I started backcountry skiing in 2020. The ski season ended abruptly when the Covid closed the resorts, but the gorgeous snow-covered mountains were still there. Backcountry skiing, also known as alpine touring or skinning up, requires a different set of equipment than that used when riding lifts. Here, I’ll give you a brief introduction to backcountry skiing. 

Backcountry skiing involves hiking up the hill before skiing down. Ski touring bindings allow you to have your heel free when climbing. Also “skins” are required. (See my skins’ link below!) One side of skins has one directional carpet-like fabric and the other side sticks to the base of your skis. The fabric allows you to slide forward while climbing but keeps you from slipping backward. You remove the skins when you’re ready to ski downhill. A 2-hour backcountry outing might only include one or two runs because you “earn your turns”. After climbing for an hour, skiing down might take only 5 minutes. 

The boots, bindings, and skis are slightly different from resort skis. Touring skis are lighter, thinner, wider, and longer which is especially helpful for “floatation” when skiing in powder snow. The bindings have two settings: (1) the heel of your foot is free while climbing (2) both your toe and heel are attached to the ski while skiing downhill. 

While climbing:

The heel binding is not attached as in this photo below. The skins are on, the boot buckles are loose, and my jacket and hat are in my backpack. All zippers are open because I’m sweating from the exertion of climbing. 

While skiing downhill: 

The skins are in my backpack. Both toe and heel bindings are attached, and my boots are buckled tight.

Here are the items I purchased and use for my inbound backcountry adventures

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I actually have and use all of the gear below.

• Skis – Blizzard Zero G 105 in 172 cm – Buy on Amazon
• Lange XT Free 110W low volume ski boots in 23.5 – Not available anymore. Lange retired my boots!
• Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC Ski Bindings – Buy now on Amazon Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC 10 Ski Bindings Black Sz 110mm is also a good switch binding option, too.
• Black Diamond Ultralite Mix STS Climbing Skins in 110mm Dark Grey 110 – Buy now on Amazon

Regular fixed-length ski poles are OK, but adjustable, light-weight poles, like Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Foldable Poles, have advantages.

The backpack is helpful for carrying your skins, water, snacks and extra layers. When in the backcountry where avalanches are possible, a probe, shovel, and beacon are essential. 

Inbound versus backcountry

Inbound means that the skiers climb up and ski down within the borders of the resort. It’s a good place to learn because avalanche risk is low, there are facilities, and runs are monitored by the ski patrol and are usually groomed. 

Backcountry means an unmonitored area where there are no facilities, ski patrol, or ski lifts. Backcountry skiers operate at their own risk, and I’m not one of those…yet. Maybe next winter. I have done cat skiing and heliskiing. You can read about my adventures. LINK COMING

Backcountry skiing has been my savior and centering activity during the quarantine. I kept a good social distance and rarely saw 2 to 4 other other people all day. 

To me, being in the arms of Mother Nature is so empowering. Looking out on a mountain panorama makes me feel insignificant yet connected to the “big picture” at the same time. The minor troubles of my life seem to vanish. It’s easier to feel powerful and in control on the groomed runs of a resort. In the wild backcountry, I feel more humble and small. 

Would you like to join me on a ski retreat adventure? We offer custom trips in Chile and Park City, I’d be happy to discuss your wants and plan your upcoming memories together. Contact me for your custom ski/snowboard trips here.

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Follow this to a tee, and you’ll ski pain-free. 

A fellow ski instructor told me to work your boots like you’d work a woman: top to bottom. OMG! Did I just say that? So improper! But you get the idea. Start buckling from the strap, top buckle, ankle buckle, over the foot buckles. I like to keep the upper buckles tight and the bottom buckles lose. 

Your boots should be so comfy that they hug your feet like a second skin. 

Wear one pair of long socks pulled up without leaving any creases or, your feet will hurt. 

Pull gators over your boots and the tops of your pants over the boots. If you squish pants inside your ski boots, your legs will hurt. 

Check your children’s and friends’ boots if they complain about pain in their feet and rebuckle them. There should not be any pain. Boots should be an extension of your body and not cause any discomfort. That goes for rental boots, too. 

Ceylan, what kind of socks do you wear?

I’m glad you asked. I’m a big fan of compression socks. They’re thin so I feel any pressure points on my feet. The downside of thin compression socks is that they don’t keep you warm. Hey, I have boot warmers. You’ll buy a pair of boot warmers when you purchase your own ski boots. 

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