JustBeginning
Beginner's guide

So you're getting into ski touring

Ski touring is the fastest-growing corner of skiing—and for good reason. You earn your turns, skip the lift lines, and find snow nobody else has reached. Getting started costs real money ($1,500–$3,000 for a solid kit), but the gear is purpose-built. Here's exactly what you need first, and what can wait.

By Colin B. · Published May 28, 2026 · Last reviewed May 28, 2026
a man walking up a snow covered mountain holding skis

Photo by Johannes Andersson on Unsplash

The 60-second version

If you only buy 3 things to start:

  1. Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon — The one piece of touring kit you should never borrow — reliable, clear interface, and what guides carry.
  2. Black Diamond Glidelite Mix Skins — Mix-blend skins that climb any pitch and glide better than pure nylon. The practical default for most conditions.
  3. Osprey Kamber 20 — A bomber day-touring pack with skin pocket and back-panel access. Carries a full kit without drama.
Budget total
$1500
Typical total
$2500
A practical beginner kit (skis, bindings, boots, skins, beacon, probe, shovel, pack) runs $1,500–$3,000. Renting skis, boots, and bindings for your first season while buying the non-rentable items (beacon, probe, shovel) is the smart money move.
At a glance

Our top pick in each category

The fastest path through this guide — each best-starter pick by category. Scroll for the budget and upgrade alternatives.

CategoryTop pickPriceWhere to buy
Touring SkisBlizzardBlizzard Zero G 95$$$ See on Amazon →
AT BindingsMarkerMarker Kingpin 13$$$ See on Amazon →
AT BootsScarpaScarpa Maestrale RS$$$ See on Amazon →
Climbing SkinsBlack DiamondBlack Diamond Glidelite Mix Skins$$ See on Amazon →
Avalanche SafetyMammutMammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon$$$ See on Amazon →
Touring PackOspreyOsprey Kamber 20$$ See on Amazon →
Before you buy anything

A few things worth knowing first

Rent before you buy skis, boots, and bindings. Most specialty touring shops offer multi-day AT rentals for $40–70/day. One weekend on a rented setup tells you more about what ski width and boot flex you want than any amount of spec-sheet reading.

Take an avalanche course before your first real backcountry tour. Not a YouTube primer — an AIARE Level 1 or equivalent with field practice. Book this before you buy anything except the beacon.

The beacon, probe, and shovel are the exception to the rent-first rule. Buy these on day one and own them. You practice rescue with your own beacon and your own muscle memory. Don't borrow this kit.

Every person in the touring party needs their own complete safety kit. 'My partner has a beacon' is how accidents become fatalities.

The gear

What you actually need

Touring Skis

Touring skis are built to climb and ski — two things that pull in opposite directions. Narrower skis (75–85mm underfoot) skin efficiently; wider skis (96–106mm) float in powder but you'll feel the weight going up. For most beginners, an 85–95mm waist is the sweet spot — versatile enough for the resort day after a tour and competent in a foot of powder. Demo before you buy. Most touring centers have multi-day AT ski rentals and it's worth using them.

Touring Skis — what's the difference?

A few common shapes, each making a different trade.

All-Mountain Touring (83–95mm)

The practical first ski. Skis the resort and handles any real tour.

Waist
83–95mm
Weight
~1,350–1,600g/ski
Best for
Mixed terrain, 4-season use

Best for Beginners and crossover tourers who still ski the resort

Tradeoff Less float in deep powder than wider options

↓ See our pick
Freeride Touring (96–106mm)

Built for powder. Heavier skinning, better on big mountain descent.

Waist
96–106mm
Weight
~1,600–2,100g/ski
Best for
Deep snow, steep zones

Best for Dedicated powder chasers who accept the uphill penalty

Tradeoff Extra width is hard work on firm skintrack or icy traverses

Fast and Light (70–82mm)

Race-trim touring — ultralight, unforgiving. For experts who train for it.

Waist
70–82mm
Weight
~900–1,200g/ski
Best for
Ski mountaineering, fast touring

Best for Experienced tourers optimizing for vertical gain per hour

Tradeoff Barely adequate in powder; punishing on variable snow

Best starter
Blizzard

Blizzard Zero G 95

$$$

The Zero G 95 handles both the climb and the descent without obvious compromises. At around 1,450g per ski, it's light enough for a proper skintrack and stiff enough to ski variable snow with confidence. The industry benchmark for all-around beginner touring skis.

