Off Piste - Backcountry Skiing
Many skiers realize at a certain point that it might be worthwhile to get off the beaten track and away from the well-groomed monitored pistes of Ski Resorts. They are feeling the call of the wild backcountry.
Backcountry Skiing is a term used for all kinds of Skiing which are done in the wild, where there are no lifts, no pistes, no lodges, no patrols, or other comforts. It is back to basics, just you, your Ski Gear, and nature. Backcountry Skiing is almost synonymous to Off-piste Skiing. Both are done in areas near unmarked trails and pistes, and cannot be accessed by ski-lifts.
Backcountry Skiing is for more advanced skiers only and you will need to be knowledgeable and skilled in Skiing before you leave the safe environment that snow resorts create.
This section introduces you to Off Piste and Backcountry Skiing and how you can take your first try at it. It also explains the pieces of essential gear that you should take with you on a backcountry trip. But first, here are the guidelines that every backcountry skier should be aware of.
Backcountry Skiing Guidelines
- Learn much-needed Backcountry Skiing skills by hiring a guide, taking formal lessons, or being in the company of experienced backcountry skiers.
- Make sure to master your standard Skiing Techniques and that you can perform the advanced skills such as avoiding obstacles and mountain rescue.
- Give small off piste runs and the unmarked and ungroomed backcountry routes found in snow resorts a try. Make runs through the trees and practice your last moment turning skills but make sure you know the route you are going take. Do not make these runs alone. Take an experienced skier with you to help you in the worst case.
- Once you are comfortable with backcountry routes, you can start planning your own routes. Try to choose ski routes that are fit for your ski level.
- Learn about avalanche conditions such as assessment, avoidance, and rescue. Have an understanding of what causes avalanches and in what conditions they happen.
- Do not be caught in an avalanche. Seek out avoidance routes and ask backcountry skiers for information. Make use of information resources especially local sources and avalanche forecasts.
- Prepare for the worst. Be prepared for accidents and emergencies. Learn about hypothermia and high altitude sickness, and master navigational skills such as map and compass reading.
- Bring enough gear and supplies that can help you beat severe weather changes. Bring extra clothes, food, first aid kit, map and compass, knife, some matches and fire starter, whistle and mirror, but make sure they are light to carry.
- Inform others about your plan. Tell others where you plan to go and the time you will return.
- Do not travel alone. Solo Backcountry Skiing is not advisable because of potentially severe weather and avalanche conditions.
- Buff up for Backcountry Skiing since it is a strenuous activity. This imposes hikes plus you will be carrying your stuff up the mountain on foot.
Advanced Skills
If you learned to ski on well-groomed pistes in nice snow resorts then you are in for a surprise when you go Off Piste. The wild can be relentless. Here are the advanced skills you need to learn.
- Dealing with various Snow & Surface Conditions
You will need a high skill level on all kinds of surfaces. From the hardest ice to the softest powder, you will need to be able to maintain total control of your Skis no matter what the mountain throws at you. In powder conditions, rocks, ice, tree stumps, and even crevasses are covered with snow. This is why backcountry skiers should be keen when going through powder snow conditions. Also, ski according to your abilities. If you notice that the slope you are treading is too difficult for you, just side-step to descend. Be keen about changes in snow conditions and weather. Learn how to adjust to different snow conditions.
- Avoiding Obstacles
In Ski Resorts, you might have been confronted with the occasional tree along the piste. Off piste, you need to have enough control to avoid crashes with trees and boulders or falls off cliffs or crevasses. You will need to have enough turning and stopping power to avoid these obstacles. To avert these kinds of obstacles, it is better that you plan your route. Practice Telemarking, Parallel Turns, Traversing, Sideslipping, and other solid Skiing techniques. Take time to practice on backcountry routes some resorts offer to prepare yourself for the real back country way.
- Mountain & Rescue Skills
Avalanche Awareness, First Aid and basic Mountaineering skills are essential for Backcountry Skiing. Make sure to learn them preferably through licensed instructors. You can read our section on Avalanche Awareness & Avalanche Survival & Rescue for more information. Make sure you are able to assess possible dangerous situations and deal with them wisely. Learn more about Skiing Safety and Guidelines and have the right pieces of backcountry Skiing Equipment and gear. Hundreds of people injure themselves each year in Backcountry Skiing and most of the accidents could have been avoided.
Backcountry Skiing Equipment and Gear
- Skis and other Essentials
If you are planning to ski Off Piste a lot, then you might want to consider purchasing special backcountry Skis. These are specifically designed to handle backcountry conditions. Make sure to bring climbing skins for your equipment. This will make it much easier to make your way up on Skis. Alpine touring Skis which are designed to ski hard snow and are commonly used for Mountain Skiing and Ski Mountaineering are recommended. This type enables a skier to tread on slopes and in difficult snow conditions.
Skiers should also wear the appropriate apparel which adheres to the three-layer system, a pair of goggles for protection from the sun, snow, ice and branches, and a helmet to protect the head in case of a fall. Other Backcountry Skiing essentials also include extra clothes, food, first aid kit, map and compass, mobile phone, emergency whistle, and a rope. All these essentials can be carried in a rucksack which sometimes comes with a water storage pack. Always remember to have enough gear and supplies to beat the cold, high winds, and sudden severe weather changes that you may encounter.
- Safety and Rescue Gear
The basic avalanche safety gear consists of a transceiver or beacon, a probe, and a shovel. These three things can significantly improve chances of survival when you or a member of your party is caught in an avalanche. An avalanche transceiver tells your whereabouts in an avalanche. This device transmits and receives signal through frequency emission. Set your beacon or transceiver to transmit signal rather than receiving signals so others who have transceivers can detect your whereabouts.
Avalanche Probes, on the other hand, are like tent poles used to poke around when looking for a victim who does not have visible clues on the surface. Avalanche Probes consist of two feet long tubular steels joined together. These are also used when looking for a good place to dig a snow pit, in feeling the buried snow layers as well as in assessing snow bridges over crevasses.
Lastly, snow shovels are used for digging purposes. These can also be used as an anchor, as something to sit onto, or as tool to unstuck a snow mobile. Snow shovels are either made out of either plastic or aluminum.
Backcountry Skiing is definitely an exciting type of Skiing. However, there are risks involved such as the chances of being caught in an avalanche, exhaustion during a climb, and severe weather conditions. Just make sure that you have sufficient preparation, training, and that cautionary measures are practiced.
|
|
|
| tourist |
| Rank: |
Snow Ignoramus |
| #Posts: |
0 |
#Points: |
0 |
|
|
|
|
For a complete list of all discount coupons with our merchants, subscribe to our Discount RSS Feed: 
|
|
Basics & Backgrounds
Chinese
Dutch
Home
Print Article
Email Article
Comment on Article
Write New Article
Search Articles
Profile
Pictures
Reply
Quote
