Ski Touring Transitions: Planks -> Boots

Transitions are one of the most overlooked skills in split-boarding and ski touring. This step-by-step guide covers the ski touring transition from riding your downhill setup to being ready for bootpacking. Efficient transitions reduce risk, keep your crew moving, and stop you haemorrhaging heat while you’re static in exposed terrain.

Step-by-Step

1. Plan Ahead

If you don’t plan ahead there’s a real possibility you’ll end up with kit all over the snow just as the visibility closes. Even before you leave home, think about the order in which you’re going to need your gear and pack accordingly. Better yet, do a couple of trial packs somewhere cosy and warm. It’ll make for smoother, less stressful transitions on the mountain.

2. Be Methodical With Your Kit

Have a process and stick to it. A little OCD during transitions is no bad thing. It’s incredibly easy to lose kit in the snow, so be deliberate about where everything goes.

3. Synchronise

Keep an eye on your crew and aim to move through the transition at roughly the same pace. You don’t want everyone standing around getting cold while you’re deep in personal admin.

4. Choose A Safe Transition Spot

It may seem obvious but you’re going to be at your most vulnerable during the transition so make sure you pick a good spot that is away from any avalanche danger, offers some protection from the elements and where it’s safe to move around.

5. Switch Gloves

Once you stop, swap your bulky riding gloves for contact gloves. You’ll need dexterity, and bare hands will get cold fast. Secure your riding gloves immediately — losing them can end your day.

6. Secure Your Kit

You’ll be static for a while, so now is not the time to start stripping layers in anticipation of a sweaty climb.

Secure your poles handle-first in the snow. Remove your planks and secure them beside the poles — don’t rely on brakes alone. Dig a small pit, place your pack back-panel-down into the snow, and keep the opening facing you so it can’t roll away.

7. Rack Your Planks

Once your planks are off, secure them to your pack. The method will depend on your pack’s carry system and the length of the bootpack. Make sure everything is tight and balanced before moving on.

8. Walk Mode

Switch your boots into walk mode, loosen buckles and any liner laces.

9. Pole Length

If you’re using telescopic poles, extend them 10–15 cm from your usual ride length.

10. Secure Your Helmet

Unless there’s a risk of rockfall or overhead hazard, you’re unlikely to wear your helmet while bootpacking. Secure it to your pack so it won’t swing around and drive you mad once you start moving.

11. Gear Up

Now is also a good time to put on some sunscreen, a warm, but not too warm hat, and some sunnies to protect you from the cold and the UVs. You may also want to have a quick, energy boosting snack. Be warned, this is typically the moment when your personal administration can get away from you, resulting in multiple unsecured items on the snow.

12. Lose A Layer

You might feel chilly at this point, but you’ll be moving again soon and likely generating heat fast. Rather than stripping your shell, remove the insulating layer beneath. It’s more effort now, but far more effective once you’re climbing.Be sure to safely stow that midlayer.

It’s worthwhile checking synchronisation again at this point with your crew to ensure you’re not stationary for too long with reduced insulation.

13. Pit Zips

Before putting your pack back on, do a final sweep to make sure everything is stashed. If you have them, open your pit zips — it’s often impossible once your pack is on.

14. Pack On

Time to put on your pack and adjust any straps to ensure a snug fit and that as much weight as possible is sitting on your hips.

15. Grip Poles

Finally take control of your poles, take a breath and ready yourself for the climb ahead.

However you carry it, make sure the helmet is stable and won’t swing around and drive you mad once you start moving.

Key Transition Gear

• Contact gloves
• Backpack with ski carry
• Ski straps
• Sunnies
• Sun cream
• Snacks

Keeping this kit easy to access will make every transition faster, warmer, and far less stressful.

It may seem obvious but you’re going to be at your most vulnerable during the transition so make sure you pick a good spot that is away from any avalanche danger, offers some protection from the elements and where it’s safe to move around.

Additional Transition Tips

• Once you’ve dialled in a process, stick to it. A bit of OCD during transitions is no bad thing — consistency reduces mistakes when conditions are challenging or visibility is poor.
• It’s worth practising how you secure your planks and helmet to your pack before your first bootpack of the season, especially if you run more than one backpack. Carry systems vary — A-frame, diagonal or vertical — and what works on one pack doesn’t always translate cleanly to another. A couple of quality ski straps are invaluable for locking your skis into the right configuration when built-in systems fall short.
• Most snow-specific backpacks include a helmet carry, but these also vary from pack to pack. Typically it’s an elasticated net that stows in a small zip pocket and stretches over the helmet, secured by integrated hooks. However you carry it, make sure the helmet is stable and won’t swing around and drive you mad once you start moving.
• If you’ll need an ice axe or whippet, have it ready and accessible before shouldering your pack. Faffing to retrieve these on exposed terrain is best avoided.

Other transitions can be found in our Transitions Hub.

We’ll see you up there.