The journey from plotting a ski day to pulling on your boots and getting started is, or at least should be, super fun. Now, I’m not going to pretend that it’s as fun as the skiing itself... but it can still provide a lot of satisfaction - when done right.
It’s all too easy to get lost in the details, make things too complicated, or forget to actually enjoy yourself, so here’s how to plan a backcountry tour from scratch in a smart, efficient way, and actually enjoy the process.
Define the Goal
Every great tour starts with a simple question: What do you want from the day?
Are you chasing vertical and fitness? Looking for untouched powder? Practicing glacier travel? Or just trying to explore new terrain with friends? Be realistic about what you’re trying to get out of the day.
That goal dictates everything else — distance, elevation, start time, and even your choice of partner. Inviting your fittest and most motivated friend on a mellow day might not be ideal, just as inviting a beginner to rip a new pillow zone will end badly. Experienced skiers understand that clarity of intent makes decision-making easier, both on the mountain and before you go.
Research Like a Guide
Read recent trip reports, check regional avalanche bulletins, and study weather trends from the past few days - intel is safety. Having done all that, open Outmap and study slope-angle, aspect, and avalanche overlay layers. Don’t just look at your zone - understand it.
- Which aspects are most affected by wind?
- Where are the obvious terrain traps or steep convex rolls?
- What are your descent options and escape routes?
Some routes simply don’t have bail options, but knowing this is key information in itself because it means that all your focus will be on being successful. If you have no option but to continue on a trip, pour all your energy into figuring out how to do so safely. Having no choice of route doesn’t mean there’s no research to do.
Regardless of the situation, the better you know the terrain, the faster and more effective your decision-making will be.
Build the Route
With the data in hand, it’s time to link everything together. Use Outmap to plot a logical, efficient route that follows natural features: ridgelines for ascents, broad bowls for descents, and sheltered benches for transitions.
A well-planned tour flows — you shouldn’t be zig-zagging uphill under avalanche paths or bushwhacking through tight trees.
Aim for a climbing pace of 300–400 vertical meters per hour for most groups, and factor in breaks, transitions, and route-finding pauses. Plan conservatively — it’s far better to finish early and go for bonus laps than to realize you’re racing daylight on the last descent.
Check Logistics (Twice)
Even the best route is worthless if you can’t reach the trailhead or if avalanche conditions change overnight. Before committing, confirm:
Access: Is the road plowed or gated? Will parking fill up early?
Timing: Sunrise, sunset, and temperature swings.
Communication: Do you have cell service or a satellite device?
Mapping: Have you downloaded Outmap offline for the correct area?
Hazards: Cornices, glide cracks, and known avalanche problems.
If conditions don’t match your plan, pivot. Smart planning isn’t stubborn — it’s adaptable.
Measure twice, cut it once.
Prep Your Gear Like a Minimalist
A good packing list doesn’t just mean bringing everything — it means bringing what’s reliable and familiar. Lay out your gear the night before and ask:
- Do I actually need this?
- Have I used it recently?
- Can I fix it if it breaks?
That applies as much to tech bindings as it does to snacks and layers. Always bring the essentials (beacon, shovel, probe, first aid, repair kit, headlamp), but skip the “just-in-case” extras that clutter your pack and slow transitions.
A lighter pack means a more enjoyable day.
Stay Flexible — the Mountain Always Wins
On the day of the tour, treat your plan as a framework, not a rulebook. The mountain has its own agenda, and conditions evolve faster than any forecast can capture.
Trust your preparation, but be willing to adapt:
If the snowpack feels unstable, change your objective.
If the weather changes, the plan should too.
If your team’s energy wanes, turn around early.
Professional guides make constant micro-adjustments. They’re not lucky — they’re responsive. Try to do the same.
Reflect and Refine
After the tour, take 10 minutes to debrief — what worked, what didn’t, what surprised you. Compare your GPS track to your planned route.
Did your timing estimates hold up? Were the slope angles as you expected? Did you find better terrain than you thought existed, or was it a let down? Why was your pre-tour reading of the terrain incorrect?
These post-tour notes compound over time. Before long, you’ll start to plan intuitively — reading terrain, weather, and snowpack like an old friend.
Planning a ski tour isn’t just about logistics — it’s about building confidence, awareness, and freedom in the backcountry. When you know how to visualize a line, adapt on the fly, and execute the day safely, the whole experience becomes more enjoyable.
Because ultimately, the best tours aren’t the longest or steepest — they’re the ones where everything just flows. And that starts with a great plan.
