WHAT ARE BACKCOUNTRY SNOWSPORTS?

Backcountry snowsports take place on unpatrolled, off-piste terrain outside ski resort boundaries. Off-piste terrain accessed from a resort is often described as “sidecountry”, although terminology varies. Being close to a resort does not mean that terrain is patrolled or protected from avalanches.

Touring skis, splitboards and snowshoes allow you to travel across snow-covered terrain under your own power. Depending on your route and conditions, ski crampons or boot crampons may also be needed for grip on firm snow and ice. Exploring Scotland’s backcountry requires winter navigation skills, avalanche awareness and equipment suited to the conditions.

WHAT IS SPLITBOARDING?

Splitboarding allows snowboarders to explore the backcountry without relying on ski lifts. A splitboard separates lengthways into two ski-like halves for uphill travel. With the bindings set into touring mode and climbing skins attached to the bases, you can move across snow and climb slopes using a similar technique to ski touring.

Before descending, you remove the skins, reconnect the two halves and adjust the bindings to create a snowboard ready for the ride down. Splitboarding in Scotland combines the freedom of snowboard touring with the enjoyment of riding natural mountain terrain, from fresh powder to more challenging, variable snow.

WHAT IS SKI TOURING?

Ski touring combines uphill travel on skis with off-piste downhill skiing, allowing you to explore beyond lift-served slopes. Specialist touring bindings let your heels lift as you move uphill, while climbing skins attached to the bases of your skis provide grip and help prevent you from sliding backwards. This uphill technique is known as “skinning”.

At the top of your chosen descent, you remove the skins and secure your bindings for downhill skiing. Ski touring in Scotland offers opportunities to explore remote glens, open hillsides and mountain terrain, with routes chosen to suit your ability, snow cover, weather and avalanche conditions.