SKI TOURING Bruce Goodlad

a Practical manual
eSSENTIAL kNOWLEDGE FOR off-piste, backcountry, ski tourers and ski mountaineers
 Liestal
Gossau St Gallen
Olten Wohlen Zurich Dornbirn
Delémont
Wattwil
Zofingen
Säntis Feldkirch Imst
Grenchen
Cham Arlberg Landeck
Herzogenbuchsee Bludenz Tunnel
Vaduz
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Lyss Luzern Glarus
Le Locle Schwyz Ischgl
Sumiswald Glärnisch Galtur
el Bern Pilatus
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eu Wildspitze
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de Münsingen Sarnen Chur
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La
Tödi Piz Buin Vent
Fribourg Davos
Titlis
Yverdon- Thunersee
les-Bains Brienzersee

Piz Medel
Niesen
Bulle Eiger Ste Gotthard Schlanders-Silandro
Tunnel
Lausanne
Jungfrau Rheinwaldhorn
L ac Lém Montreux Aletschhorn San
an Lötschberg
Tunnel Bernardino
Wildstrubel Tunnel
Brig
Wildhorn Cles
Sierre Visp
Les
Diablerets Sion M Disgrazia
Monthey Bellinzona
Locarno Sondrio Cima Brenta
Adamello
Martigny Verbier Weisshorn Morbegno
Cluses Bruson Domodóssola
Dom
Mt Buet Arolla Lago Lugano
Zermatt Lago di Como
Matterhorn Maggiore
Sallanches Intra
Gd St Bernard Monte Rosa Rovereto
Campo Riva del Garda
Chamonix Monastery Dei Fiori
Megève Tunnel du Lecco
Mont Blanc Darfo
Les Mont
Blanc Arona
Contamines Aosta Lago d’lseo
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Bergamo
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Borgosésia Gallarate Seregno Merate

Ga
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Gattinara
Gavardo
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Rhêmes-Notre-Dame Biella
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Pont Brescia
Gran Paradiso Treviglio
Ivréa Milano
Verona
Novara Magenta Orzinuovi
Santhià Villafranca di Verona
Cuorgnè Melegnano
Vercelli
Vigévano
Rivarolo Canavese Castelleone
ski
touring
Bruce Goodlad
First published 2015

Published in Great Britain 2015 by Pesda Press

Tan y Coed Canol
Ceunant
Caernarfon
Gwynedd
LL55 4RN

© Copyright 2015 Bruce Goodlad

ISBN: 978-1-906095-47-5

The Author asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publisher.

Maps by Bute Cartographic

Illustrations by George Manley

Printed and bound in Poland, www.hussarbooks.pl

 Acknowledgements

The techniques, skills and routes in this book have been gleaned from years
of sharing days out on skis in the mountains with friends and clients.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my wife Kate who took most of

the technical photographs and toiled late into the night battling with my
terrible grammar and spelling. I would also like to thank Mike Austin who
has helped review drafts, made valuable suggestions, then hung a rope
to be photographed. Mike and I first skied together over 20 years ago in
Antarctica and have been sharing great days out ever since. We have also
been developing and delivering American Avalanche Association courses to
the public in the Alps and Scotland.

Brian O’Connor has been a huge help with advice, suggestions and
comments.

I felt a chapter on ski technique was essential, and there was only one
person I wanted to work with; Alison Culshaw.

The avalanche chapter was one of the most difficult to write and I
took advice from many people. Mike and Brian were a massive help but I
would also like to thank Mark Charlton, who also helped with some of the
photography. Mark Diggins and Steve Jones, who I have had the honour
to work with at the European Avalanche School, have been very helpful
with advice.

4
 Brian Lazar and Tom Murphy from AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche
Research and Education) have generously allowed us to use some of their
descriptions of avalanche types and borrow some of their concepts and
ideas. They also very generously reviewed the avalanche chapter.

When it came to the photography Mike and Mark gave their time freely
to get in front of the camera, James Thacker very kindly spent time dangling
on a rope and Andy Perkins got behind the lens when Kate was unable to do
so as we had just had our son Finn.

I have to thank Franco at Pesda Press who has been as supportive and
understanding as I could ever dream was possible.

A final thinks to everyone not mentioned who contributed ideas and who
have shared great days in the mountain.

Photographs

Most of the photographs in the book have been taken by the author or
Kate Scott unless otherwise credited in the book. I would also like to thank
the following who have generously donated pictures. Mark Charlton, Mike
Austin, Alan Scowcroft, Bruce Duncan, Andy Perkins, Neil Stevenson, Andy
Teasdale, Rob Jarvis and John Dallinson.

