Summiting together: How to find ski touring partners
Whether for work or for leisure, everything is made easier with teamwork. That goes for ski touring, too. Especially for novices, it is advisable to take on your first attempts accompanied by more experienced ski touring enthusiasts. But even for pros, it’s always better to not head out alone in the backcountry for safety reasons.
But how do you find ski touring partners when you have just started with the sport or when nobody has time in your circle of friends? Here are a few tips from us for seeking like-minded people. We’ll also explain why it’s best to go out with others on a ski tour.
Why ski touring with others?
Ski touring in a group offers numerous advantages that go way beyond the fun factor. Safety is of course No. 1: In a group, risks are better minimized. In the case of a serious incident, an avalanche transceiver (LVS) can be more efficiently used and first-aid procedures faster implemented. The “partner check” before any tour ensures that all avalanche transceivers work correctly, which can save a life in an emergency. Decisions about choices in routes or critical points along the way can be made jointly, which spreads the responsibility across more people. In addition, all participants benefit from the mutual exchange: Experience ski tourers offer valuable technique tips and share their knowledge which allows novices to advance more quickly. At the same time, the view of the inexperienced and feedback from novices also protect pros from organizational “blindness” and a “we’ve always done it this way” mentality.
But that’s not at all the end of it: Experiencing the challenges together strengthens motivation and the resilience of each person. Also, ski touring with others expands the social network in that you meet new people and make new friends – an important aspect of mental health, which we have already touched on in a separate post. Last but not least, it is just more fun to share special experiences and joys in the outdoors with others and to swap experiences after a tour.
Finding ski touring partners – Here’s how
Local groups and events
The search for the like-minded for ski touring often begins directly at your own front door – in the truest sense. Local sports groups or meetups offer an ideal platform to make connections. Many sports retailers and DYNAFIT stores organize regular meetups, events and workshops. There, you can get to know other ski touring enthusiasts. Especially noteworthy are demo events and after-work meetups where participants head to a hut afterward together. Also good is the regularly scheduled Snow Leopard Day from DYNAFIT. Taking advantage of retailers’ and partners’ social media platforms or newsletters keeps you up to date and means you don’t miss events. The advantage of such local events is that you can then find possible partners locally you can meet up with at a later date.
Online platforms
Online communities and forums are likewise a valuable resource in seeking ski touring partners. Platforms such as various related Facebook groups or similar forums offer a place for exchanges about current conditions and the ability to schedule tours with others. Even associations, in particular alpine clubs or ski clubs, are outstanding starting points with their online presence. These organizations offer not only a large network, but also regular events and excursions.
Ski touring courses
In addition, special ski touring courses offered by outdoor schools or alpine clubs can be a good opportunity to find like-minded people. In these courses, you not only learn techniques and safety for the tour, but you also meet other participants who share your interests. With some luck, there is somebody else there who lives near you and with whom you can schedule more meetups at some point after the course.
