The ski season is in full swing. However, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, or snowboarding can be a bit of a cliché for some adventurous souls. Let's shed some light on other adrenaline-fueled sports activities that will allow you to see the mountains from a different perspective.
Free as a bird with freeride skiing
If you are bored or annoyed by weaving between other skiers on a marked slope and you are a bit of a rebel at heart, freeride is made for you. Simply put, it is downhill skiing in free terrain, i.e., outside the groomed and commercially marked slopes. Freeride is primarily associated with the excitement you will undoubtedly feel when you head down the valley covered in fresh powder and mark it with your tracks first.
For this sport, besides a dose of courage and a desire for adventure, you also need specially adapted skis – they are significantly shorter with a sidecut different from what we are used to with carving skis, which have become the standard in recent years. However, there are also "hybrid" skis available, which are actually a cross between classic and freeride skis, making them ideal for those who want to enjoy a bit of both.
Skitouring – a higher level of cross-country skiing
Among visitors to the Alps and other high mountains, enthusiasm for another newly discovered discipline is spreading, namely skitouring or skialp. It is essentially mountain hiking on specially adapted skis (the bindings have undergone modifications, and climbing skins have been added). In addition, other equipment is needed – for example, ice axes or crampons, which the skialpinist attaches to their ski boots if they suddenly find themselves in terrain that cannot be conquered on skis.
The goal is to climb to a pre-selected peak and then ski down – most often again outside marked slopes, ideally in freshly fallen powder. The advantages this sport offers are clear as day – a good workout beneficial to our health and overloaded psyche, which you will immediately forget after discovering the pure beauty of the mountains at their peaks. It is simply an unforgettable experience that skiing down a crowded slope, to the top of which a cable car takes you, definitely cannot match.
Safety first!
However, do not embark on such adventures without prior preparation. It is ideal to complete one of the preparatory courses in advance, the offer of which has been constantly expanding recently due to increased demand.
Even with such training, you need to be a very good skier, and at the same time thoroughly study the terrain, weather development, and expected snow conditions. It is also worth having a specially adapted backpack – whether one that allows you to attach your skis to it and continue on foot, or directly a backpack with an avalanche airbag. Such a backpack will multiply your safety and chance of survival in the event of an avalanche. New generation airbag systems are also sufficiently light and compact, so they will not weigh you down too much on tours and trips. Moreover, they are very reliable and removable, so their purchase is definitely worth it.
And what else might come in handy? It is good to have a radio, whistle, or a beeping avalanche transceiver with you. Do not forget about regular hydration, which you can most conveniently ensure with a hydration bladder placed directly in the backpack in a special pocket. Besides that, it pays to bet on quality functional clothing that ensures sweat wicking and maintains your body's optimal temperature.
Are these sports disciplines new to you? Share with us in the comments what adrenaline experience attracts you!
Photo source: mammut.ch