5
 Bruce Goodlad
About the Authors

Bruce Goodlad has been an IFMGA guide since 2001 and worked as a
mountaineering instructor in the UK prior to that. He has guided on skis and
foot all over the world working from Antarctica in the south, to Greenland
in the north. He spends about 100 days a year guiding on skis. There is
nothing Bruce loves more than sharing his time in the mountains with like-
minded people. Bruce has a special interest in avalanche education and
works each year on a number of avalanche courses for professional and
recreational skiers.

This is the second book Bruce has written. The first was Alpine
Mountaineering – an introduction to alpine mountaineering techniques
and the routes to develop them on, also by Pesda Press. As the Technical
Director for the British Mountain Guides Bruce organises training for guides
and works on avalanche education as well as the ski and alpine courses.
Bruce is a professional member of the American Avalanche Association.

Alison Culshaw is a BASI level 4 ski instructor; she is also a BASI trainer
which involves teaching ski instructors. Alison comes from a background in
Scottish skiing and has raced at international level representing Scotland.
She is now based full time in the Alps where she runs her off-piste instruction
and coaching. As well as coaching and instructing Alison is a passionate ski
tourer and has explored mountains all over the world on skis. Alison has
spent many hours trying to iron out all of Bruce’s bad skiing habits!

6
Contents
Acknowledgements 4 Avalanches 107
About the Authors 6
avalanche types 109
Contents 7
how do we create an avalanche? 114
snow pack 116
Going Ski Touring 9 Human factors in avalanche
decision making 119
the scope of ski touring 11
Negotiating avalanche terrain 123
Ski touring – ski mountaineering, the
Avalanche forecasts 125
difference? 13
How to read an avalanche forecast 128
How good a skier do I need to be to tour? 15

Avalanche Rescue 139

Ski Touring Kit 17
Transceivers 140
The essentials 17
Companion rescue 142
Avalanche safety kit 30
Shovelling 146
Mountain kit 35
Managing a rescue 149
Personal kit 40
Multiple burials 150
Alternative ski/board kit 50
What to do if you are the victim 152
Packing your kit 52

Glacier Skiing 153

Downhill Skills by Alison Culshaw 53
Skiing downhill on a glacier 156
introduction 53
Skiing in ascent on a glacier 157
frequently asked questions 54
Using a rope on a glacier 157
How to cope with different snow
Crevasse rescue 163
conditions in the off-piste environment 61

Uphill Skills 69 Navigation on Skis 181

Navigation tools 182
SKINNING 69
Navigational skills 184
Ski Crampons 77
Navigation tactics 185
Transitions 84
Using GPS on skis 188
Moving uphill on foot 90
Skiing in bad visibility 189

Winter Weather 97
Planning a Ski Tour 191
Sources of weather information 98
Ski tours through the season 192
Before you go 99
Information gathering 193
Reading a weather forecast 100
Planning the tour 197
How to find the good snow 101
Food and drink on tour 203
Additional weather considerations 105
Altitude 204

7
 On Tour 207 Guidebook 227
The first day tour 208 Day tours 229
Your first hut-to-hut tour 210 Mont Blanc Massif 229
Verbier Val de Bagnes,
Grand St Bernard Hospice 240
When it All Goes Wrong 215 Hut-to-hut tours 245
Calling for help in the mountains 217 Silvretta Tour – Austria 245
Help the rescue team to find you 220 Ötztal tour – Austria 252
Working close to a helicopter 220 Haute Route – The High Level Route –
Chamonix to Zermatt 256
Waiting for rescue 221
Gran Paradiso – Benevolo 264
Self evacuation 223
Extra emergency kit 223

Appendices 270
appendix 1 – Variations on the Manuel
Genswein training module 270
Appendix 2 – Kit list 271
Appendix 3 – First aid kit 274
Appendix 4 – spares kit 275
appendix 5 – index 276

The Author and Publisher of this book would remind the reader that:

Ski touring and ski mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury
or death. People participating in these activities should be aware of and accept
these risks and be responsible for their own actions.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the content and instructions in this
book cover all aspects of personal safety skills and techniques required in ski
touring at beginner and up to intermediate level. The Author and Publisher
cannot accept any responsibility for any accident, injury, loss or damage
sustained whilst following any of the techniques described within.

If you feel that you need additional instruction in order to use this book then it is
advised that you employ a suitably qualified and experienced mountain guide.

