19 Sep Winter 24/25 Pre-Ski Season Primer!!
Fall is in the air and snow has fallen at higher elevations in the Sierra. For many, this is the time
of year we have been waiting for. Not for fall rock climbing (though that is fun too!) It means
backcountry ski season is just around the corner.
Remember this feeling?
Yeah, me too.
If you are like me and you found a passion for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, then
winter can’t get here quick enough. Skiing the backcountry comes with a lot of responsibility
but can be a rewarding departure from the powder chase inside the ski area. Now is the
perfect time to get your gear organized and check that everything is functioning properly and
make a plan to keep your snow skills sharp during the season.
The first thing to check is your beacon. Buy some new batteries and run it through a function
check and range check with your ski partner. While you are at it you can do some dryland
practice scenarios. Remember those from your last avalanche course? I thought so. It is really
important to practice regularly with your beacon. Next assemble your shovel and probe to
make sure everything goes together smoothly.
Caption: The trailhead is not the place to find out your beacon has a malfunction.
Making sure you touring gear is in good shape for the season is also an important step. For
skiers, pay attention to your bindings by make sure they are functioning properly in tour mode
and ski mode as well as they have made a solid connection to the ski. For splitboarders, make
sure your pucks and bindings have all the hardware and that it lined up properly and tightened
down. Using thread-lock is a good idea on all the hardware.
Skins should have been stored in a cool, dry place to help avoid degradation of the glue. Check
to make sure your skin carpet is in good shape and that your glue sticks without transferring to
the base of the ski. Ski poles are pretty straightforward. If you use poles that come in sections
then make sure the closures function properly and that the sections slide smoothly into place.
If you have any questions or concerns then take your gear into the local shop. They will be
psyched to see you are being proactive and getting your equipment ready to go.
You can find a list of common ski touring equipment below. You don’t necessarily need to have
everything on that list in your pack, but it is common to try and have all the essential gear
within your group.
As the season approaches it is important to start shifting your focus to the incoming snow and
snowpack. This can be difficult to think about in October, but there are snow and avalanche
workshops in many states and they tend to be scheduled from the middle of October through
November. Check with your local avalanche center for an event near you.
Another area of preparation that is a companion to turning on your snowpack brain is to look at
touring destinations. There is an excellent local guidebook to the Eastern Sierra by Nate
Greenberg: Backcountry Skiing California’s Eastern Sierra. This book has a lot of dream ski lines
in it and can be a good way to learn about the terrain. Using digital tools like Caltopo.com, On X
Backcountry and Google Earth are great additions to help you get a sense of the terrain. Better
yet, if you can hike through the terrain where you intend to ski in the fall, then it can give you a
good idea of how the terrain impacts the snow that will fall on it.
Another important part of your progression is to continue your education. Taking the next level
avalanche course, a rescue clinic and/or a 1-day refresher can be great ways to stay sharp
during the season. Sierra Mountain Guides offers these programs on their website:
https://sierramtnguides.com/avalanche-courses/
Planning is key. It is important to not only get excited about that ski trip you planned at the end
of last season for this coming February, but also to be responsible for your equipment and
education. We hope to see you out in the mountains soon.
Suggested Touring Gear
Winter clothing
Ski/Snowboard Jacket
Snow Pants
Thermal layers
Ski socks
Warm Hat
Warm Gloves
Thinner gloves for touring
Sun Glasses
Sunscreen
Snow Goggles
Touring Equipment
Backcountry Skis with Touring Bindings OR Splitboard and Bindings
with
Climbing Skins
and
Backcountry Ski or Snowboard Boots
OR
Ski Poles(3 section collapsible poles are better for splitboarders)
Backcountry Ski Pack
Condition Dependent Equipment
Ski Crampons
Ice Axe
Crampons
Harness
Helmet
Rope
Group Equipment
Plastic Scraper
Binding Tool
Block of Ski Wax
First Aid Kit
Satellite Communication Device
Rescue Shelter/Rescue Sled
Required Safety Equipment
Beacon
Shovel
Probe
*All of this equipment requires the knowledge and skill to use it properly.