Skiing in a whiteout can be a very scary experience, especially when you’re in the backcountry and don’t know the terrain very well. Of course the best way to avoid this is to keep an eye on the weather, but sometimes you’re caught by surprise especially in the mountains.
This quick hack from Norwegian ski guide Øystein Lønsethagen is a great way to comfortably find your way when the conditions are rough. Simply carry a small rope to tie to your ski pole and throw it ahead of you to get an idea of the snow ahead of you.
Not only will the rope create a good contour in the snow for you to identify bumps and slopes, but it will likely give you an idea of the actual snow quality ahead of you. Simple hack and super easy to pack in your bag.
