Off-piste skiing fascinates many winter sports enthusiasts. They associate it with unspoilt terrain, soft snow, a great sense of freedom and a more intense experience of nature. However, it should always be noted that freeriding is also more risky. So if you want to ski off-piste, you need to be aware of the dangers and be well prepared. SnowTrex explains the “freeriding” trend and gives tips on how to freeride safely.
What is freeriding?
Definition and popularity
“Freeriding off-piste is becoming increasingly popular with winter sports enthusiasts looking for an authentic experience of nature. In contrast to groomed pistes, which are characterised by safety precautions such as avalanche protection and the lack of natural obstacles, off-piste terrain offers an unadulterated experience in soft deep snow.
Differences between freeriding and skiing on groomed pistes
The different types of terrain each offer special experiences:
- Frontcountry Easily accessible within the ski area.
- Slackcountry Outside the ski area, but easily accessible.
- Sidecountry Accessible by lift, but with its own ascent to the summit.
- Backcountry Offers the most intense deep snow experience for experienced skiers, away from the ski areas and only accessible under your own steam.
In the Alps, especially in Austria, “ski routes” are marked and secured, but not prepared in the classic sense. The width of a ski route is defined by law; in Austria it is around 30 metres wide, 15 metres to the left and right of the markings. Freeride terrain in Austria is unmarked, unprepared and uncontrolled and therefore poses an increased risk. In Italy, freeriding was banned in many areas until recently, but with the growing popularity of the sport, the rules are slowly changing.
Preparation for freeriding
In recent years, the fan base for off-piste skiing has continued to grow. This enthusiasm is supported by specialised magazines, apps and online forums. The appeal of freeriding lies in the combination of soft, untouched snow and the feeling of freedom away from crowded pistes, which is further fuelled by easy access to information and advanced equipment.
Despite the boom, off-piste skiing harbours increased risks, particularly in terms of distance from rescue services and proximity to avalanche hazards. A false sense of security due to high-quality equipment can also lead to skiers overestimating their abilities and putting themselves in dangerous situations.
This does not mean that skiers and snowboarders should not try deep snow skiing. But every winter sports enthusiast should be aware of the dangers and prepare accordingly. Good preparation for off-piste skiing includes observing the following four basic rules:
Knowledge of the terrain is important
It is important not to venture into unfamiliar terrain. Online resources such as specialised magazines, apps and maps are useful for finding out about routes and snow conditions. Local ski guides and specialised freeride courses offer valuable knowledge for those who want to go beyond digital information gathering.
Check the avalanche report
The current avalanche situation should always be checked via the official websites. Paying attention to the different warning levels on the avalanche scale and the specific dangers in the ski areas minimises the risk:
- Level 1 – low Avalanche triggering only if there is a large additional load, such as a group of skiers.
- Level 2 – moderate Avalanches can be triggered mainly when there is a large additional load.
- Level 3 – significant Avalanche triggering is possible even with low additional loads, i.e. even by a single person.
- Level 4 – large Even a small additional load can lead to triggering. Off-piste skiing only with extensive avalanche experience and in moderately steep terrain. Otherwise, do not ski!
- Level 5 – very large Many large avalanches are possible spontaneously, even in moderately steep terrain and even in the valley. Freeriding is not possible!
Necessary avalanche equipment
Avalanche transceivers, avalanche shovels and probes are essential. Additional equipment such as airbag rucksacks can offer additional protection, but require knowledge of how to use them. Also important: every freerider should have a first aid kit and a mobile phone with them in the backcountry.
Freeriders should always ski in groups
Travelling in company increases safety. In the event of an accident, rapid assistance can be crucial. Beginners should consider avalanche courses to acquire basic safety knowledge.
It is also advisable to wear suitable protective equipment such as a helmet, goggles, protectors and the right ski clothing. Ski skins and height-adjustable poles are also recommended for ski tourers. In some regions, such as North American ski resorts, the wearing of safety equipment is mandatory and requires the signing of a risk declaration. These regulations emphasise the importance of personal responsibility when skiing off-piste.
