Skiing on belay? (pros and cons)

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Originally Posted by GeoMatt

Got it. Never tried it. Sounds like high injury potential for the belayer if the skier takes a fall with alot of energy.

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It is used as a "main courante" technique... you stick you tails into the snow and toss the rope downslope, skier clips on with a half hitch and self belays down the slope, the descending skier should be under tension. first skier down can place the rope a bit better. Used by guides to get their clients quickly over steep and exposed sections where they don't want to lose them (unless they've paid in advance, of course)

Its personal, there's a time and place for everything and everyone. Many famous ski mountaineers have skid on belay and it certainly makes sense if conditions or your abilities aren't up to par with the terrain. That said, if somebody skis your line without a belay they win the "clean" "style" contest of ethics.