Items to carry
         Essential items
         Other suggested items
    Touring tips
    Skiing levels

1 Essential items
1. Warm clothing worn in layers
2. Back pack or large fanny pack
3. Water or other non-alchoholic beverage
4. Bring your lunch and drink, as well as
5. Energy food and/or energy drink
6. Ski wax and some knowledge of how to use it
7. Cork and scraper
8. First aid kit
9. Space blanket
10. Plastic whistle
11. Extra lace for ski boots
12. Extra ski tip
13. Wire to repair bindings
14. Strong tape (duct or electrical) for quick repairs


2 Other suggested items

1. Sunglasses or goggles
2. Sunscreen
3. Extra socks and mitts
4. Extra hat or balaclava
5. Flashlight
6. Trail map of the area
7. Compass
8. Pocket knife
9. Candle and matches

1. NEVER SKI ALONE
• If you get ahead of your group, always wait at the next intersection for the others to catch up
2. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!
3. Wear clothing in layers.  The air trapped between layers acts as an insulator and keeps you warm
4. Wear clothing that can be put on or removed easily
5. Avoid cotton as it absorbs moisture and draws heat away from the body
6. Wool and polyester fleece will keep you warm even when wet
7. Layers made of polypropylene or polyester will wick moisture away from the skin where it can evaporate, keping you warmer and dryer than cotton.  Look for these brand names:  Lifa, Thermax, Coolmax, Odlo, Patagonia, Hot Chilies, M.E.C., R E.I.
8. Carry a breathable windbreaker
9. Gaiters will keep snow out of your boots
10. Avoid overdressing.  Overheating and excessive sweating will tire you out and can lead to hypothermia.
11. Control heat loss.  Always cover your head, and keep your hands and feet warm and dry.
12. You lose more heat through your head than any other body part.  Regulating your head gear will therefore help regulate your body temperature
13. Be sure you know where you are going, and how difficult the trail is.
14. Find out the long-range weather forecast before you set out.

Novice.  You've skied several times and are starting to get a feel for it.  The rhythm feels natural about half the time, but you want both feet on the snow when you're moving.  You're learning to turn, but tend to bail out at high speed.  Goals:  Learn to ski faster and turn away from rapidly approaching objects.  You may let your neighbout talk you into entering the Canadian Ski Marathon, but "just for fun".

Intermediate.  You've skied for several years, or at least frequently for a year or two.  You've got some strength specific to skiing and the rhythm works for you.  You still need some work on balance, especially if one foot gets up in the air.  On really steep downhills, you may apply the bun brake, especially if there's a corner at the bottom, but otherwise you can turn.  Goals:  Learn to be graceful at speed.  Get a touring medal in the Canadian Ski Marathon

Advanced.  You've a lot of skiing experience.  You can glide on either foot equally well.  You almost always know what's going to happen before it does, but you are occasionally tripped buy snow snakes when you least expect it.  Steep downhills with corners are becoming fun, but they still stimulate the adrenalin glands. Goal:  Get your gold touring medal in the Canadian Ski Marathon.

Expert. You've skied for years and can make 40 foot skate marks with either ski.  Steep downhills with corners and bumps are your meat, and if you fall, you don't even brush the snow off before it wets your suit.  You're a secure skier.  Goals:  Get a coureur de bois medal in the Canadian Ski Marathon.  You hope to sell last year's skis to your neighbour and buy a new pair for yourself.