What Is Sidecountry Skiing? Equipment Needed & Safety Info

Have you heard of the latest skiing trend? Learn all about sidecountry skiing & why, if you love skiing, you gotta try sidecountry skiing for the freshest pow.

Sidecountry skiing may sound new and strange to you, but in no time at all, it can become like an old friend, ready to greet you with wide open and spacious arms.

Winter Break and Thanksgiving weekend are great times to go skiing with the whole family, because the snow is often fresh and you have the day (or week, if you’re lucky) off of work or school to enjoy the company of brothers, sisters, parents, and friends.

Unfortunately, though, everyone has that same bright idea, so the resorts are crammed with skiers waiting in horrendously long lines to catch the lifts to the top of the mountain, where they’ll join the hundreds of others who are trying to carve down the slopes without running into each other, all while attempting to have a good time in the process.

Sound familiar?

Well, there are steps you can take to avoid the mass of vacationers on the slopes, you know.

Sidecountry skiing is a great option for evading the slow-moving snow bunnies who cram the resort during your winter sports vacation. Unlike backcountry skiing, where you have to actually hike to an off-piste destination, sidecountry skiing is when you utilize the resort’s chair lifts to get to the summit, and then simply take an uncharted course down to the base or lodge. In essence, it’s backcountry skiing without all the hard work.

Sidecountry skiing will allow you to enjoy the company of your friends and family without the hassle of dealing with crowds and frustratingly slow moving skiers.

Sidecountry Skiing: Getting the Right Equipment

If you plan on going sidecountry skiing, you’ll need to make sure you have the right equipment.

There are some skis that are made specifically for sidecountry skiing, but you really don’t need these overly specialized models. What you do need are skis that will run you smoothly over various kinds of terrain. All-mountain skis are more widely available than sidecountry, backcountry, free ride, or off-piste skis–and, in some cases, they’re all the same things anyway.

If you’re skis are made for multi-surface carving–on powder, ice, groomed snow, crud, moguls, etc.–then you are good to go.

If you are looking to get a new pair of skis that will work for sidecountry running, take a look at these offerings. These are some of the best all-mountain skis on the market today:

• Volkl AC30 Skis
• Atomic Nomad Blackeye Skis
• Nordica Hot Rod Nitrous Skis
• K2 Kung Fujas Skis

Sidecountry Skiing: Being Prepared

Before taking that sidecountry ski trip, there are some things you need to do to prepare and some gear (aside from the skis) you need to gather.

Things To Do:

• Learn basic off-piste riding technique
• Become knowledgeable about First Aid and CPR
• Study the weather and avalanche guides for the region
• Talk to the ski patrol about possible warnings
• Make sure you’re sidecountry skiing with a buddy

Things To Bring:

• Avalanche beacon
• Probe
• First Aid kit
• Small shovel

This acquired knowledge and these essential pieces of equipment will not only prepare you for any kind of impending disaster (from a heavy storm to an avalanche), but if you were unlucky enough to get caught up in one, they might just save your life.

Sidecountry skiing (and backcountry, too) is a lot of fun, and as long as you are prepared for the dangers that exist in these ski patrol-less areas, then you may just find a new love for skiing in the wilds.

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