SCOPE IT OUT
Learn how to scope a line like a pro, with advice from top ski instructor Marco Pietrini
Choose your line carefully and plan for the unexpected. Rocks, cliffs and gullies can be less visible from the top
The mountains are changing their dress and starting to wear their summer colours, but you are already dreaming about your next ski adventure, the next line you will paint on a fresh snow-white canvas.
Freeriding is one of the purest expressions of skiing; you’re surrounded by nature in an incredible environment, knowing it and respecting it.
But how do we scope a line when skiing off-piste? How do we inspect the terrain before hitting a slope and spot the potential dangers, protecting ourselves from the many risks that the mountain hides, while enjoying ourselves to the max?
Imagining what your descent will look like and preparing for the various challenges that it may present remains one of the primary things to do before you embark on any freeride mission.
Here are a few important points that will help you to scope the perfect line for an unforgettable day out.
GETTING STARTED
CHECK THE WEATHER/SNOW REPORT Make sure you have an accurate history of the snowpack in the area you’re planning to ski to minimise the avalanche hazards. How many times has it snowed recently? When was the last snowfall? Has it been particularly windy or warm in the last week? In shorter terms, check the stability of the snowpack before heading out. (Asking a guide or a local person is never a bad idea.) And be sure you know if it is due to get warmer or windier, or even snowier in the near future, as this could also affect stability.
GET THE PICTURE, KNOW THE MOUNTAIN Look at pictures, and videos if available. Check every angle of the slope that you intend to ski, and possibly climb, on your big day. Gradient and exposure to the sun and wind are key elements that you want to check. Terrain features such as ridges, valley floors, windward slopes and those that are heavily wooded offer more safety than gullies and steep lee (wind sheltered) slopes that are susceptible to wind slabs. You also want an idea of snowpack depth – rocks can be covered by the shallowest of layers (this is especially important if you are planning on catching any air/cliffs on the way down).
Many apps for smartphones are now available to help you plan your line by giving you a lot of information on all the above.
CHOOSE YOUR LINE CAREFULLY Look for terrain traps. Rocks, cliffs, gullies, slabs and crevasses can be less visible once at the top of the line, so appropriate planning is key. As you approach your start point, look for as many reference points that will help you on your way down. Think about mastering the right speed for the part of the slope you will be skiing: your speed, the radius of your turn, the quality and stability of the snowpack, the space available – everything is interconnected.
ALWAYS HAVE A WAY OUT Try to minimise the risk by choosing a line that allows you to quickly get out of harm’s way if needs be. It should go without saying, but avalanche gear when skiing off-piste is vital. You can ski a line using safe zones during the descent, so, when possible, you remove yourself from the direct path an avalanche would take. Keep visualising your exit, one free of more exposure or avalanche risk.
CORRECT AS YOU GO Keep your eyes open and ears alert as you descend; be sensitive to the snow and always be alert to what is happening around you. Keep your flow going and, especially if the line is steep, mind your sluff (surface powder that can follow you as you ski), as it can pull you over if there is enough of it.
LOOK BACK Once down safely, look back at what an amazing line you made. Get yourself to a spot where your pals can see you and where you can also spot them – and one that is free from any avalanche danger.
Always have a way out and visualise your exit should danger strike
THE NEXT STEP
Get creative! Look at the enjoyment aspect. What do you want to get out of this descent? Do you want to jump a particular cliff, or enjoy fast, long turns while surfing fluffy pow, or bag a Instagram-worth face shot to impress all your friends? (The key for that last one is to get low.) Then go for it!
FACTFILE
Marco Pietrini is a ski instructor and Instructor Manager for New Generation ski school in the Three Valleys. New Generation will help you develop technique, build confidence and have fun in 16 resorts throughout the Alps, from Tignes to St Anton and Lech.
