Love for the mountains runs on skis.
Ski mountaineering discipline, ski mountaineering is practiced in the mountains during snow cover, usually outside the facilities and on the equipped slopes. So you slide on "off-piste" slopes with ad hoc skis and skins to easily move both in the descent and in the ascent phase.
Where there is snow, ski mountaineering is practicable in many times of the year, away from the ski lifts and equipped slopes.
To practice this sport in complete safety it is necessary to equip yourself with the right skis and seal skins (or synthetic sealskins) which, applied under them, allow you to tackle a snowy climb, even a steep one. The most appropriate clothing is in layers, and the equipment depends on the activities you intend to carry out.
Not just skiing: to practice ski mountaineering in complete safety, you need to choose the right boots, bindings, skins, avalanche equipment. Because this discipline, born in the early XX century, has undergone a great evolution over the decades. And today it is possible to carry it out with every precaution.
The Zinermann stores in Livigno offer all the news from the best ski mountaineering clothing and equipment brands.
Skis and seal skins
Ski mountaineering skis are similar in size to alpine skis, but are lighter. Their bindings allow you to free the heel, facilitating uphill movements, and then to block it for skiing downhill. Seal skins, once made with tanned animal skins and indispensable for climbing, are now a band of polyester or mohair wool with an adhesive side. Also available for hire.
Hagan, Fischer, Atomic, Montana, Movement, Rossignol
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Attacks
The bindings for ski mountaineering, typically in ergal and titanium, can be locked in two different positions: the one of ascent with mobile heel allows progression, while in that of descent the heel is blocked. However, at the time of purchase, it is essential to pay attention to the compatibility between boots and bindings.
ATK, Hagan, Salomon, Dynafit, Marker, G3, Atomic
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Boots
For ski mountaineering the right boots are fundamental and they must guarantee the possibility of walking comfortably both with and without skis, quickly passing from walk mode to ski mode. Similar to alpine ski boots, they are generally lighter and have a rubber sole to facilitate walking.
Scarpa, Atomic, Salomon
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Clothing
Ski mountaineering is practiced at low temperatures but, being an endurance activity, it makes you sweat. It is therefore essential to dress in layers, so to remove the heaviest clothing during the ascent. The underwear must be technical, the garments breathable, the weight of each garment contained, in order to facilitate your movement.
Ortovox, Rock Experience, D'frent
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Safety
When practicing ski mountaineering, for your safety and to mitigate the risk of avalanches, it is essential to have an avalanche transceiver (A.R.T.V.A - Device for Searching Overwhelmed in Avalanches) capable of transmitting a radio signal to facilitate finding and rescue. It is also necessary to have a shovel and a probe with you.
Ortovox, Pieps, Black Diamond, Barrywox, ABS, BCA
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