Ski touring guides and maps

Ski touring guides and maps provide the terrain detail needed for calm, deliberate planning. This category includes printed topographic maps, regional atlases, and ski touring guides with route descriptions that help connect trailheads, climbs, summits, huts, and reliable descent options.

Map detail typically includes contour lines, spot heights, glaciers and tree cover, with slope or gradient shading that makes angle and aspect easier to interpret in winter. Clear symbology highlights huts and shelters, winter access, and key waypoints. At larger scales such as 1:25,000, small terrain features are easier to read; smaller scales like 1:50,000 give efficient overviews when linking bigger traverses.

Ski touring guides often add structured route information: difficulty ratings, elevation gain, time estimates, recommended aspects, seasonal windows, and notes on common hazards. Many titles include hut approaches, contact details, and practical logistics such as parking and public transport links, making it easier to assemble multi-day plans.

Durability matters in winter. Many maps here are waterproof and tear-resistant or laminated to handle snow, wind, and repeated folding. Thoughtful fold patterns allow quick reference in cold conditions, and map cases keep pages protected while remaining readable.

For precise navigation, look for coordinate grids and clear legends. Some products include digital extras such as downloadable GPX tracks or links to mobile mapping, which can complement a paper map. Paper remains reliable in the cold; GPS devices and phones are excellent companions when used with offline maps and spare power.

When choosing, consider coverage (the exact touring region), scale, language, and the most recent edition for up-to-date trails and hut information. Cartographic style, color contrast, and slope shading can differ by publisher; pick what you find easiest to read at a glance.

These products are planning tools designed to work alongside a compass, altimeter, and current avalanche bulletins. Conditions change quickly in the mountains; guides and maps add context so decisions can be made with better information.

OutdoorXL offers a wide assortment within ski touring guides and maps, from detailed sheets for technical valleys to broader overviews for long traverses, so it is straightforward to match the terrain, trip length, and durability you require.