Backcountry: What to pack for skiing
There’s no hiding the fact that many skiers believe backcountry skiing to be the purest and most rewarding form of skiing. Don’t get us wrong, ski resorts are awesome, and we absolutely love their easy access to a wide variety of terrain, the ability to rack up loads of vertical in a single day, the epic snow parks, and ohhh those perfectly manicured corduroy groomers first thing in the morning. But in backcountry skiing, there’s a primal instinct for skiers that can be tapped into by getting away from the crowds and skiing the mountain in its natural state.
The alpine can be unforgiving and there’s a certain satisfaction that comes from embracing the challenges it presents and being able to not just survive but thrive – to play! – in this wild and beautiful environment.
This article will help you enjoy your ski touring days to the fullest by making you think about what you need to take with you and what you can leave at home.
Avalanche equipment
It goes without saying – but we’re going to say it anyway - that anytime you go into the backcountry, whether it’s for a few hours or a few days, it’s absolutely critical to carry a transceiver, probe and an avalanche shovel. These are so basic that we won’t go into detail here but if you want to learn more, check out our article on essential gear for backcountry skiing.
Hydration
Taking enough fluids to keep you well hydrated throughout the day is every bit as important as your avalanche safety gear. When planning on how much to take, factor in how long you plan to be out, the difficulty of your objective, and weather conditions as well. It can get surprisingly hot working your way up a snow-covered mountain on a beautiful spring day.
On the other hand, skiing more often takes place in freezing temperatures so your hydration system options are limited. The water bladder with a drinking tube that works so great for hiking and mountain biking will probably freeze when skiing. Instead, stuff a water bladder without the tube or a good old-fashioned plastic or aluminum water bottle inside your pack.
Other than that, staying hydrated shares many of the same principles with other aerobic outdoor activities so check out our hydration advice here.
Food
Backcountry skiing is fantastic exercise and when you’re skinning uphill you can expect to lay waste to loads of calories which is why it’s important to fuel up throughout the day.
Some people prefer energy bars or trail mix because they are easy to snack on while you’re moving or during quick breaks. Others look forward to stopping for a proper picnic with a baguette, cheese and sausage.
Whatever your preference, it’s important to power up with a good balance of quality carbs and protein that will provide the energy you’ll need to keep charging until the end of the day.
GPS or map and compass
Getting lost in the backcountry can quickly turn a fun day into a nightmare. Plan your route well and take the tools – like a GPS or a map and compass – that should keep you from getting lost. Dial-in your GPS or map and compass skills on familiar terrain so that if you do end up off-route, you’ll be well-prepared to get yourself back on track.
First aid kit
A first aid kit is like insurance: sure, you can get by without it if everything goes well but in case of an accident, you’ll be really glad you’ve got it. Some of the basics to include are adhesive bandages, gauze pads, medical tape, nonstick sterile pads, antiseptic wipes, antibacterial ointment, blister treatment plasters, pain reliever, and a SAM splint.
Things like a pen and paper (to keep track of vital signs) and a space blanket don’t have to go in your first aid kit but make sure you have them somewhere in your pack.
Extra layer
A lightweight down or fleece layer doesn’t weigh much and can make a massive difference if the weather is worse than expected. And since most of your body heat is lost through your head and neck, a neck gaiter does an amazing job of insulating those areas as well as protecting your face from both frostbite and sunburn.
Extra gloves
If things go sideways and your hands get cold and stop functioning properly things can go from bad to worse very quickly. Gloves get wet, they get dropped, or sometimes you simply find yourself under-gunned in the glove department when you’re working your way up to the powder stash of your dreams. None of those scenarios will be a deal-breaker if you’ve got an extra set of gloves in the bottom of your pack.
In fact, extra gloves are so important that backcountry gurus like Josh Daiek even carry two extra pairs.
Multi-tool
It’s always good to carry a knife because it can be very useful during your backcountry trip. And if you’re going to carry a knife you might as well double down by carrying a multi-tool that also has a couple of screwdrivers, pliers, scissors.
Even if the most you’ll ever use it for is to slice cheese, a good lightweight multi-tool can be a wonder of great design that you might easily become so enamored with that you’ll end up carrying it with you everywhere. And once you have it, you’ll find that you end up using every tool on it at some point. Yep, even the weird pointy thing with the hole in it.
Ski straps
You know, the orange rubber straps you see all the cool guys holding their skis and poles together with? Well, in the backcountry they can do a whole heckuva lot more than that, like lashing skins that won’t stick to your skis. Try to have at least four of them with you and make sure all your ski buddies see them, so they’ll all know you’re a cool guy, too.
Scraper
A scraper is super useful when you need to clear the bases of your skis of ice, dirt, and water before you put your skins on. A credit card will work in a pinch and goes a lot further when it’s time to buy a round of brews at the end of the day, but scrapers are so light and compact you might as well have one stashed in a pocket.
Duct tape
Ski straps have replaced duct tape for a lot of uses but not all. Whether it’s used to patch a deep laceration or as a temporary patch on a ripped-down jacket, it seems there are often times when it’s useful to have some duct tape on hand. On top of that, having a half meter of duct tape expertly wrapped just beneath the grip of each ski pole increases your ski bum cred like those fancy-pants ski straps never will.
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat aren’t necessary for every trip you take into the backcountry, but since sunny spring days are definitely some of the best times to head into the alpine – and since you’ll often be in an environment where there’s no shelter from the sun – they can really come in handy.
Portable charger
From 3D mapping apps to compasses and altimeters to first aid instruction, mobile phones are becoming increasingly useful in the backcountry. And all this new technology + cold weather = decreased battery life.
So especially if you’re relying on your phone to contact mountain rescue in an emergency, then a small, powerful, portable charger to ensure you stay connected is essential.
Headlamp
It’s safe to say that most people who have spent a significant amount of time in the mountains have been benighted (aka, caught out after dark).
If you’re planning a long day, do yourself a favor and throw a headlamp in because the light (and battery) on your cell phone only goes so far and sooner or later you’re going to need it. And when it happens, you’ll be really glad you’ve got it.
Decide what’s best for you
Every skier has different needs and while most have a basic list that’s pretty similar there are usually a couple of things in most skiers’ packs that others would never dream of carrying (e.g. an extra base layer, earbuds, can of Red Bull, a copy of G.N.A.R. rules/points, etc.
And based on things like your objective, weather, and terrain you’ll be adding other gear as well…
- Skiing on a glacier? You’ll need to add a rope, harness, and crevasse rescue gear.
- Steep terrain? Crampons and an ice axe might be required.
- Bitter cold? A thermos filled with a hot drink can be so worth the extra weight.
But remember, in the backcountry, speed is safety. The more you take, the slower you are, and you are more exposed to objective dangers.
Finding the perfect balance between what to take and what to leave behind might take years to perfect along with many incredibly awesome trips into the backcountry. So, what are you waiting for? Time to check the avalanche conditions and get started! Click here for more advice on ski touring.