What To Pack For Backcountry Skiing

Mountaineer Caroline Gleich and pro skier Brooklyn Bell share what they pack for a day skiing the backcountry.

Safety first! They always bring their avalanche safety gear, including a beacon, probe, and shovel (and the knowledge to use them!). They also make sure to pack a few other essentials, like a first aid kit, a headlamp, a portable charger for their cell phone if they rely on it for communication and navigation, and more essentials.

Layering is also important. You might warm up quickly on the skintrack, but if you need to stop for an extended period of time you want to have warm layers packed as well.

And don’t forget the grub! Real food is always nice to have, like a sandwich, burrito, or leftover pizza, but if you’re going fast and light you might want to reach for energy bars or chews and goos.

Curious to see what else these two bring when they ski tour? Watch now and find out!

Some of the ski tour products in Caroline’s & Brooklyn’s packs:

Goal Zero Flip 24 Recharger

Mammut Speed Lock 280 Carbon Probe

Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket

Patagonia Macro Puff Hooded Jacket

Clifbar Clif Shot Energy Gel

Lange XT3 110 LV Alpine Touring Boot

Scarpa Alien RS Alpine Touring Boot

Smith Code MIPS Helmet

Pret Helmets Lyric X Mips Helmet

Patagonia Powder Town Headband

Patagonia Snow Drifter 30L Backpack

Have more questions about packing for a backcountry trip? Connect with a Gearhead: Call 1.800.409.4502 or chat with us online 24/7.

What makes Backcountry the best place to gear up? One-on-one Gearhead expertise. The greatest selection of outdoor gear, apparel, and accessories out there. And the tools to elevate your entire outdoor experience, from training smarter and sending harder to toasting at après. Harnessing the insights of our Gearheads, we also build our own products for ski, camp, MTB, fly fish, and more pursuits, including exclusive collabs with industry leaders. Backcountry is the place to Seek it. Find it. Send it.

[twoeydad]

Thanks. Love the hand and tow warmers. Backup phone battery is key. Extra gloves and mittens are key for me. I have the Micro Puff and I love it. I like the idea of being able to hear. Love that Patagonia pack. I have the same one. Really easy to organize. I love the Salomon MTN binding. Similar to the BD binding you showed but with essentially three heal positions. good advice on speaking up.

[kevininnis]

You really should be careful using a private word like “backcountry”, some companies out there might try suing you over it! It’s super messed up but I just want you to be aware that it happens 😉

[craigbosko]

EXCELLENT VIDEO, JOB WELL DONE, &I'M ALSO FROM THE PNW&WHAT U CALL GLOVES R NOT GLOVES THERE"MITTENS", BIG DIFFERENCE! I WEAR MITTENS ALL THE TIME(BAT-WAVE), OWN 3 PAIR.

[robertblair]

Nice video, however - on the safety/navigation side, you should always have a traditional compass. iPhone or any device will interfere with your Avalanche transceiver and it is not reliable enough if you get into trouble or the Cell Sites go down/there is no radio coverage. Have fun and stay safe!

[m.k.]

Just another limited What I Bring video. No planning for an emergency overnight stay.

[jimbojimbo]

Don't use your phone while skiing the backcountry. The signal will mess with your beacon.

[craigbosko]

OH, THE YOUNG WOMAN FROM UTAH, WHAT U CALL A BEACON IS NOT A BEACON, IT'S A"TRANSCEIVER", TOTALLY 100%DIFFERENCE.BEACONS USE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT FREQUENCY, SOME HAVE A STROBE TRANSCEIVERS TRANSMIT&RECEIVE ON A FREQUENCY OF 457 KHZ.THATS THE DIFFERENCE.

[ziggymatuszewski]

Just at the beginning ..." and I'm an activist " ... turn my attention off. Why should i know that she is an activist? I hope not one of those WOKE geniuses.
Anyway, I like what you present and suggest to take into backcountry. The funny thing is that when I watched many other videos about this subject nobody has ever mention something as basic as toilet paper :)))