{"id":10429,"date":"2025-11-25T15:58:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T22:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/?p=10429"},"modified":"2025-11-25T15:58:22","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T22:58:22","slug":"the-ultimate-backcountry-preseason-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/the-ultimate-backcountry-preseason-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Backcountry Preseason Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Your season doesn\u2019t start with the first snowfall. It starts now.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The lull between summer and ski season might feel quiet, but for the prepared skier or splitboarder, it\u2019s one of the most important times of the year. This is when you lay the foundation for safer tours, smoother transitions, and bigger mileage once winter hits. From gear checks to fitness to avalanche education, this backcountry preseason checklist is your ultimate preseason tune-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skip it, and your first day out might be spent cursing failing skins or rusty legs. Nail it, and you\u2019ll be the one waiting at the top while your partners bootpack. Here\u2019s what to focus on before the flakes start flying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Inspect Your Gear Before <\/strong>Hitting the Skin Track<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Skis and Boards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Check bases for core shots, edge damage, and dried-out wax. Look for loose screws and stripped inserts. Give your bindings a full function test. If you have frame bindings, inspect the pivot points and heel lock mechanisms. If you use tech bindings, verify that heel pins are aligned and that toe pieces snap cleanly. For splitboarders, don\u2019t forget to check pucks, touring brackets, climbing wires, and interface wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Good climbing skins keep the tour on track.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Skins<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unroll your skins and see if the glue is still tacky. Look for bald spots, contamination, or delamination. Consider reglueing now, not mid-season when shops are busy. Also, check the plush since bald patches mean reduced grip. Inspect tip and tail hardware, and make sure your skin tail clips still hold tension. If your skins are in need of a reglue, you can bring them into the Voile Retail Store, or learn how to reglue them yourself here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avalanche Gear<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Swap in fresh batteries for your beacon, then run a self-check and range test with a partner. Practice toggling between send and search while wearing gloves. Check that your probe still locks out fully and quickly. If your shovel has a wood saw or multi-position handle, make sure it still operates smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boots<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pull your liners out and inspect for tears in the foam or cracked shells. Check for walk mode issues or loose rivets. Tighten your buckles and anything that seems loose. If you use an aftermarket footbed make sure it hasn\u2019t collapsed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outerwear and Accessories<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dig into your pack and rebuild your repair kit. Replace missing Voile Straps<\/a>. Refill your first aid kit. Inspect your poles, headlamp, helmet, goggle lenses, and backup layers. Also, check your outerwear for holes, broken zippers, and weak waterproofing. Luckily, outerwear is easily repairable and doesn’t always need to be replaced. Check out our field guide to gear repair<\/a> for a full breakdown on how to easily keep your outerwear functional<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Refresh (or Advance) Your Avalanche Education<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is arguably the most crucial part of the backcountry preseason checklist. While all of the other areas are important and can impact your safety in the mountains, avalanche education is of the utmost importance. New to backcountry skiing and want to know where to start? Check out the V-Team blog post, “Avalanche Advice for Backcountry Beginners<\/a>“. This is a great starting point for those looking to venture into the backcountry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with a Practice Session<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Go to a local beacon park and bury your beacon in a pack. Run timed single-burial and multi-burial drills solo and with partners. Practice probing and digging to full depth. If you\u2019re slow or rusty, take notes and improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a Formal Course<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t taken AIARE 1<\/a> and a rescue course yet, this is the year. Let’s say you have, consider a refresh on the rescue course or an AIARE 2. If you\u2019ve already done it all, consider signing up for a mentorship program or volunteering at an avalanche center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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p: Matt Zia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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p: Nadine Lehner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Review Online Education Resources<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is the next best thing to refreshing your avalanche education behind working with a professional. While this doesn’t supplement that experience, it can work great alongside it. There’s a wealth of valuable information from avalanche professionals out there online, including resources right here on the V-Team blog from our very own ambassadors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the blog post, “The Science of Slope Angles<\/a>“, from Aidan Goldie-Ahumada. This is a deep dive into slope angles and how they impact avalanche risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talk with Your Touring Partners<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Make sure your core group is on the same page about decision-making, emergency protocols, and communication. Set expectations early and revisit them often. Also, check out the V-Team blog post from Aaron Diamond on finding the perfect backcountry ski partner<\/a>. Make sure your partners check all of the boxes to ensure safe and fun days in the backcountry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Start Training Like It\u2019s January<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"fitness
p: David Callaway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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p: Elizabeth LeBlanc<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to go full athlete mode, but fall is the time to build your uphill engine. This can sometimes be the most frustrating part of the backcountry preseason checklist, but it can also be the most rewarding. For inspiration, check out our blog post<\/a> from Mark LeBlanc that’s focused on pre-season training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focus Areas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n