Ice axe usage for skiing
Warnings
- Carefully read the Instructions for Use used in this technical advice before consulting the advice itself. You must have already read and understood the information in the Instructions for Use to be able to understand this supplementary information.
- Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised.
- We provide examples of techniques related to your activity. There may be others that we do not describe here.
Climbing a snow slope
Climbing a steep section or hard/icy snow slope
On the descent, keep your ice axe within reach:
Ice axe under a pack shoulder strap
Accessibility in case of emergency
Comfortable and reliable
Holding the ice axe and a pole
Risk of losing the ice axe
Ice axe effectiveness is weak
Ice axe on the pack
Inaccessible in case of emergency
Comfortable when the slope presents no difficulty
Descending a difficult steep section by skidding or climbing
Snowboard descent
WARNING: in these situations the ice axe is used as an additional balance point. It would not be effective for stopping a fall in progress.