What we like

  • At ~1,450g per ski, light enough for multi-hour skin tracks
  • 95mm waist handles variable snow without being a powder pig
  • Industry-standard touring flex — not too flexy, not too stiff

What to know

  • Tech or hybrid binding required — adds cost if not already set up
  • Too light for pure resort skiing — not great in bumps or hardpack ice
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Atomic

Atomic Bent 90

$$

A heavier all-mountain ski that tours surprisingly well on mellow terrain. Not a touring-specific build, but the Bent 90 gets beginners on the skintrack without the full touring-ski investment. Spend the savings on boots.

What we like

  • Works with existing alpine bindings — lower total cost to start
  • Proven all-mountain construction handles resort skiing equally well
  • Widely available for demo and rental — easy to try before committing

What to know

  • Heavy for serious skinning — you'll feel it past 500m gain
  • You'll eventually want a real touring ski as you progress
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Black Crows

Black Crows Navis Freebird

$$$$

When technique has caught up with equipment, the Navis delivers confidence in steep, variable, and wind-affected snow. Wider than the Zero G with more float in deep snow and stiffer torsion for demanding descents.

What we like

  • 100mm waist floats in deep snow most tourers eventually chase
  • Torsional stiffness handles steep couloir skiing and wind slab confidently
  • Black Crows construction quality holds up to serious use for years

What to know

  • Wider ski is harder to skin on icy, narrow skin tracks
  • Full touring setup runs $1,800+ skis-only at retail
See on Amazon →

AT Bindings

AT bindings are more complex than alpine bindings and the choice genuinely matters. Frame bindings let any alpine boot click in, but they're heavy — you'll feel every extra gram on long skin tracks. Tech bindings use a pin-toe system and are light and efficient, but require boots with tech inserts. Hybrid bindings like the Kingpin give you real DIN alpine-mode release on the way down and an efficient tech-pin walk mode on the way up. For most beginners, a hybrid is the practical answer.

Best starter
Marker

Marker Kingpin 13

$$$

The Kingpin solved a real problem: a binding that walks like a tech binding but skis with genuine DIN certification in ski mode. For crossover tourers who still want resort-level retention on the descent, this is the binding that makes sense.

What we like

  • True DIN certification — real alpine-level retention in ski mode
  • Tech mode is efficient and light for the performance it provides
  • Works with any tech-insert AT boot — broad compatibility

What to know

  • Heavier than pure tech bindings — noticeable on very long tours
  • Pricier than frame bindings — budget $450–550 installed
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Tyrolia

Tyrolia Ambition 12

$$

If you want to start touring on existing alpine boots, frame bindings are the bridge. The Ambition 12 is lighter than average for a frame binding and walks well enough for moderate terrain. Prioritize spending on boots and safety gear instead.

What we like

  • Works with any alpine or AT boot — no tech-insert requirement
  • Familiar DIN step-in for skiers converting directly from alpine
  • Lower price point than hybrid tech bindings — eases entry cost

What to know

  • 400–600g heavier per binding than tech options — real tour penalty
  • Walk mode is adequate but inefficient on extended skin tracks
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Dynafit

Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0

$$$

The pure tech binding for tourers who've committed to the light-and-fast approach. Noticeably lighter than any hybrid binding and the fastest mode switch available. Requires tech-insert boots and confident ski technique — not a beginner binding.

What we like

  • Among the lightest bindings available — under 350g per binding
  • Fastest heel-flat-to-ski-mode switch of any binding on the market
  • Built for serious mountain terrain — handles steep and off-piste well

What to know

  • Requires tech-insert boots — no alpine-boot compatibility
  • Release in a hard fall is less reliable than full DIN bindings
See on Amazon →

AT Boots

AT boots are the most personal piece of gear in your kit — and the most important to get right. They need to walk (articulating cuff, grippy Vibram sole) and ski (stiff enough to transfer power). The stiffer the flex, the better it skis; the softer, the more comfortable the uphill. Most beginner tourers land in the 100–120 flex range. Don't buy AT boots without trying them on first — a bad fit makes every tour miserable, and returns are painful once boots have been skied.

Best starter
Scarpa

Scarpa Maestrale RS

$$$

The Maestrale RS is the most-recommended beginner AT boot among mountain guides and touring instructors. The 115-flex walks with real ankle articulation and skis harder than the flex number suggests. Compatible with tech, frame, and GripWalk bindings — genuinely future-proof.

