Contents
What this list covers
Away from the lifts, organised rescue takes time to arrive and the weather changes fast. This list is in order: the rescue gear first, then the touring setup, clothing, navigation and the emergency kit.
Avalanche Safety Equipment
Every person carries three things: an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel. That is the minimum to dig out a buried partner.
Avalanche Transceiver
A digital 3-antenna transceiver is the standard. Modern transceivers from Mammut, BCA, Ortovox and Arva mark multiple burials. Practise switching between transmit and search mode until it is automatic.
Key features to look for: 3-antenna design for accurate pinpointing, multiple burial marking, long battery life, and a clear interface. EN 300718 requires 200 hours of transmit at −10 °C. Always carry spare batteries.
Turn on your transceiver at the car. Do a group check before entering avalanche terrain. Practise companion rescue regularly: aim for pinpointing in under three minutes; digging is the slow part.
Avalanche Probe
A 240cm probe is the minimum length. 280cm or 300cm is better for deep burials. Carbon probes are lighter but aluminium probes are more durable. The probe must deploy quickly, so practice assembly with gloves on.
Probing technique matters as much as having the probe. Strike in a spiral pattern around the transceiver signal and keep the probe perpendicular to the snow surface. When you feel resistance, leave the probe in place and start digging.
Avalanche Shovel
An aluminium shovel with a large blade and extendable handle is the standard. Plastic shovels are not strong enough for avalanche debris. A good shovel weighs 500-700 grams.
Learn the V-conveyor digging technique: one person digs at the face, others clear debris in a V-shape behind. This is faster than one person shovelling.
Avalanche Airbag Pack
An avalanche airbag does not prevent you from being caught in an avalanche, but it can keep you nearer the surface. A study of avalanche accidents from 1994 to 2012 (Haegeli et al., Resuscitation, 2014) found that inflated airbags roughly halved the death rate, from about 22% to about 11%, and about one in five airbags was not inflated, mostly because the user did not pull the trigger. The bag inflates to create volume around your upper body, helping you stay near the surface.
Modern airbag systems use either compressed air canisters or electronic fans. Fan systems (Alpride E2) recharge and fly without a canister; canister systems cost less.
Touring Setup
Your ski or splitboard setup needs to handle both uphill and downhill efficiently. Weight matters on the ascent, performance matters on the descent. Every setup is a compromise.
Skis, Splitboards and Bindings
Touring skis are lighter than resort skis, typically 1200-1600 grams per ski for a mid-fat touring ski (88-100 mm underfoot), with pin bindings (Dynafit, ATK, Marker Alpinist).
Splitboard interfaces from Karakoram and Spark R&D are the established systems; a split weighs more than a solid board.
Climbing skins (mohair, nylon, or blend) attach to the base for uphill grip. Mohair glides better, nylon grips better. A mohair-nylon blend is the best compromise for most conditions.
Boots
Touring boots need a walk mode for efficient skinning and a ski mode for locked-down descents. Modern 4-buckle touring boots weigh 1200-1600 grams and offer good downhill performance. Lighter speed touring boots (under 1000g) sacrifice some descent performance for uphill efficiency.
Get boots fitted at a specialist shop. A boot that hurts on the ascent will ruin your day long before you reach the summit.
Clothing and Layering
Ski touring generates far more body heat than resort skiing. You are working hard on the way up, then standing still at the top and in breaks. A good layering system manages this transition.
The Three-Layer System
Base layer: Merino wool or synthetic. Merino regulates temperature and resists odour. Synthetic dries faster. A lightweight base layer (150-200g/m²) works for most conditions.
Mid layer: A fleece or lightweight insulated jacket. This is what you add at the summit or during breaks. Synthetic insulation (like Polartec Alpha or PrimaLoft) works when wet, unlike down.
Shell: A breathable hardshell with a hood. Gore-Tex or equivalent membrane protects against wind, snow, and unexpected weather. A touring-specific shell with pit zips and a helmet-compatible hood is ideal.
Carry a puffy (down or synthetic) in your pack for summit stops and emergencies. Even in good weather, you need insulation when you stop moving.
Navigation and Communication
GPS devices and phone apps are useful but batteries die in the cold. Always carry a paper map and compass as backup. Know how to use them.
A GPS watch (Garmin, Suunto, COROS) with loaded maps provides real-time navigation and tracks your route.
Before heading out, study the terrain on BEYOND: it shows the shape, angle and aspect of the line before you are on it.
Download the area you ride as a 3D model or HTML page (offline 3D map); it opens on the phone without a connection. Keep the phone warm in an inside pocket to preserve battery life. Carry a power bank.
Communication Devices
A fully charged phone is essential but cell coverage in the mountains is unreliable. Consider a Garmin inReach or similar satellite communicator for areas without coverage. These devices allow SOS messaging and two-way text via satellite.
A simple whistle costs nothing and carries further than a voice. Six blasts in a minute is the international distress signal in the Alps. Attach one to your pack.
Emergency Kit
An emergency kit should live permanently in your touring pack. It should include: emergency bivvy (space blanket or lightweight bivvy sack), first aid basics (bandages, tape, painkillers, blister kit), duct tape wrapped around a ski pole, a multi-tool, sun protection (sunscreen SPF50 and goggles or sunglasses), and high-energy food.
Hypothermia kills in the mountains. An emergency bivvy weighs 100 grams and matters when you are immobilised by injury or caught by weather.
Quick Packing Checklist
Before every tour, run through this checklist:
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Safety (mandatory) | Transceiver, probe, shovel, first aid kit |
| Safety (recommended) | Airbag pack, emergency bivvy, whistle |
| Touring | Skis/splitboard, skins, boots, poles, ski crampons |
| Clothing | Base layer, mid layer, shell, puffy, gloves, spare gloves, hat, goggles |
| Navigation | Map, compass, GPS watch/phone, power bank |
| Communication | Phone, satellite communicator |
| Food & drink | Water (1L+), thermos, energy bars, lunch |
| Misc | Sunscreen, lip balm, duct tape, multi-tool, headlamp |