Site Map © 2009 Ski Touring Info
Ski touring and ski mountaineering hold two things in common, they both take you to remote untouched powder and therefore both require some mountaineering knowledge.
There is a lot of disparity between the terms. Some people would argue that there is no difference, but others would say ski mountaineering is when there is some climbing involved as part of or as an aside from the ski touring itself. I would be inclined to agree with this perspective. That is not to say that ski touring requires any less skill or knowledge of the mountains, it is still a vital element of surviving in any mountainous terrain.
However, it is important to note that many ski tours may head over serious mountainous terrain or glaciers on which you would want to be carrying harnesses, ropes and possibly axes and crampons. But this would not make it ski mountaineering.
I suppose the main definition comes down to whether you were required to climb something to get to the summit. Some mountaineers would use skis to get into and out of the base of a route. This is the epitome of ski mountaineering. But on a smaller scale, climbing a rocky ridge to the summit would also classify the trip as ski mountaineering.
It comes down to the same old question of whether you climbed or walked up a mountain. People may say they have climbed Snowdon or Ben Nevis, but few mean that they have done a rock route or winter route on the mountain, they simply walked up a well beaten track.
But in the end what does it matter, ski touring, ski mountaineering, both take you away from the piste and the crowds to a place a little more tranquil.