Skip to main content

How you can get started with backcountry skiing, gear, and avalanche safety this winter

Getting started with off-trail skiing requires a little know-how, the right gear, and a sense of adventure

Man trekking through snow carrying skis and ski poles.
Unsplash

These days, more skiers and snowboarders are venturing far beyond official ski resort boundaries than ever before. With the explosion in popularity of backcountry skiing, so-called off-piste exploration has opened a new winter playground for a growing number of riders. But there’s a world of difference between carving a groomed trail and bombing the wild, unmarked backcountry.

From exiting a resort boundary gate to skinning up from a trailhead, backcountry skiing requires a different mindset and a new set of skills and tools than your typical day at the resort. If you’re planning on hitting your first powder stash, now’s the time to plan your out-of-bounds tool kit and learn some essential backcountry skiing skills.

If you’re new to the club, it’s also important to understand the additional risks inherent to backcountry skiing and plan accordingly. Here are a few points to consider, followed by our five-step guide to the gear, knowledge, and tips you need to do so safely.

What is backcountry skiing?

First, it might be helpful to define what we mean when we say “backcountry skiing.” At its core, backcountry skiing — also known as “off-piste skiing” — means any skiing that’s done outside the patrolled boundaries of a ski resort or other official ski facility.

How hard is backcountry skiing?

Because backcountry skiing often involves getting back up the mountain under your own power, it typically requires a higher level of fitness. Anyone who is reasonably fit with at least an intermediate level of skill with downhill skiing can likely enjoy a modest backcountry ski outing.

Can you backcountry ski with regular skis and equipment?

Almost any “normal” skis will work in the backcountry. The key is having boots and bindings with the flexibility to lift your heel (known as “skinning”), so you can walk uphill, then clip back into your bindings when you’re ready to descend.

Man trekking skis up a snowy hill.
Unsplash

Step 1: Assess your abilities before hitting the backcountry

Before planning your first backcountry ski outing, take a second to assess your skills and fitness level. You needn’t be a triathlete or an Olympic-level skier to start riding off-piste. But, be honest with yourself. A good rule of thumb is that you should at least feel confident skiing a range of intermediate (blue square) trails at your nearest resort. If you need to brush up on your technical skills, consider an advanced lesson with a professional instructor. Share your backcountry aspirations with them so they can provide tailored lessons to help you achieve your goals.

Take stock of your navigation and self-rescue abilities, too. In the backcountry, there is no ski patrol, no lodge staff, and (probably) no fellow skiers to help if things suddenly go sideways. Prepare to be self-reliant. Understand all the risks going in, double-check your gear, and be sure to let a friend or family member know where you’re headed each morning and when you expect to return.

Skier skiing through fresh powder without poles.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Get educated in backcountry skiing and safety

Every outdoor adventure carries inherent risks. These include everything from wildlife encounters to personal injury to faulty gear to dangerous weather. Backcountry skiers need to be prepared for all these and more. The most significant risk for off-trail skiers, however, is avalanches. By the numbers, the good news is that most skiers are unlikely to encounter a deadly avalanche. Still, it’s essential to understand how they work, when they’re most likely to happen, and what you can do should you find yourself buried in one. This video is an excellent primer:

Know Before You Go

Commit the simple acronym ALP TRUTh to memory as a “cheat sheet” of avalanche warning signs to look for before heading into the backcountry:

  • Avalanche: Has there been avalanche activity on your chosen slope or similar ones in the last 48 hours?
  • Loading: Has there been significant snow, rain, or wind that could have added extra weight to a weak layer recently?
  • Path: Is there a noticeable path that a potential avalanche could take?
  • Terrain Trap: Are there features on the terrain you’re skiing, like cliffs, gullies, or trees, that could make the consequences of getting caught more dangerous?
  • Rating: What was the danger rating of today’s avalanche forecast? (More on this below.)
  • Unstable Snow: Have you seen or heard signs of instability? Cracks that propagate in the snow, collapsing snow, or a “whoomphing” sound (yes, unstable snow makes a distinguishable whoomph when it shifts) can signal danger.
  • Thaw: Have the temperatures recently led to a melting event?

But, frankly, internet research alone won’t cut it here. It’s worth investing in an avalanche preparedness course to understand better how avalanches happen and the risks of skiing in avalanche country. The gold standard is the American Avalanche Association’s Recreation Track. This includes a level 1 course that focuses on decision-making for backcountry skiers in avalanche terrain. In the companion Avalanche Rescue course, skiers can learn rescue basics, including how to use a transceiver, probe, and shovel to find and rescue avalanche victims. Alternatively, REI offers a catalog of excellent snowsports-related courses (many for free), including backcountry skiing and avalanche preparedness.

More on the transceiver, probe, and shovel – plus other nice-haves

Let’s get into detail on the three must-haves and learn more about the nice-to-haves when it comes to avalanche preparedness. The avalanche transceiver (or beacon) is a device that emits a signal that other avalanche transceivers can pick up, which makes it easier to find someone buried in an avalanche. The avalanche probe is a long and collapsible pole used to probe the snowpack for buried victims. And finally, an avalanche shovel is used to dig through the snowpack to rescue anyone who is buried.

Here’s a list of other things that are nice to have in the event of an avalanche.

