How Alpine Touring Works

The main difference between alpine touring and alpine skiing is how you get to the top of the mountain --in alpine touring, you'll be relying on your own two feet instead of sitting on a cushy chair lift. Think of the sport as a combination of cross-country skiing and downhill skiing, with a little mountain-climbing thrown in.

Alpine touring equipment is similar to that of downhill skiing, and some people do use the same equipment for both. The biggest difference (and advantage) of alpine touring equipment is that it's typically much lighter and more flexible than the equipment you'd use on groomed trails (also known as "on-piste") -- it's easy to carry and won't sink into fresh snow. The heavier, stiffer, more traditional equipment works better on packed-down resort trails.

You can think of alpine touring skis -- also known as "randonnee" (French for "hike") -- as a blend of cross-country and downhill skis. Like cross-country skis, they leave your heels free for the walking motion required to climb the mountain. But when you're ready to ski, you can secure your heel to the ski with bindings. Alpine touring skis are shorter and wider than most other skis, for easier maneuverability (and so you don't sink in the snow). And alpine touring boots are lighter, more flexible and more comfortable than downhill boots. Alpine ski poles are longer than other poles, because they're also used as walking sticks. But they're made with carbon-fiber material, so they're still very light.

So you're on your skis, ready to skip the lift and hike the mountain (in ski-speak, that's called "earning your turns"). Your next question is probably: How do I hike a mountain in skis? This is where skins come in. They're strips of material that attach to the bottoms of your skis to increase traction during the ascent. In one direction, the skin is rough for a good grip, so you don't slide back down the mountain. In the reverse direction, it's smooth for sliding along the snow. So, when you get to the top, you peel them off, turn them around and restick them in the opposite direction for the ride down the mountain. They used to be made of real animal hide (hence the name), but now they're usually made of moleskin or a synthetic fabric. Skins are cut to fit the ski and are attached with a glue-like substance that allows you to remove and reattach them without leaving a residue.

On tougher parts of the climb -- especially early on, when skis are unusable because of snow melt -- skins might not be enough. So, you can wear snowshoes or attach crampons (spikes) to your ski boots. Crampons are also helpful when climbing especially steep slopes.

While this is the basic equipment for alpine touring, in the next section, we'll take a look at some safety equipment that may come in handy on the mountain.

You definitely won't be skiing the bunny slopes when you're alpine touring, so it always pays to be as safe as you can. Here are some emergency items that you might want to pack:

In the next section, we'll look at one of the most dangerous pitfalls for an alpine skier: avalanches.

Avalanches are a danger that all backcountry skiers must prepare for, and any quality alpine tour guide will require safety equipment in case you get caught in one. According to the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center, 24 people died in avalanches in the United States in 2006. About half of those were skiers and snowboarders [source: The Oregonian].

Alpine skiers have to be aware of avalanche danger because they're skiing in remote areas that aren't groomed or monitored. Trails that are managed by ski resorts or park services are considered safer, because these organizations use explosives to create "planned" mini-avalanches that prevent larger, surprise avalanches. Plus, they groom the snow so that it's more predictable and easier to navigate. In the backcountry, you don't have markers to guide you away from deceiving, snow-covered cliffs. Also, you won't have as ready access to emergency personnel, so you have to know how to survive on your own. It's key to have an experienced guide who knows the area and can lead groups through the more demanding and dangerous courses.

Monitoring weather conditions is one of the most important safety measures you can take to avoid getting caught in avalanche conditions. Warm weather can melt snow and ice, and refreezing can destabilize the new layer. These floating "slabs" can suddenly shift and cause an avalanche. Avalanches are especially dangerous for backcountry skiers because of the cliffs and ridges.

So, by waiting at least 24 to 48 hours after a big storm and avoiding areas where it looks like snow has recently fallen, alpine skiers can improve their chances of not being surprised by changes in the terrain.

The best way to avoid getting trapped in an avalanche is to ski with an experienced guide. The best way to survive an avalanche is to practice with emergency equipment until you can rescue someone, including yourself, without thinking. You won't have ski patrols nearby, so you'll have to be prepared enough to react quickly and effectively in an emergency.

Now that you know how to protect yourself, read on to begin planning your alpine skiing adventure.

If you want to go alpine touring, the Alps would seem an obvious starting point. And ski touring in Europe is, in fact, very popular. You can travel for a week or more through Switzerland or Italy, staying in mountain refuges along the way. But alpine touring is also popular in the United States. The Adirondacks in New York are considered a good place for beginners because the mountains have a gentler slope. Beginner trips can range from one to three days.

The best time to go depends on your level of expertise. "Corn snow," prevalent in the spring, is best for newbies because there's an upper "crust" that can support weight. Also for this reason, morning trips are safer, because the temperature hasn't had a chance to rise. Powder snow is popular with more experienced alpine skiers. Fresh, untouched powder requires quicker climbing so you don't sink, but the payoff is that it also allows more of a "floating" feeling as you ski. Powder, which is more prevalent in the dark, colder days of winter, is also more dangerous because light powder can disguise rocks, stumps and ice.

No matter where or when you choose to ski, the most important consideration should be who you're skiing with. Experienced instructors who know the terrain will be able to guide inexperienced skiers away from cliffs. For experienced alpine touring skiers, it's still advisable to go with a group of people you trust -- these people may be your first and only search-and-rescue group in the event of an accident or an avalanche.

Once you've mastered alpine touring, there are plenty of competitions in which you can show off your off-piste prowess. These events are especially popular in Europe, where more than 250 races were scheduled during the 2007-08 winter season. In the United States, alpine touring competitions are also becoming more popular. The United States Ski Mountaineering Association, for instance, sponsors a series of 12 races throughout the year [source: Hirschfeld].

To learn more about alpine touring, skiing and related topics, take a look at the links on the next page.