ski touring
Uphill snow travel
Ski touring is cross-country skiing through backcountry terrain, typically involving ascents and descents rather than groomed trails.
The skis are designed to climb with removable skins and descend with a free heel, bridging Nordic and alpine techniques.
We spent the weekend ski touring in the Rockies.
Also called backcountry skiing or ski mountaineering, though purists distinguish between them.
Organized exploratory journey
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- solitudeState of being alone
- dawn patrolEarly-morning military or surf outing
remote · untracked · pristine · journey · challenge · freedom · immersion · self-reliance
Sparsely populated wilderness areas
- off-pisteOutside designated ski trails
- couloirSteep mountain gully
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
glacier · cornice · serac · crevasse · slopes · alpine · peak · elevation
Outer animal coverings
- bindingsThings that secure together
- beaconGuiding light source
- transceiverDual-function communication device
- shovelTool for moving earth
probe · poles · goggles · helmet · crampons · ice axe · pack · gaiters
Rapid mountain snow collapse
- beaconGuiding light source
- rescueSave from harm
- partnerOne who shares activity
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
snowpack · stability · slope angle · burial · airbag · decision-making · turnaround · exposure
Fine dry particles
slab · facets · settlement · isothermal · breakable · tracked · untracked · conditions
Removing outer covering
- transitionsMovements between states
- glideMove with effortless continuity
- strideExtended single footstep
- herringboneV-shaped diagonal weave
sidestep · switchbacks · pacing · rhythm · technique · descending · carving · telemark
Capacity for sustained effort
- fitnessGood physical shape
- cardiovascularOf heart and blood vessels
- exertionVigorous physical effort
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
hydration · nutrition · pacing · conditioning · training · uphill · lung capacity · effort
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- solitudeState of being alone
dawn patrol · remote · untracked · pristine · journey · challenge · freedom · immersion · self-reliance
backcountry
Sparsely populated wilderness areas
summit · glacier · cornice · serac · crevasse · slopes · alpine · peak · elevation · altitude
skins
Outer animal coverings
- bindingsThings that secure together
- beaconGuiding light source
- transceiverDual-function communication device
shovel · probe · poles · goggles · helmet · crampons · ice axe · pack · gaiters · layers
avalanche
Rapid mountain snow collapse
forecast · snowpack · stability · slope angle · burial · airbag · decision-making · turnaround · exposure · whiteout
powder
Fine dry particles
firm · slab · facets · settlement · isothermal · breakable · tracked · untracked · conditions · snowfall
skinning
Removing outer covering
- transitionsMovements between states
- glideMove with effortless continuity
- strideExtended single footstep
herringbone · sidestep · switchbacks · pacing · rhythm · technique · descending · carving · telemark · parallel
stamina
Capacity for sustained effort
- fitnessGood physical shape
- cardiovascularOf heart and blood vessels
- exertionVigorous physical effort
fatigue · hydration · nutrition · pacing · conditioning · training · uphill · lung capacity · effort · energy management
- outdoor activitieshiking, kayak rental, biking, camping, camping trip
- outdoor recreationhiking, camping, fishing, swimming, biking
- skiingchairlift, chairlifts, gondola, gondolas, poles
- human-powered transportcycling, biking, walking, running, skateboarding
- mountain sportssnowboarding, mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, slalom
- Mountain Tourismcable car, chairlift, chalet, gondola, lodge
ski touringdownhill skiing
Snow sport descending slopes
heli-skiing · alpine skiing · helicopter skiing · ski resort
touring, ski, skiing, skis, skied, skier, skiers, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing