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As the interest in backcountry skiing grows so does the amount and quality of equipment designed especially for it. Wide skis get lighter and increase in stability, boots get more comfortable, easier to use and shave even more weight off, and bindings get lighter, stronger and smoother. This means we cherry pick a range of skis, boots and bindings that includes only the very best options. We have equipment for all kinds of adventures off-piste: from lift-accessed powder turns to inresort backcountry, single day powder missions and traditional multi-day tours. Over the next pages you’ll find the latest equipment to make your time in the backcountry safer, easier and ultimately, more enjoyable. We’ve got ultra-light bindings, innovative transceivers, fat powder skis, technical all-terrain boots and much more. In addition to the online store you can also find this range of equipment in a spread of stores across the country. Our Ellis Brigham Backcountry Centres cover Scotland, the North of England and South of England, with centres in Glasgow, Manchester and in 2 London shops: Glasgow Braehead, Manchester Castlefield, London Covent Garden, London Kensington. Click the thumbnails below for our backcountry skiing products » |
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One of the greatest risks we face when skiing off piste or out in the backcountry is that posed by avalanche. The majority of avalanche victims are caught in avalanches that have been triggered by themselves or their companions. Statistics show that in the event of an avalanche burial, the buried victim’s greatest chance of survival is to be located and uncovered within 15 minutes. With the average call out time for an official search and rescue team to arrive on location and begin searching at around 30 to 40 minutes it is apparent that the avalanche victim’s greatest chance of survival is through an efficient and rapid search and rescue operation provided by the victim’s properly equipped and prepared companions on location. The minimum requirements for skiing in the backcountry are a transceiver, shovel and probe. There are some scary statistics that show search and rescue times for locating and uncovering an avalanche victim under 1 meter of snow by teams with: From this you can see just how important the magic 3 items are. Don’t venture out there without them! Remember that backcountry areas are not patrolled and you need to have an idea of how long it will take you get to where you want to go and how long it will take you to get back into a patrolled area. Make sure you know what time the last lifts of the day run in case you need to use them to get back to your resort.
• Always check the current/latest weather conditions. If you are new to skiing in off-piste environments make use of some of the excellent courses now available, such as www.chrisfecherskiing.com |
