We sometimes talk about skimo, backcountry skiing, ski touring, high-altitude skiing or even alpine ski touring, but how do we find our way among all these terms? The majority of these expressions refer to alpine ski touring. Invented at the beginning of the 20th century, the sport was called high-altitude skiing at the time, because the equipment was used to connect Chamonix and Zermatt by a path that took in peaks and ridges. Today, alpine ski touring is used to explore the backcountry of several regions, but also to ski in many alpine ski mountains.

What exactly is alpine ski touring?

This sport consists of climbing mountains by our own means using a skin under our skis that we remove once at the summit before starting the descent. The boot has the particularity of being articulated for the ascent and the heel is free. On the descent, the heel will be fixed to the ski as in alpine skiing and the boot will be locked for more control.

For Quebec touring practitioners, we suggest lightweight skis ranging from 70 to 95 mm at the waist. This practice is generally done in an alpine mountain and the ascent routes are generally hardened. As its name suggests, this practice is done at a good intensity. It would therefore be paradoxical to add grams under the foot by taking a long and wide ski. We recommend choosing a ski approximately 10 cm shorter than the skier's height. At Le coureur nordique , this category is our specialty. We have a wide range of choices

Now let's move on to wide backcountry skis ( 95 to 105 mm at the waist) and the practice that goes with it. These skiers place great importance on the descent and are ready to work harder on the ascent. This ski will be the same size as the skier. A long ski is desirable regardless of the terrain and will allow you to better enjoy the descent.

If the ski has a pronounced rocker (progressive unrolling of the ski tip), the ski can be chosen according to the skier's height, because the part in contact with the snow will actually be smaller than the size of the ski. If the ski tips are less curved (like the Blizzard Zero G 95), it would be wise to choose a ski 5 cm shorter than your height to better enjoy the climb.

Remember that with each step, you will slide the ski and lift it briefly: on average 1.6 kg per foot (with the binding) for a versatile 170 cm ski, to which must be added the weight of the skin. The longer the ski, the heavier it will be. In Quebec , you must therefore opt for a light and versatile ski . Are you planning to go to Western Canada and are looking for a ski that will float on the powder? It is sometimes better to rent this type of ski than to drag it around all season without really enjoying it.

Since skimo is competition-oriented, the skier normally wears a lightweight, breathable and fitted outfit . The skier will also wear a lightweight helmet at all times, similar to a climbing helmet. The backpack used will be very light and will be used to carry food, water and a few pieces of clothing. The storage volume will vary between 15 and 20 L.

In touring, clothing varies according to weather conditions and your tolerance to cold. As the effort can fluctuate depending on the type of climb taken, the multi-layer system will be prioritized. The pants, for their part, will be worn throughout the outing, both uphill and downhill. The choice should therefore be oriented towards a ventilated model or one that has zippers to be able to let out the moisture on the way up and then be closed for the descent.

Here are some models of pants perfect for touring: Karpos Marmolada Pant, Karpos - Alagna Plus Evo Pant, Dynafit - TLT Touring Dynastretch Pant, Dynafit - Dynastretch Mercury Pants

For the top, it is recommended to climb light, in order to avoid getting soaked, and to put on another layer for the descent. Start your multi-layer with a merino or synthetic sweater. For the ascent, if it is cold, you can layer your first layer with a breathable jacket or a second layer. On a hot day, many will opt to go up directly in the first layer. For the descent, an insulated jacket or a shell can be added to give you an additional layer of warmth and protection against the wind.

Here are some models of coats specially adapted for alpine ski touring climbs: Karpos - Alagna Plus Evo Jacket, Karpos - Federa Jacket, Salomon - MTN Soft Shell Jacket

When you go alpine hiking, you will definitely need a backpack and a helmet for the descent. The alpine hiking bag offers several interesting features such as the possibility of installing your helmet on the outside, inserting a shovel and a probe as well as attaching your skis to your bag. There are also compartments to place a shovel and a probe when going off the beaten track.

In the backcountry, layering is also going to be your best friend. Since the climbs are often longer than in touring and you'll be further away from a place to take shelter if you get cold, it's best to bring spare layers and different thicknesses.

For the base layer , both upper and lower body, prioritize clothing that allows moisture to escape from your skin and dries quickly, such as merino wool or fleece.

For your mid-layer , you can use a warm synthetic sweater or a down jacket. You should always remove your down jacket for the ascent to keep it dry for the descent.

To complete your multi-layer system, a Gore-Tex or Pertex shell will be your best option.

As for pants, there are several options available to you. It is important to choose an option that breathes or offers the possibility of being ventilated with ventilation hatches.

• Plate fasteners

This option is the least expensive, because you can use it with an alpine ski boot. This binding is simply a plate on which an alpine ski binding is installed. It allows the heels to be free when climbing and fixed to the ski when descending. This option is heavier and it must be remembered that an alpine boot does not have a walking mode like an alpine ski touring boot. The ascent will not be the most comfortable. This binding tends to disappear in the face of the growing market of hybrid and tech bindings.

• Hybrid bindings

This option says it all, it is a hybrid between the plate binding and the tech binding. The front of the boot is on a toe pivot and the heel attaches like an alpine ski binding on the descent. It is heavier than the tech binding, but it is a good option for a skier who wants to combine alpine ski touring and resort skiing with the same equipment. You will however be limited in your choice of boots. In addition, boots compatible with a hybrid binding are heavier and offer a lower rotation amplitude. The Scarpa F1 and Fischer Transalp boots are excellent options compatible with this type of binding. Another variation is now available that gives you the same stability and safety on the descent, but lighter. This option is the ST Rotation from Dynafit.

• Tech bindings

This last option, but not least, is in our opinion the option to favor for lovers of ascent, long distance and backcountry. This type of binding offers great freedom of movement and it is lighter than the other two types. On the tech binding, the front of the boot is held on the tips and for the descent, the back will be fixed on two pins in a recess provided for this purpose on the boot. All alpine ski touring boots are compatible with tech bindings.