What is backcountry skiing? Explaining its appeal, precautions, and necessary equipment

Hello! We are Teton Bros., an outdoor brand.

Do you know the word "backcountry"?

Backcountry skiing and snowboarding is an activity that involves climbing natural snowy mountains and skiing or snowboarding.

It has a different charm to well-maintained courses at ski resorts!

Backcountry skiing allows you to enjoy powder snow and beautiful scenery in untouched nature, but it also comes with risks as you are dealing with nature.

This time, we will introduce the appeal and dangers of backcountry skiing, as well as the necessary equipment.

What is backcountry? Introducing the appeal of backcountry skiing

Backcountry refers to mountains outside areas developed for recreational use.

Backcountry skiing (snowboarding) takes place in areas where much of the natural environment remains untouched, and involves climbing the mountain on your own and enjoying the natural snow that is different from ski resorts.

The backcountry has many attractions but also dangers, so it's important to be aware of both.

First, let me introduce three of the attractions of backcountry skiing.

Glide on fluffy powder snow

The best part about backcountry skiing is the powder snow!

The snow at ski resorts is packed down, but the snow in the backcountry piles up naturally and is fluffy and full of air.

If the conditions, such as the snowfall from the previous day and the weather, are right, you can enjoy the sensation of flying while skiing.

One of the great things about backcountry skiing is being able to create your own tracks (traces left by sleds or skis) on the pristine snow.

Tree run where you glide through the trees

Of course, skiing down an open slope is fun, but the tree run through the trees is also an attraction.

The trees block the wind, making it easy for powder snow to stay on the ground.

Since this requires the skills to ski on powder snow and avoid trees, it is recommended that you gain some backcountry skiing experience on a guided tour before skiing.

A sense of accomplishment as you climb on your own while enjoying nature

At ski resorts, you generally use lifts and gondolas, but in the backcountry, you climb to your destination on your own.

Climbing a snowy mountain requires physical strength, but you'll feel a sense of accomplishment when you reach your destination.

In addition, the cold, clear air in winter allows you to see distant views, and on the mountaintops where temperatures are low, you can see the frost-covered trees that form when snow accumulates on the trees, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Backcountry skiing is very attractive, but because it is an activity done in nature, it can also be dangerous.

Below we will introduce some of the dangers and things to be aware of.

Backcountry skiing can be dangerous! Be sure to understand the precautions before attempting it.

Backcountry skiing takes place in the wild, so one wrong move can be life-threatening.

There is also the risk of life-threatening dangers such as avalanches and sudden changes in weather, and skiers and snowboarders get lost, injured, or killed in the backcountry every year.

Therefore, it is important to join a guided tour or go with someone who has a lot of experience in snowy mountains, and to acquire the necessary knowledge about backcountry activities beforehand.

So let's take a look at what kind of dangers there are and how to be careful of them.

Risk of being caught in an avalanche

The biggest thing to be careful of in the backcountry is avalanches.

It is generally said that avalanches are less likely to occur in tree zones and more likely to occur on the snow surface below ridges. However, it is important to remember that the risk of avalanches is not zero in any terrain, depending on conditions such as snowfall and wind.

Don't forget to carry an "avalanche kit (avalanche safety kit)" consisting of a beacon, shovel, and probe, as these are essential tools for saving lives.

It is also important to be aware that when traveling with others, you are entrusting each other with your lives.

Be sure to also carry a first aid kit in case you or your partner are injured.

Sudden changes in the weather

The weather is changeable on the mountain, especially in the high altitude areas known as "alpine areas."

Poor visibility due to dense fog or other factors can cause you to lose your sense of direction and miss your destination, or you may not be able to grasp the distance you have traveled, which can lead to fatigue accumulating and making you unable to move.

If you continue walking, you may end up in an area where there is a risk of falling off a cliff or other obstacle, so it is important to always keep an eye on the weather while hiking and make an early assessment of the situation.

If you cannot see, do not move unnecessarily and stay in a safe place until you can see.

It is wise to prioritize safety and turn back in bad weather.

Collisions with trees or rocks

Backcountry skiing involves skiing in ungroomed areas, so there is a risk of falling or colliding with trees or rocks without noticing their presence.

It is also important not to overestimate your skills and to always ski at a speed that allows you to avoid danger.

Risk of hypothermia and frostbite

If the weather suddenly changes and you are hit by wind, snow, or rain, seek shelter in a mountain hut or descend the mountain.

If bad weather forces you to stay still, you risk hypothermia and frostbite.

Backcountry skiing is essentially at your own risk, as you will be skiing off the slopes or on unmaintained trails, such as when skiing completely down the mountain.

If you get lost or have an accident, you will need to try to solve the problem yourself or contact local emergency services.

You may be charged for the cost of rescue, so be sure to take out mountain insurance.

Here's what you need to wear and what equipment to get started with backcountry skiing!

Backcountry skiing requires different equipment than regular skiing.

We will introduce what clothing and equipment you will need.

Backcountry skiing clothing

Unlike skiing on the slopes, backcountry skiing involves climbing up the mountain on your own, so you will likely sweat.

