In conversation with mountain guide Wolfgang Pohl from the German Ski Instructors Association, I talk about the right equipment and the dangers that await on and off the piste. Have you ever been on a ski tour? If so, what do you think of this sport? Let me know in the comments! Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 00:48 - Ski + binding 03:22 - Touring ski boots 04:38 - Telescopic poles 05:15 - Clothing 06:06 - Avalanches 08:04 - Tour planning 09:19 - Piste tour 10:27 - Nature conservation A ski touring ski is significantly lighter than a classic alpine ski that you use to ski down the piste. It is also wider. This provides buoyancy in deep snow. The binding is also special. The ski that Wolfgang is showing has a so-called pin binding mounted on it. This allows heel freedom when ascending. You can adjust the binding when descending. This also fixes the heel. You also need skins to climb. These stick to the base and are also stretched over the entire surface of the ski for optimal grip. To do this, first fix the skin on one side of the ski and stretch it over the base to the back. It is important that you place it exactly between the edges. If you stroke it, you can see very clearly in which direction the skin blocks when climbing. In icy terrain, however, a skin is often not enough. For better grip, you should also take so-called crampons with you. This is a type of crampon for skis. This iron then digs into the layer of snow. The ski touring boot is also different from the classic ski boot. The boot has a pin holder at the front so that it fits into the binding and a walk function for more freedom when walking. This allows you to take longer steps. When skiing downhill, the walk function can be locked in to enable a firm grip. Height-adjustable poles are suitable for poles. This means you can set one longer than the other when crossing to support yourself evenly. And if you have to put the poles away, for example in the last few meters before a summit to use your hands, you can make them smaller and store them on or in your backpack. You don't necessarily have to wear normal alpine skiing clothing either. Classic ski jackets are usually lined. This is often too warm when climbing. Instead, you should use the layering principle, as you do on summer mountain tours. This allows you to vary depending on the desired thermoregulation. A change of clothes is also advisable. If you want to try ski touring off-piste, you must also pack emergency equipment. This consists of an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. This equipment is important in the event of an avalanche. With the avalanche transceiver, a buried person can be located by other members of the group. It is important that every member of the group has the emergency equipment. The probe is a long rod that is designed to determine the exact point of the person, even in a thick layer of snow, as soon as they have been located by the avalanche transceiver. The buried person is then dug out as quickly as possible with a shovel. This can sometimes be a matter of seconds. A course is highly recommended to train you in how to use the equipment correctly. There are also free courses available. Good tour preparation is important to minimize the risk of avalanches. This includes, for example, reading and understanding the current avalanche report. There are five avalanche danger levels: 1 = low, 5 = very high. Ski tours should only go up to level 3. 3 = considerable. There are also a few things to bear in mind when ski touring in ski areas. You are only allowed to start when the slopes are open. As soon as the slopes are closed because slope preparation equipment is in use, it is extremely dangerous. This is due to the snow groomers. Some of them are secured to cable winches. And that poses a danger. Anyone who climbs on a cleared piste should climb at the edge of the piste. In principle, you can climb anywhere, as long as it is not explicitly closed. But you should be considerate in forest areas in particular, or ideally avoid them. This is because wild animals live there, which are already weakened in winter by the lack of food and the cold. Especially at dusk, the animals should not be frightened by powerful headlamps or unnecessary noise. If you liked the video, please show us by giving it a thumbs up & press subscribe immediately so you don't miss anything. :)