What Should Be in Your Backcountry Ski or Snowboard Backpack

IMPORTANT: You should always carry an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe when travelling in avalanche terrain and know how to use them. Backcountry travel requires an acceptance of the risks involved (avalanches are not the only danger) and implies a willingness to take responsibility for educating oneself about these dangers and ways to mitigate them. We recommend that backcountry travelers take an AIARE Level One class or the equivalent, and practice the skills they learn there regularly with their partners.

When you head out to ski or snowboard in the backcountry your most important piece of equipment is your backcountry backpack. Even if you’re just ducking out of a gate at the resort for a quick lap, the contents of your pack allow you to stay safe, warm, and functional. Without a well-packed backcountry bag you shouldn’t even consider travelling in unpatrolled terrain. So what should be in that backpack?

Avalanche Gear

The most important backcountry gear in your pack is your avy equipment. Your avalanche shovel and probe should go into your pack every time you head out the door. Without them you are useless in any avalanche rescue situation, and you’re not only endangering yourself, but you’re also putting those around you in danger.

Make sure you have a good avalanche shovel, and that you know how to deploy it. Look for shovels with all-metal constructions. “D” shaped handles are typically larger than “T” shaped, but they are better for digging. A “hoe mode” is also handy, this helps move large volumes of snow in the event of a rescue. Many shovels also come with connectors that allow you to make a rescue sled out of your skis. That’s a nice feature but not entirely necessary.

Make sure you know how to use your avalanche probe, and make sure that the cable that runs inside it doesn’t get tangled up. Most backcountry packs will have special pockets for your avy gear that keep it organized in an easy-to-access part of the pack. This also keeps snowy avy gear from getting the rest of your gear wet.

Finally, make sure that you have your avalanche beacon, and that you know how to use it. Sure, it shouldn’t be in your pack, it should be on your body, but it helps to include it with your shovel and probe on your mental checklist. It’s a good idea to carry a variety of extra batteries as well. That way if you, or someone in your group runs out of batteries, you can keep skiing without incurring extra risk. Most importantly, practice with your beacon. Know how it works, and run drills to make sure that you’ll be able to use it effectively in an emergency.

Food and Water

Even if you’re just taking a quick sidecountry lap, it’s a good idea to have some extra food and water in your pack, just in case you end up spending more time out than you planned on. A few gels and bars don’t take up much space, and don’t go bad, so you can just load up your pack at the beginning of the season and replenish your food stash as you eat it.

While many backcountry packs have fittings for a hydration bladder, the hoses are prone to freezing up. Collapsible water bottles are a better choice for most people, they pack down when not in use, and are easier to pack into a fully loaded backpack. Bring more water than you think you’ll need. If you think you’ll be out all day, it’s not a bad idea to bring a small camping stove so that you can melt water as you need it.

Extra Clothing & Emergency Shelter

At the bare minimum you should always have an extra set of gloves or mittens in your pack, as well as an extra insulating layer. That way if conditions change, or you get soaked, you can keep your hands warm and regulate your core temperature. It’s also a good idea to bring a spare buff and hat, so that if you get injured you can bundle up. Finally, modern emergency bivvy bags are very light, and pack down so small that you’ll barely notice them in your pack. While no one wants to spend an unplanned night out, a waterproof, insulated bivvy bag will go a long way toward keeping you protected through an unexpected night out.

Tools

While backcountry touring gear gets better and more reliable every year, things still break, and when you’re out there on your own you need to be prepared to fix your gear yourself. Make sure you have a good multi-tool with a sharp knife, and tools for all the fasteners on your boots and bindings, and splitboard or skis. It’s also a good idea to bring a few extra nuts and bolts, just in case something loosens up or breaks. Similarly, a bag of zip ties, a few extra ski straps, some extra skin wax, and a small roll of duct tape don’t take up much space and are guaranteed to come in handy at some point in the season. The same goes for a large needle and thread. Gear breaks, and having the right equipment to fix it can make the difference between a great day out in the mountains and needing to call for help.

While the contents of your backcountry pack will change based on your objectives for the day, the core essentials of avy gear, food, water, shelter, and tools will stay constant throughout the season, and provide a good place to start when putting together your pack. The backcountry can be an amazingly rewarding place, but it is also unforgiving. Make sure to always be prepared with the proper gear and knowledge to stay safe. Looking for more info? Read our guide to getting started backcountry skiing and snowboarding.