From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Backcountry skiing near the Arlberg, Austria

Backcountry skiing is skiing in a sparsely inhabited rural region over ungroomed and unmarked slopes or pistes. More importantly, the land and the snow pack are not monitored, patrolled, or maintained. Fixed mechanical means of ascent such as ski lifts are typically not present.

Backcountry skiing can be highly dangerous due to the avalanche risk, the exhaustion from the possible climb, and the often steep terrain involved. Backcountry skiing is often associated with "ski touring" and "ski mountaineering", and sometimes also with "extreme skiing".

The terms "backcountry skiing", "ski touring", and "off-piste skiing" are often used interchangably, but they are not identical in scope. "Backcountry skiing" is more commonly used in North America, while "ski touring" is more commonly used in Europe, but the distinctions are often ignored. "Off-piste" skiing can refer to any skiing a few metres away from marked trails and slopes, whereas "backcountry" skiing refers to skiing which is not near marked slopes at all, or cannot be accessed by ski-lifts. Backcountry skiing can also involve multi-day trips through snow camping or the use of mountain huts where available.

Ski touring and ski mountaineering can take place in either front country or backcountry regions, so neither term overlaps backcountry skiing completely. Backcountry skiing and off-piste skiing are terms which specify where the skiing occurs, while ski touring, ski mountaineering, and extreme skiing are terms which describe what type of skiing is being done.

• Skiing
• Ski touring
• Ski mountaineering
• Telemark skiing
• Haute Route
• Heliskiing
• Hazards of outdoor activities

• The skier's encyclopedia, that anyone can edit
• Backcountry skiing website and blog
• French off-piste skiing and snowboarding news
• Backcountry and avalanche safety information
• A Swiss backcountry skiing on-line community
• Backcountry Ski Equipment.
• Colorado Backcountry Advocacy