8
 Downhill Skills

Downhill Skills
Alison Culshaw
Introduction

Alison Culshaw The key to skiing off-piste is to understand that it involves many different
demonstrates ways of skiing. Variable conditions mean that a variety of different techniques
great technique are needed. Off-piste can be anything from knee-deep powder to rock-hard
skiing in Bruson. ice and everything in between. They all require different techniques. Sadly
the vision of off-piste skiing always being light, fluffy powder is not a realistic
one. However, with the right skills all types of snow can be enjoyable. For
ski touring the aim is to have efficient and effective technique for the down-
hill sections so that energy levels can be maintained over long descents and
for skinning uphill.

This chapter answers some of the commonly asked questions about

skiing off-piste and then goes on to give some guidance for skiing in the
various snow types.

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SKI TOURING

Frequently asked questions

Most questions that are asked about off-piste skiing can be answered by,
“It depends”. The answer will depend on variables such as snow type, the
level of skier, speed of travel and the steepness of the slope. These are
questions that I commonly get asked that don’t always have definitive
answers. The answers given will get you thinking about what to do and
when. You will then have the ability to play around with different variables
depending on the conditions.

How far apart should my skis be?

“I have always been This will vary depending on the terrain and snow but a good guide is to
trying to keep my stand in the position that you find it easiest to balance in, without it being
feet close together too strenuous. There will be some compromise in achieving this. The most
in the off-piste. efficient position to stand in is how you would stand normally, without ski
When I tried putting boots on; with your feet hip-width apart. However when skiing off-piste this
them a little further position doesn’t always provide enough stability. It is easier to balance with
apart I discovered I your feet further apart (imagine a goal keeper and their dynamic stance) but
was more stable and this is strenuous. Does a goalkeeper stand like that for the whole match? If
more comfortable you stand with your feet close together it will be harder to balance when the
travelling faster.” terrain is uneven. When more stability is needed your feet should be further
apart. When you find the going easier (smooth sections, spring snow) the
feet can come closer together. The key is to adapt your stance throughout
the day in order to keep the strength in your legs for when you need it.

Narrow stance.

Wide stance.

54
 Downhill Skills

“I used to come home Where should my weight be – forward or back?

from skiing with red
shins. Now I realise Your weight should be centred over the middle of the ski so that subtle
that I was pressing adjustments can be made forward and back as needed. But where is the
too much on the front centre? A good reference point to stay centred on your skis is to be able
on my boot, rather to gently feel your shins touching the front of your boots, but also feel your
than resting on it and heel on the bottom of your boot. A common mistake is to have an image of
also feeling my heel a static skier when thinking of a skier that is in balance. Instead this image
pressing on the bottom should be a dynamic one with the skier moving as they respond to the
of my boot. My mantra terrain. Think of ‘balancing’ rather than ‘being balanced’. You will need to
is now ‘shin and heel’.” bend and stretch joints in order to remain centred as the terrain changes.

Top Tip

Increase your range of skills and become adaptable with them. Spend
time practising these skills on the piste too, so they can be applied
effectively when they are needed.

Where should my
weight be?

Maintain a good
central position.

Keep a good central

position as the terrain
becomes uneven.

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SKI TOURING

How do I keep my weight centred when my rucksack is pulling

me back?

Ideally the angle of your back should be the same as the angle of your lower
leg; tilted slightly forward. If you ski in a more upright position then you will
feel that your rucksack is pulling you back. This tilt is easier to maintain if
you engage your core muscles. It is also important that both legs flex (check
to see that it is not just your upper one). If your lower leg is straight when
you hit a bump you will get thrown backwards. You might get away with
this normally but you get away with very little with a rucksack on your back!

Good balance
with a rucksack on
and off-piste.

“I prefer to do longer
turns. For a long time
I tried keeping my
body facing down
the hill when doing
them. Once I let my Should the upper body face downhill?
body face where I
was going (across The upper body should face the direction of momentum. If travelling across
the slope) I instantly the slope then the body should face across the slope, for instance in longer
felt more stable turns. When doing shorter turns down the slope, for example in a narrow
and balanced.” couloir, and momentum is going down the slope, the body should also point
down the slope.

Body facing across

the slope.

Body facing down

the slope.

56
 Downhill Skills

How much weight should be on each ski?

