HOW AND WHERE TO GO BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Advanced or expert ski enthusiasts often look for places to ski where they can go off piste or off the map. Many of them already know the destinations that are best, but most of us do not know how and where to go backcountry skiing. Many ski resorts have areas for people to off piste ski, but they have to have adequate signage warning about the dangers due to the risk of legal action and wrongful death lawsuits.
Backcountry skiing or "off piste" skiing is usually done on ungroomed, unpatrolled ski areas and there are many actual ski resorts that allow the more advanced skiers to engage in these daring downhill runs. Sometimes a helicopter is required to get to some of these more remote places, and this is known as heli skiing. If the thought of backcountry skiing interests you, then you should look into how and where to go back country skiing.
Generally, resorts or mountain areas that offer back country skiing are located in France, Normway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Austria, France, Germany and in some US ski resorts. Rules and regulations vary by area. Most resorts will post warning signs that skiers will be skiing out of bounds in unpatrolled areas if they ski past certain boundaries. Some resorts will ban skiers from returning and revoke their lift passes for skiing out of bounds, while others turn a blind eye to it.
If you are looking into how and where to go backcountry skiing, you should keep in mind that many of these areas are "off piste" for a reason. There are hazards such as rock slides, avalanche and tree wells and you may even be killed if you are not an experienced skier. Another thing to consider is that you may have to pay for your own rescue because you did not obey the rules.
People who know how and where to go backcountry skiing, in addition to being experienced, are prepared. They educate themselves on the dangers of avalanche, and they carry self-rescue equipment, take avalanche training and ski with experienced people.
Some of the best "off piste skiing" is heli skiing and it is a chance to experience pristine fresh powder and mind blowing drops from cliffs. It is not uncommon for heli skiers to have 2,000 meter vertical drops and land on trees. These groups of skiers can go to great expense to pay for a helicopter and guide who knows how and where to go backcountry skiing.
Some of the more popular ski resorts that allow backcountry skiing are Whistler Blackcomb in Vancouver, Canada, Chamonix Valley in France, Engelberg in Switzerland, Verbier in Switzerland, La Grave in France and Squaw Valley in the U.S.A.
Backcountry skiing can be exciting, but it can also be very dangerous. The best thing to keep in mind is that you should be fully prepared before you attempt off piste skiing. Make sure that you are with a group of people who are experienced, and always carry an avalanche rescue pack. If you know how and where to go backcountry skiing, then you probably have already equipped and prepared yourself.
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Backcountry skiing or "off piste" skiing is usually done on ungroomed, unpatrolled ski areas and there are many actual ski resorts that allow the more advanced skiers to engage in these daring downhill runs. Sometimes a helicopter is required to get to some of these more remote places, and this is known as heli skiing. If the thought of backcountry skiing interests you, then you should look into how and where to go back country skiing.
Generally, resorts or mountain areas that offer back country skiing are located in France, Normway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Austria, France, Germany and in some US ski resorts. Rules and regulations vary by area. Most resorts will post warning signs that skiers will be skiing out of bounds in unpatrolled areas if they ski past certain boundaries. Some resorts will ban skiers from returning and revoke their lift passes for skiing out of bounds, while others turn a blind eye to it.
If you are looking into how and where to go backcountry skiing, you should keep in mind that many of these areas are "off piste" for a reason. There are hazards such as rock slides, avalanche and tree wells and you may even be killed if you are not an experienced skier. Another thing to consider is that you may have to pay for your own rescue because you did not obey the rules.
People who know how and where to go backcountry skiing, in addition to being experienced, are prepared. They educate themselves on the dangers of avalanche, and they carry self-rescue equipment, take avalanche training and ski with experienced people.
Some of the best "off piste skiing" is heli skiing and it is a chance to experience pristine fresh powder and mind blowing drops from cliffs. It is not uncommon for heli skiers to have 2,000 meter vertical drops and land on trees. These groups of skiers can go to great expense to pay for a helicopter and guide who knows how and where to go backcountry skiing.
Some of the more popular ski resorts that allow backcountry skiing are Whistler Blackcomb in Vancouver, Canada, Chamonix Valley in France, Engelberg in Switzerland, Verbier in Switzerland, La Grave in France and Squaw Valley in the U.S.A.
Backcountry skiing can be exciting, but it can also be very dangerous. The best thing to keep in mind is that you should be fully prepared before you attempt off piste skiing. Make sure that you are with a group of people who are experienced, and always carry an avalanche rescue pack. If you know how and where to go backcountry skiing, then you probably have already equipped and prepared yourself.
>>> Next Ski Safety Article - Understanding Ski Trail Ratings
<<< Previous Ski Runs Article - The World's Longest Ski Runs