It doesn't take long before skiers want to leave the pistes of resorts, and begin making tentative turns through ungroomed areas between runs, through woods and under chairlifts. This initial taste of powder is usually enough to encourage skiers to start hunting out fresh snow away from the monotony of hard, rigid pistes an the monotony of motorway skiing. Indeed, most riders of any proficiency will hope for powder turns at some point of the day and for many, it will be their primary objective.

Gradually, we become more and more adventurous, traversing and hiking to access the goods and enjoying more and more adventurous descents. However, their comes a point where many of us are keen to explore even further than boot packing & hiking allows, and it is time to start ski touring.

Sadly, this can prove a barrier in people's progression due to them lacking both the necessary avalanche safety and backcountry knowledge as well as the correct equipment. It is not quite as simple as dipping into piste side powder and takes a more deliberate approach to become fully involved. However, for those that go for it – I have never heard any regrets. Touring opens up a whole new world – not only big, powder filled descents but also the joy of being out in the wilderness with your best mates away from resort queues, crowded pistes and dodgy one piece ski suits.

Safety First

The first step should be to begin acquiring the necessary avalanche safety and backcountry knowledge. Snow safety is a very complex subject and it can take years to become an “expert”. However, the complexity of the subject should not deter you form attempting to understand it, as any knowledge is better than none, so long as you realise your limitations. In Canada, the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) has a clearly marked progression of courses aimed at recreational users looking to develop their own understanding, right up to programmes tailored to professional snow forecasters. However, qualified International Federation Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA) guides all over the world have the knowledge and ability to provide avalanche safety courses and will be able to offer introductory courses as well as more advanced programmes as you become more competent yourself.

Another aspect of operating in the backcountry that should not be ignored, is to have some first aid experience. Out in the wilderness, the ski patrol hut is not at the end of the run, so a short course with a mountain/ winter environment focus is very useful in beginning to understand the potential risks.

The CAA Avalanche Skills Training Course Level 1 (AST 1) or international equivalent is a 2 day course covering both theory and practical skills regarding avalanche safety and mountain knowledge. It focuses on the ability to recognise and avoid avalanche terrain and how to effectively rescue a member of your group in an avalanche situation. You will learn about:

• Recognising and avoiding avalanche hazards
• Terrain evaluation
• Snow pack structure analysis
• Safe route selection
• Weather study
• Avalanche rescue techniques including the use of transceivers and other safety equipment.
• "Avalulator" programme for decision making support

It should be stated that just by attending a course of this nature does not make you an expert in operating in the backcountry as this takes years of study and experience. What the AST-1 avalanche course does do, is give people an insight and the direction to go on and learn more if they wish. Upon completing an introductory course, I feel it is of equal importance to go for a significant tour led by a guide. This will allow you to further your understanding and also provide the opportunity to get to grips with using new equipment.

Touring Equipment

Safety Equipment: First and foremost, you're going to need safety equipment. At the very least this needs to include a transceiver, a shovel and a probe. When you get the transceiver – practice with it. Your guide on your avalanche safety course will teach you the basics, but practice is critical. There are various manufacturers in the market place, with Ortovox being the largest producer. There are both analog and digital ones available. The general consensus is that the older analog transceivers have a longer range and work very well if used properly, whereas the newer, digital models are more user friendly and easier to understand.

Shovels and probes are pretty self explanatory but make sure you don't sell your mates short by buying a tiny, poor quality spade because it was easier to fit in you pack. Ortovox and Black Diamond make high quality shovels and probes.

Ski Hardware: The other requirement is your actual ski equipment. Although it is possible to buy out and out touring skis, boots and bindings that are very lightweight and easy to climb with, they do represent a significant compromise in downhill performance. If you are touring in order to access deep snow, backcountry booters and big descents then you're still going to want some pretty solid hardware to enjoy the ride. Thankfully, great strides have been made in equipment made for this exact purpose making a 1 quiver rig for both backcountry and resort a perfectly realistic option. Many ski companies are now making equipment aimed squarely at this free ride/ touring market.

Bindings: The most important thing to get right is the binding. Touring bindings are not to be confused with telemark or cross country ones. They give you the facility to release the heel piece so you can walk and climb with your skis on, before changing into normal, alpine style bindings for the descent. These types of bindings are now reliable and burly by anyone's standard. Three of the most popular options are the Fritschi Diamir Freeride Plus, the Naxo 21 and new for this season the Marker Duke. The Fritschis and the Naxos are generally pretty well received with few reliability issues, although they cannot claim to be to absolutely everybody's satisfaction. The new Dukes do seem to have raised the bar with a DIN of 16 and certainly appear to be the burliest of the lot. One disadvantage of the Duke is that you are unable to switch from tour to ski mode without taking your ski off – not ideal when on exposed terrain. However, this may be a small price to pay for the security of this beefier binding. Time will tell if there are any durability issues, but initial assessments look good.

Climbing Skins: Climbing skins are attached to the underside of your skis during the climb or traverse. They used to be manufactured out of seal pelts but are now made of nylon and comprised of tiny hairs all pointing in the same direction. This gives you the ability to grip the slope even with downward pressure.

Touring Boots: For shorter day tours, normal alpine boots are definitely usable and many skiers continue to access sidecountry areas with stiff race boots. This is workable for most people. If, though, you wish to venture further and access more technical terrain, a specific touring boot is preferable. They will prove far more comfortable and having a vibram sole will undoubtedly give you a more secure feeling when scrambling over exposed, rocky ridges. Thankfully, like touring bindings, boots have really developed in recent years with companies (specifically Garmont and Scarpa) making stiff, downhill focused boots with a touring element.

Skis: Any freeride, all mountain ski is suitable for touring. Obviously the lighter the ski is, the easier it will be during the uphill slog but most people like to maintain a fairly wide, powder tool to really enjoy the down.

Armed with the right equipment, and more importantly the right knowledge, the backcountry offers another level of skiing. It's another world out there with endless options, regardless of what you're looking for. Keep learning, stay safe and enjoy the best skiing of your life.