What Is Ski Touring?
Ski touring is a cross between Alpine downhill and cross-country skiing. Like cross-country skiing, you’re not reliant on chairlifts as you can walk (ski) up any mountain. Skins attach to the bottom of your skis that stop you from sliding backwards and provide enough traction to turn your skis into hiking machines. To help with walking, the heel of your boot lifts and they are typically more flexible than downhill ski boots.
However, once you get to the top, it’s back to downhill skiing. Your heel clips in, your skins come off and you’re ready to make stellar ‘S’ shaped turns as you go down the mountain.
Ski touring almost always happens in the backcountry and can extend over a longer period. Many ski tourers will spend the night on the mountain, so they’re ready to hit the slopes at sunrise.