“For years I have This will vary depending on the snow type, the shape of the turn, type of
thought I need to do ski and the steepness of the slope. Let’s think of two extremes. If you are
more with my inside pointing straight down a slope your weight will be split equally between the
ski. But by becoming two skis. If you are traversing across the slope you will have most of your
more balanced on weight on the lower ski. The further round the corner you come when turn-
my outside ski my ing the more balanced you should be on the outside (downhill) ski. Unless
inside ski is now taking a direct line, which might be the case in powder or slush, you should
able to do more!” be more dominant on the outside ski to stay in balance even if the weight is
split 51%, 49%. Skiers often ski further round the corner to reduce speed
(across, or up the slope). This is when it’s key to remember to stay balanced
over the outside ski. The body needs to be tilted over the outside ski to
balance on it.

Top Tip

Counting as you go round the turn can be an effective but simple way to
maintain a rhythm and ensure one turn links fluidly into the next.

Weight balanced
equally over both skis.

Weight balanced on
outside ski (yellow
line indicates tilt
in upper body).

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SKI TOURING

People say, “Edge more”. Is this correct?

Sometimes it can be, but on ice this can be a mistake. If you increase the
edge angle on ice you will push the skis out from underneath you and be
tilting them away from the point where the edge bites most. You need to
remain balanced over the top of them. Edging skis also causes the skis to
accelerate. If you require speed then use a large edge angle. A flatter ski is
better for turning without gathering so much speed. Try it – go across a slope
with minimal edge. Then increase the edge angle and feel the increase in
speed. Skiers often struggle to ski with less edge tilt. To ski with more edge
we allow our knees and hips to move away from the ski. To ski with less
edge keep the knees on top of the skis. Imagine that you don’t want anyone
to see the bases of your skis.

Small edge angle.

Flat ski.

Large edge angle.

Using a medium edge

angle for acceleration.

Is side slipping really skiing?

Yes, side slipping is a very important technique for travelling from A to B.

Advanced skiers often have to relearn side slipping in order to progress
further. When skiing on ice side slipping can be an integral part of linking one
turn into the next and slowing your speed.

It can be done smoothly and gracefully so that it feels like skiing.

Gradually release the edges of the skis so the skis become flatter and let
them drift sideways down the hill while they remain perpendicular to the
slope. If you find yourself drifting forwards then the tips need to be turned
further up the hill. If you find yourself drifting backwards the tips need to
be turned further down the hill. Practise side slipping in a straight line, and
diagonally forwards and backwards so that you can manoeuvre through all
types of terrain by side slipping.

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 Downhill Skills

Side slipping is also an essential skill for ski touring to allow you to travel on
terrain that you might not be able to otherwise. It would be a shame to miss
a six day ski tour because of a 20m section that you didn’t want to turn on.

Side slipping.

How far ahead do you look when skiing off-piste?

Normally the primary focus should be looking into the next turn, but the
wider field of vision will take in the terrain that is further ahead; very similar
to driving. Look too far ahead and connection with the skis and feet will be
lost. Look down too much and you’ll not see what is coming up. In poor
visibility or flat light the focus should change from what you can see to what
you can feel. Try to feel the terrain underneath your feet.

Looking ahead.

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SKI TOURING

I ski really well on-piste but struggle as soon as I get off-piste.

Why is this?

It’s normally a combination of three things: fitness; using only one tech-
nique; physiological issues that have arisen from the environment. Muscles
work much harder to keep balancing as you ski over uneven terrain than
they ever will do on the piste. Very specific fitness training is needed to
prepare the muscles for this. On the piste we tend to get very good at using
one technique. In the off-piste we need to get used to changing what we
do to adapt to the conditions. A good off-piste skier will be a versatile one.
Using positive mental imagery is a good way to help cope with challenging
situations. When you have completed a good turn, log it away so that it can
be replayed in the future.

What should I do if I need to turn in a small space, such as

before an obstacle?

“I always used to Imagine if you were going to park your car in a small space; you would
struggle with jump drive into it slowly. It is the same with turning in tight spaces; it needs
turns. I don’t need to be done slowly. The actual manoeuvre might be quick but the speed
to battle with them being carried at the time is slow. The trick is not to gather the speed in
anymore as now I the first place (see next page). Most people gather speed when they turn,
can pivot my skis it’s natural. Spend time practising small turns where you don’t pick up any
on the snow with speed. We rarely do this. As you’ll discover when practising these turns
far less effort.” you don’t get anywhere very fast! Remember, turning using a flatter ski will
mean you pick up less speed and having your skis on a large edge angle
will cause acceleration.

