Ski mountaineering is a dangerous, demanding sport and a very serious undertaking. The more prepared you are, the more enjoyable your trip will be. Being physically fit is very important and can make dealing with objective hazards less dangerous.
On some trips you will be carrying heavy loads. Sleeping and eating conditions will not always be ideal. Weather is unpredictable and may disrupt schedules and climbs. You must prepare yourself both mentally and physically for the many challenges. It will all be worthwhile.
We use simple terms to describe the experience and physical fitness levels we expect from our clients. These terms should be taken very seriously.
Please keep in mind that skiing in high performance alpine gear in established ski areas will most likely not give you an objective indication of your ability n touring gear with a pack in the backcountry in difficult snow conditions.
Solid intermediate skiing ability
You should be able to ski moderate terrain in ski areas in just about any condition with a certain comfort level.
Advanced skiing ability
You should be able to ski black diamond ski slopes at ski areas in just abbout any condition, and be able to ski ungroomed slopes of intermediate difficulty without any hesitation.
Expert skiing ability
You should be able to ski double black diamond ski slopes in ski areas comfortably in just about any condition and be able to ski ungroomed slopes of advanced difficulty without hesitation with a pack of over 20 pounds.
It is hard to describe what physical condition means in the mountains. All our descriptions are based on long duration and low to medium-intensity physical output. The following descriptions are simply guidelines and can obviously be influenced negatively (or positively) by conditions, weather, altitude, etc.
Good physical fitness
You should be able to tour for 3 to 4 hours with a 15 to 20 lb. pack and ascend 2,500 to 3,000 feet of vertical gain per day for 2 to 3 consecutive days.
Very good physical fitness
You should be able to tour for 5 to 6 hours with a pack varying from 20 to 40 lbs. and ascend 3,000 to 4,000 feet of vertical gain per day for 2 to 3 consecutive days.
Excellent physical fitnesss
You should be able to tour for more than six hours with a pack varying from 20 to 40 pounds and ascend 4,000 to 5,000 feet of vertical gain per day for up to a week.