The clothing and equipment you carry for winter backcountry skiing and ski touring is always a thorny subject with a vast array of kit on offer to baffle and confuse! The golden rule is ‘light is right’. There is no substitute for good quality, lightweight kit. Second rule is ‘be prepared for changing conditions’ – weather moves fast in the mountains and during the ski touring season temperatures tend to be well below freezing in the mornings and elevating to double figures in the mid-day sun. Carry layers that allow you to adapt to whatever nature throws your way.

So you have your mega fat skis, baggy one-piece ski suit and some suitably loud snow park boots ready to 'thrash the pow!' What else does an off-piste skier need - safety equipment is for snow geeks! There is no point in spending mega bucks for off-piste ski kit if you don't survive the ski season: avalanche awareness and training are essential as is the correct safety equipment.