TOP GEAR WITH...
Rachel Kerr
Chamonix-based instructor Rachel Kerr gives us the scoop on her ski touring essentials and most wanted kit for next winter
Rachel Kerr has been instructing, guiding and training skiers and riders in the French Alps for 16 years. Based in Chamonix for the past 11 years, she runs the Ski Club’s Technical Development All Mountain courses in the resort, which she knows like the back of her hand. In addition to working with the Ski Club, teaching clients and competing in ski mountaineering races like the Patrouille des Glaciers, Rachel founded and runs the Women’s Mountain Club. Dedicated to developing women’s mountain confidence and skiing, the WMC runs technical and mountain skills workshops and instruction weeks in Chamonix, Morzine and Italy.
MY MOUNTAIN MUST-HAVES
THE NORTH FACE WOMEN’S PURIST BIB PANTS
A good pair of ski pants is essential on powder days. Bib trousers are a game changer for keeping the snow out of unwanted places and keeping you toasty warm. These North Face ones also have a great big pocket on the leg with inbuilt clips to secure your transceiver. £450
VÖLKL TOURISTICK CC CARBON SKI TOURING POLES
Good ski touring poles are another essential. We see too many clients using old alpine poles, which don’t adjust, break easily and really can affect your touring day.
It’s also important to extend your poles so they’re longer while skinning up and adjust them shorter on the ski down. A large basket helps on those powder days, otherwise you lose your pole and exert a lot more energy. Carbon is not essential but lighter poles always help. £75.80
KANDESENT NECK WARMER
I live in these beautiful neck warmers year-round for all mountain sports – they work well as head bands too. A British brand designed in the Alps that was established as a passion project by two female cyclists, KANDESENT creates stylish technical kit for women who love exploring outdoors. £10
MY LUST LIST
DALBELLO QUANTUM FREE 130
I have always skied Dalbello boots and absolutely love them. Dalbello have gone fun in colour with next year’s Quantum range. These are lightweight touring boots with plenty of performance and I can’t wait to try them. £315
BLUE ICE KUME 30L SKI TOURING BACKPACK
I highly recommend the ski-specific backpacks from this Chamonix-based company. They combine all the features I look for in a pack at a great price, and I’m adding this one to my list for next season. A good, comfortable rucksack is key for hut-to-hut touring – you don’t want to be squeezing too much kit into a small pack, especially when you need space for layers when skinning. One tip for the ladies: try on backpacks before buying as they need to fit correctly for those long days. €160
THERMIC ULTRA HEAT MITTENS
For those extra cold days on the mountains, these would be an absolute treat. I swear by the Thermic heated socks so imagine these will be equally effective.
£150