What we like

  • 115-flex walks with real ankle articulation — tours feel like tours, not slogs
  • Skis harder than the flex number suggests — surprises most beginners
  • Compatible with tech, frame, and GripWalk bindings — future-proof

What to know

  • Fit runs narrow — try before buying if you have wide feet
  • At ~1,550g per boot, heavier than ultralight touring alternatives
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
Nordica

Nordica Strider 120 DYN

$$

A stiff, well-priced AT boot from a brand that gets fit right. The DYN GripWalk sole makes on/off lifts easier, and the 120 flex skis better than most beginners expect. Often available on end-of-season sale for meaningful savings.

What we like

  • GripWalk sole for easier walking at lift towers and parking lots
  • 120 flex provides real power transfer for varied terrain
  • Frequently discounted end-of-season — excellent value if timed right

What to know

  • Stiff flex is demanding uphill — quads notice on 1,000m+ gain days
  • Heavier construction compared to purpose-built touring boots
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Atomic

Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130

$$$$

When technique has caught up with equipment, the XTD 130 is where serious tourers land — nearly 400g lighter than equivalent alpine boots, 130 flex for maximum power transfer, and full tech-insert compatibility. Buy this when you're ready, not before.

What we like

  • Nearly 400g lighter than equivalent alpine boots — real tour efficiency
  • 130 flex drives a ski with authority in technical terrain
  • Full tech-insert compatibility works with any tech binding

What to know

  • 130 flex is genuinely stiff — punishing for beginners without technique
  • High price ($700+) — not justified until technique needs the stiffness
See on Amazon →
men's yellow jacket and blue pants

Photo by Cyprien Delaporte on Unsplash

Climbing Skins

Climbing skins attach to the base of your skis with glue and let you walk uphill without sliding backward — the fundamental mechanic of ski touring. They need to grip on the way up and glide on the way down. Grip and glide pull in opposite directions: pure nylon grips in any condition; mohair glides better but slips in cold powder; a 65/35 nylon/mohair blend splits the difference and is the standard first choice for most North American conditions.

Best starter
Black Diamond

Black Diamond Glidelite Mix Skins

$$

The Glidelite Mix is the beginner consensus pick — the 65/35 nylon/mohair blend climbs reliably in cold powder and glides better than pure nylon on long flat approaches. Universal glue performs across temperature ranges without the fussiness of older formulas.

What we like

  • 65/35 nylon/mohair blend grips cold powder and glides flat approaches
  • Universal glue reliable across -15°C to warm spring conditions
  • Works with most tip/tail attachment systems without modification

What to know

  • Glide degrades after ~30 skin days — re-glide every 1–2 seasons
  • Less glide than mohair-dominant skins on long flat valley approaches
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Pomoca

Pomoca Climb 2.0 Skins

$$$

Pomoca's racing heritage shows up in the Climb 2.0 — the mohair-heavy blend glides noticeably better on long valley approaches and flat skin tracks. More expensive than BD, and the glue needs spring maintenance, but the uphill experience is a different league on distance tours.

What we like

  • Mohair-heavy blend glides noticeably better on flat valley approaches
  • Light per-skin weight — less drag on the uphill stride
  • STS glue system sticks reliably in cold temperatures

What to know

  • Premium price — roughly 40% more expensive than the BD Glidelite
  • Glue requires spring maintenance; delaminates in wet snow if neglected
See on Amazon →

Avalanche Safety

Every touring party needs three things: a transceiver (beacon), a probe, and a shovel. That's not optional equipment — these tools are why teammates can find and dig out a buried companion. Buy all three at the same time. Buy new: don't inherit a decade-old beacon from someone's closet. And take an AIARE Level 1 avalanche course before your first real backcountry tour. The gear doesn't help if you've never practiced using it.

Best starter
Mammut

Mammut Barryvox S Avalanche Beacon

$$$

The Barryvox S has been the guide community's default for years because it works when you're panicking. Three-antenna search, real multiple-burial handling, and a display you can read through glove liners. There are cheaper beacons. There are none meaningfully better for beginners learning rescue.

What we like

  • Three-antenna search — fastest signal acquisition on the market
  • Proven multiple-burial algorithm used by mountain rescue teams
  • Large glove-friendly display readable in storm conditions

What to know

  • $400 price point — more expensive than budget beacon options
  • Advanced features add a learning curve compared to simpler models
See on Amazon →
Budget pick
BCA

BCA Tracker S Avalanche Beacon

$$

If the Barryvox is out of budget, the Tracker S is the right call. BCA's signal-processing algorithm is proven, the interface is clean, and it's the beacon most beginners train on at avalanche courses. Upgrade to a three-antenna model when you move to serious terrain.

