Gear – Ski Touring
For purchasing gear online from the UK we recommend Facewest or Backcountry UK for ski and ski mountaineering gear.
For ski hire & gear in the Chamonix valley we recommend either Sportech or Namaste Sports in Argentiere.
Gear list for ski touring
List 1 – Provide your own or hire in UK or locally in destination. These are all essential items that you must have.
Ski Touring Boots (preferable to downhill boots – ski touring boots are usually warmer as they have a more relaxed fit, and also have a vibram sole which makes it easier for climbing). If you are thinking of buying and would like advice then feel free contact us. Generally I would recommend buying where you are going to be skiing.
Skis & Poles Either skis specifically designed for touring or a general freeride ski or all-mountain ski with a touring binding. If you are renting skis, aim for a ski with an underfoot width around 95-100mm if possible. Poles can be either telescopic or fixed length, but it’s helpful to have a grip on the shaft of the pole below the handle
Skins & Harscheisen The skins should fit neatly to the skis and you should check that they are a good fit when you hire them (the edges of the ski should only just be clear of the skins). Harscheisen are ski crampons – again make sure they fit correctly to your skis/bindings. (they are also often referred to as ‘couteaux’.)
Boot Crampons. If you are keen to buy ski touring crampons I’d recommend Blue Ice Harfang crampons which are super light and compact. They come in a full aluminium version or with a steel front piece.
Ice Axe (50-55cm-ish lightweight)A general mountaineering axe will do but they are normally made of steel and quite heavy. Aluminium lightweight axes specifically designed for ski touring will make a big difference to the weight of your bag and will do the job in most situations .
For all glacier tours you will need:
Harness Either a general mountaineering harness or a specific touring harness like the Petzl Tour or the Petzl Altitude, both of which are excellent harnesses
Crevasse Kit: The minimum kit is that each person has a sling and ice screw, plus a couple of screwgate carabiners. An (optional) full rescue kit includes: 2 Prusik loops (2 x 1.5m lengths of 6mm cord) , 1 x 22cm ice screw, ice threader, 240cm sling , Micro traction, pulley, Tibloc, 3m x 7mm cord, 4 lightweight screw gate carabiners, safety lanyard.
I also have a few harnesses and ice screws, and slings available to lend out.
List 2 – Items I can sometimes lend to you if you let me know beforehand
Transceiver. I have some BCA Tracker 2 transceivers available to lend out . They are basic but simple and effective to use. If you wish to buy your own then look at most recent triple antennae models from Ortovox or Barryvox
Shovel & Probe – Light modular aluminium shovel and 2.4m probe. There are some good deals on these if you are buying a transceiver, shovel and probe together a a full safety package.
List 3 – Clothing and Equipment.
Rucksack – Ideally it is best to have a proper ski pack. For day touring a 25-35L pack will be fine. For longer hut to hut tours then a 40-45L pack is more realistic/ essential. The main thing is that your pack is a simple sack with a good system for carrying skis (either “A” frame or strapped diagonally – I prefer the latter as it is quicker and easier). Definitely avoid sacks with side pockets or sacks that are bigger than 45L capacity. Many ski sacks have separate compartments for avalanche safety gear – which is a good idea too as it makes it easier and quicker to access in an emergency.
Shell Jacket & Pants – a good lightweight shell is best. Shell Pants should be very light as hopefully they will stay in the bag.
Spare warm layer – fleece or light synthetic insulated jacket or vest. This is not an item you expect to wear but an extra layer in case of emergencies / unexpected delays on the mountain.
Light clothing, thin layers, light colours etc – most people suffer from being too hot, ideally you need good “wicking” material and ideally not black!
Gloves – one thin pair (eg Powerstretch gloves )and one thick pair of warm gloves or mitts
Ski Goggles & Glacier Sunglasses (Cat 4)
Warm hat
Headtorch (light LED / maglite) should charged up and be carried always.
Sun Hat (good cover including the neck)
Factor 50 Sunblock for exposed skin and lips
Mapping . Either paper map and compass, and/or download offline mapping for the area you are visiting. Outdoor Active is a great app that covers most European and Scandinavian countries (Including UK OS Maps) for a subscription, or the free Gaia mapping app is also worth checking out as it seems to cover everywhere (but in slightly less detail).
Water Bottle 1.5 litre max
Personal first aid kit (plasters/headache pills etc)
Mobile phone, charger and battery pack. It is important that you carry your phone with you at all times (switched off in your bag) It is an important piece of safety equipment that you are expected to have with you.
A foil blanket, plastic bivi bag or Blizzard bag in the bottom of your rucksack is a small and light safety item for emergency situations, which is a useful back up to carry for any mountain activities.
Extra items for Alpine hut nights
Silk sleeping bag liner , toothbrush and paste, small travel towel , wet wipes, cash, Alpine club card, spare socks, cotton t shirt.
The main thing is that your bag is not too heavy, there will be a little group gear to share round on top of your personal stuff – which should be as lightweight as possible.
Reading material- for afternoons in huts!
Group kit to be shared around: 1st aid, tool kit, group shelter, ropes, gps, crevasse kit, spare skins etc…