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Backcountry Etiquette: Transition Times

By

Jason Albert

Landen Parker (left) and old salt Brian Parker (right). This was Landen's first time applying skins, and working on transitions. He nailed it.

Landen Parker (left) and old salt Brian Parker (right). This was Landen's first time applying skins, and working on transitions. He nailed it.

  Transition time, let’s get into it. On any given run, generally, you transition twice. At the bottom, apply skins, maybe peel a layer, and munch on a snack. And atop the line, you de-skin, add a layer and rehydrate. I think we all can agree that transition times vary.   Over the summer, I began…

Responses

  1. Scotsman

    I consider quick efficient transitions part of the ski touring skill set but i am tolerant of those that aren’t as quick unless they are trying to put skin savers on their skis on a windy day ( or any day to be honest). No ski savers at transitions!!!! HA!

  2. Ben Coffman

    Outside of etiquette, having the capability to transition (very) quickly seems like a safety factor. A partner that can transition quickly seems like a safer partner in the same way that a very fit partner who can dig you out quickly is a safer partner. It seems like a lot of rescue practice happens in terrain parks or on 10 degree slopes with skins on and heels unlocked but… that’s not where avalanches happen. If you’re skinning along and a buddy gets caught in an avalanche in front of you, you’re probably not going to ski down a 40 degree bed surface with skins on and heels unlocked. Or if you ski a line first and then a buddy triggers a slide skiing second and doesn’t get carried all the way down to you, you may need to throw skins on to get up to them. Those extra minutes on your transition could become very meaningful. Seems like a good enough reason to have an expectation that everyone have a rapid and efficient transition, even if most of the time you’re just hanging out while transitioning. (Obviously not a reason to be harsh with beginners or anything like that, but in terms of standards that people should probably put in some real practice to ensure they can meet, I gotta admit that I would not want a partner to be fumbling around with a 3-4 minute transition if they need to transition to search for me. Just an hour or less of practice figuring out a consistent, efficient process can get you pretty darn good at transitions. Seems like time worth spending?)

    1. Jason Albert

      Hey Ben, thanks for this comment. I do think it is important to make a clear distinction between efficiencies. As noted, I know plenty of speedy transitioners who often just simply slow down at this or that transition (me included). I think all folks should move towards having the ability to quickly transition. But how and when they employ a quick transition might vary from situation to situation. I recall Nick Russell discussing this a bit. However, as you bring up, the emergency scenario requires focus and quickness. 100% a 3-4 minute fumbling transition during a rescue is too slow. Like Ben states above, we hope folks do practice their rescue scenarios this fall.

  3. Slim

    The great thing is, you can practice this at home, no driving needed, you don’t even need snow.
    Go out on your deck or lawn, or in a roomy space inside, or nearby park, and practice away.

  4. Ezra Grimes

    One way to always seem fast is to ride with splitboarders, that way you’re always the fastest one in the crew! Seriously though, for a casual tour 2 minutes is ridiculous to me. My group is usually out for more casual outings and are spending a few minutes at the top chatting, snacking, and rehydrating. Maybe this would rub some people the wrong way and while I can certainly move faster that’s not something I’m doing on an average day out.

  5. Greg

    Some of the best banter is at the transitions. It’s easier to shoot the breeze when your warm, locked in, and snacked up.

  6. Barry Wicks

    Being capable of doing a fast transition is one thing, but being selective about your transition speed is key. When i am skiing with a group, I actually try to be the last one finished with my transition. I am comfortable taking my time, and this can de-pressures others in the group from being the “last”. For me, the transition is an art form. Yes you can be fast, but can you put on your jacket, eat snacks, fiddle with your stuff, and still be clicked in ready to go when the time comes, all with out being rushed? Shooting to be the last one done makes the experience better for everyone else. Being able to do it fast means that even if you start when everyone else is almost done, you still wont be off the back. For me its about the vibes. Being the slowest on the skin track/transition/ski down sucks. It is my goal to ease the pressures on others I am skiing with so they have a better experience, and being fast but slow enters into that equation. I don’t need to prove how rad I am by how fast I can transition. Last to finish is admirable. Of course, being fast is an element in this, but there is a lot more to learn and observe than just being “fast”. Like everything, transitioning is a skill set that you can continuously evolve on. Reading the group is as important as reading the terrain. Possibly even more important. The transition is a place where we can practice this.

    1. Brian Parker

      Barry,
      100% agree with you! By and large, we’re there to enjoy a day in the hills with friends. At the bottom, transitions are way more about high-fiving and fist bumpin, reveling in how rad the last run was, or not; watching your crew drop (to share the stoke and from a safety aspect), riding the endorphin high. At the top, its fighting the chill from your freezing sweat; scoping the line; discussing hazards, safe zones, etc. Totally appreciate the simple crew politeness of not holding the team up, and operating efficiently in the hills, but there ain’t no Strava PR for transitions.

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