The History of Backcountry Skiing: From Ancient Tracks to Modern Touring

Backcountry skiing predates chairlifts by millennia. Long before it was a sport, skiing was a means of survival. From ancient snow travelers in Scandinavia to modern-day mountaineers dropping first descents on Everest, the story of backcountry skiing is filled with innovation, grit, and audacity.

This post is Part 1 of our Backcountry Series on Powder Innovation, where we explore the evolution of gear, culture, and safety in ski touring.

Ancient Origins of Backcountry Skiing

Backcountry skiing likely began in prehistoric times, with early humans developing skis as tools to travel across snowy terrain. Petroglyphs in Russia and Scandinavia show figures on skis as far back as 5000 BCE.

In Norse mythology, gods like Ullr and Skadi were revered as ski deities, symbolizing how deeply skiing was woven into early northern European cultures.

One of the most famous early ski-touring stories? In 1206, Birkebeiner soldiers used skis to rescue the infant prince Haakon Haakonsson, skiing across snowy Norwegian mountains to safety. This legendary tour is commemorated annually in the Birkebeiner races held in Norway and North America.

From Military Necessity to Mountain Culture

Backcountry skiing reemerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries as both a necessity and a passion. Pioneers like “Snowshoe Thompson” famously delivered mail across the Sierra Nevada on long wooden skis in the mid-1800s.

During World War II, the U.S. Army formed the 10th Mountain Division, a ski-trained mountain infantry based at Camp Hale, Colorado. These soldiers relied on rudimentary equipment: long wooden skis, leather boots, and primitive bindings called “bear traps.” Avalanche safety was minimal, often relying on intuition and cumbersome 12-foot probes.

After the war, many 10th Mountain veterans helped shape the recreational ski industry, opening resorts, building hut systems, and promoting a culture of mountain travel.

Early Avalanche Safety & Education

In 1946, the first U.S. avalanche forecast center was created at Alta, Utah, followed by Canada’s in 1960. But the real breakthrough came in 1968, when Cornell physicist John Lawton invented the first avalanche transceiver—the “Skadi”. It hit the market in 1971, enabling buried victims to be located via radio signal. This revolutionized backcountry safety and paved the way for the now-standard beacon, shovel, and probe kit.

The Rise of Extreme Ski Mountaineering

In the 1970s, the backcountry became a playground for pushing limits. In 1971, Bill Briggs made the first ski descent of the Grand Teton, skiing from the 13,770-foot summit with a fused hip and on skinny skis. It’s often cited as the defining moment for American steep skiing.

That same decade saw a revival of telemark skiing, with free-heel turns embraced by skiers seeking lightweight, uphill-friendly gear. The slogan “Free the heel, free the mind” became a rallying cry for the emerging touring community.

Meanwhile, high-risk descents by skiers like Yuichiro Miura (Mt. Everest, 1970) and Sylvain Saudan (Wy’east face of Mt. Hood, 1971) helped launch a global extreme skiing movement.

The Gear Revolution (1980s–2000s)

Gear caught up with ambition in the 1980s and 90s. Key breakthroughs include:

Dynafit “Low Tech” Bindings (1984–85): Invented by Fritz Barthel, these pin bindings revolutionized Alpine Touring by dramatically reducing weight and improving climbing ergonomics.
Plastic AT Boots & Fat Skis: Improved downhill performance and powder flotation.
Telemark Tech & Splitboards: In 1991, Voilé introduced the first commercial splitboard, allowing snowboarders to skin uphill on two ski-like halves.
Backcountry Huts: The 10th Mountain Division Hut Association launched in 1982, promoting hut-to-hut ski-touring culture.

Avalanche Education Goes Mainstream

By the late 1990s, avalanche safety was no longer just for pros. The founding of AIARE in 1998 created a formal education system (Levels 1–3), which empowered recreational users to travel smarter in avalanche terrain.

Magazines like Couloir (founded 1988) and gear advances drove a backcountry boom that would explode in the 21st century.

Backcountry Skiing Timeline: Key Moments

From Survival to Stoke

What began as a tool of survival has become a celebration of exploration, innovation, and personal challenge. From birch-bark skis to carbon fiber setups, the evolution of backcountry skiing reflects not only technology but a spirit of freedom that remains unchanged.

Next in the Series:

The Advancement of Modern-Day Backcountry Skiing | Essential Gear for Backcountry Skiing | How to Make Smart Backcountry Gear-Buying Decisions
Explore the Full Backcountry Series