Related Guides

Top Ten Travel Lists

Expert Travel Guides

Where Next? Travel Blog

Photo Galleries

Screensavers
save this page print this page email this page
  • share this page

From Away.com

Winter Sports
How I Came to Know and Love the Backcountry
Planning, Preparation, and Packing

By Abrahm Lustgarten

Intro | Telemark Basics | Planning, Preparation, & Packing | Avalanche Safety | North American Hot Spots | The Dream Telemark Kit

back country skiing. Telemark skiing. skiing gear
The Sierras: A true winter wonderland—but only if you know how to get there, what to bring along, and how to get back. (Corel)
Hit the resorts and all you have to do is buy a ticket, but play in the backcountry and planning and preparation are required. Sorry for the buzz kill, but in addition to avalanche awareness you need to consider the following sobering things.

First, be prepared. As clichéd as the Boy Scout motto may be, it's also essential for backcountry skiing. Be certain to have adequate clothing, food, and water for hours or days in a wilderness area, where frigid winter weather and sudden storms are a reality. Get the right gear and carry it on your back. Stick to your route, navigate with a map and compass or GPS, carefully plan out a detailed itinerary, and let someone (friends, park rangers, spouses) know where you're going and when you will be back.

When you leave the creature inconveniences of civilization behind, remember that the comforts go too. You can’t afford to get wet with sweat, dehydrated, or low on blood sugar. Each of those little things could quickly kill you in the winter backcountry.

In general, plan a backcountry ski tour as you would a summer backpacking trip. Go with an experienced skier or guide and use a guidebook. Federal and state lands are typically open to skier access, and some resorts like Jackson Hole offer direct access to out-of-bounds territory, but some areas will require registration, or even permits, so check in advance with a ranger.
Telemarking Resources on the Web
United States Telemark Ski Association

Telemarktips.com

U.S. Avalanche Statistics and Conditions: avalanche.org

Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center

Colorado Avalanche Information Center

Cyberspace Snow and Avalanche Center

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
Skis, boots, and poles (complete packages run from about $400 to $1,100)

Appropriate winter clothing, including several separate layers of insulation, pants, shell, gloves, and a hat.

Goggles and sunglasses

A 25-pound pack with all of the following crammed in:

Additional clothes

Snow shovel

Up to 50 meters of climbing rope

Avalanche probe pole

Avalanche transceiver

Skins

Repair kit, including spare binding parts, duct tape

First-aid kit, including emergency blanket

Map, compass (an altimeter and GPS are nice for longer tours)

Food and water

Radio or cell phone

Headlamp

Multitool

Next Page: Avalanche Safety

Intro | Telemark Basics | Planning, Preparation, & Packing | Avalanche Safety | North American Hot Spots | The Dream Telemark Kit


Abrahm Lustgarten in an internationally published, award-winning photojournalist whose work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Newsweek, and Men's Journal magazines. He most frequently covers social, travel and outdoor adventure subjects, and is a regular contributor to Away.com. You can see more of his work at www.abrahm.com