How to prepare for a day of backcountry skiing
The untracked powder and freedom of ski touring are calling your name and you’ve decided you just can’t wait any longer. You’ve completed an avalanche safety course, you’ve practiced using your avalanche transceiver, and now you’re ready for the next step towards getting after it in the backcountry. But what exactly is the next step?
In this article, we’ll talk about the things and the training you’ll need to do in the days leading up to a big day out, as well as what to do the morning of your departure to give yourself the greatest possibility of having an awesome day of backcountry skiing.
In the days before you go
Check avalanche conditions
Safety should be your number one priority when planning a trip into the backcountry. Things like skiing deep pow, amazing snacks, and posting FOMO-inspiring GoPro content on Insta might all try to sneak into that number one spot but stay focused and keep safety first and foremost on your list. That means being hyper-aware of avalanche conditions in the days leading up to your big day. In addition to checking national avalanche services, do a Google search to find local blogs that might shed some light on current avi conditions.
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Check the weather
Although it goes without saying that you’re going to want to make sure to have good weather for your ski tour, what some people might not understand is how difficult it is to accurately forecast weather in the mountains. Conditions change quickly so find a reliable, in-depth forecast that includes wind and temperature at different elevations. A good example of this is mountain-forecast.com which will give you a pretty good idea of what kind of weather to expect at both the base and the top of the mountain you’re heading up.
A good way to hedge your weather bet is to check multiple forecasts. If your first forecast is from an international website, do your best to find a forecast from a more local source. If/when those don’t match, which can be surprisingly often, try to find a third source to break the tie so to speak.
This might sound like a lot of faff but getting the weather right can easily mean you won’t be surprised by gale force winds at altitude on an otherwise bluebird day. On the other side of the coin, you also don’t want to find yourself sweating out your base layers because you didn’t know about the warm inversion layer welcoming you with open arms just a couple hundred meters above your starting point.
Choose your ski buddies wisely
Make sure the people you’re heading into the backcountry with have the skills needed not only to keep themselves safe but most importantly to watch your back as well. Remember that if you go down in an avalanche this is the crew, you’re going to depend on to dig you out. So make sure their avalanche awareness is on point, they’ve practiced recently with their transceiver, and it always helps if their skiing ability matches your own.
Research your route
If this is one of your first trips into the backcountry maximize your chances for success by planning an easy ski tour in terrain that you already know and that has a low risk for avalanche.
If you’re venturing into unknown terrain, familiarize yourself with the area using online tools like Google Earth where a 3D view can give you a great idea of what things are going to look like when you’re on the mountain. Match that to the map you’ll no doubt be carrying in case you get off route. Back that up with information from local blogs and trip reports from the area.
Backup plans
There’s a wise, old alpinist saying that goes: “Plan for the worst, hope for the best.” Following this simple advice will help you keep things under control if and when the wheels fall off. For instance, if during the approach you begin to notice avalanche activity on slopes in the area with similar aspects as your objective, you’ll be glad you’ve already got a Plan B lined up where conditions might be safer.
Pro freeskier Cody Townsend knows a thing or two about backcountry skiing. Check out what he has to say about backup plans.
The big day
A few last-minute checks before you leave the house will ensure you have the most enjoyable trip possible.
1. Check avalanche conditions
Because you’ve been closely following the avalanche conditions in the days leading up to your backcountry mission there should be no surprises. But things often change overnight and one last look at the latest avalanche report is imperative.
2. Confirm the weather
Before you leave, make sure to take one last look at the weather to make certain the weather window you’ve been targeting all week hasn’t closed out overnight.
3. Check your gear
Go through your checklist to make sure everything you planned to take makes it with you to the trailhead. Nothing is worse than waking up early and getting to the trailhead to find you’ve left your ski boots at home. Check out our article on what to take for a day of backcountry skiing.
4. Tell someone your plans
Find a trusted friend and send them a text detailing what your plans are including where you’re going and what time you plan to be back. Agree on a time that you should be calling them to confirm you’re back safe and sound. Of course, it goes without saying that after you set up your plan, it’s imperative to call them as soon as you’re back.
This may seem like overkill but most people are happy to serve as your Go-To person and if you find yourself up a creek without a paddle this precaution could mean not having to endure an unplanned bivvy.
5. Prepare yourself mentally
If everything goes to plan, there’s no reason you shouldn’t have a fantastic day out. But regardless of how much planning you’ve done, or what the forecasts say, it’s important to always remain aware of avalanche and weather conditions when you’re in the alpine. Things can change quickly and developing the intuition needed to recognize dangerous situations before they happen requires mindfulness that stems from staying aware, observant and open-minded to differences in preconceptions.
It’s also important to be comfortable with the concept of bailing. Turning back can be one of the most difficult things to do in the mountains, especially if you don’t get out very often or if you’re working on an objective that’s taken weeks, months, or years to pull together. Under these circumstances, recognizing a sketchy situation and pulling the plug requires a lot of courage and should never be looked upon as failure when in fact, wise and difficult decisions in the alpine are a solid achievement that you can, and should, be proud of.
And one more step in training yourself mentally is having the humility to know that you can spend a lifetime in the backcountry and always be able to learn more. So, after you’ve recovered from your trip, start searching out cool, new places to ski tour and take the first steps towards completing that next level of avalanche training!
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