Ski Touring for the Very First Time

6th January 2024 | Tashie Cove, Paradiski.

Last modified on January 9th, 2024

PlanetSKI’s Tashie Cove has been wanting go ski touring for a while, now she has finally managed it. As it grows in popularity read her account of putting on skins and walking uphill for the first time.

This year, my family and I spent the Christmas week in Les Arcs.

After three brilliant days of skiing, my older brother, Alex, and his girlfriend, Marie, decided it was time to introduce me to ski touring.

It is something I have always wanted to do, but have never quite got round to.

We picked Thursday as the day to embark on the adventure, the first step was picking up the necessary equipment at Intersport.

The process was remarkably easy and efficient, the knowledgeable staff at Intersport provided valuable insights into the specific gear needed for ski touring, ensuring that I was well-prepared for the upcoming adventure.

Les Arcs, France. Image © PlanetSKI

Armed with the right tools, including specialized boots to allow extra flex when walking, skis with touring bindings and the skins, we eagerly set off for the first lift, anticipation bubbling within me.

The bubbling anticipation quickly turned into 3 minutes of laughter as I grappled with the unfamiliar bindings.

I could not get my touring boots to attach to the touring bindings.

Rather than the simple “toe-push, heel-push” of the traditional bindings I am used to, the mechanism clipped in differently, requiring a bit of trial and error.

I had to perfectly align two little holes in the front of the toe to two tiny brackets on the binding.

It took at least 10 attempts.

Once my toes were clipped in, the heal was a simple push down.

It was a humorous scene, with fellow skiers offering amused glances as I navigated the learning curve.

However, this initial struggle only added to the excitement, making the eventual mastery of the bindings all the more satisfying.

After 3 minutes, I eventually managed to get the skis on! Image © PlanetSKI

We made our way over to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express, where I quickly ate my breakfast sandwich, prepared by Alex and Marie while I was getting my equipment from Intersport.

A quick breakfast in the Vanoise Express – Image © PlanetSKI

Now I should immediately say that you should never go off piste unless your are correctly equipped and have knowledge of avalanche conditions and snow stability.

We all had an avalanche transceiver, shovel & probe, and are practiced in using them.

My brother Alex is a Level 3 (Canadian) ski instructor and is qualified to lead groups into the backcountry.

He has many years of experience having worked three full seasons in Canada and elsewhere.

By about 11:30am we had made it to the top of Le Biolley.

We followed the black run as far over as we could before we jumped off piste and traversed across to our starting point.

Traversing across to our starting point – Image © PlanetSKI

Despite the bindings being confusing to clip in, they were very simple to take off (much to the delight of my brother who kept undoing them in the lift queues, leading to 5 more minutes each time trying to get them back on, thank you Alex…).

We hopped out of our skis and Alex showed me how to put the skins on.

A very easy process of simple hooking the small metal bars over the top of the ski, and then securing them in place.

Once the skins were on, we ran into another moment of laughter where I couldn’t twist the back of the binding 180 degreed to enable “touring mode”.

Alex and Marie putting their skins on like pros – Image © PlanetSKI

Me, not quite a pro, but very easy. – Image © PlanetSKI

Ready to go! (before I realised I had to twist the bindings around) – Image © PlanetSKI

Putting all my strength into twisting the back of the binding round, I managed eventually. Image © PlanetSKI

With bindings (semi) conquered, the next challenge awaited: walking in skis with skins on.

I felt like a newborn deer taking its first steps.

The balance was a delicate dance, and my first attempts resembled a wobbly performance on an icy stage.

Leaning forward too much, I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of my predicament.

However, with each step, I found my rhythm, and the skins gradually transformed from an awkward necessity into a surprisingly efficient mode of uphill travel.

The first kick-turn was another amusing sight, with legs splayed everywhere, but Alex ensured I practised this on less steep terrain before it would become essential when steeper.

By my second attempt, I had mastered the kick turn.

Me, unable to quite balance correctly in my first few steps – Image © PlanetSKI

Me, slowly getting used to it – Image © PlanetSKI

Me, a pro after 5 mins. Image © PlanetSKI

Alex, the real pro. – Image © PlanetSKI

The journey to the top was an invigorating trek through La Plagne’s enchanting landscape.

Winding through the trees, the path was adorned with a pristine white blanket, creating a picturesque winter panorama.

The beauty of the trail was punctuated only by the rhythmic crunch of snow beneath my skis and the occasional bird song echoing through the mountain air.

Me and Marie, meditatively walking through the trees – Image © PlanetSKI

As the ascent continued, the trees gave way to a vast expanse, revealing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

The effort invested in the climb was rewarded tenfold as the landscape unfolded before my eyes.

La Plagne’s peaks stood proudly, Mont Blanc visible further away, sparkling under the winter sun.

The journey had transformed from an amusing physical challenge into a meditative peace, enjoying the beauty surrounding me.

Me and Alex, out of the trees, getting closer to the top – Image © PlanetSKI

Reaching the summit, a sense of accomplishment washed over me.

The sprawling views from this vantage point were nothing short of spectacular, with the vastness of the French Alps stretching out in all directions.

We secured our skis in the snow and took out our pre-packed sandwiches, crisps and chocolate.

After enjoying a quick lunch reminiscing on the day so far, we packed up our rucksacks and took of the skins from the skis.

It was a very simple peal off, making sure I stuck them to the netting correctly so I could hand them back to Intersport as nicely as I had received them.

Me, after a hearty lunch, ready to ski down – Image © PlanetSKI

Descending from the summit was an exhilarating reward for the effort invested.

The ski touring bindings, once a source of amusement, now became my allies in navigating the pristine slopes.

We were expecting the snow to be crunchy as the powder was not fresh, but it was a lot nicer than expected, dare I say even slightly soft.

Many people may say the 1.5 hour walk up is not worth the 7 minute ski down.

Here is where I would have to disagree, while the 7 minute ski down was great, the beauty of the adventure was in the ascent.

My first ski touring adventure in La Plagne was not just a physical feat but a hilarious day in which we felt very accomplished.

The initial struggles with equipment and the amusing encounters with new techniques only added to the charm of the journey.

For anyone considering ski touring, be prepared for a blend of challenge and enchantment.

From the efficient equipment pickup at Intersport to the comical adjustments to new bindings and the wobbly first steps in skins, each moment was a brilliant memory.

I can safely say, a day ski touring will now feature in every ski trip I go on if conditions allow.

Now off for a long bath to rest my weary legs.

And if you want a few videos of the adventure:

Going up…

Going further…

Time for lunch…

Coming down…

I booked the top Gold rental package online and collected my equipment from the Intersport rental shop in Arc1800.

With expert advice from Intersport, I was able to swap my on piste ski equipment for my touring skis and skins and touring ski boots for the day.

Intersport has over 700 ski hire shops across the alps, renting award-winning skis and snowboards.

Why rent in resort?

Because you can save money on the airline baggage fee, have less to carry to resort, have up-to-date equipment that’s serviced every rental by qualified professionals.

Swap and change your skis and equipment as conditions demand, and get your feet accurately measured with the Boot Doctor scanning machine – guaranteed comfy, new boots.

Average rental is €8 per day including skis, helmet, poles and boots.

There is even a special discount for PlanetsKI readers with up to 50% off.

Book via www.intersportrent.com