SAFE + LIGHT = EXPENSIVE. This sentence outlines the paradox of a low-risk day of touring. What a person has to pack in their backpack on a "real" ski tour - a quick evening ascent on the slopes with a headlamp is subject to different criteria - is considerable: airbag, shovel, probe, spare shirt, something warm for the descent and, last but not least, energy bars and enough drinks. Plastic bags with tubes are often built into the backpack for water. Many people find this too unhygienic, especially those who use electrolyte drinks instead of pure water fear mold. That's why there are now adapters that fit standardized PET caps and Sigg bottles. Or you can put the plastic bags in the freezer overnight. In any case, everything from the skis to the backpack and the equipment it contains has to be as light as possible. After all, how do winter sports enthusiasts get going? Usually sweating despite the cold. Ski touring has been experiencing a boom in the Alpine region for several years, which has taken on sometimes obtrusive dimensions in the mountains since the "lift-poor" Corona years. Even when the lifts were closed, the parking spaces were sometimes full with ski tourers. Not all newcomers were optimally equipped. We want to provide a brief overview to improve things. Because it is literally vital to invest in the appropriate safety equipment. Below you will find just a very small selection of tips.
While crampons are only necessary for serious summiteers, other products are essential for every ski tourer. To start with, there is a basic distinction: if you want to conquer altitude as quickly as possible, you will pay attention to weight. If you are primarily interested in enjoying powder, you will subordinate everything to safety and choose wider skis and footwear suitable for downhill skiing.
Shoes: Ski mountaineers who want to storm to the top as quickly as possible prefer completely different materials than powder freaks. They prefer light and very flexible materials. The downhill-oriented models with a flex of up to 130 are called "Freeride" or "Unlimited" at Nordica. There are lots of variations in between, for example for long-distance tours ("backcountry").
Ž Bindings: Some bindings look like typical alpine bindings, which only differ in the heels that can be removed for ascents. The ultra-light pin bindings, which require appropriate shoes, look delicate, but are surprisingly stable on descents.
Poles: A lot of know-how is now invested in the poles. They should be light and collapsible, but still have to withstand the strain of being used in the terrain.
Clothing: Light, warm, layered, weatherproof, sweat should be released to the outside. The famous jack of all trades.
' Skins: Start at around 100 euros. Only a little real fur (mohair), mostly microfiber. Usually glued to the base or increasingly using adhesion technology.
' Avalanche transceivers (LVS): Criteria are weight, battery life, handling, comprehensibility.
“Avalanche airbags have several technologies, cartridges are becoming less common for weight reasons, and blowers are becoming more common. The electronic LITRIC system is still new.
” Probe, shovel: Carrying an avalanche transceiver but not using these two items to rescue buried victims falls into the category of being a bad friend.
• LED lamp for night owls.