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Ski touring (or ski mountaineering) is a mountain activity that involves skiing off-piste, using climbing skins under the skis to ascend and removing these skins to descend. Off-piste skiing, also known as freeride skiing, also involves skiing off-piste, on varied terrain that is rarely or never groomed. Both activities require good skiing skills and knowledge of the mountain environment, as well as good physical condition and good equipment. It is therefore important to assess your level carefully before venturing onto this type of terrain, so as not to put yourself in danger.
Here are a few things to consider to help you assess your level:
Ski touring and off-piste skiing require good skiing skills, especially when descending. It is therefore important to be able to ski parallel on red or black runs in resorts and to know how to make tight turns. Knowing how to control your speed is also necessary before venturing off-piste. Don’t hesitate to ask a professional to assess your skills on the slopes: they will be able to give you an accurate assessment of your level.
Good physical condition is necessary, as these activities involve climbing often steep slopes (using climbing skins for ski touring), which can be strenuous. It is also important to know whether you are able to ski for several hours at a time. In any case, take your time, don’t rush, and listen to your body!
For ski touring and freeriding, skiing off-piste requires knowing how to navigate your surroundings and take weather and snow conditions into account. It is therefore important to know how to read a map, use a GPS, and be able to assess avalanche risks.
Ski touring and off-piste skiing can be risky, particularly due to avalanches, as we saw earlier, but also due to falls that you or your companions may take, as well as accidents along the way. It is therefore important to be familiar with the safety techniques associated with this activity. Do you know what an avalanche transceiver is and how to use it? Are you familiar with how to use a probe? Would you know how to respond in the event of an accident in the mountains? If the answer to at least one of these questions is no, perhaps you should first learn the correct actions to take if a situation requiring this knowledge were to arise!
If you are a beginner or unsure of your abilities, we strongly recommend that you start ski touring and off-piste skiing with an experienced instructor or mountain guide, so that you can benefit from their guidance and advice. They will teach you everything you need to know before you set off, allowing you to progress safely and familiarize yourself with these exciting activities.
