{"id":7359,"date":"2023-02-20T10:48:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T17:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/?p=7359"},"modified":"2024-12-13T10:18:02","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T17:18:02","slug":"planning-a-safe-backcountry-ski-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/planning-a-safe-backcountry-ski-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning a Safe Backcountry Ski Tour: Avalanche Awareness and Navigation Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Share this Post<\/p>

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

Planning a backcountry ski tour requires more than just picking a destination\u2014it\u2019s about managing risks, understanding avalanche hazards, and navigating with precision. This guide breaks down essential tour planning steps, from interpreting topographic maps and slope angles to incorporating avalanche forecasts and timing strategies. Whether you’re new to the backcountry or honing your skills, this article will help you create safer, smarter plans for winter adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tour planning, coupled with my own avalanche forecast, is my biggest risk mitigation tool. This process allows me the time to think without being encumbered by the distractions of backcountry travel: i.e. skiing is way too fun, 50mph winds, etc. With that said, tour planning takes time to learn how to do well, so make yourself comfortable. Let\u2019s dive into this lesson on avalanches and tour planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tour planning 101<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we dive into winter tour planning, you will need some familiarity with basic navigational tools. A \u2018topographic map\u2019 is a map depicting the landscape or topography of a given area. Learning how to read one is your first step<\/a>. Next, learning how to use both GPS and a compass<\/a> will allow you to figure out where you are when weather conditions are poor, or when you make a wrong turn. GPS apps on smartphones such as Gaia, Caltopo, or OnX, have become very functional and currently seem to be the tools of choice. Guidebooks can greatly shortcut many of the tools taught below but vary greatly in their availability and level of detail. Caveat emptor. Find one you like and get familiar with it. Tutorials can be found on most apps\u2019 websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019ve put in the time to learn how to read a topo map and determine your current location, your attention shifts toward the winter side of things. Snowy mountains present numerous hazards that are generally not an issue during the summer. Shorter days, colder temps, avalanches, and deep or firm snow all make planning a winter tour more difficult (and also more rewarding) than planning a summer hike. As with all new skills involving an element of risk, practice them in familiar places and snowpacks before exporting them to new spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Tour Planning Example on Teton Pass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a backcountry skier in the Tetons, there are few places more familiar than the top of Teton Pass. I\u2019ll use Teton Pass as an example but would encourage you to repeat this process on your own home turf. Here I use Caltopo screenshots but any map or mapping software should do the trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, pick out a tour you have done before. In this case, I\u2019m going to plan a tour to Edelweiss on Teton Pass. Draw your normal route in.<\/p>\n\n\n