How I Use FATMAP to Plan a Ski Tour
@BenTibbetsPhotography
In some ways, finding a day to go ski touring, picking the right zone to hit and analysing the avalanche conditions is the easy bit - actually figuring out what precise line to ski can be the biggest challenge of all. This is where FATMAP really comes into its own, and allows you to go form a basic idea to a locked-in bombproof plan.
“This is where FATMAP really comes into its own, and allows you to go from a basic idea to a locked-in, bombproof plan.”
Once I've got an idea of where I'm heading, the first thing I do is take a cruise around the area on FATMAP and just get a feel for the area. What's the approach like? Is there any particularly important terrain to consider? What do the mountains actually look like when I move through them in 3D? I also use the topographic maps and FATMAP's suite of terrain analysis overlays at this point, particularly the gradient tool, which I've always found the most useful for a quick overview of the zone I'm heading for.
Having grasped the basic feel of the area and noted any pertinent details I then take a look at the curated FATMAP content to the area. Simply spotting terrain and going to check it out is fun at times, but following a route written by a local expert is the surest way of bagging a great day. Now that I've got a firm objective in mind I'll then take another look through the terrain analysis tools, just to make sure that the exact line I'll be taking is a good choice given the current conditions.
Once I'm happy that I've got a suitable objective for the day I'll start figuring out timings, and try to make an educated guess at total time and then derive a start time from there. I also like to note any landmarks and try to envisage where I might want to push the pace, and where could be a good spot for a rest.
By this stage I've got a pretty good grasp of the terrain, my exact line and my timings for the day so it's time to share my plan with my ski partners. It's a personal thing but I like to figure out things in my own head before bringing anyone else in, just so that I can make my own decisions and feel comfortable with the objective before suggesting it to anyone else. I know I've got a good partner when I suggest the route I've been researching and they say that they'd come up with something similar!
Once the plan is decided and everyone is on board with it, I download the map in the app (so that I can access it offline) and head out of the door!
Download the FATMAP app below to start planning your backcountry days with FATMAP! See you out there!