What we like

  • Trusted BCA algorithm — clear signal with minimal false positives
  • Clean interface makes learning at avalanche courses easier
  • Widely available at REI, Backcountry, and local ski shops

What to know

  • Less capable in complex multiple-burial scenarios than premium models
  • Older battery indicator design — check batteries before every tour
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Black Diamond

Black Diamond Deploy 3 Avalanche Shovel

$

Every touring party needs a shovel and the Deploy 3 is the one professionals actually carry — the blade size, extendable T-handle ergonomics, and pack-down dimensions are well-calibrated for real rescue speed. It's $50. Buy it the same day as your beacon.

What we like

  • Extendable T-handle gives real leverage in consolidated avalanche debris
  • Blade size calibrated for rescue speed, not just powder stirring
  • Collapsible design fits any pack side pocket without bulk

What to know

  • Assembly under panic adds a beat compared to fixed-handle shovels
  • Blade too small for fast bulk snow clearing in very deep burials
See on Amazon →
Specialty pick
Black Diamond

Black Diamond Quick Draw Carbon 240 Probe

$

A probe confirms burial depth and exact location before you start digging. The Quick Draw Carbon locks into a rigid pole in under three seconds with practice, and 240cm handles the vast majority of North American avalanche scenarios. Not optional.

What we like

  • Deploys and locks rigid in under three seconds with practice
  • Carbon construction — lighter than aluminum at equal stiffness
  • 240cm handles the vast majority of North American burial scenarios

What to know

  • Carbon sections crack if stepped on — store carefully in your pack
  • Practice deploying at home before relying on it in the field
See on Amazon →

Touring Pack

A touring pack carries your skins, extra layers, safety gear, water, food, and survival kit. Day tour packs run 18–28L. Features that matter: a dedicated skin pocket (keeps wet skins away from dry layers), a back- or side-panel access system (so you're not unpacking everything in the snow), and a hip-belt geometry that works with ski pants and AT boot buckles. An airbag pack is worth considering from day one if your terrain includes real avalanche exposure — it's real risk reduction.

Best starter
Osprey

Osprey Kamber 20

$$

The Kamber 20 (men's) and Sopris 20 (women's) are the packs ski tourers actually buy — dedicated skin pocket keeps wet skins from soaking your layers, side-panel access means you're not digging for a shell in the snow, and the hip-belt geometry works with ski pants and AT boots.

What we like

  • Dedicated skin pocket keeps wet skins away from dry layers
  • Side-panel access — grab a layer without unpacking in the snow
  • Hip-belt geometry designed for ski pants and AT boot buckles

What to know

  • No airbag compatibility — upgrade path requires a new pack
  • Narrower shoulder straps — not ideal for broad-shouldered builds
See on Amazon →
Upgrade pick
Mammut

Mammut Free 22 Airbag Pack

$$$$

An airbag pack is real risk reduction — a deployed airbag doesn't guarantee survival, but it meaningfully improves burial statistics in triggerable terrain. The Free 22 uses a compressed-air cartridge system that's TSA-compliant and refillable at most mountain shops.

What we like

  • Compressed-air system is TSA-compliant and refillable at mountain shops
  • Airbag deployment meaningfully improves surface burial statistics
  • 22L carries a full day's food, water, and safety kit without bulk

What to know

  • Cartridge needs replacing after each deployment — carry a spare
  • Adds $200–400 over an equivalent standard pack — real cost tradeoff
See on Amazon →
Going deeper

Your first season of ski touring

Most people overthink the gear and underthink the avalanche education. Here's what the first season actually looks like — the skills that matter, the mistakes everyone makes, and when it starts clicking.

Read the guide →
Save your money

What you don't need yet

Beginners get pressured to buy a lot of stuff that doesn't help them play better. Here's what we'd skip on day one.

  • Custom boot liners — Get your stock liners heat-molded at the shop on day one. Custom liners (Intuition, Palau) make sense after a full season when you know the fit problems you're solving.
  • Ski crampons — You'll eventually need them for icy morning starts and spring alpine tours — but not in your first season. Add them once you're skinning regularly.
  • A dedicated GPS device — Your phone with Gaia GPS (free tier) is genuinely sufficient to start. A dedicated GPS unit makes sense when you're doing multi-day or navigation-critical routes.
  • Splitboard setup — Splitboarding is a distinct sport with its own gear ecosystem. Great choice if you snowboard — but it's a different build-from-scratch kit, not a crossover.
  • Touring-specific apparel — Your existing ski jacket and pants work fine for your first season. Dedicated touring softshells make sense when you're touring often enough to notice the difference in breathability.
First week

Your first seven days

A short, real plan to get from gear-on-doorstep to actually playing.

