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 What is off-piste skiing?Off piste is real skiing! Away from the piste-bashers and the crowds. The textbook definition is - skiing away from the recognised ski runs within the resort boundaries, or skiing outside the boundaries of a resort with a qualified guide. Back to top of page What is ski touring?Ski Touring is exactly that - touring on skis. It combines the best bits of skiing and mountaineering and provides the perfect way to explore the mountains in winter. Once the exclusive domain of the 'hard core' element and the super fit, ski touring is rapidly opening up to everyone who wants to really escape the crowds, enjoy the solitude of the mountains and be rewarded with breathtaking views and exhilarating descents. The 2 core elements of ski touring: the 'going up' and the 'going down', both present challenges and new skills need to be acquired. There is much to learn about 'skinning up' that improves efficiency and saves energy. Similarly you want to be able to enjoy the 'down', so coping with the variety of snow conditions you may encounter off-piste takes a lot of practice. All ski touring is demanding exercise and you must be in good physical condition. The fitter you are, the more fun you have. Back to top of page What's the difference between freesking, backcountry skiing and off-piste skiing (or riding)?Very little. They all relate to the same thing. 'Backcountry' is the term most commonly used by our American cousins. 'Freeskiing' has been coined by the more hard-core element and expresses not just an attitude towards skiing but a lifestyle. Back to top of page What's so great about off-piste skiing?Well first and foremost it's fun. It's also exhilarating, rewarding and just a little bit daring! Need we say more? Back to top of page Can I use a snowboard in the backcountry?Yes absolutely. But you can't climb uphill on a standard snowboard so you either have to walk in your boots, carry snowshoes or use a split board together with a pair of climbing skins. You will need to carry a pack that can carry your board. If you walk uphill do not walk in the skiers' tracks. Back to top of page What level of skier do I need to be to ski or ride off-piste?Off-piste skiing isn't for beginners but you don't have to be an out-and-out expert either. Our recommendation is that as a minimum you should be able to ski red runs with linked turns. Off-piste the conditions can vary greatly, but as long as you can at least traverse or sideslip and perform a downhill kick-turn, you will be able to find your way down most slopes. Know your limits and don't endanger yourself, your group or others on the mountain. Back to top of page Do I have to be especially fit?It's not a bad idea: the fitter you are the more enjoyable it will be. Climbing uphill is the really exhausting bit, requiring more stamina than technique. Of course, off-piste skiing is great exercise and is a good way to stay in shape. Back to top of page What equipment do I need?For off-piste skiing where you are using the lift systems to gain the altitude and the walking is restricted, standard downhill equipment will be sufficient. However once you start planning to go further away from the lifts and there's more climbing and walking involved, then without doubt the safety and comfort of touring gear will be much more suitable. Skis: there are many 'all-mountain' skis to choose from and we recommend skis like the very popular Rossignol B2s and the Salomon Ten-Eightys or those with a similar profile Boots: The most important pieces of kit are your boots. The best skis in the world will be no fun if your feet are killing you. Try to find a boot specialist and if you can afford it, have the boots custom designed to your feet. In the past ski touring boots were comfortable for walking but hopeless when it came to the downhill. The manufacturers have really addressed this problem and now ski touring boots just make more sense: not only are they much more comfortable to walk in compared to ordinary ski boots, they are great to ski in too. So if you are thinking of buying boots, go for ski touring models - there is a reasonable selection to choose from, they are no more expensive than standard alpine boots and they will be fine for the occasional piste skiing holidays you may take! Bindings: as with the boots, the new touring bindings are every bit as safe for downhill as ordinary bindings, yet you have the additional advantage of being able to walk uphill with them to access the real off-piste. Fritschi lead the way here though other models keep appearing. Expect to pay a little more but the advantages are huge! Safety equipment: everyone is expected to ski at all times with the three essential items of avalanche safety equipment; transceiver, shovel and probe. If you ski off-piste regularly we recommend you purchase your own set and most good ski shops carry stock. Additional kit A small pack (to carry safety equipment and personal items e.g. camera). For more serious ski touring involving steeper climbs, you're going to need to carry more gear. In particular this means 'skins' - long textured pieces of fabric (usually mohair or nylon) that are attached to the bottom of the skis and prevent the skier from slipping backwards whilst providing enough friction for a skier to climb uphill on. Also ice-axes, crampons and ropes. Back to top of page Do you have some tips for how to ski in powder?Firstly if you are new to off-piste, don't try to ski any slopes more than 45 degrees to start with and chose a concave slope with a long, gentle outrun and no obstacles (e.g. rocks and trees). To succeed in deep soft snow you must ski gently and you must feel what you are doing. You need to keep the weight slightly on the heels of your skis but you should not be sitting or leaning back as this will lift the tips of your skis and you will inevitably lose some control. You will find it difficult to make turns in soft snow if you're going too slow so you do need to point your skis downhill a bit. This can be easier said than done especially if it is steep and you're scared your skis will run away from you. But it really is easier to turn at speed and worst case if you do fall, the soft snow should cushion the blow and leave you with nothing more than a bruised ego! Lastly try to avoid looking down at your feet. You need to look as far down the slope as possible and aim to put together a series of at least 5-6 linked turns before resting. Back to top of page When's the best time to ski off-piste?If only it were that simple! If we could predict at the start of the season when the best conditions are going to be, we'd be very, very popular! Of course it's great to be able to ski straight after a heavy snowfall when there's lots of untracked powder. Unless you're very lucky and have the opportunity to ski throughout the season, you can't really choose the snow and the conditions, they choose you! After snowfall be prepared to get up and out early to get the best of the snow. Otherwise it is always worth hiring a local guide who will know where the best snow can be found on any given day depending on the conditions. Back to top of page What is the best snow for off-piste skiing & riding?Everyone dreams of untracked powder but unfortunately true powder days can be rather rare and of course "you can't choose the snow, the snow chooses you." This means whilst you can yearn for powder, you'll need to enjoy the other types of snow that you're just as likely to come across. These include crud, breakable crust, windslab, slush and ice. Back to top of page Where are the best resorts?Wherever there are mountains you are never too far away from some great off-piste skiing. For our top 20 off-piste resorts go to http://www.ifyouski.com/resorts/favourites/offpiste/ Back to top of page Is off-piste skiing safe?
Yes. Provided that you: (a) never ski off-piste on your own; (b) ski within the limits of your ability and exercise caution when making decisions; and (c) choose your routes carefully and be prepared to handle changing situations Check out our 'Backcountry Safety Code' - for our recommended guidelines for staying safe when skiing or riding off-piste. Back to top of page What is the likelihood of getting caught in an avalanche?
Every year about 120 people die in avalanche. Thousands more are caught in avalanches, partly buried or injured. Clearly if you travel in avalanche prone terrain you need to respect nature, recognise the danger signs and know what action to take to avoid being caught up in an avalanche. We would strongly recommend that you sign up for an avalanche or mountain awareness course to equip yourself with the basic know-how to minimise the chance of being caught in an avalanche. Back to top of page What are the main hazards and risks when skiing off-piste?
Rapidly deteriorating conditions and the 'human factor' are the primary reasons for accidents. The human factors include stress, complacency, poor communication, over-confidence and fatigue. Always ski within the limits of your ability, know how to navigate properly with map and compass. If necessary forget your burning desire or objective and take time to assess the situation and make decisions based on facts. Avalanches can occur on any given slope given the right conditions and having some basic understanding of what can trigger an avalanche and how to avoid them is common sense if you are planning to ski on off-piste terrain where avalanches are more prevalent. Back to top of page  |
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