Which freeride ski

Nevertheless, experienced freeride skiers can also learn a lot from the experts. Freeriding means much more than just sweeping through deep powder snow: Steep, backcountry descents and jumps over natural obstacles are also part of this sport and make it what it really is — an adrenaline rush-inducing experience amidst majestic mountains. Ski routes are descents that are marked and secured , but not groomed. Descents like these are ideal for trying out freeriding as the alpine dangers are similar to those on groomed slopes.

Nowadays, secured ski routes can be found in numerous ski resorts; on the resort maps,they are marked in dashed yellow or red lines. Safety is the highest priority when it comes to freeriding, as ignoring alpine safety instructions can have serious consequences.

Even beginners should always inform themselves about the risks and about possible natural hazards prior to a freeride tour. Therefore, a preparatory avalanche course is highly recommended.

In such courses, freeride skiers learn all theoretical and practical aspects related to safety: How to ski safely in freeride zones, what the different types of snow conditions and descents entail, how weather conditions affect freeriding, how to prepare for an off-piste tour, and the correct use of safety equipment. CheckYeti Tip: Schools in the Swiss freeriding hotspot Adelboden offer not only guided freeride tours but also preparatory avalanche courses for skiers, snowboarders and snowshoe hikers.

Each of the 5 levels describes a different avalanche risk. The avalanche course covers all the risk situations, according to the EAWS scale. The 5 danger levels are: 1 low , 2 moderate , 3 considerable , 4 high and 5 very high. Not only holiday-makers but also ski resort operators and authorities use the scale to assess danger levels. For environmental protection reasons, many ski resorts block access to certain hillsides or descents.

Skiers should always comply with these restrictions as they generally serve the purpose of protecting endangered animals. Also, it is vital to try to act calmly when near a forest, so as not to frighten the wildlife. In order to be able to fully enjoy a freeride adventure, the equipment has to match the requirements of the area and not only the weather conditions. Aside from skis, ski boots, a helmet and ski poles, freeride skiers should adapt their clothing to the current weather conditions.

No matter whatever the weather, clothing should always be breathable and water-repellent. Since freeriding takes place on ungroomed areas, it is important that skiers have their safety equipment on them so as to minimise the risk of injury for themselves and others. The difference between freeride skis and regular skis is, amongst other things, their shape.

Freeride skis are wider in order to allow a stronger bounce and uplift, which facilitates easier movement on powder snow. While experienced freeride skiers should consider buying their own pair of freeride skis, beginners can simply rent the equipment on site.

An avalanche transceiver is an essential safety feature for freeride skiers. The transceiver helps find people buried in an avalanche and works with radio signals that can both emit and receive signals. During a freeride session, the avalanche transceiver should always be kept near the body and set on emitter mode. In case of an emergency, proper use of the avalanche transceiver is highly critical.

Typically, it runs from early-winter to late-spring. However, glacier ski areas usually have an early-opening and some of them are available all-year-round.

When it comes to freeride skiing, snow conditions and snow stability key to assess the risk of avalanches throughout the day must be carefully checked before venturing on the terrain. Snow conditions are extremely variable and depend on a series of factors like snowfall, temperature, wind and the depth of the snow on the ground.

Several days of heavy snowfall in a cold weather with no wind provide the best type of snow for freeriding: deep powder snow. Freeriders love this fluffy fresh snow!

The essential equipment for a freeride skier includes the following items:. They allow you to discover the joys of off-piste skiing and progress your all-mountain game. They generally feature a reasonable waist width allowing occasional on-piste sessions. We recommend a ski length ranging from 5 to 10cm over your height. This category carries the widest skis available on the market. They are designed with powder and deep snow in mind.

They offer optimal floatation and performance allowing for hitting the fall line with confidence. Do not hesitate to pick a longer length. An extra 10 or 15cm over your height are welcome. This longer surface will give you extra float and added stability at high speeds. You will also appreciate it when landing a cliff drop.