Essential equipment for backcountry skiing! Also about the appeal and clothing

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Backcountry skiing involves skiing on natural mountain slopes that are not groomed like regular slopes.

As you continue skiing or snowboarding and start to understand the differences, you'll want to prioritize the quality of the snow when skiing, choosing areas with less packed snow, or going skiing the morning after a heavy snowfall.

If you care about the quality of the snow, you might want to try the backcountry, but since you'll be skiing in nature, outside of managed slopes, you'll need to make a lot of preparations.

So this time, we will explain in detail everything from basic understanding of backcountry skiing to the necessary equipment!

What is backcountry? A detailed explanation!

Backcountry skiing involves skiing on natural mountain slopes that are not covered in groomed snow like regular ski slopes, and has the following appeal:

• Enjoy powder snow
• Enjoy tree running
• You can freely ski on uncompacted snow
• There is also a trekking element, so you can enjoy nature to the fullest.

The appeal of backcountry skiing is the luxury of being able to ski on soft powder snow without being disturbed by anyone.

There is no background music like on the slopes, and the charm of this place is that you can experience the feeling of floating on clouds in the quiet nature.

However, if you ski off the slopes or completely off the mountain, you do so at your own risk, so you must be fully aware of the risks involved.

The dangerous side of the backcountry

In the backcountry, you need to be careful of the following points, and since there are dangers that could be life-threatening, it is important to be fully prepared.

• Sudden changes in the weather
• There is a risk of being caught in an avalanche
• Accidents caused by trees, rocks, etc.
• Extreme physical exhaustion and risk of hypothermia and frostbite
• On cloudy days, visibility is poor

The biggest danger is getting caught in a sudden change in snow, like an avalanche.

In particular, if you fall, you may get buried in the snow and be unable to get out.

Also, since you often have to hike up to higher altitudes than the slopes to ski, there is a risk of frostbite, dehydration, and hypothermia.

The best way to avoid these dangers is to have someone with sufficient experience accompany you, such as on a guided tour, to give you advice and ski with you several times.

It's also important to prepare the right equipment and tools to ensure safety!

As a preparation step, let's first check what items you will need.

Learn about the gear and tools you need for backcountry skiing

To be ready for the backcountry, you'll need more than just ski gear.

We will explain what you need for skiing and snowboarding.

In the case of skiing

• skis
• boots
• binding
• Stickers (anti-slip)
• Dedicated stock ring
• Zack

When skiing in the backcountry, it is essential to use boards designed for powder snow.

The recommended board to have as your first board is a "semi-fat" board with a center width of around 100mm.

Semi-fat boards are easy to handle and have excellent all-around capabilities, making them suitable for all types of backcountry snow.

By the way, fat skis with a width of 120mm or more have excellent floatation in deep powder, but they become difficult to control in harder conditions.

Be careful on windy, exposed slopes, as even if the surface looks powdery, it may be frozen solid.

You'll also need backcountry boots and bindings.

A feature of these boots is that they can be switched between ski mode, which is suitable for gliding and walking, and walk mode, which expands the range of movement of the boot's shin area.

The soles are made with Vibram soles that provide excellent grip when walking.

Unlike snowboard boots, ski boots have a hard outer material due to their structure, which means they are held in place by the boot itself.

Make sure to choose shoes that fit your feet well and are easy to walk in.

Similarly, the bindings are designed for backcountry skiing, as explained below.

The pole can be used in conjunction with the stock by replacing the stock ring with a larger one.

When hiking uphill, it is essential to have skins to prevent your skis from slipping.

The stickers are also known as "climbing skins" and are attached to the soles of the skis.

The materials used for the seals are nylon and mohair, and the preference varies depending on whether you prioritize grip or foot movement.

For beginners, nylon is generally recommended as it provides better grip.

The width of the stickers is adjusted so that they do not cover the edges of the skis, but in most cases the shop will be able to do this for you.

The adhesive method for the sole is divided into glue type and acrylic (silicone) based, but the glue type is the most common.

For snowboarding

• board
• Snowshoes (not necessary for splitboards, but snowboards are required instead)
• Stocks (it's good to have them when hiking up)
• A backpack (to carry your board)

Just like skiing, when it comes to snowboarding, be sure to choose a board designed for powder snow that is suitable for the backcountry.

