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10 Tips for Spring Backcountry Skiing

By Lou

1. When we take newcomers out backcountry skiing this time of year, what to wear is question number one. If you’re hiking for your turns, you will roast unless you use a good layering system.

Try a pair of simple “guide” style softshell pants for your legs. Look for pants made of fairly thin fabric (many such pants are intended more as a mid-winter garment, and may be too warm for spring). For layering if the weather turns, carry a pair of lighter weight hard-shell pants in your pack, (but don’t wear slick hard-shell nylon for steep skiing — see below).

Your torso is tougher to dress for uphill sweating. While cotton clothing is usually verboten in the backcountry, in spring weather a cotton t-shirt or button-down may be the only layer that’ll keep you cool and still protect your skin from the sun, pack abrasions and such.

If the weather turns nasty, be sure to strip your damp cotton before adding layers. Attempting to use ANY cotton clothing for warmth can be dangerous, since it extracts heat from your body if damp or wet (and backcountry clothing usually ends up damp).

An alternative to cotton is any acrylic or nylon type fabric. Shirts made from such tend to pass moisture better than cotton does, and will dry in moments if you hang them from your skis or a tree during a break — but they don’t keep you as cool and comfortable as good ‘ol cotton.

2. Beware the “slide for life.” Every spring we hear numerous stories of backcountry skiers taking terrifying and sometimes fatal sliding falls down steep mountain snow. I’ve witnessed a few such falls. It’s amazing how fast you accelerate, then start rag dolling with no chance of stopping. Many of these falls could be minimized or entirely prevented by clothing choice. While backcountry skiing on snow steeper than about 30 degrees, wear soft shell fabrics or wool garments, rather then slick nylon. Consider packing your crampons or rope on the outside of your pack, in such a way as to drag against the snow if you fall. And consider using a ski pole self-arrest grip such as the Black Diamond Whippet if you generally ski without falling, and do tackle steep terrain.

Equally important in preventing death falls: know your limits. If you can do “no-fall” skiing you’re qualified for steep terrain. If you fall occasionally, proceed with caution and dial back your expectations.

Check again tomorrow for more backcountry skiing tips.

Posted by Lou on March 12, 2005 | Filed Under Backcountry Skiing