A Bike to Run Mountain Adventure: How to Ski Tour EP2

Before the snow starts flying and ski season officially opens, I like to take a multisport approach to best prepare for long days of ski touring in the mountains. 

In this episode I grabbed my long-time friends and multisport endurance athletes Ryan, Tyler, Will, and Meg for a self-powered door-to-door adventure up and down a local 13,000 foot peak by bike and on foot. 

The day combined a 28 mile mixed-surface gravel bike ride with 6,300 feet of vertical gain topping out at 10,500 feet, followed by a 5 mile mountain run with 2,500 feet of vertical gain to the summit of a 13,000 foot peak. And back down in reverse!

I find human-powered multisport adventures closely resemble a day out ski touring for many reasons. 

Just like ski touring, there’s a rigorous methodical prep (physical, equipment, weather, conditions) and a variety of skill sets involved, which to me makes it challenging, fun, and engaging – that’s why we all do this stuff to begin with, right? 

I love moving through the mountains solely powered by my own body, through different terrain, conditions, gear, weather, and landscapes, in a light and fast yet still fun and enjoyable fashion. 

I love the meticulous prep needed to face these adventures and yet just the simple act of heading out your front door to have a memorable lifetime experience with your closest friends. These are the days we all live for. 

Please check out the full video episode on YouTube where I share some of my tips to make sure you have the best physical preparation and the right gear to get out there to find your fun adventure, wherever or however that might be. That’s what it’s all about in the end, right?I hope you find it useful, entertaining, or inspiring – please give it a like or leave a comment if so!

Taking a multiport approach seems to be working well, with some great early season local ski mountaineering racing results, including a couple of wins. Keep your eyes peeled for the next video where I show you the crazy world of super-light super-fast ski mountaineering racing – my favorite way to make the most of early season winter conditions!

Thank you to the La Sportiva team for the trust and support: I’m proud to represent this historic (94 years old!) 4-generation family-owned iconic Italian mountain sports brand in the USA. 

(Editor’s note: Don’t let Davide’s zen and laid back demeanor fool you: Davide holds some of the fastest ever recorded times by bike on many of the steep HC mountain climbs around Boulder, placed 5th pro at this year’s Mount Evans 14er Hill Climb - the Colorado State Cycling Hill Climb Championships, and holds the Fastest Known Time on the Pawnee Peak and Pawnee Pass ascends, one of his go-to 13ers for fast & light mountain runs). 

Favorite gear featured in the video:

• Akasha II Shoes
• Freccia Shorts
• Swift Long Sleeve Shirt
• Descender Storm Jacket
• Alya Vest
• Stretch Gloves
• Artis Headband

About Davide Giardini: 

Davide Giardini is a La Sportiva America ski athlete hailing from the Italian Alps. He’s a former European FIS ranked alpine ski racer and a world top 10 professional triathlete turned mountain endurance athlete. As a 2021-2022 US Ski Mountaineering National Team qualifier and founder of the Boulder Skimo Club, his goal is to get more endurance athletes stoked & educated on the sport of ski touring.