Backcountry Equipment Checklist
Pack contents depend upon the length and type
of trip as well as snow and weather conditions. Besides the obvious
(skis, boots, and poles), participants need to bring Clothing,
Food, Repair, and Safety gear. As trip co/leader,
you need to be prepared for equipment breakdowns, injuries, weather changes, and other
unplanned emergencies during your tour. You'll want to send your group a checklist with your poop sheet
to make sure they have all the necessary gear, then check out their packs at the trailhead before heading
out.
Participant Gear
- Skis - Make sure skis are in good working order and are well suited to the terrain and conditions you are expecting
- Bindings - The most likely piece of equipment to break, carry spare parts for the most delicate parts
- Boots - Warm, comfortable, and broken in, appropriate for the terrain
- Poles - Correct length for users, wrap duct tape around shaft for emergency repairs
- Parka or Shell - Waterproof and breathable are best, fitted hood a big plus
- Pack - Large enough for all the gear being carried, well fitted to the user
- Water Bottle - Two liters minimum, wide mouth bottles, water bottle isulated jackets are a plus
- Lunch - Food that doesn't freeze, snacks for quick eating, lots of energy for cold weather
- Bandanna
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm - With sunscreen
- Wax Kit - waxes, scraper and cork if using waxable skis, and the knowledge of how to use them
- Climbing Skins - If required
- Sunglasses - Important in sunny weather, but also good eye protection
- Knee Pads and Helmet - Important protection if your trip includes travel downhill in the trees
- Headlamp - Essential gear on any backcountry trip, include extra batteries
- Map and Compass - And the knowledge to use them
Safety/Emergency Gear
- Swiss Army Knife/Pliers - Needed for repairs on ski gear
- Screwdriver/Posi-driver - Needed for repairs on ski gear
- Safety Pins - Pack repair
- Extra Straps or Light Rope - Useful for rigging sleds, shelter, crossing streams, splints
- Whistle - Locating lost or missing skiers
- SOAP notes and pencil/pen - Writing up patient notes, directions, etc
- Waterproof matches
- Fire starter or candle
- Bandaids / Antiseptic wipes
- Moleskin
- Gauze pads / sanitary napkin
- Laytex gloves
- Ace bandage
- Athletic tape
- Aspirin/Ibuprofen
- Heat packs for hands/feet
- Triangular bandage (sling)
Group Gear
- Small tarp or bivy sack - Emergency shelter
- Sleeping bag - For injuried or benighted skiers
- Sleeping pad - Keeping injured skiers off the snow
- Aluminum flashing and Hose clamps - For pole repair
- Extra binding screws
Clothing
Outer Layers
- Parka - Waterproof and Breathable (Gore-Tex or one of the many similar fabrics), with hood
- Pants/Bibs - Waterproof and Breathable, full side zippers very helpful in winter
- Gaitors - High gaitors that fit over ski boots
- Overmitts - Big enough to fit over big mittens
- Face mask or balaclava - Cover facial skin with windproof or insulating layer
- Goggles - Complete the seal, essential for visibility and eye protection on descent
Insulating Layer
- No Cotton! - Cotton holds mosture close to skin and loses all insulating value when wet
- Wool, Fleece, Down or Softshells are excellent choices
- Sweater or jacket - heavy layer for use when stopping
- Vest or light layer - For use when active
- Fleece or wool pants
- Hat - light one for hiking, heavier one with ear protection for stopping
- Gloves/Mittens - Heavy pair for stopping, lighter pair for skiing
- Socks - Heavy wool or synthetic
Wicking Layer
- Synthetic or silk layer worn close to ski - transports moisture away from the body
- Light - midweight long underwear top
- Light - midweight long underwear bottoms
- Synthetic sports bra (women)
- Poly or Silk briefs
- Light liner gloves
- Light - midweight liner socks (2 pr)