CONTACT US 020 3129 3301
Our experts are here for you
Our passionate staff is with you through every step of your purchase and helps you choose the right gear that best suits your needs.
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CONTACTCONTACT US 020 3129 3301
Our experts are here for you
Our passionate staff is with you through every step of your purchase and helps you choose the right gear that best suits your needs.
With our Help Center
CONTACT
Ski touring is growing in popularity these past years. This sport is the perfect combination of physical activity in the climbs and joy of experiencing astounding landscapes and unique sensations when skiing down immaculate snow-covered areas.
Glisshop offers a great range of men’s touring skis and women’s touring skis for all disciplines, from family outings to ski-mountaineering races. We also have a wide selection of ready out of the box touring ski sets, as well as numerous binding options, ranging from basic alpine touring bindings to the most sophisticated pin bindings.
Ski touring is a leisure activity accessible to everyone. However, a good physical condition is required to enjoy it. Fun and affordable, this discipline can be demanding but you’ll gain experience quickly. Backcountry skiing requires specific equipment. Glisshop stocks numerous models of touring skis, bindings, and boots, so that everyone finds the right gear for their needs.
Ski touring is simply adventuring in the backcountry, relying on the power of your legs and mind. On paper, it requires only a pair of lightweight skis fitted with climbing skins and touring bindings, a pair of poles and touring boots, without forgetting a backpack and breathable clothing to have fun conquering peaks you fought were beyond reach up to now.
What’s more pleasing than a sport that can be enjoyed anywhere you find snow? Say goodbye to expensive lift passes, long queues, crowded slopes, and the commotion of ski resorts! With ski touring, you can rediscover the mountains, the sound of snow under your skis and impromptu encounters with wildlife.
Discover all the useful advice to enjoy ski touring thanks to the tips and guides written by our experts. Notably the video and guide on how to size touring skis.
A quick warning: ski touring usually takes you far from resorts and groomed runs. Ski mountaineering can even take you into high-altitude mountain territory. The snow is untouched, sometimes powdery, but other times as hard as ice. Therefore, it’s important to carry ski crampons that attach under your bindings for grip on icy sections. We also recommend carrying an ice axe, along with crampons, which are ideal for tackling steep slopes. Don’t hesitate to check out our guide to find out which ice axe to choose for ski touring.
It’s important to keep in mind that this activity exposes you to avalanche risks. Therefore, every outing must be carefully planned: check the weather, gather information on snow conditions and avalanche risks, study the topography on a map, and remain humble by not hesitating to turn back or cancel your trip if needed. A word of advice: it's best to avoid going out alone.
To carve your own trace on snowy summits, a minimum level of safety is required. Even if you avoid slopes steeper than 30°, no one is ever entirely safe from being caught in a snow slide. We urge you to be cautious and highly recommend carrying a avalanche transceiver (or avalanche beacon), a shovel, and a probe, and to regularly practice using them to ensure you’re always prepared. An avalanche transceiver allows you to rescue a skier trapped by an avalanche, or to be rescued yourself if you’re buried under the snow. You might also consider bringing a hiking GPS for more precise navigation.
In the same way as you can find alpine skiing lessons, it’s possible to learn ski touring under professional supervision. Starting with the help of experienced instructors who’ve been trained and have great knowledge of backcountry terrain is a safe way to discover ski touring. You can also follow a training program to master mountain and avalanche safety.
Yes, a helmet is an essential piece of equipment for ski touring. Both when climbing and descending, backcountry skiing can take place in more rugged environments than the groomed runs of ski resorts. You’re never safe from falling and hitting your head. If you’re not wearing a helmet, an impact on hard snow can have sever consequences, imagine the outcome in an environment where snow can cover tree branches or worse, rocks. Don’t forget your helmet to be protected in the advent of a fall.
While alpine ski boots have for sole mission to offer the right amount of support, comfort and performance for your skill level, ski touring boots also need to be lightweight and efficient when climbing. To achieve this, touring boots are lighter and offer a greater range of motion. With various degrees of stiffness, comfort, support, precision and ankle mobility, brands offer numerous models to answer the needs of every skier.
We classify ski touring boots in three categories for three distinct disciplines:
You can enjoy ski touring anywhere but some spots stand out for their beauty, the amount of snow they receive every year and how well-preserved they are. Such is the case of the iconic Chamonix-Zermatt route and its 6 days of adventure. More recently, ski touring has established a strong presence in Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, nested between the Dauphine and Savoie regions, or in Sybelles, on the vast Maurienne area, or even in the Beaufortin in Arêches. Let’s not forger the Pyrenees with the beautiful peaks of the Cauterets range. With backcountry skiing, you’ve got plenty of options, it’s one of the advantages of this growing sport. Every skier can find a route for their ski level enabling them to discover amazing vistas.
