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Ski touring

Ski touring (is also called ski de randonneé, ski mountaineering, and AT [alpine touring] or variants) is a kind of backcountry skiing (off-piste skiing) involving travelling over the winter landscape on skis under human power rather than athwart the use of ski lifts or snow vehicles.

This can be carried out in terrain ranging from perfectly flat to extremely steep. Duo to that, the skier's heels must be free to allow a natural walking motion while ascending and traversing. Ski touring is similar to hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering.

The equipment, that is used by ski touring is different from another type of skiing, for ski touring is necessary a special ski that enables the user to climb then descend slopes without the aid of ski lifts.

Ski touring Equipment

Touring Bindings

A touring binding has four main requirements:

A free heel for climbing, this can be locked down for the descent
Lightweight for climbing performance
Robustness
Automatic release to prevent injuries

The principal feature of touring binding is the freeheel for climbing and skins that attach to the base of skis. The free heel is to makes for fluid, walking like movements when climbing or traversing flat slopes

Touring Boots

Ski touring (or also called randonneé or boots) are designed shorter, lighter and more flexible than alpine ski boots. They will also feature a ski/walk position to give sufficient flex while climbing. Another feature is the sole of the boot, which is contoured rubber to give grip when walking around on hardpacked snow.

Touring Boots