  1. Book an AIARE Level 1 avalanche course — before anything else. Avalanche education is the foundation of backcountry skiing and should happen before your first tour. · Action
  2. Order your beacon, probe, and shovel — these you own and practice with. Start with the Mammut Barryvox S and Black Diamond Deploy 3 shovel + Quick Draw Carbon 240 probe. · Buy
  3. Book a ski touring rental for your first weekend out. Most specialty shops rent full AT setups (skis, boots, bindings) — use that to figure out your preferred ski width and boot flex before buying. · Action
  4. Download Gaia GPS on your phone and load a beginner touring route in your area. Read the trail notes and check the terrain ratings. · Action
    • Gaia GPS · Best mapping app for backcountry navigation
  5. Bookmark your regional avalanche center and check the forecast daily for two weeks before your first tour. Getting comfortable reading danger ratings before your life depends on it is the point. · Action
  6. Find a touring partner with more experience than you. Do not go into the backcountry alone as a beginner. Most touring clubs and local shops run beginner group tours. · Action
FAQ

Common questions

How much does it cost to start ski touring?

A practical starter kit — skis, bindings, boots, skins, beacon, probe, shovel, and pack — runs $1,500–$3,000 new. You can cut that significantly by renting skis, boots, and bindings for your first season (most specialty touring shops offer multi-day AT rentals) and buying only the safety gear (beacon, probe, shovel) outright.

Can I use my regular alpine ski boots for touring?

Only with frame bindings. Frame bindings accept any alpine boot but add significant weight (400–600g per binding). You can start this way, but you'll quickly notice the uphill penalty. Most dedicated tourers move to tech-compatible AT boots within a season or two.

Do I really need to take an avalanche course?

Yes. Backcountry terrain carries real avalanche risk, and the beacon, probe, and shovel are only useful if you know how to use them under pressure with a buried teammate. An AIARE Level 1 course (typically two days, around $300–400) is the minimum. Take it before your first real tour, not after.

How fit do I need to be to start ski touring?

More fit than you think, but less than you fear. A comfortable beginner tour gains 300–600m of vertical over 3–5km. If you can hike steadily for 2–3 hours without stopping, you have enough fitness to start. Skinning is rhythmic and steady, not explosive — it rewards pacing over strength.

What level skier do I need to be before I start touring?

Solid intermediate and above — you need to ski blue and black runs comfortably in varied conditions before heading into the backcountry. The descent on a ski tour is real terrain: variable snow, no grooming, no ski patrol. If you're still working on parallel turns on groomed slopes, spend another season at the resort first.

What's the difference between ski touring and splitboarding?

Same basic idea — ascend on your own power, descend on your own terms — but ski touring uses skis with climbing skins and AT bindings, while splitboarding uses a snowboard that splits into two ski-like halves for the uphill. The communities overlap but the gear is entirely separate.

Going further

Where to next

Related hobbies

Browse by category

Authoritative sources

  • American Avalanche Association — The standard-setting body for avalanche education in the US. Their course finder lists AIARE Level 1 programs by region. Your first stop before your first tour.
  • Avalanche.org — Links to every regional avalanche center in North America. Bookmark your local center and check the forecast before every single tour. This is not optional.
  • Colorado Avalanche Information Center — The most data-rich avalanche center in the country — their educational content and forecast archives are useful for anyone learning to read terrain, even outside Colorado.
  • The Mountaineers — Pacific Northwest-based outdoor education organization with excellent online and in-person courses for backcountry skiing, navigation, and mountaineering. Their book 'Backcountry Skiing' is a deep reference.
  • Earn Your Turns Podcast — Long-running backcountry skiing podcast covering terrain, technique, gear, and safety. One of the best audio resources for aspiring tourers.
  • Powder Magazine — Backcountry — The ski culture bible. The backcountry coverage skews expert, but it's useful for understanding terrain, gear evolution, and the culture of the sport.
  • r/backcountry — Active subreddit with gear advice, trip reports, and safety discussions. Skip the gear-brand wars; search the safety and technique threads for grounded advice.
man in blue jacket and black pants riding ski blades on snow covered mountain during daytime

Photo by Luke Helgeson on Unsplash

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