• Downhill gear
• Alpine Touring gear
• Snowboarding gear
• Avalanche kit
• Kit for steep ground
• Navigation kit
• Other kit

Skis (or a snowboard) are often useful for skiing backcountry. Clothes may also be useful. We advise you take them with you.

For a proper and fuller insight into necessary kit to take with you and how/when to use it, you should seek instruction from qualified instructors.

Downhill gear
Many skiers prefer to use downhill bindings when skiing steep terrain, for both its reliability and strength. Alpine Trekkers are adaptors which fit into a downhill binding to allow the skier to use them for uphill use when skinning. However, some people report these as being rather fiddly and unstable. They must also be removed at the top of each ascent. However, if you don't wish to invest in proper Alpine Touring bindings, and are only going to occasionally go touring (such as for access), they might be the right way to go.

If you use Alpine Trekking adaptors, skins will be required for your skis. However, if you don't think you'd use these enough to make the price of purchase worthwhile, then it may not be worth it. In spring, when most gullies get skied, there often isn't snow on lower slopes anyway to justify skinning. However, when there is cover they do have the benefit of not having to carry as much weight on your back, and provide an excellent (less tiring) way of moving quickly across snowy terrain. Some compromise, and use snow shoes.

Downhill boots can be worn all day with reasonable comfort - particularly if they have a 'walking mode'. They are compatible with the downhill bindings, and offer good support. If you have to walk any great distance, carrying light walking boots may be an idea.


Alpine Touring gear
Alpine Touring bindings have been advancing a lot recently, with the most popular at time of writing (2009) being the Fritschi Diamir range. However, while more convenient if you are doing a regular mixture of ascent/descent, they aren't as robust as the downhill binding and so are perhaps not as reliable for regular piste use, or for demanding backcountry terrain (such as gullies etc). A new Touring binding which is quickly gaining in popularity is the Marker Duke binding. This is essentially a binding that has the robustness and reliability of an alpine binding, but also has a function for Alpine Touring. The Marker Duke is a heavy binding, but is perhaps ideal for people who only wish to tour occasionally.

Skins will be required for your skis, and are made by a variety of companies.

Ski mountaineering boots are variable in comfort and support - comfort is essential, and the boot should be able to grip and support the ankle and lower leg in the normal skiing position. They cannot be used with downhill bindings, due to the rubber sole affecting the releasing mechanism. Many have commented that the precision of a downhill boot is lost when using a touring boot, due to less support and greater flex. While perhaps not so important in everyday situations, this may be of greater importance in a demanding backcountry situation such as on steep ground.


Snowboarding gear
Some use a split board to enable skinning uphill. However, it has been suggested that this structurally weakens the snowboard, so it may not be as robust for gully descents. As such, most prefer to use a normal snowboard, and just carry it. If you don't have a specially adapted rucksack, it fits nicely in the arm straps between your back and your rucksack.

Most snowboarders hike in their snowboarding boots, since they offer some flex, and a rubber sole providing grip. For really long walks, it might be an idea to carry a light walking boot. It is also known for some snowboarders to carry snow shoes.


Avalanche kit
Avalanche transceiver
Light avalanche shovel
Avalanche Probe


Kit for steep ground
Slings and ropes
Ice axe
Crampons (ski and boot)
Ice screws and other anchoring kit
Harness
Helmet


Navigation kit
Map - 1:50,000 or ideally 1:25,000
Compass
Altimetre


Other kit
Extra food
Spare clothing
Emergency bag
Head torch
Stove
Duct tape for repairs etc