Reddit reviews Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert)

I don't think you're looking for XC. I think you're looking for backcountry touring in mild terrain.

A lot of the answers you're looking for now or will be looking for in the near future will have to do you with your local area and terrain.

To me, XC is more akin to road biking lonely country roads. It's about fitness, endurance...

backcountry touring is more exploring and discovering, but still requires a high level of fitness, if that's what you're after. Trust me, you will be able to get your heart rate up skinning up a mountain!

I'm a casual but very regular distance and trail runner and hiker. Once the snow falls, it's all about the the AT set-up on non-resort days. For me, backcountry isn't about finding the steepest because that involves more risks than I like to take, although it is often about finding the freshest. As you progress as a skier, you might find yourself appreciating that aspect of it more.

Sizable community - again, depends on your area. BUT, backcountry touring is best done with a partner, for many reasons. Get out find some people. They're looking too.

Lastly: you may find some people who say 'don't do backcountry until you're a better resort skier...' ... and it's not without reason that they say that. However, the basic skills of skinning are easy to pick up. You can walk? You can skin. If you choose your terrain wisely and carefully, it is not totally unreasonable to start touring as an intermediate skier. I'm very serious about that though – in the mountains, a wrong turn can put you in a bad place, and skills on skis is that will get you out there.

I haven't read it but maybe take a look at this book in the sidebar?

Anyways, the kind of thing you're asking about doing - 'hut routes' - often require more diverse and technical terrain than standard XC skis are made for.

TL;DR - ski touring is awesome, good luck, don't be stupid.

EDIT: Accidentally a word

Are you in Vic or NSW? If you're in NSW your best bet will be to rent touring skis, skins and boots from Bruce at Wilderness Sports in Jindy. Most of our backcountry requires reasonably long approaches and trekking out there on snowshoes with heavy alpine boots and skis would be a nightmare.

I'm also going to advocate strongly that you at least introduce yourself to cocepts around decision making in backcountry terrain.
There is no harm in learning and practicing good habits even if you're somewhere that you think is safe. I've heard it plenty of times in Australia, where people say things like "i've skied this face for 20 years and it's never slid" but that sort of attitude leads to complacency and when avalanche conditions arrive people don't have the knowledge or experience to recognize and avoid them, (Like what happened here last year). I wouldn't go into the backcountry with someone who is happy to assume everything is safe, no matter where it is, and particularly if they or I weren't familiar with the area.

I'd suggest getting your hands on a copy of Tremper's Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain, if for no reason other than its a good read and you'll familiarize yourself with some of the important stuff to consider.

Backcountry Skiing: Skills for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering is another that will help with technique and advice etc.

If you have questions about the backcountry, or Australia's specifically, feel free to ask.

Nothing beats taking a class from a professional, and getting days of experience under your belt (ideally with someone who knows what they're doing to guide you)

​

But I found this book to be incredibly helpful - it starts from the true beginning and runs the gamut in terms of core knowledge. At the very least, it will give you a good understanding of the kinds of things you should focus on learning in class/when you're out there.

I'd recommend you take a Avy class, read back issues of Backcountry mag (detailed reviews of beacons, tele and AT gear), and:

http://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-Skiing-Touring-Mountaineering-Mountaineers/dp/1594850380/

http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=f95e83bc2fbb682de1dd53544543b0ab

(possibly too much info http://beaconreviews.com/transceivers/

The stuff everybody knows about: topos, skins, shovel, probe, beacon and practice time with beacon.

If you get caught out: 2 meter radio, LED headlamp, batteries, leatherman/knife, static rope/Perlon line, tarp, space blanket, water filter, power bars, stuff like that.