Techniques for deep snow skiing
Once you reach the summit, skiing in deep snow presents its very own challenge, which differs significantly from skiing on groomed pistes. The light powder snow causes skiers to sink deeper, which requires an adapted skiing technique:
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Basic skiing techniques in deep snow
The key technique for deep snow skiing is the active high-low movement. By bouncing the knees strongly, the necessary lift is generated to glide effectively through deep snow. In addition, a narrower leg position is recommended, in which the skis are held close together to create a larger contact surface and thus increase the lift. Freeride skis are therefore designed wider than conventional carving skis.
Another important aspect is the stabilisation of the upper body. Minimising the movement of the upper body helps to maintain balance and reduce the risk of falling. Small, controlled movements of the wrists support this, while sweeping arm movements can lead to loss of balance.
Tips for freeride beginners
For beginners in deep snow skiing, it is advisable to start on flat to medium-steep terrain, ideally in approx. 10 to 20 cm of fresh powder snow, in order to minimise sinking and practice the technique effectively. Overall, excellent fitness is the be-all and end-all for a carefree freeride experience. To achieve this, winter sports enthusiasts should definitely focus on their leg and core muscles during training and work on their own reactions and mobility.
Deep snow beginners who still feel a little unsure in powder snow can therefore always enrol in freeride seminars and skiing technique courses. These are offered by ski schools in well-known deep snow ski resorts. In addition, the Association of German Mountain and Ski Guides (VDBS) offers the VDBS Freeride Guide, which teaches skiing techniques and safety aspects in off-piste terrain.
Access to deep snow areas
Arrival by lift, helicopter or ski
In order to reach off-piste areas, it is important to plan your arrival and departure carefully. Ascent aids often provide easy access to open terrain, while the return journey to the valley takes place on groomed pistes. Alternatively, cars can also be used to get close to the routes, which can then be reached either by lift or on foot. Heliskiing, which is particularly popular in the USA and the Alps, also offers an alternative method of accessing remote deep snow areas. It is important to comply with official regulations in order to avoid environmental damage.
And last but not least, there are snowmobiles, which provide easy access to off-piste areas and can provide additional safety in dangerous situations.
Return and safety aspects
The latest models in particular are now equipped with technology that automatically alerts the rescue service in an emergency. In addition, freeriders need to know the exact coordinates and routes in order to return safely to the starting point. For tours lasting several days in remote off-piste areas, a compass, navigation device and paper maps are also helpful for following the pre-planned route and using safe rest stops in ski huts.
Safety and risk management
Behaviour in an emergency
The risk of accidents increases in the open ski area, so in addition to skiing technique, it is also important to know the correct behaviour in an emergency. It is crucial to ski in groups and to use the avalanche transceiver (LVS) to locate the victim if a passenger is lost. If the person cannot be found, the mountain rescue service must be informed immediately. In the event of a fall in deep snow where the freerider is not buried by masses of snow, their own equipment such as ski poles and a rucksack can help them get up.
Dealing with tree falls and tree holes
In the event of a collision with a tree, it is important to contact the mountain rescue service. Riding safely near trees requires control and caution. However, if you fall into a deep snow hole in a tree (tree well), it is important to remain calm and work your way out slowly. Call the emergency services if you are exhausted.
Adapting to weather conditions
Winter sports enthusiasts who are out and about in deep snow on the mountain in heavy snowfall or fog must always adapt their behaviour to the weather conditions and should therefore always read the current weather forecast beforehand.
Environmentally conscious freeriding
Respect for nature
When freeriding, skiers and snowboarders, as the name suggests, move “freely” in open terrain. Nevertheless, winter sports enthusiasts should always adhere to the local rules and exercise caution, especially in protected areas. Regardless of the type of terrain, the local flora and fauna hibernate under the deep snow before trying to reclaim their habitat from skiers in spring.
Avoiding environmental damage
Freeriders are still allowed to explore many off-piste routes in the ski areas of the high mountains. However, they should always observe the local regulations and environmental protection aspects. Restricted areas such as avalanche protection zones and nature reserves must be avoided at all costs. All in all, freeriding requires a high sense of responsibility and respect for nature and local rules.
