Top 3 Tips when Choosing Off-piste Skiing Gear

Exhilarating off piste skiing in the French Alps back country means you’re out there on your own, beyond the control and safety support of the ski resort. You may be primed to "expect the unexpected", but the best way to mitigate risks (and ensure that you’ll have a great day spent in the outdoors) is by choosing the right equipment long before you even arrive to stay at your catered chalet. Of course, you can rent it (and many a catered chalet may even have their own store of equipment), but for those who are seriously considering off-piste skiing, you should heed the following vital tips along with the most essential one – never hit the off piste ski trails on your own.

What to Wear

While backcountry skiing is not too far removed from regular snowy pursuits, you will certainly need to pay extra attention to what you don before you head out of your catered chalet. Pay special consideration when choosing your outfit to breathability and versatility for quick changeovers. The rule of thumb is to opt for lighter, hi tech clothing. (The pricier brands are worth the extra expense if they come with a lifetime warranty.) Choose socks with proven high insulation and excellent padding, such as a prestigious name like Bridgedale. For underwear and soft-shell pants, Patagonia generally exceeds expectations. For hardshell pants you can’t go wrong with Marmot’s full Gore-Tex make, with cleverly designed zips and waterproofing. For helmets, sunglasses, or even goggles, Smith may do the job beautifully. Of course, these are just a few recommendations – it pays to do your own research in this department.

Skis

The evolving technology involved in the construction of high-quality skis—especially those intended for backcountry skiing—is nothing short of jaw dropping. There is no shortage of innovation in this field, and the general direction ski manufacturers are taking is toward the creation of lighter equipment, while taking extra care not to compromise durability and performance. Having a superior pair of skis can have a tremendous impact on your confidence too. Personal choices as far as skis are concerned should always be toward the lighter makes—the lighter the skis, the better. However, the best way to know if a pair of skis is right for you is by testing them out and then seeing and ‘feeling’ which of the candidates serve like a natural part of your body. If actual testing is not possible, read the reviews, study the information, and even contact reviewers.

Backpack and Poles

The type of backpack (size, shape, make) really depends on what you intend to do, but still, as with other equipment, the wise choice leans toward the light ones. If you can find the lightest backpack out there, with enough capacity to allow you to carry everything you need without having to return to your catered chalet, then by all means get it, price tag notwithstanding. The bottom line is comfort: you don’t want to be thinking about your backpack when you’re gliding down the powder runs! In terms of poles, there have been many exciting developments in this area. With backcountry skiing, among the best poles are the collapsible ones—you will be grateful for the ability to collapse them when you’re hiking, for example. Collapsible poles can also be neatly tucked into your backpack or adjusted depending on the depth of the track.

Danielle Hodges is the Marketing Manager for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded holidays staying in a catered or self catered chalet in La Tania and other fantastic destinations. For a luxury or good-value skiing holiday and the best catered chalets call Ski Amis.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.