{"id":6990,"date":"2022-10-20T10:27:08","date_gmt":"2022-10-20T16:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/?p=6990"},"modified":"2022-10-20T11:06:52","modified_gmt":"2022-10-20T17:06:52","slug":"how-to-finally-plan-your-dream-ski-expedition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/how-to-finally-plan-your-dream-ski-expedition\/","title":{"rendered":"How to (finally) Plan Your Dream Ski Expedition."},"content":{"rendered":"

Share this Post<\/p>

<\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

V-Team ambassador Iain Kuo shares experience from previous ski expeditions to destinations around the globe that will help you execute in style, from the airport to the summit.<\/em> Here are Iain’s pro tips to help you plan your dream ski expedition.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been dreaming of high peaks in remote places, thirsting to take your skis to another continent, planning to spend weeks in a tent while pursuing that dream line, or working on stepping up to that intimidating high altitude objective, it\u2019s a bit more complicated than catching the bus to the ski resort. You may say to yourself, \u201cI\u2019m getting ready to ride lifts and shralp pow here in North America. Why should I be thinking about this now?\u201d The answer is twofold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Iain skiing powder in the Teton backcountry. Photo: Eric Balog.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Preparation Is Everything<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, if you really want to have a good (and safe) time, it\u2019ll require a lot<\/em><\/strong> of advance preparation. The time to lay the groundwork for your dream trip is now. Finding compatible and qualified teammates, picking dates that work for the whole team, acquiring permits, booking travel, building the requisite fitness, planning your route in a foreign zone, getting beta on a new snowpack, dialing in your gear and rope systems\u2026 the list goes on. Preparing for something you\u2019ve never done before and venturing out into the unknown is a lot of work. But a lot of fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second reason is a bit more sobering. With the way climate change is going, some of the snowfields, glaciers, peaks, and powder we fantasize about shredding just aren\u2019t going to be there down the road. There are already places I\u2019ve skied where I wouldn’t bother bringing skis again if I went back in the future. Unless you\u2019re living under a rock, you\u2019ve seen and probably felt the effects firsthand… (looking at you, denizens of Salt Lake).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Gaspar Navarrete skiing above a crevasse field in Ecuador. A worthwhile ski destination for now, but these glaciers are receding fast. Photo: Iain Kuo.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So, don\u2019t sleep on your ski dreams. With that said, here\u2019s how to deposit a truly unique backcountry experience into your lifetime memory bank. Let’s give you the tools to plan your dream ski expedition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Showing Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps the most important lesson I\u2019ve learned over years of trying to ski peaks and lines in far-off places is that showing up is the most important part<\/em><\/strong>. You must be present to capture those magic moments when conditions, weather, skill set, and fitness all line up. Otherwise, you\u2019ll be sitting on your couch watching someone else do it on Instagram. Yuck. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some tips on getting there:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n