You’ll see people use a jump turn in this situation. In a jump turn you go
from facing one way to facing the other without picking up speed. With a bit
of practice the same thing can be achieved while keeping your skis on the
Smiling always helps. ground. This is far more efficient and less risky than a jump turn.

Top Tip

Skiers often struggle in off-piste

conditions because they do what
they have always done; only doing it
more aggressively or more passively
making it even more difficult. Rather
than do more or less remember to
do something different. If it’s not
working, change it.

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 Downhill Skills

How to turn without gathering speed

• Unweight the downhill ski.

• Flatten the skis so that as much of the base as possible is in contact with
the snow. Moving the hips over the skis will help to achieve this.

• Once the skis are flat they can be rotated 180 degrees to point the other
way. This rotation comes from both the hip and ankle joint.

• Using a strong pole plant will aid the flattening and rotation. Pole plant
towards the back of the bindings, to help keep the body pointing down
the hill (as shown in photo).

• Visualise the line on which the tips of the skis are going to rotate and aim
to turn your skis within a box the size of your skis.

It can be helpful to practise the movement without your skis on.

Turn initiation with

pole plant near
back of binding.

End of the turn.

How to cope with different snow conditions in

the off-piste environment

This section gives a few pointers that will assist in becoming more efficient
in changing snow types.

Before setting off it is helpful to be able to predict what the conditions

will be like. Then you can start thinking about the way in which you’ll need
to ski. For example, has the snow frozen overnight? When did it last snow?
Will lots of people have skied it already? How windy has it been?

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SKI TOURING

Deep powder

Powder will be enjoyed most if your skis float through it. This requires speed;
imagine a water skier. Speed is needed for the skis to float on the water. Try
and maintain speed around the turn; the snow will provide enough resistance
for you to feel comfortable with the speed if you take your own line.

• Increase the flex at the knee allowing your weight to come more over
the heels, but keep contact with the front of your boot to stop your
weight coming ‘back’. This will allow the tips of the skis to come out of
the snow whilst remaining in control of them. If taking a more direct line
then the weight will become more even over both skis.

• Using a strong pole plant will help to initiate the turn in powder.

• Although in powder we will still be balanced on the outside ski if turning

away from the fall line, we want to feel that we are ‘bouncing’ or pushing
Skiing powder. with both skis.

Good posture in powder.

62
 Downhill Skills

Chopped up powder

A wider stance can help maintain balance in this snow, but not so wide
that each ski travels through different snow. For example if one ski goes
through untracked powder, that ski will stall whilst the other ski accelerates.
Try and anticipate any change of speed caused by the uneven resistance of
the snow. Use bending and stretching of the legs to react to the change, as
opposed to flexing from the waist.

Engaging your core muscles will ensure that you can react to the changes
in terrain.

Similar to skiing in deep powder, turning with some speed will help the
skis to cut through the snow. This speed can be lost after the turn by turning
further up the hill. Then let the skis point down the slope and pick up speed
again before going into the next turn. Using a pole plant (down-slope of you)
will initiate an early edge change and help commit to the next turn. A small
jump to change the edges will help bring the skis to the surface if the snow
Skiing chopped powder. is really thick.

Bumps (moguls)

When ski touring, bumps are found more frequently than people think. They
will appear whenever it hasn’t snowed for a while in an area where many
skiers are funnelled into a narrow channel. A good example of this is on the
Vallée Blanche in Chamonix.

The technique used to ski bumps is the opposite from skiing in powder
and chopped up powder. Try and turn without gathering too much speed,
allowing control to be maintained throughout the bumps. Turn on, or near,
the top of the bump to give the skis space to pivot without applying too
much edge. Remember edging will cause the skis to accelerate in an arc.

63
SKI TOURING

Then slide down the back of the bump demonstrating another reason why
side slipping is important. From the top of the bump you will also get a view
of where to go next!

Visualise the line that you want to take through the bumps. When one
turn is finished a side slip can be used to get to the correct place for the
next turn. Using a side slip allows progression through the bumps without
gathering speed.

Top Tip

Using a snow plough is often an effective way to cope in difficult snow.

It can help reduce the risk of injury at the end of a long, hard day.

Turn on top of the bump.

64
 Downhill Skills

Spring snow

Spring snow is one of the most enjoyable types of snow to ski and skiers
rarely struggle on it. This is where all your piste skills can be applied. Stand
up tall, use a slightly narrower stance, and link smooth turns flowing from
one into the next. Alternatively you can go for a wider stance, increase the
edge angle and carve your way down it.

