Feature photo from the Inspired Summit Adventures Ski Mountaineering Clinic.

Ah springtime! A fabulous time in the mountains when snowpacks have stabilized and trailheads are quieting down as many folks flock to the desert. Spring can be a great time for exploring new zones or getting up close and personal with those lines you’ve been eyeing from afar. 

We tagged along with V-Team ambassadors / lead guides / owners of Inspired Summit Adventures: Shaun and Weston Deutschlander, and IFMGA Guide Emilie Drinkwater, for a day of ski mountaineering. Here’s a quick rundown of skills you should know and practice in safe terrain…

Gear

The name of the game with ski mountaineering is to do a lot with a little. Shaun, Weston, and Emilie recommend: 

• Lightweight harness
• Lightweight rope
• Helmet
• Slings 
• Locking carabiners
• Ice axe or whippet 
• Ski crampons
• Boot crampons
• Skis that can go the distance and handle variable conditions
  • Shaun brought her HyperCharger Skis with an AT bindings and Weston is on the SuperCharger Skis with tele bindings.

Scroll through by clicking arrows on sides of pictures or number bar below. Hover or click on the image for more info.

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  The HyperCharger and SuperCharger skis can go the distance and handle variable conditions.
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  Skiing with a harness can be funky. Having a comfortable lightweight harness is key!
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  Pro-tip: always flake the rope before using.

KNOTS

Using the correct knot is crucial. Inspired Summit Adventures recommends fine-tuning your knot tying skills (with gloves on) for these basic climbing knots:

• Munter Hitch
• Clove Hitch  
• Figure 8 (and Figure 8 on a bight)

Scroll through by clicking arrows on sides of pictures or number bar below. Hover or click on the image for more info.

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  Weston demonstrating how to tie knots with gloves on.
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  Testing the clove hitch.
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  Shaun and Weston setting up a belay.
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  Practicing belaying on a Munter hitch.

ANCHORS + RAPPELLING

Setting up anchors can allow you to rap into chutes, over cliftbands or monster cornices, allowing you to access the skiing.

• Tree anchor
• Body belay (with skis)
• Horseshoes anchor 
• T anchor
• Deadman’s anchor

Scroll through by clicking arrows on sides of pictures or number bar below. Hover or click on the image for more info.

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  Rappelling off of a tree.
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  Shaun doing rope management while in a seated belay stance.
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  Shaun demonstrating a seated belay with one ski on.
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  T-trench anchor
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  Shaun testing a horseshoe/ bollard anchor.

OTHER TECHNIQUES TO PRACTICE

• Belaying on a Munter hitch
• Skiing on belay
• Rappelling with skis on
• Lowing without a harness (handlining)
• Finding good transitions zones (i.e. stopping out platforms to take skis off/on feet or pack)

Scroll through by clicking arrows on sides of pictures or number bar below. Hover or click on the image for more info.

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  Weston demonstrating skiing on belay.
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  Weston demonstrating a jump turn on belay.
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  Weston demonstrating a jump turn on belay.

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  Moving the ropes off the shoulders and behind the backpack.
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  Weighting and double checking the system before lowering.
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  Shaun beginning to ease her way over the drop.
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  Managing the rope during a hand belay.
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  Past the drop and in the chute. Time to ski!

Want in on the action?

Want to really jump into the world of ski mountaineering? There are a few spots open on the Spring Ski Mountaineering Camp in the Uinta Mountains this April 15-18th. Click here for more info from Inspired Summit Adventures or read our blog about the camp.

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About Shaun and Weston