Gear

For powder-snow skiing and ski-mountaineering on alpine touring gear or telemark gear, a semi-wide ski is more preferable over narrow skis or super-wide powder-skis. We recommend skis that measure a minimum 110 mm but a maximum of 120 mm on the shovel. This allows you to ski on slightly shorter skis. Skiing in complicated terrain with deep snow on shorter skiis is much easier and also more fun. We suggest that your skis are equipped with full release bindings and with ski-brakes.

Guests who prefer skiing on alpine touring gear and who plan to purchase equipment, we recommend buying an easy to use light weight binding with a good walking function. In deep powder-snow it is easier to use a simple step-in binding. The binding we recommend as the perfect touring binding is the PURE from Silvretta. It can be found in many specialized ski-touring shops or on the Garmont U.S.A web site.

For guests on telemark skis we suggest that your telemark bindings are mounted on a touring adapter, a devise which makes climbing easier. This adapter can be unlocked for climbing and it allows you to lift your boots 90 degrees. For telemarking, the adapter can be locked down and you are back in a telemark setting. This adapter is available through Silvretta and can be found in many specialized telemark shops or the Garmont U.S.A web site.

For Guests who prefer to snow-board during their stay with Selkirk Mountain Experience, we strongly suggest that you use a split-snowboard or short skis (about 125 cm long) for the ascent. We ask that you do not bring snow-shoes.

For uphill we use climbing skins. All skins should be self-adhesive skins. Most people prefer skins with a tail-hook to secure them on the end of the skis. This gives you a more secure skin that has less of a chance to fall off the skis while climbing. For down-hill the skins get pulled of the ski-base, and the skis are ready for a fast descent.

Rentals

Selkirk Mountain Experience has a rental shop at the Durrand Glacier Chalet.

Alpine Touring skis
some Telemark skis
Alpine Touring boots
Climbing Skins

Safety Gear

SME will supply all guests, free of charge, with avalanche safety beacons, avalanche shovels, avalanche probes, emergency radio (two per group) and avalanche safety packs, the ABS Pack. The ABS Pack is a mechanical avalanche safety devise with a hand-trigger that, in case of an avalanche, can be pulled. Within 3 seconds two large air-bags inflate, thus greatly increasing the chance of staying on the surface of an avalanche.

Durrand Glacier Shop

We have a small but well stocked shop at Durrand Glacier where you can purchase the following items:

functional and fabulous ski-touring clothing from Marmot
a full range of Marmot gloves
sun-hats and ski-hats
Carrera goggles
special Cebe high alpine sun-glasses