Basically, a board for backcountry riding should have a shape that allows for good buoyancy.

Boards that are primarily used on the slopes tend to have long edges that come into contact with the snow and are shaped to make it easier to grip, but powder boards have a wide, long nose that keeps them constantly afloat in order to provide more floatation.

When hiking up, the basic style is to secure the board to a backpack, attach snowshoes to your boots, and walk using poles.

What they have in common

We recommend the following basic equipment for skiing and snowboarding:

• helmet
• headlights
• First aid kit
• Matches, lighters
• Spare winter clothes and underwear (wool is recommended), batteries
• GPS
• Map and compass (necessary even if you have GPS)
• Snacks and water
• Avalanche Beacon
• Probe (sonde stick)
• Portable shovel

Of these, the beacon, probe, and shovel are collectively called an "avalanche kit" or "avalanche safety kit."

A beacon is a portable radio device that uses radio frequencies to search for people buried in avalanches, a probe is a stick used to search for people buried in avalanches, and a shovel is used in avalanche rescues.

Among these, beacons are important items for helping each other.

If one of your teammates is caught in an avalanche, all of you can switch your beacon to receive mode to identify the source of the radio waves.

Once the location has been identified to a certain extent, the person most familiar with handling the device will need to use the beacon to identify the source of the signal, so training is essential to ensure proper coordination.

In temperatures below freezing, the batteries in your electronic devices will drain faster, so be sure to keep an eye on the remaining charge and remember to bring spare batteries.

As for first aid kits, it is a good idea to prepare sterilized soft gauze, triangular bandages, bandages of various sizes, bandages, tape, scissors, medicines, etc.

First aid kits containing basic items for outdoor use are also available for sale.

Foods that are quick to eat and high in calories are recommended.

These are essential tools for rescue, not just to save yourself, but to help those who are with you.

It is important to take courses and practice using it like an evacuation drill, rather than just using it haphazardly.

In addition to backcountry gear, check your clothing too!

In the backcountry, the clothing you wear underneath is also an important point.

Instead of going by helicopter or snowmobile, you will be hiking up on foot, so the biggest challenge will be dealing with sweat.

There are many types of snowwear that are highly waterproof and quick-drying, but while the emphasis is generally on keeping you warm, hiking on unfamiliar snow can use up a lot of energy and make you sweat a lot, so be careful.

Sweat cools the body rapidly when exposed to sub-zero temperatures, putting you at risk of hypothermia and frostbite.

What is the best clothing for backcountry skiing?

In the backcountry, the basic principle is to layer different types of clothing to prevent changes in your physical condition due to sweat.

First of all, it is preferable that the underwear (base layer) that comes into direct contact with the skin is highly absorbent and quick-drying, absorbing sweat and drying quickly.

Materials such as cotton and rayon are not recommended as they retain moisture and lower body temperature.

When it comes to socks that come into contact with your skin, make sure to use wool-based socks, which are also suitable for mountain climbing.

When choosing a mid-layer to wear between your underwear and outerwear, prioritize warmth, but depending on the intensity of your exercise, altitude, and the process, choose an insulation product that uses fleece for warmth or breathable padding to minimize sweat buildup.

Also, don't forget to bring a pair of thin gloves for hiking in addition to the ones you use for skiing.

Another way to prevent your body temperature from dropping during breaks is to wear a down jacket over your outer layer.

When it comes to backcountry adventures, it's important to understand nature and be well-prepared with the right equipment!

Backcountry skiing offers the ultimate experience of skiing on pristine snow, but it also means you must deal with any danger you may encounter on your own.

Therefore, it is essential to not only have the right gear but also be well prepared to use it.

It is important to understand that danger is always present, to make sure you have all the necessary items, and to train in advance when searching using a beacon.

Moving on snow is physically exhausting, and sweating profusely can cause your body to cool down, putting you at risk of hypothermia, so choosing the right clothing is important.

As an outdoor brand, Teton Bros. offers a variety of layers that are essential for the backcountry, including quick-drying and warm layers, as well as layers that are comfortable against the skin, so be sure to take advantage of them!