Ski touring, where to start?

La Cordée

September 19, 2025

6 minutes

You want to start the year off right and are looking for a new hobby or a new challenge? Skiers, hikers, or outdoor sports enthusiasts, ski touring is for you!

What is ski touring?

Midway between alpine skiing and backcountry cross-country skiing, ski touring allows skiers to climb mountains thanks to a binding and boot specifically designed for this purpose. Unlike alpine skiing, you can venture onto less-traveled trails, outside of tourist resorts, and thus experience a totally different experience, filled with challenges and (we hope) lots of powder. Several organizations such as the FQME and Sépaq offer you playgrounds that will allow you to get off the beaten track and conquer fresh snow (fresh tracks). Many ski resorts also offer marked ascent trails that allow you to climb the mountains in the backcountry and descend on the resort side.

Choosing Your Gear

Backcountry skiing requires similar equipment to that used in alpine skiing, with a few exceptions. The choice of your equipment will differ depending on your needs, your skill level, and the terrain on which you will be practicing the activity.

The boots

The major difference between alpine ski boots and touring ski boots is that the latter have two modes, a walk mode, which allows the heel to be released and provides a greater range of motion during the ascent, and a downhill mode. They are also often equipped with tech inserts, compatible with pin bindings.

Once again, several factors must be considered when buying touring ski boots. The main factors to consider are:

The type of skiing you plan to do.
The size and morphology of your feet.

The type of boots

For a skier who wants to spend a lot of time in the backcountry and cover long distances, a lightweight boot will allow for a better stride and a more efficient ascent, although sacrificing a bit of performance on the descent.

For a skier for whom the descent is the priority, a slightly heavier and stiffer boot will allow for more performance, but will require a little more energy on the ascent.

Finally, for skiers who plan to spend a lot of time in a ski resort and venture out a few times on touring skis, hybrid boots can be an excellent choice. They resemble traditional alpine ski boots, but they are often a little lighter for an easier ascent. Many hybrid boots are compatible with both alpine touring bindings and regular bindings.

Don't forget to opt for a pair of boots that will be compatible with your bindings!

The Adjustment

As with alpine ski boots, the size of touring ski boots is measured in "mondopoint". This involves calculating the length and width of your feet in millimeters to find the right size. As the fit of the boots can vary depending on the brand, it is therefore recommended to try several before making your purchase.

During your fitting, your toes should brush the end of the boot when you are standing, but no longer touch it when you bend your knees. To confirm your choice, put the boot on without the liner. When your foot is inside and fully advanced in the shell, a space of about ½ to ¾ inch should be behind your foot.

Finally, the stiffness (flex) of the boot should be taken into consideration when making your choice. The higher the flex, the stiffer the boot will be and the better the performance will be on the descent. It is important not to overestimate your personal level because if the boot is too stiff for you, you may have difficulty controlling your skis properly.

Our advice: Go to the store to try on several pairs of boots, and ask our advisors for advice. They will be able to guide you to the model that suits you best!