Stano Faban

This is the first article from the series on “How to start backcountry skiing and alpine touring?”. Visit the page to see an outline of all the topics.

The best way to introduce yourself to backcountry skiing is through more experienced people – friends or guides. Friends are great because in case you don’t like what you ski you will at least spend some quality time with people you care about.

First, start skiing off piste in your favorite ski resort and see whether you like the unpredictability of the terrain; and all of a sudden, snow doesn’t have a corduroy texture. Powder days (fresh snow) are the best for this since riding in such conditions reward you with the most fun.

Once confident in your technique you should hook up with more experienced friends (or hire a guide) and do some out of bounds skiing. Skiing beyond boundaries of a ski resort isn’t backcountry skiing at its best but it already makes you feel different, not as secure, free.

Of course, this might already mean an exposure to avalanche conditions, so you need to start thinking about some avalanche safety skills before your new passion ends in an accident.

“How to start backcountry skiing?” is not really a question that is asked a lot but it sums up the topic of the following article series very clearly. The information is intended for you guys that want to try backcountry skiing and alpine touring after reading or hearing about it, or watching it.

This article series should give you a good idea of how people usually become backcountry skiers and ski mountaineers. Of course, the progression paths vary for each one of us but in general this is what you need to know:

• get involved
  

• learn about backcountry safety

• buy some backcountry and alpine touring gear

• next level – touring in bigger terrain