Do you ski/ride with a backpack???

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

My friend Tom always skis with a backpack, so does Root..others like me and Atomic Jeff go packless...what about you??? Do you ever ski with a backpack? Is it more for hitting the backcountry, to carry gear or both??? If you have a short minute, take part in my poll...

 

[drjeff]

Since I'm essentially always skiing lift served, AND my coats/pants tend to have more pockets than I know what to do with, I go packless.

I will say though that since I got my new DSLR camera for X-Mas that I am contemplating using a backpack so that I can safely(or atleast relatively safely) get the camera out on the hill for some pics. So in the next few weeks, I may be atleast trying out, if not joining the backpack ranks

 

[Geoff]

I park slopeside. My day pack is in the car all morning with my lunch in it. I'll swing by the car, grab the pack, and take a run with it to get to the base lodge. After lunch, the pack is pretty much empty so I ski with it until I get near my car again.

When I'm doing big mountain skiing, I ski all day with my day pack and usually have a camelback bladder in it.

 

[Bumpsis]

Not a backpack, but I do ski with a fanny pack. I find it very useful for whole bunch of samll stuff, which I may or may not need (neck gaitor, backalava, sunglasses, granola bars, etc.). I find this easier than stuffing my pockets.

 

[Warp Daddy]

PacKless ---------------but most of my jackets have beaucoup pockets for stuff

 

[RootDKJ]

Yup, Camelpak. I guess I really don't need it in PA. Usually have a lunch, cliff bar, extra layer. Sometimes I know that I'll be really thirsty so the Camelpak is key

 

[riverc0il]

Only when skinning... and even then I hate skiing with a pack and do so only out of necessity.

 

[gmcunni]

i don't like having anything extra. lightest jacket, pants, etc. i don't even like having stuff in my pockets.

 

[momentum]

Yes to a pack. At least most of the time. When I am back east never, but out west I have worn a Dakine Heli-Pro with shovel,probe ,first aid gear, hydration bladder and extra layer for the last 6 years. I ski alot with a partner, and we always wear a Barryvox Pulse beacon as well in bc or marginal situations. It is barely noticeable once you get used to the feeling. I am also partial to Mammut's Nirvana pack, although it is slightly larger and better for skin trips etc.

 

[RichH]

I usually use a skiing camelback (shallow profile, insulated water tube, etc). I like carrying a good amount of water and not worrying about a bottle breaking a rib in a bad fall!

I keep a few first aid things, heat pads, bar of chocolate and in there, but it's pretty much just water.

It is thin enough it doesn't need to come off when I take lifts.

 

[wa-loaf]

West yes, East no. With the altitude and bigger resorts I like to have better access to water. Used just have a back with water bottle, but now I have a camelback.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

I have a Camelbak that I've used but once since I bought it. I couldn't get comfortable on the lift wearing the thing. I carry a half-liter size water bottle in my coat pocket. Ample pockets in my coats and ski pants to carry anything else I need for the day.

 

[billski]

only outback

 

[SkiDork]

YES! Dorks yellow backpack is his trademark. Everyone yells out to the dork because they recongnize his yellow backpack

 

[severine]

i don't like having anything extra. lightest jacket, pants, etc. i don't even like having stuff in my pockets.

Ditto and...

West yes, East no. With the altitude and bigger resorts I like to have better access to water. Used just have a back with water bottle, but now I have a camelback.

Ditto. You know, for the one weekend I've spent out West.

 

[SkiDork]

Its funny - I feel sorta naked without my backpack on... Once you get used to something, its what you need...

 

[bigbog]

....

Only when skinning... and even then I hate skiing with a pack and do so only out of necessity.

1+
...but have to admit mine's ok, plus I'm using the Frankenstein Trekkers when skinning...but it also houses my Camelback bladder and it sits clean when in a lift chair.

 

[gladerider]

yes. i ride with my kids and need to carry stuff for them including water bottles, camera, camcorder, car keys, wallet, cell phone, etc....depending on what i am carrying i take either a small dakine or big dakine heli-pro. you get used to it.

 

[hardline]

it really depends on what i am doing. if i am going to a place where there is little traffic in the east i got my pack on with stuff i might need. out west i got my probe.shovel,and beacon. the only time i notice is on the lift and when i am strapping in.

 

[Glenn]

Packless. In the spring I sometimes wear one to carry a few bottles of water. But I find them a bit akward on the lift.