For example, it is important to avoid forest and wildlife conservation areas and not to leave any damage behind. Breaches of these rules can cost freeriders who are caught by rangers or other local law enforcement officers in prohibited areas dearly. This is because the fines for polluting or destroying the environment are among the highest in some countries.
Freeride competitions and events
Overview of well-known freeride competitions
If you want to see how the pros conjure up perfect lines and tricks in the deep snow, you can marvel at this at various freeride events in winter. Since 2008, the “Champions League” has been the Freeride World Tour (FWT), which organises its competitions in Alpine countries such as Switzerland and Austria, as well as in Georgia, Andorra and the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The FWT also organises junior and qualifying competitions such as the Challenger and Qualifier series as well as the Junior Tour.
Participation in freeride festivals
Deep snow fans who want to try out the latest freeride equipment and exchange ideas with professionals and like-minded people can prepare for the new season at the legendary FreerideTestival every year in March. While winter sports enthusiasts can still see the “old” collection in the specialist shops at this time of year, they can already “test” the brand new equipment from dozens of manufacturers for the coming season free of charge at the four stations of the deep snow festival in the Austrian Alps.
And, of course, directly on site in the deep snow. Here in the Austrian backcountry, highly trained local guides show interested skiers and snowboarders breathtaking freeride routes. In addition to the tours, workshops are also offered for participants on topics such as safety and risk minimisation in the backcountry.
Ski resorts for freeriders
Recommendations for freeride-friendly ski resorts
For deep snow fans, the Alps in particular offer a large selection of first-class freeride ski resorts. In Austria, for example, the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, the Hochzillertal-Hochfügen-Spieljoch ski area and mainly around the Arlberg in the Warth-Schröcken ski area traditionally offer pure powder in winter. However, the other Alpine countries also have their very own freeride paradise. Deep snow fans in France are drawn to the slopes of the Mont Blanc massif around Chamonix, in Switzerland to the backcountry of Andermatt and in Italy to the Monterosa Ski area, where the eponymous mountain massif is the largest in the Alps with a total of 14 four-thousand metre peaks.
Special features and offers in these ski resorts
Of course, all of these ski resorts also have real highlights for freeride fans. On the Arlberg, for example, the deep snow runs on the Valuga or the Schindlergrat are an absolute must before heading to St. Anton for après-ski in the evening. Around Chamonix, there are numerous mogul pistes and deep snow slopes up to an altitude of 3,275 metres, always with a view of the imposing summit of Mont Blanc (4,805 metres).
In contrast, the freeride conditions in Andermatt are a little more beginner-friendly, where deep snow fans among winter sports enthusiasts can take a cable car directly to the summit of the Gemsstock (2,961 m), where they will find challenging backcountry routes as well as powder runs with a moderate gradient over small glaciers. The Monterosa is really high up, with unique off-piste descents from up to 3,300 metres above sea level with challenging steep slopes and deep-snow areas all the way down to the valley.
FAQ about freeriding
What characterises freeriding compared to skiing on groomed slopes?
Off-piste skiing, or simply freeriding, offers a more intense experience of nature with soft, untouched snow, in contrast to groomed slopes, which are characterised by safety precautions and the absence of natural obstacles.
What types of terrain are there for deep snow skiing?
Different types of terrain such as frontcountry, slackcountry, sidecountry and backcountry each offer unique experiences, from easily accessible terrain within the ski area to remote deep snow experiences that can only be reached under your own steam.
What is the best preparation for winter sports enthusiasts before freeriding?
Important aspects of preparation include familiarising yourself with the terrain, checking the avalanche report, carrying avalanche equipment and skiing in groups. Additional knowledge from local ski guides or special freeride courses is also helpful.
How does a skier react in an emergency when skiing in deep snow?
If a passenger is lost, using an avalanche transceiver to locate them is crucial, while ski poles and a rucksack can be helpful when getting up after a fall in deep snow. It is also important to keep calm in the event of collisions with trees or falls in tree wells and to contact the rescue services if necessary.
What skiing techniques are required for deep snow skiing?
Effective deep snow skiing requires an active high-low movement and a closer leg position for optimum flotation. Stabilisation of the upper body and controlled movements of the wrists are crucial for maintaining balance. Beginners are recommended to start on less steep terrain and with less deep snow.
