off-piste

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Backcountry skiing near the Arlberg, Austria

Backcountry skiing is skiing in a sparsely inhabited rural region over ungroomed and unmarked slopes or pistes, including skiing in unmarked or unpatrolled areas either within the ski resort's boundaries (Sidecounty) or in the backcountry, frequently amongst trees ("glade skiing"), usually in pursuit of fresh fallen powder snow.

Unlike groomed cross-country and alpine skiing, the land and the snow pack are not monitored, patrolled, or maintained. Fixed mechanical means of ascent such as ski lift, funiculars, or trams are typically not present, but may be used to gain initial altitude when available.

Backcountry skiing, also known as ski touring or ski mountaineering, can involve single or multi-day trips through camping or the use of mountain huts.

Terminology

The terms "backcountry skiing", "randonnée", "ski touring", and "off-piste skiing" are often used interchangeably; however, "backcountry skiing" and "off-piste skiing" specify where the skiing occurs, while "ski touring", "ski mountaineering", "randonnée", and "extreme skiing" describe what type is being done.

There are three distinct areas were skiing occurs. Frontcountry, Sidecountry, and Backcountry.

Frontcountry refers to skiing within ski area boundaries where ski lifts and emergency services are close at hand.

Sidecountry is a newer term used to describe terrain that is outside of marked ski area boundaries, but is accessible from a ski lift.. Typically sidecountry can not be skied directly off of a chairlift like in the frontcountry, and requires the skier to hike, skin, or climb within the ski area boundaries to reach the start of the sidecountry area or to get out of the sidecountry area.

Backcountry refers to skiing in remote areas that are not within ski area boundaries. Emergency response and on hill features normally found at a ski resort are not found in backcountry terrain (ski patrol, marked ski runs, grooming, snowmaking, ski lifts, etc.). Because of this, having skills beyond that of just being a good skier is are necessary to ski and access backcountry terrain safely, including but not limited to; avalanche awareness, backcountry first aid, and winter camping skills. Backcountry terrain can be accessed in a number of ways, including hiking, skinning, snowmobiles, snowcats, and helicopters.

Heli skiing or cat skiing employ machinery to gain access to the backcountry and typically involve alpine skiing equipment rather than any form of ski touring gear since the skier is not required to gain elevation on their own.

Legality

In Europe and Canada off-piste skiing is generally permitted at ski resorts. In the United States off-piste skiing may or may not be; regulations vary by ski area. Many ski resorts prohibit it outright and some simply post warning signs that skiers are leaving the patrolled ski area boundaries.

Hazards

Backcountry skiing can be highly dangerous due to avalanche danger, exhaustion, and mountain weather. Other hazards include cliffs, rock fall and tree wells.

See also

• Skiing
• Ski touring
• Ski mountaineering
• Telemark skiing
• Haute Route
• Heliskiing
• Hazards of outdoor activities

External links

• Backcountry skiing at the Open Directory Project