  • Avalanche airbag pack: A backpack with an inflatable airbag that can help keep the wearer afloat in an avalanche.
  • Snow saw: Used to cut blocks of snow for snow stability tests and to excavate around buried victims.
  • Snow study kit: Tools used to assess the snowpack stability.
Skis laid out with boots.
Pexels

Step 3: Gear up with the right kit for backcountry skiing

After assessing your skills and fitness and passing a crash course in avalanche preparedness, it’s time to gear up. Take stock of what you already own and what resort-friendly gear could also be used in the backcountry. If you’re an avid skier, you probably already have a selection of these in your closet:

  • Ski jacket
  • Ski pants
  • Skis
  • Ski boots
  • Ski bindings

Make a list of any new backcountry gear you need to buy. Backcountry skiing requires some additional essentials. While the exact nature and need for these pieces are worth covering in a separate detailed post, be sure to pack these at a minimum:

  • Ski helmet
  • Skins
  • Avalanche beacon
  • Probe
  • Snow shovel
  • Ski backpack
Two skiers at Whistler Blackcomb ski resort
Lumi / Unsplash

Step 4: Plan your first backcountry ski tour

Planning your first backcountry ski trip is fun, exciting, and maybe a little overwhelming. The first rule: Never venture into the backcountry alone. Like scuba diving and drinking (no, not at the same time), backcountry skiing is safer and more fun with a buddy. Reach out to friends or through online forums to find someone or a group willing to take you under their wing and show you the ropes. Ideally, your companions should be more skilled than you. Of course, be sure to let them know you’re a beginner so that you and they can plan accordingly.

Going with a professional ski guide is another option. It can save you time, keep you safe, and get you into the best powder stashes. Lots of websites list guided trips with ratings and reviews. One of our favorites is the 57Hours app because it thoroughly vets the guides and trip providers listed. The app makes it easy to search for any kind of mountain trip around the United States and Canada’s west coast. Ask the guide questions about the trip and book in a couple of clicks once you find the right one for you.

Snow-covered mountainside, France
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Check the weather forecast before hitting the backcountry

The morning of every backcountry ski run, the first and last thing you should do is check the weather forecast for extreme weather conditions like heavy snow or freezing rain. For backcountry skiers, it’s also vital to check Avalanche.org. The site is sponsored by the American Avalanche Association and Backcountry Access and serves as an aggregator for avalanche forecasting around the country. Get familiar with the five-category North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale, which ranks the current threat level on a scale from Low (1) to Extreme (5).

The official North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Check both forecasts regularly. Whether you’re skiing at the resort, hitting up a secret pow stash, or stuck in the office, these forecast tools keep you updated on snow safety. More importantly, reviewing snow conditions can reveal a picture of how the snowpack is evolving throughout the season. Knowing there is a dangerous layer of snow from a few weeks ago that is still factoring into danger ratings is essential knowledge when you step into your bindings.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
New 686 and Welcome snowboarding gear collab is all about the ‘feeling’ you get on the mountain, and we love it
This new collection is all gender
686 x Welcome Anorak and Pants

Snowboarding is all about a good time on the hill. Sure, it’s cool to spin further, carve harder, and stick that landing. But at its core, riding is all about the feeling. It’s pure freedom. That's why we love the new 686 x Welcome Collection, a selection of snowboarding gear that focuses on the sport’s fun side. Not only that, but it’s gender-neutral, so everyone can join the party. Here are the details.

686 and Welcome: Two brands with distinct personalities
The 686 x Welcome collab is so good because it melds each brand’s unique outlook. Here’s some background on both outfits.

Read more
What RV is right for me? Every type you can get (and which one you should)
What to consider when getting an RV
An RV driving through the mountains

Ah, the joys of RV travel. Can anything feel more nostalgic and cozy while still embodying the spirit of adventure? Maybe only dispersed camping in a tent, but that's another topic. For now, we're focusing on RVs and all the different types of RVs you can choose for your open-road journeys.
While it may seem exciting to invest in a new shiny RV or spend big bucks on renting a travel trailer model that looks cool on the road, you'll need to find the best choice depending on the size of your group, your driving experience, and the type of trip you're planning.
So we've put together a guide to help you figure out which RV is right for your trip into the wild. From hitch campers that offer just enough room for two, to a massive Class A motorhome with all the bells and whistles, we'll help you find the right choice.

Camper vans
A camper van is also known as a Class B motorhome, which means it's built on a small van chassis. Camper vans are the smallest type of motorhome and combine the features of easy transportation and comfortable living quarters into one.
It differs from a traditional van in that it's often taller and contains a small kitchen, sleeping area, and possibly even a bathroom. They've been popularized by the company Winnebago, and many modern variations have become a trendy choice for van life enthusiasts.
This type of RV is great for:

Read more
Cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and more: 6 unique winter activities you simply have to try
Everyone knows about skiing and snowboarding — these may be new to you
A man walking down a trail during the winter in the snow

Enjoying wintertime extends to more than hot cocoa, stiff drinks, and fuzzy blankets. Braving the outdoors during the cooler months can provide a new perspective on nature, revealing a serene landscape that can only be seen during this time of the year.
Luckily, not as many people flock to the outdoors in winter, so it can be a much more flexible and peaceful time to get out and reconnect. So here are the most iconic winter activities that will challenge, surprise, and delight you this season. We'll share tips for snowshoeing, the best spots for ice fishing, and everything in between.

1. Cross-country skiing: Gliding through the snowy trails
Unlike traditional skiing, cross-country skiing is about slowing down and enjoying the journey. A few bucket list locations for this winter activity include Colorado's Devil's Thumb Ranch and Methow Trails in the state of Washington. You can invest in skis, poles, and breathable clothing. But if you're new to the sport and aren't ready to buy all of that, there are many rental options available. Don't let the slow pace of cross-country skiing fool you -- this is a full-body workout. Combination movements paired with balance ensure you'll be engaging every muscle group.

Read more