Ski Touring Efficiency: 10 Tips for Maximizing Efficiency in the Backcountry

Early Season Ski Touring on Metal Dome

Have you ever wondered how experienced ski tourers can travel so far and get so much skiing done in a single day? Ever read a trip report and been amazed at how much ground someone covered and thought to yourself how did they do that? Although fitness is a factor in how far and fast someone can travel in the backcountry, I would argue efficiency is just as important of a factor in what someone can accomplish in a day of ski touring. Every single stop you take throughout the day compounds: a stop to take a drink, have a snack, add or subtract a layer, etc. These all add up. 5 min here, 10 min there, all of these moments can easily add up to hours throughout your day. So here's a list of tips to keep you efficient on your ski tours so you can maximize the enjoyment out of your day. Tip 1. Pre-trip planning: Familiarize yourself with your route and current conditions. If you're showing up for a guided day of ski touring this can be as simple as knowing where to meet and when. Even if you are going for a guided day it can still be helpful to familiarize yourself with the area and the route. If you are going out with a group of friends making sure you have a plan and know where you are going, this will save significant time throughout the day when route decisions need to be made. Tip: Have backup plans, conditions change throughout the day or may be different than expected. Having a plan b, c, or even d can help you pivot quickly when needed and save valuable time.

Tip 2. Preparation:

Pack your bag the night before. I like to have my bag prepared as I will need it for the following day be systematic with your packing. Have a place in your pack for each part of your kit and know where everything goes so you can quickly and easily find it when you need it throughout the day. Prepare everything else you will need for the day that won't be in your day pack. This includes food/snacks you may want for the drive there and back, layers such as your shell's and mid layers you will want to put on before you start out but don't want in your day pack, and layers you would like to change into at the end of the day. Tip: This can go as far as putting skins on your ski's/splitboard and having your setup ready for uphill if you know you will be starting your day with skinning.

Tip 3. Time management:

Especially in early and mid winter when daylight hours are limited. Know how many hours of daylight you have in a day and make the most of them. Be on time. When your group makes a plan for a time to meet be on time or even better early. Show up prepared to get going. If you are doing lift accessed backcountry, know your most efficient route to access the backcountry (ie what chairlifts will you use and what time do they start spinning) and get in line at the appropriate time to be one of the first to get on the chair. Tip 4. Proper Layering:

Everyone has heard the statement. Be bold, start cold. When starting out skinning this typically holds true. Knowing that you will heat up very soon after you start skinning is a good thing to be aware of. Knowing the temps you are likely to see for the day and having a good layering system is a key part of your daily efficiency. Remember that stopping to layer up takes just as much time as stopping to layer down. Try to be prepared for the full range of temperature and energy exertion you are expecting for the entire day and plan ahead in terms of where your layers are packed if you expect to need them. Tip: On cold days I like to keep a puffy jacket easily accessible at the top of my pack. At each transition this is the first thing I put on before I start my transition to maintain any heat I have generated while moving. If I'm transitioning uphill I pack this layer away at the end of my transition. If travelling downhill I may pack it away or keep it on depending on how comfortable I have felt during my transition and expect to feel on the descent. Tip 5. Snacks:

Although it is nice to stop and take breaks throughout the day when needed and to enjoy the beautiful places we recreate. Taking additional/unnecessary breaks to fuel up when you need energy can significantly slow down your day. Have easily accessible snacks in pockets you can access while moving to keep your energy levels up on the go. Tip: If you're skinning too fast to snack, slow it down a little and walk at a pace you're comfortable snacking at. When finished with your snack kick it into high gear and catch up to whoever is breaking trail. Tip 6. Hydration:

Remember that water is one of the heaviest things you will put in your pack. Know yourself and how much you need for the day. Pack as much as you think you will require without over doing it. Arrive hydrated when starting your day. If you're like me you love your early morning coffee on the drive to go skiing. Just don't forget to also drink an appropriate amount of water to start your day hydrated. Personally I like to drink at least 500mL of water when I leave my car depending on how much I drank in the morning. Starting the day hydrated allows me to carry less throughout the day and lighten my pack. Tip: you can carry a thermos of hot water or tea and if you find you didn't pack enough water for the day you can add snow (make sure its clean) and use the heat stored in the water to increase the amount of water you have for the day. Tip 7. Transitions:

Be systematic with your transitions. Know your equipment. With so many different setups out there there are many intricacies between each. Get to know yours well and practice transitioning before you head out for the day. I like to complete my transition fully so I am ready for the next stage before taking a short break. This way I am always ready to get moving whenever the group is ready to go. Take advantage of this opportunity to grab anything you need/want from your pack. A quick sip of water every time you open your pack can reduce or eliminate the amount of times you need to stop and drink throughout the day. Refill your pocket snacks with more from your lunch and be ready to go. Tip 8. Pacing:

Even if your moving slower the fewer breaks you have to take throughout the day the more efficient your day will be overall. The amount of times I have been passed by fast moving groups only to over take them shortly after when they are catching there breath is staggering. This has a lot to do with your heart rate zones. The key is to stay in your aerobic zone (think conversational pace) so you can maintain this pace for the day without running out of energy. Short bursts into the anaerobic zone (generally unable to have a conversation) are fine but travelling in the anaerobic zone is not sustainable for a day of ski touring and you will run out of energy and need to stop at some point. Tip: this is where training comes in. Training properly can help you increase your aerobic capacity and aerobic endurance so that you can travel faster and for a longer duration while still maintaining an energy efficient heart rate. Tip 9. Efficient skinning techniques:

On the skin track, drag your skis don't lift them. Keep your head high and chest open especially as you fatigue. People have a tendency to slouch as they become tired and this contributes to a reduced lung capacity which in reduces your total capacity to absorb oxygen into the bloodstream. keep your head high and shoulders open. Maintain balance and poise especially in corners. The more balanced you can be the less your core and secondary muscles have to work to keep you moving. This can greatly reduce the amount of fatigue you accumulate throughout the day. Maximize your stride. The longer your stride the less total steps you will have to take throughout the day. Tip 10. Pack weight/Gear weight:

Like most things on this list this category improves with time and experience. Knowing what to bring, what is essential, and where to save weight increases efficiency in the backcountry. Especially if you are new to ski touring and might be one of the slower ones in the group leaving behind non-essential gear is critical to helping you keep up. Remember that the most critical weight is that on your feet as that is what is moving the most throughout the day. Lighter boots, skis and bindings make a huge difference to your ability to travel efficiently. Obviously try to find a balance with gear that still performs well on descents. Tip: Share the load, if you are struggling to keep up or notice someone else falling behind don't be afraid to re-distribute gear throughout the group. Ski touring is generally a group activity and we can only move as fast as the slowest member of the group.