It’s almost time for backcountry skiing. Here’s how you can start preparing now

SALT LAKE CITY — This weekend’s fresh dusting of snow on some Utah mountains has winter sports enthusiasts excited for the upcoming season. Backcountry professionals said it’s never too early to start preparing for what’s coming. 

Build skills and strength before backcountry skiing

Paige Pagnucco, the director of Utah Avalanche Center, said some on-snow class dates have already been announced. They’re helpful in getting real-world hands-on experience. 

“Utah Avalanche Center offers classes as well as other local providers,” Pagnucco said. 

UAC also offers an online course called Know Before You Go. Per the nonprofit, it can help new backcountry travelers build a strong foundation before taking an on-snow class, or help experienced explorers refresh their memory. Note that an online course does not replace on-snow learning. 

Inspired Summit Adventures is one company that provides avalanche courses. Founder Shaun Deutschlander said classes help skiers, riders and snowshoers train their brains. For people just beginning their journey, she recommended attending an awareness lecture. 

Next steps may include a wilderness first aid class or Backcountry 101. Pagnucco said backcountry travelers looking to take the plunge should be patient with themselves. Realistic expectations are crucial to success. 

“(What) we encourage people to do is sort of take an entry-level class and then get out in the back country and put some of what they learn into practice.” 

While knowledge is crucial, it’s only one step toward a safe backcountry season. Physical fitness is just as important. 

“This is the time of year I definitely am starting to get my physical body prepared for touring,” Deutschlander said. “That can be going on more hikes with friends (or) hitting the gym.” 

Per Deutschlander, it’s important to take physical fitness seriously during backcountry activities — at times, fitness may determine life or death. 

Backpacker Magazine compiled a recommended fitness routine designed to strengthen all the muscles necessary for backcountry skiing. 

Check your backcountry skiing gear 

Before embarking on a backcountry ski trip, every participant needs three pieces of equipment: a shovel, a probe and a beacon. 

Pagnucco and Deutschlander both said autumn is a good time to inspect existing gear. Check your beacon, sometimes referred to as a transceiver, for signs of corrosion, which may have happened if you left the batteries in it over the offseason.

Also, look for signs of damage, like cracking. If you see any, or if the beacon is over five years old, it needs to be replaced. Powder Magazine said over time, structural components can break down, terminals can corrode, or antennas (the parts that help you get found if you’re buried) can break. 

“It’s a good idea to throw fresh batteries in, make sure all the functions work,” Pagnucco said. “I always put my probe together to make sure that function, as well as my shovel.” 

Skiers may also want to check their touring skins — the strip of material that allows uphill travel — to make sure they’re in working order. 

“Skins often can get really goopy in the off-season, especially if you stored them indoors and somewhere that gets really hot,” she said. “You want to pull those skins apart, touch this glue (to see if it’s) shedding on your hands. If they are, there’s a couple of people who are still doing re-gluing, but that might be something you want to ask Santa for.” 

Finally, Deutschlander recommended checking that boots and bindings are working the way they should. For those just starting a setup or looking to upgrade, she recommended visiting a ski swap.