Ski Touring

Enjoying the tranquillity far from the slopes means that there is no comfortable transport to the summit. The climb therefore requires a certain level of fitness. If you want to move in rough terrain, you absolutely need surefootedness. On steep slopes, it is also advisable to master the hairpin bend.

Descending in deep snow is also very different from skiing on the piste. Keep a mobile, neutral basic posture. Bring your legs close together to increase the contact area. Avoid a hunched position to maintain control of your ski at all times. Distribute your weight evenly on both legs and don't put too much weight on the outside ski to avoid sinking into the deep snow.

In the meantime, more and more ski resorts are adapting to the special needs of ski tourers. Thus, not only tours in open terrain, but also at slope level are becoming increasingly popular.

Before every ski tour you should check the current avalanche report. You can find the current avalanche situation on Outdooractive in the map under „Additional layers“.

The avalanche situation report consists of three important core pieces of information:

How dangerous is it today?
Indication of the danger level from 1 to 5 (at danger level 4 or 5 you should refrain from the tour!).

Where are the danger spots today?
Indication of the danger spots in the avalanche report according to altitude, exposure and terrain with steepness and slope shape (e.g. gullies, hollows, sunny slopes).

What is the cause of a possible avalanche release today?
Indicate the type and cause of the hazard as well as the generally necessary additional load for an avalanche release. The types of danger are for example dry or wet snow slabs or loose snow avalanches, possible causes are for example drifting snow. The indication of the additional load provides information as to whether a danger zone is to be crossed individually or whether you have to reckon with self-releases.

Whoever is out in nature should be aware of the environment and its inhabitants. Various projects have already been launched to make ski tourers more aware of this aspect and to give tips on how not to disturb nature during a tour. For example, the two projects „RespekTiere deine Grenzen“ and „Skibergsteigen umweltfreundlich“ by the Alpine Club. These aim to resolve the conflict between humans and nature in snowshoeing and ski mountaineering.

For the full enjoyment of ski touring, the right equipment is crucial. The most important items of equipment include touring skis, skins, ski boots and helmet and ski touring boots. But you should also always have avalanche equipment with an avalanche transceiver and an avalanche probe and shovel with you on your ski tour. You will also need:

• Ski touring backpack (approx. 30 litres) with avalanche airbag and rain cover
• If necessary, crampons 
• Ski socks 
• Warm and hard-wearing clothing in a multi-layer design
• Ski touring jacket and pants 
• Light gloves for the ascent and warm ones for the descent 
• Mask/headband 
• Ski goggles if necessary 
• Sun and rain protection 
• Supplies and drinking water (possibly a thermos bottle with hot water) 
• First aid kit 
• Pocket knife 
• Mobile phone

On the knowledge pages you will find more information on the subject of equipment for ski touring.

Outdooractive offers you numerous features that help you plan and implement your ski tour, inspire you and bring you safely to your destination and back home again. The detailed map informs you about altitude, terrain and the course of the tour. In addition, you can not only see the current avalanche situation, but also the snow depth.

From the tour suggestions in your region, you can choose the best one or design your own ski tour with the help of the tour planner. With the BuddyBeacon, you can share your location with friends and family in real time, so you can be found quickly in an emergency.