PREFACE

In 1996, I completed the first and still the only American scientific research into Alpine Ski Touring or what is increasingly being called Ski Randonnée after its French roots. In my doctoral dissertation, at the time I stated that there was a growing shift to wider skis in the backcountry. I also pointed out that the Randonnée binding was superior in its mechanical efficiency compared to the cable Telemark binding. Now we are seeing more Telemark bindings shifting to the mechanical pivot design. What will the future bring? Read on.

Why is this backcountry ski book different? Because it was written after reading all the ones before it! And this is not another book on Telemarking! Randonnée from the French literally means to “walk about”. The term “Ski Randonnée” is used more in Europe whereas the terms “Alpine Ski Touring” or “AT” skiing and “ski mountaineering” are used more in America. My goal in writing this book was to provide a catalog, if you will, of backcountry ski techniques geared for the parallel skier. While there are several books out on Telemark skiing there are none available for Randonnée skiing. While there are numerous magazine articles describing expeditions or exploits of extreme skiers, there is no source of practical information for the everyday skier. Randonnée skiing is not just about extreme skiing or repelling down cliffs, it's also about skiing to a hut for a night out or having lunch on top of a peak during a beautiful Spring Day. It's about skiing from one resort to the next. It's about skiing untouched powder!

Ski Randonnée! is not just about skiing technique – it is also about adapting to winter. It presents an objective and analytical look at the world of backcountry skiing through concise technique descriptions and over 100 photographs and illustrations. Whether you're a resort skier who is looking to expand your horizons or a cross-country skier who wants to go higher, you'll find this book packed with clear, usable information – including techniques borrowed from ski guides, mountaineers, ski patrollers, and snow rangers – that will make you an effective, knowledgeable wilderness skier.

Chapter 1 will bring you up to date on the most recent advances in cold weather clothing, while chapter 2 does the same for Randonnée ski touring equipment, including skis, poles, boots, and bindings. Chapter 3 talks about climbing techniques on skis and on foot using climbing skins, crampons and ice axe. Chapter 4 goes into skiing techniques that the resort skier already knows and how they can be used in the backcountry. Chapter 5 looks at mountain terrain hazards specific to skiing and includes glacier skiing and crevasse rescue techniques. Chapter 6 provides readers with descriptions of how to use altimeters/barometers as weather forecasting tools and includes a helpful sequence of photos showing the major stages of storm development. Chapter 7 covers the all-important skills needed to navigate safely in the backcountry, using maps, altimeter, compass and GPS devices. Terrain recognition skills are vital, and this chapter also contains a unique opportunity to cross-reference mountain terrain features to a photo and map of the same terrain. Chapter 8 describes how to recognize and then ski and climb around avalanche hazards and helps you determine what information about the route and snow conditions is important to obtain before leaving home.

Chapter 9 covers winter camping, expedition planning, and overseas travel. Finally, chapter 10 covers the critical components of surviving an emergency, focusing on the basic idea that if each individual is prepared to survive alone if necessary, the whole group becomes stronger. I advocate defensive skiing and equipment preparation. I've also included a complete survival equipment list and encourage all skiers to learn winter bivouacking techniques. The Technical Appendix is loaded with information about conditioning, nutrition, and ski route grading. The Colorado Haute Route is outlined for the first time in any publication.

Backcountry skiing is exciting and fulfilling, but as with any sport some aspects can be potentially dangerous. I've used the techniques in this book for over 30 years in both mild and extreme weather conditions and found them to be safe and effective. If you're new to the backcountry, I recommend practicing all of these techniques in good weather conditions and on easy terrain before moving into less forgiving situations. No book is a substitute for instruction from a qualified guide or instructor. But it does help to form an intellectual foundation of principles and concepts for correct action on the mountain and for that a book can be valuable.
Good Skiing!

Dr. Jean Vives EdD., Fraser, Colorado