Aaron Vogel

A welcome change for us inland ski tourists: after a hearty breakfast, strap on your skis and climb up one of the countless, huge snow flanks. The peaks offer fabulous views down into the branching fjords and rapid descents with generous turns across wide slopes. The peaks of the Sunnmörsalpane, with their "1000-metre slopes", are Norway's solitary ski touring Mecca par excellence. Our hostel serves as our means of transportation, so that our sailing ship takes us to new challenges every day. Culinary delights are provided in a lavish Nordic style and there is no shortage of culture on the last day.

If you want to get down, you have to get up first. What sounds so simple is actually a hurdle or two in practice. Here we show you what aids are available - especially for single-board athletes. And always take a deep breath!

The classic touring equipment: skis + touring bindings + climbing skins.

The "equipment" described here is ideal for escaping from the crowds of people enjoying the après-ski, disco music, fun on the slopes, the magic of the mountain huts and much more. All good reasons to seek refuge! Of course, the search for new spots and fresh powder is the most important reason...

Functional, high-quality clothing is essential for winter sports enthusiasts: cold, wet, hours of physical exertion. You sweat even though the thermometer reads -20°. You want to stay dry. High demands are placed on winter sports clothing. How do you dress on a day when you are doing sport in the cold?

An emergency bag does not help by itself! Up-to-date training is essential. If possible, several people in the group should be able to help and several first aid kits should be available. Because if the only trained helper with equipment is buried or injured, the others are left looking pretty "stupid".

A day like any other in the mountains: it's winter, the sun is shining, but the cold is showing its teeth! You're on tour, freeriding or somewhere else... Take a look at your body: your heart is pumping, your lungs are squeezing and your sweat glands are working overtime.

As almost all ski resorts are at the end of forest roads, some of which are steeper (5 to 15 km), having your own vehicle is almost essential for unlimited winter fun. Check the notice boards in backpackers and other hostels or check the backpacker car market, preferably for a combo with four-wheel drive - but good sleeping bags are then a must!

Here are some ski resort tips from Alex Herbert, the maker of Kingswood Skis (bamboo skis made in Kiwi land)...

An overview of the ski resorts on the North and South Island of New Zealand...

In addition to more than 20 million sheep, over 3.9 million people also inhabit the land of the Kiwis. But now to the essentials. As there are so many sources of information about New Zealand, this report is limited to the freeride spots of the island state.

Everything pointed to a perfect day. I had been following the daily avalanche reports from the SLF and the weather reports for the Gotthard region since the end of January. After the heavy snowfall and strong winds, it was clear to me: wait for relief!