Backcountry
Diagonal Gulley. Photo credit: Sean Langmuir
The Scottish Ski Club has an active backcountry and ski mountaineering membership. Backcountry skiers who wish to enjoy skiing the mountain wilderness with the comradeship and safety of a group are welcome to join in. Club tours are self organising and largely comprise day tours from Scottish Ski Centres where the club has its own excellent mountain hut facilities at Glencoe, Cairngorm, Nevis Range and reciprocal hut access at Glenshee. There are also some guided tours organised and interested members should contact backcountry@scottishskiclub.org.uk
Backcountry Equipment
Most ski tours require metal-edged telemark or alpine skis with touring bindings and climbing skins. In addition, participants should be prepared and equipped to deal with the full range of winter conditions, which can be challenging both overhead and under ski.
In 2013 the club received grant support from SnowsportScotland to establish a pool of essential ski touring safety equipment. The equipment which is available to loan to club members, includes: avalanche transceivers, probes, shovels, climbing skins and ski touring attachments that can be fitted to down hill skis. The items of equipment are split between the club’s NevisRange and Cairngorm sites. Members wishing to borrow equipment should make contact with: backcountry@scottishskiclub.org.uk
The Club gratefully acknowledges the support provided by Anatom, who supplied items of safety equipment.
Avalanche and Snow Safety Training
The Club is keen to encourage more members to participate in backcountry skiing. There are various levels of training available so members wishing to attend a course should contact backcountry@scottishskiclub.org.uk
Please keep an eye on club newsletters and communications for information on current backcountry days / courses.
Ski Mountaineering Competitions
In recent years ski mountaineering racing has become re-established in Scotland. It combines athletic skiing with mountaineering skills incorporating technical ascents and descents. There are different types of courses ranging from vertical races when racers skin uphill over a set distance to courses that have short steep sections which require the racers to put their skis on their backpacks; all combined with technical downhill sections. Races have been held at Glenshee, NevisRange, Glencoe and the Lecht. Competitions are organized by Skimo Scotland Ltd
Further information
Avalanche and Snow Safety – Avalanche hazard considerations should always be part of any winter hill goers daily plans. Off-piste skiers and ski tourers should be aware of the prevailing snow and weather conditions, particulalry in respect of any potential avalanche hazard.
The Sportscotland Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) brings hill users daily forecasts of the avalanche hazard for five areas of Scotland, during the winter season.
Mountain Weather – Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) produce detailed mountain weather forecasts for eight different mountain areas of the UK as an aid to mountain safety. Forecasts are produced manually using information from a range of forecast models and forecasters knowledge of mountain weather. New forecasts, for the next three days are produced by 4:30pm daily, normally earlier in the winter, and amended as necessary. The production of the Scottish forecasts is fully funded by the Scottish Government through sportscotland with the support of The Mountaineering Council of Scotland.