The equipment you need for a ski tour

Before we get started, it is important to mention that the products presented here and the recommendations are only intended to provide an initial insight. Particularly when it comes to the skis, the ski boots and bindings, it is very important that what you choose suits your personal needs. It is therefore highly recommended that you come by and visit one of the Transa branches for detailed advice. You should also be sure to cover the safety issues in detail before your first ski tour and take a relevant course.

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Touring skis

Ensuring that you choose the right touring skis first and foremost depends on what you want to do with them: if you are focussed on climbing, then weight will have a bigger impact for you than if you were simply focussed on having the best performance when going downhill. In addition to the weight, the length and width have to match your skiing style and experience with various types of snow. The Black Crows Camox Freebird model has a relatively wide range of applications – in other words, it is a good all-rounder.

Ski boots

When it comes to ski boots, the most important thing is that they fit your feet – in other words, they are the right width, length and shape. Many beginners tend to buy ski boots which are too big – good advice and trying on lots of different models is the only thing which helps here. Ski boots for ski touring are different from on-piste ski boots in that they have a ‘walking function’, meaning that you have additional flexibility in the upper when climbing. Another key benefit is the ‘hardness’ (flex) of the ski boots. Soft boots are usually more comfortable, but therefore transmit less force directly to the skis. Soft ski boots are more suitable for lightweight skis and heavier ski boots are more suitable for heavier skis. It is important to note that the ski boots must match your bindings and skis – for example, for pin bindings you need ski boots with corresponding inserts. If it’s a good match for you, the Scarpa Gea provides a good compromise between performance and comfort – both while climbing and descending.

Bindings

Many fans of ski touring swear on pin bindings, where two pins on the toe piece engage in the corresponding holes on the ski boot. Touring bindings also have ‘climbing aids’ that make it easier to climb steep terrain. The bindings can also be switched between climbing and downhill mode. There are also models that are designed more for climbing and those that are more for downhill skiing. Compared with on-piste ski bindings, touring bindings are significantly more complex – so you should make sure you are familiar with how to use them beforehand. An easy-to-use binding is recommended for beginners. Vipec Evo 12 from Fritschi is easy to use and provides a simple introduction into the world of bindings.

Skins

Skins (of the right length) must first be tailored to match your skis. Having a skin that is good for climbing is a good idea for beginners. The Pomoca Free Pro 2.0 skins do not need a cover net to be stored in your backpack for the descent once you have completed the climb. They can be easily stuck together and are simple to separate afterwards – something which makes them much easier to handle.

Ski touring safety equipment

Anyone who wants to leave the secured slopes and set out on an off-piste ski tour should be sure to take the appropriate safety equipment – in other words, an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. The avalanche transceiver can be used to locate other people (who also have a switched-on avalanche transceiver) who were buried by an avalanche. You need a probe and shovel to locate the person precisely and to dig them out. An in-depth avalanche course, for example at the Höhenfieber mountaineering school, is recommended before your first ski tour. It is essential that you regularly practise how to quickly operate the avalanche transceiver (which is worn as close to your body as possible under your clothing during the ski tour) and how to use the shovel and probe. When choosing the avalanche transceiver, you should select a model that you find intuitive to use. Tip: make sure that the shovel fits in your backpack. One example of a safety set is the Mammut Barryvox Package Light.