Five Things to Consider for Your Next Ski Adventure

Nervous About Your Next Ski Adventure? - Here are five things to think about to help you in your planning

Feeling nervous before a ski tour or backcountry adventure isn’t a weakness—it’s a sign that you care about making good decisions. Whether you’re new to ski touring or pushing into bigger objectives, a bit of uncertainty is healthy. The mountains demand respect and thoughtful planning is often the difference between an unforgettable day and one you’d rather forget.

Here's some food for thought before you get going:

1. The Group: Skills, Strengths, and Safety Knowledge

Every ski day is shaped by the people you share it with. A group isn’t just a collection of skiers—it’s a system, and its weakest link matters.

Ask yourself:

• Do we have similar skiing abilities, fitness levels, and goals?

• Is everyone comfortable with the terrain we’re considering?

• Does everyone understand basic avalanche safety and rescue?

A strong group doesn’t mean everyone skis the same way—it means people complement each other. Maybe one person is excellent at navigation, another keeps morale high on long climbs, and someone else has strong snowpack awareness. Problems arise when expectations don’t match reality: a fast, aggressive skier paired with someone who is hesitant or fatigues quickly can create pressure and poor decisions.

If your group lacks experience or safety knowledge, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go—it means you should adjust the plan, seek education, or consider professional guidance.

2. The Terrain and Route

Terrain is one of the biggest risk factors in ski touring, yet it’s often underestimated. The same snow conditions can feel manageable in one zone and extremely dangerous in another.

Key questions to ask:

• What avalanche terrain does this route expose us to?

• Are there terrain traps such as gullies, cliffs, or dense trees?

• How complex is the navigation, especially in poor visibility?

• Are there safe options for ascent and descent?

It’s easy to get excited about a line you’ve seen online or heard about from friends. But photos don’t show the full picture—access, exit options, exposure, and decision points matter just as much as the skiing itself.

Choosing terrain that matches the group’s experience and the day’s conditions is one of the most powerful safety tools you have.

3. Weather, Conditions, and the Avalanche Forecast

Weather, snow conditions, and avalanche hazard should shape your decisions from the start -  should not be an afterthought.

This means:

• Reading and understanding the avalanche forecast

• Considering recent weather events (snowfall, wind, warming, cooling)

• Thinking about how conditions might change throughout the day

• Knowing how weather will affect visibility, travel speed, and safety

Even a “moderate” avalanche forecast can hide serious problems if you don’t understand where the danger lies. And perfect bluebird weather doesn’t guarantee safe snow. If you’re feeling nervous, that may be your intuition telling you something doesn’t line up. Listen to it. Conservative decisions are rarely regretted.

4. The Alternatives: Having a Plan B (and C)

One of the biggest mental stressors in the mountains is feeling locked into a single objective.

Good planning always includes alternatives:

• A safer route option

• A shorter day if conditions deteriorate

• A lower-angle ski option if avalanche risk is higher than expected

• A clear turnaround time

Flexibility reduces pressure. When everyone knows that changing the plan is normal—not a failure—it becomes easier to make smart calls.

Some of the best ski days aren’t the ones where everything goes exactly as planned, but the ones where the group adapts and still has fun.

5. Sharing the Cost of a Guide

Hiring a guide isn’t about “not being good enough.” It’s about investing in experience, local knowledge, and decision-making when it matters most.

For many groups, sharing the cost of a guide makes professional leadership surprisingly affordable.

In return, you can gain:

• Objective terrain and avalanche assessment

• Efficient route finding

• A clear decision-making framework

• Reduced group stress and uncertainty

• Opportunities to learn, building skills and confidence

Guides don’t just manage risk—they enhance the experience. When someone else is focused on logistics and safety, you’re free to enjoy the skiing, the views, and the time with your friends.

For nervous skiers, a guided day can be the bridge between hesitation and confidence.

If you’re ever unsure, slow down, ask questions, and remember: the mountains will always be there tomorrow.