert knowledge.
Stay on the slopes as a touring ski beginner
Depending on your talent, you should not leave the edge of the slope for the first 3-5 times. Go along slopes that are not too steep and wide.
Off the slopes you need to know a lot and be a talented skier.
If you get bored at the edge of the slopes, you should take a course to learn how to react in case of avalanches and other disasters.
Select route
Find out about the route in detail beforehand. How steep is it? How long do you have to walk? How much snow is there right now? And how will the weather be?
Familiarize yourself with the topography of your route the day before the tour.
In the beginning, plan more time than is given. You will definitely need it to get used to the material.
In many ski resorts there are trails for ski touring beginners. The tour is marked with signs on which you will find a lot of information.
Why even beginners need emergency equipment
Whether beginner or professional what everyone should have is an emergency kit. This includes an avalanche transceiver, an avalanche probe and an avalanche shovel.
But it's not enough to have things with you. You must also be able to handle them. At the latest when you are no longer directly on the slopes.
As a ski touring beginner, never go off-piste!
Take an avalanche course as soon as possible. Only then will you know how to behave in an emergency. This can save your life!
In the course you will learn to correctly assess the strength of the snow and avalanche danger. This depends on many factors. But above all on the weather.
My conclusion
As a ski touring beginner, you should get a professional to help you. Either a friend who knows the terrain well or you can take a course at a ski resort. For a first test, a flat route along the piste is sufficient.
I wish you a wonderful first tour!
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