Ski touring
Ski touring: the best offers in Romania — certified providers, gear included and transparent prices.
Difficulty
Moderate – Very advanced
Duration
A few hours to several days
Location
Mountain country, alpine routes and unprepared terrain
Season
Winter to spring, depending on the snow
What is ski touring?
Ski touring is a winter mountain activity that lets you move over snow both going up and coming down.
Purpose-built skis let you walk up a slope, using skins fitted temporarily to the base.
It opens up remote mountain country and views that ordinary skiers never reach.
It calls for navigation skills, a read of the snow conditions and a decent level of fitness.
Types of ski touring
Recreational ski touring
Moderate tours for taking in the mountain landscape.
Alpine ski touring
Technical routes in mountain country with a lot of height gain.
Backcountry skiing
Descents on natural ground, outside the prepared areas.
Winter expeditions
Tours of several days, with the full kit.
Ski touring courses
Training in the techniques of moving about and in mountain safety.
How a ski tour works
Planning the route
You go over the route, the weather, the snow and what the party can manage.
Getting the gear ready
The skis, the skins and the safety kit are all checked over.
The climb
You climb using the technique particular to ski touring.
Getting ready for the descent
The climbing gear comes off and the skis are set up for going down.
The descent
You come down on natural snow, riding to suit the ground.
Who is ski touring for?
Experienced skiers
They can carry their piste technique over onto natural ground.
Mountain lovers
They can get out into alpine landscapes and remote country.
People keen on adventure
They can take on varied routes and descents out in the wild.
Active people
It takes stamina for the climbs and the long stretches on the move.
People who photograph
It gets you to winter landscapes worth photographing.
Mountain groups
It can be done on organised tours with a guide.
Level of the experience
An introductory tour
Short routes on safe ground, to get used to the kit.
A mountain tour
Moderate climbs and descents on natural ground.
Alpine ski touring
Technical routes with exposure, big height gain and conditions that shift.
At a glance
The weather
The forecast is the first thing to look at before setting off.
Avalanche risk
Reading the snowpack is compulsory in alpine country.
Planning the route
The route has to be picked to suit the party and the state of the ground.
A mountain guide
On harder routes, going with a guide is worth it.
Physical preparation
The climbs ask for stamina and sustained effort.
Navigation
Knowing the map and using navigation tools both matter.
Gear
Touring skis
Skis built for both the climb and the descent.
Climbing skins
They let you go uphill without sliding back.
Touring bindings
They free the heel on the way up and lock it down for the descent.
Touring boots
They give you movement for walking and hold for the descent.
Adjustable poles
They help with balance and make the climb less work.
Avalanche kit
It covers the particular devices used in an emergency.
A mountain rucksack
It carries the extra kit you need.
Technical clothing
Thermal layers, plus protection from wind and wet.
Safety
Ski touring happens in mountain country, so it takes preparation, planning and a proper read of the risks.
Frequently asked questions about ski touring
It is worth having some basic skiing under your belt before moving on to touring.
Ski touring means getting yourself up under your own steam, and it opens up natural terrain.
They are strips fitted to the skis that let you move uphill.
On harder routes or in difficult conditions, an experienced guide is worth having.
It depends on the snow cover, the temperature and the state of the mountain.
Yes. The climbs mean sustained effort and stamina.
Exploring the mountain in winter, and pairing the climb with the pleasure of coming down on natural snow.