The basic principle of clothing is " layering ," which involves wearing multiple layers of clothing with different functions, to prevent sweat from cooling and affecting your physical condition.

Layering involves layering the following items:

• Base layer (underwear): It must be able to quickly remove sweat and other moisture from the skin surface, keeping it dry at all times.
  We recommend items that are highly absorbent and quick-drying. Cotton and rayon are not recommended as they retain moisture for long periods of time. We recommend wool, which does not cool the body even when wet, or a mix of wool and moisture-absorbing, quick-drying synthetic fibers.
  (Teton Bros. products include the MOB & AXIO series.)
• Middle layer: A layer worn between your underwear and outerwear.
  Its main function is to keep you warm, but depending on the intensity of your exercise, it can be divided into Active Warmth, which balances breathability and heat retention to prevent excessive overheating, and Static Warmth, which efficiently retains heat in low temperatures to prevent hypothermia.
  The former includes lightweight, warm fleece and breathable insulation products (such as Teton Bros.' Run with OCTA, Slick Hoody & PN, Wapiti Hoody, and Sub JKT), while the latter includes down and Primaloft (such as Teton Bros.' Hybrid Inner Down Hoody).
• Outer layer: Its main role is to provide protection (waterproofing, breathability, windproofing).
  We recommend choosing a product that has a water resistance of 10,000mm or more, which is considered completely waterproof, and that is breathable or highly breathable to avoid the risk of sweat accumulating inside the clothing and causing hypothermia.
  It's also durable and lightweight.
  (At Teton Bros, we place more importance on breathability, which starts ventilating the moment you put it on, rather than breathability, which starts ventilating only after a certain difference in temperature between the inside and outside occurs. We use materials that are completely waterproof yet have the world's highest level of breathability.)
  We recommend bright colors so that you can be easily found if you get lost.
• Pants: We recommend waterproof and breathable pants, just like your outerwear.
• Socks: Wool-based socks are recommended as they are also suitable for mountain climbing.
• Goggles and sunglasses: used to protect the eyes
• Down jacket, ski gloves, hat: for protection against the cold
• Gloves for hiking: Thin fleece or wool gloves are good, but since you'll be adjusting snow-covered boots and attaching and removing bindings, we recommend gloves that are thin and made of a material with some water-repellent properties.

Backcountry skiing equipment

Ski equipment

• Skis: It is generally recommended to use skis for powder. The wider the ski, the more power you can gain, but we recommend skis with a center of around 100mm for ease of handling and to handle a variety of snow conditions.
• Boots and bindings: For backcountry use, use boots and bindings with walk mode.
• Climbing skins: By attaching these to the ski base when hiking up, you can climb with your skis on, making it relatively easy to move around in deep snow.
• Dedicated stock ring (powder ring): If you replace it with a larger diameter one, you can use it in conjunction with poles, but it is better to choose poles that are also extendable so that you can adjust them to the appropriate length when traversing or climbing steep slopes.

Avalanche Kit (Avalanche Safety Kit)

Avalanche kits (avalanche safety kits) are used for rescue operations when caught in an avalanche.

• Avalanche beacon: A device used to search for buried people in the event of an avalanche. Normally, when the switch is on, it acts as a transmitter, and if the user is buried, a person on the snow can use their beacon as a receiver to search for the buried person. Don't forget to bring spare batteries.
• Probe: A foldable probe of approximately 3 meters used to search for people buried in an avalanche.
• Portable shovel: Used for searching for buried people, making snow caves for bivouacs, and making tables out of snow.

Take a proper training course to learn how to use it, and be sure to bring it with you when you go backcountry!

Other equipment

• Backpack (a backpack that can be used to attach skis or snowboards for backcountry use)
• Helmet, headlamp
• First aid kit
• Extra base layers and warm clothing (over-jacket) (Teton Bros. Hybrid Down Hoody or Hoback Prima Over Hoody)
• GPS, maps, and compass (carry one even if you have a GPS)
• Snacks and water
• Matches, lighters

Some items can be rented, so it's a good idea to check with the tour you're joining.

We also provide detailed information about equipment in " This is the essential equipment for backcountry skiing! Also includes information on its appeal and what to wear, " so please take a look!

Understand the appeal and dangers of backcountry skiing before taking on the challenge

Backcountry refers to activities that take place in the mountains and fields outside areas developed for leisure.

Backcountry skiing offers a different kind of enjoyment from regular skiing, as you can glide over fluffy powder snow and be captivated by the beautiful natural scenery.

However, since you are dealing with nature, there are life-threatening risks, and it is important to understand that accidents resulting in loss, injury, and death occur in the backcountry every year.

Backcountry skiing is entirely at your own risk, so it's important to join a guided tour, gain knowledge and experience, and take out mountain insurance.

When exploring the backcountry, be sure to carry appropriate clothing and equipment, especially an avalanche kit (avalanche safety kit) including an avalanche beacon, probe, and portable shovel!

Teton Bros. is an outdoor brand that offers a wide variety of items essential for the backcountry.

If you're thinking about starting backcountry skiing, be sure to check this out!