What Is Backcountry Skiing?

Backcountry Skiing.

Okay, so you’ve heard of skiing. You’ve even heard of cross-country skiing. But backcountry skiing?

As it turns out, the term isn’t very complicated. You see, backcountry skiing simply refers to a less-regulated form of skiing in which people go out into more wild areas and ski in unmarked areas. In essence, people are simply downhill skiing in the backcountry. But how exactly is this done, where is it popular, and what are the laws on the books regulating backcountry skiing?

First, you’re a backcountry skier simply by using backcountry – or unpatrolled, unmarked land – to downhill ski. If you’ve ever been skiing on a private hill, there’s an argument to be made that you’ve gone backcountry skiing before. But since many of us only go skiing when there are regulated slopes available, we’re not really familiar with what backcountry skiing really entails.

Some people actively pursue backcountry skiing. If you’ve heard of cat skiing or heli skiing, then you know that many people like to pursue skiing “outside the box” and enjoy taking more risks. Backcountry skiing is typically associated with handling your own uphill travel – unless you can afford your own ski lift.

Backcountry skiing is popular around the United States and Europe – here in the U.S., we call it backcountry skiing, but other terms you might find internationally include “off-piste skiing,” “ski touring,” and “Randonnée” – one guess as to which language Randonnée belongs to. The Alps, which go across places like France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria, are a popular destination for backcountry skiers.

There are some regulations of backcountry skiing in both Europe and the United States. Generally, backcountry skiing is allowed depending on local regulations and ski resorts. In Iran, backcountry skiing is not allowed whatsoever.

Is backcountry skiing for you? Only if you’re an advanced skier, as backcountry skiing involves a lot of risks, including the possibility of avalanches. If you’ve seen “extreme” videos online or on television of skiers falling victim to an avalanche, there’s a good chance that you saw a backcountry skier.

If you’re interested in backcountry skiing but haven’t even started out skiing yet, be sure to build up an advanced skill set by moving up progressively. You don’t want to tackle too much at once, as skiing can be a risky sport. Have patience and enjoy the process of developing your skiing skills – eventually, you’ll be an expert and might be ready to handle more difficult terrain.

Photo Credits: Thomas Kirkevåg

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