Guided backcountry ski trip for beginners - Outdoor Norway

Backcountry Skiing, also known as Alpine Touring, involves skiing in unmarked, wild terrains beyond the boundaries of ski resorts. These areas, often secluded and untouched, demand lengthy uphill hikes to reach the summit of each slope. To navigate this terrain effectively, specialized tour bindings are essential. These bindings are designed to allow the heel to remain free while ascending, similar to a cross-country setup, and then securely lock in place for the downhill descent.

For navigating uphill, climbing skins are indispensable. These attach to the skis, preventing the skier from sliding backward during the ascent, a process commonly referred to as "skinning."

In the past, backcountry touring for snowboarders posed more challenges until the invention of the splitboard. These snowboards, equipped with specialized bindings and skins, can be separated into halves to facilitate an ascent on "skis" and then seamlessly rejoined for the descent.

Off-piste skiing typically occurs off the main groomed runs within ski resorts but still utilizes lifts for returning to the top after each run. Backcountry skiing stands apart as it unfolds entirely outside the confines of ski resorts, though occasionally, skiers might use a lift once to access the initial backcountry terrain.