Some liken it to meditation, others just like the chase of the thrill.

If you’re into winter sports, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about — or even tried — ski touring by now. If not, you still may be familiar; in the last few years, ski touring popularity has boomed. 

But if you’re out of the loop, ski touring essentially involves traversing up a mountain — via skis — then skiing back down. In other words, you’re not using a lift to get you uphill before you descend. In the U.S., ski touring and backcountry skiing are often used interchangeably, but ski touring refers more to the sport or the effort (read: ascending on your two skis), while backcountry skiing refers more to the terrain (typically remote). Further complicating matters is the term skinning.

“Growing up skiing, I thought I had the lingo down pat,” says Karelle Golda, co-founder of the women’s-focused sustainable ski brand Halfdays. “But upon moving to Jackson Hole in 2021, I was hit with the question, ‘Do you skin?’ The confusion prompted an urgent visit to Google, where I quickly discovered that 'skinning' was merely a different word for backcountry touring.”

So whether you call it skinning, backcountry skiing, or ski touring, here’s what you need to know about the winter sport.

Ski Touring in a Nutshell

Ski touring came to North America via Scandinavian immigrants in the 1800s and has gained popularity in the last few years thanks to resorts in the U.S. making it a part of their offerings. Europe has always had an interest in ski touring and the lines are a bit blurrier with what is ski touring and what is not, as they frequently use the terms “on-piste,” meaning marked trails, or “off-piste,” meaning unmarked areas.

Oftentimes, ski touring is talked about by way of “unmarked” or unpatrolled areas, which can be true, but it can also be an offering from a resort or ski area. Again, the sport is really focused on getting up the mountain or making your way across the ski area sans lifts or other apparatus — it’s just you and your skis. This is called uphilling. 

“Beyond the ‘uphilling’ part of touring, whether it's skiing or snowboarding, the fundamental essence of maneuvering down the mountain remains the same,” explains Golda. “Resort skiing or snowboarding relies on chairlifts or gondolas for groomed runs within the resort, while touring means climbing hills under your own steam for that thrill-filled descent.” 

The best part about ski touring? It can accommodate many skill levels. “You don’t need to be an expert in navigating black diamonds to start,” says Golda. “Even if you’re a novice on the slopes, you can find beginner-friendly routes, while seasoned veterans can pursue more challenging adventures.”

There’s also the benefit of spending time immersed in nature, which research shows is one of the main reasons for the growing number of slope ski tourers (ski touring on groomed slopes). Studies suggest that nature exposure is linked with improved cognitive function, blood pressure, mental health, and sleep.

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The Best Places to Ski Tour

“For a beginner looking to start for the first time, I’d head to a popular resort where there are lots of resources to learn,” says Golda. “Tahoe (California), Sun Valley (Idaho), Big Bear (California), and Aspen (Colorado), just to name a few, all have incredible guided backcountry experiences where you can go with a guide for your first time.” You can also check out any major ski resort to talk with guides about backcountry skiing or ski touring, particularly if you’re not an avid skier. 

Looking for a more international ski affair? Head to the Alps, from France to Switzerland to Austria to Italy, to learn even more about ski touring (or skiing off-piste). Other places to try? Norway, the lesser-skied Balkan region (Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, etc.), or Iceland, suggests Golda. Whatever your choice, there’s fun to be had in seeking out the descent, she adds, ”so, gear up and get ready to soak in the views and untouched terrain.”