| What it is | Skiing uphill under your own power |
| Uses | Free-heel touring bindings + climbing skins |
| For descents | Heel locks down to ski |
| Enables | Backcountry skiing away from lifts |
Ski touring is traveling uphill and across snow-covered terrain under your own power using specialized bindings that free the heel for climbing, then lock it down to ski descents — with climbing skins on the skis for traction going up. It’s the engine of backcountry skiing, letting skiers reach untracked terrain away from lifts.
Earning your turns
It relies on climbing skins and the technique of skinning, often on lightweight tech bindings — the way into backcountry skiing.
Frequently asked questions
What is ski touring?
Ski touring is using specialized 'alpine touring' gear to climb uphill on snow under your own power and then ski back down. The bindings let your heel lift freely for an efficient walking/climbing stride on the way up, and lock down for descents, while climbing skins on the ski bases grip the snow during the ascent.
What's the difference between ski touring and backcountry skiing?
Ski touring is the method — climbing under your own power with touring gear and skins — while backcountry skiing is the broader activity of skiing in unpatrolled, off-piste terrain. You typically ski tour to access backcountry descents, so the terms overlap, but touring specifically refers to the uphill travel technique.
What gear do you need for ski touring?
Touring skis, alpine touring (or tech) bindings that free the heel, touring boots with a walk mode, climbing skins, and adjustable poles, plus avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, probe) and training for any avalanche terrain. The setup is lighter and more flexible than resort alpine gear to make climbing efficient.
Sources
- Ski touring basics — The Mountaineers
- Backcountry travel — American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education