Ian Vokes spring snow

skiing in the Queyras.

Ice

Icy slopes will often be encountered first thing in the morning when de-
scending from a hut. It might be dark and your body will not be warmed up
so it’s worth gaining confidence on this type of snow. As with skiing bumps
the turns want to be done without gathering speed. This is achieved by
using a flatter ski.

If stood contemplating doing a turn then it’s probably not the place to do
one. That’s the time to side slip, making progress down the slope until you
feel comfortable to turn. Side slipping is a good thing!

Keep the downhill leg soft by keeping the knee flexed to reduce any
juddering from the ice. Have your arms wider apart to assist with balance.

65
SKI TOURING

Crust

Firstly try and keep the skis on the surface by being light and spreading your
weight equally between both feet. Imagine you are skiing on eggshells.

If you break through the crust your technique needs to change

dramatically. You then need to be aggressive to push the snow out of the
way as you go round the turn. Imagine that you are trying to disturb it,
break it up as much as possible and move it out your way. Often this is
easier to achieve by deliberately placing your uphill ski on its new edge to
form a triangle. This could be referred to as a snowplough or a stem, but
what’s important is the deliberate action of placing the ski on its new edge
to initiate the turn.

Using a little jump to change the edges of the skis can help start the turn,
as sometimes it is difficult to change the edges of the skis when under the
surface of the snow. To initiate the jump sink down and then spring up off
the snow, rather than trying to lift your skis up from the snow.

Lastly, downhill kick turns are your get out of jail free card for crust snow
conditions. They should be used at the point where you feel you can do
nothing to make your skis turn. Forcing a turn in that situation may cause
injury. However, downhill kick turns should be used with caution. If they are
carried out on a steep slope there is a serious risk of falling head first down
the slope. Keep them for the easy-angled slopes.

• Stand perpendicular to the slope.

• Turn your bottom ski around so that it is placed parallel to the uphill ski
with your boots as close together as possible.

• Transfer your weight so that you are balanced on the downhill ski.

• Now bring your top ski around.

Skiing crust. • Place poles out of the way, but so they assist with balance.

66
 Downhill Skills

Downhill kick turn. Slush

Photo – Andy Perkins.
The best techniques for slush are very similar to those needed for crust, as
the principle is the same; your skis are stuck under the snow and the snow
needs to be moved. A small jump can help to bring your skis to the surface
to change the edges. A wider stance will help with balancing when jumping
and initiating the edge change. Maintaining speed throughout the turn will
help the skis to glide through the slush. Similar to skiing in powder, you will
feel the weight come more over the heels, but ensure the shin is still in
contact with the front of the boot.

Steep and narrow

Although this is not a snow type it is something that skiers commonly ask
about. You can find all of the above snow types on steep and narrow slopes.
This is when the appropriate skills will need to be blended together. For
example, if the slope intimidates you then you should aim to turn without
gathering too much speed. However, if there is powder you might need a
little speed to allow your skis to float through the snow.

A common misconception is that jump turns need to be mastered for

skiing steep slopes. Sometimes you might find a small spring helpful to
initiate the turn or to get the skis to the surface, but jumping is a high risk
manoeuvre, not ideal for steep slopes.

Turning without gathering speed needs to be mastered. In places where

you might want to use jump turns there is usually a far more effective,

67
SKI TOURING

efficient and safe way to turn that gets exactly the same result, going from
pointing one way to pointing the other without picking up any speed. The
technique is the same as for turning in small spaces; pivot a flat ski.

If you have the ability to turn without gathering much speed you will feel
more confident on anything steep, icy, narrow, bumpy and in trees.

Top Tip

There’s no such thing as bad habits off-piste, only we need more habits.

Kate Scott skiing

the Couloir Banane,
La Grave.

68
SKI TOURING
a Pr ac tica l m a nua l

If you want to leave the confines of the piste, and Glacier skiing
explore the mountains and valleys beyond, then
this is the book for you. downhill skills

Everything you need to make the transition from

uphill skills
piste skiing to ski touring is here, from downhill
off-piste and uphill skills, to avalanche awareness. avalanches
All aspects are covered in detail, with clear
descriptions and stunning photos. ALPINE Routes
The first section of the book covers the knowledge
winter weather
and techniques required to travel beyond the
marked trail. The second part contains a selection
planning a ski tour
of Bruce’s favourite tours, in guidebook style, to
help you plan your own backcountry adventure.

ISBN 9781906095475

9 781906 095475