Alpine Ski Touring

Whilst various types of ski can be used, touring is most commonly carried out using Telemark or adapted Alpine equipment. In order to climb uphill, skins (synthetic or mohair rather than the traditional sealskin) and sometimes harscheisen (ski crampons - also called couteau or cortelli) are used on the bottom of the ski to provide grip. Due to the use of skins, the uphill climbing part of a ski tour is usually called skinning.

When using Alpine skis, a special ski binding is used that allows the heel to be clipped down when skiing downhill, and allows it to be released when climbing. Special ski boots are also used, something of a cross between ski boot and a hiking boot, which are light and flexible enough to be comfortable to walk up in while still being stiff enough to provide good control when skiing down.

To ascend, the ski tourer puts on their skins and unclips their heel. The skins allow the ski to slide forwards but not backwards and so the ski tourer ascends by sliding first one foot forward and then the other. They typically choose a line that climbs at an angle of 20 degrees, doing so-called "kick turns" to change direction, much like hairpins in a mountain road. If the snow is particularly icy or hard then they may choose to clip on their ski crampons.

At the top of the mountain they remove their skins and locks down their heels. They then ski down as a normal skier would.