Wearing Backpacks while skiing

[uphillklimber]

x

 

[Terry]

backpacks

I have never worn one skiing because it looks to uncomfortable on the lift. Also I would worry about getting tangled up with the lift. I just leave my extra stuff in the car, or the lodge. :beer:

 

[beswift]

Backpacks

Even in the back country, you should always travel light. I leave my backpack in the lodge and always have done that. Never have I seen it disappear. I try to be discrete about what I keep in it and always make a display of my disposition of smelly socks and change of clothing. One New Years a friend of mine talked me into taking a Appalachian Mtn. Club Weekend at their Cardigan lodge. They have these leaders who have to do everything by the book when leading a group. They have to carry a lot of gear in a pack. It was only a day trip but this guy had enough for a week's survival. We had to leave the guy behind as he was just too exhausted to finish the treck. That's just one incident, I can relate. Just the other day, this guy with a pack and expensive gear jumped on the detatchable from behind me. I asked him if he minded if I rode with him :roll: . The guy had a Big Pack. It obviously slowed him down when we took on the bumb trail. He had to take a run out and I never saw him again. Maybe he is on his way to Canada, but I doubt it.

 

[riverc0il]

i don't wear one, but don't mind if other people do so long as it's within reason. there really isn't much of a reason to wear a pack while skiing in bounds at ski areas. patrollers need to lub gear sometimes, so that's cool. lunch can be stored in your jacket if you're looking to summit with lunch.

 

[kfan]

I don't use a back pack, all my stuff goes into my pockets. I have a few friends who take their camel paks so they can carry water or gatorade with them (although one guy had his water tube freeze up because he didn't have an insulated tube). The camel paks are made for sports so they don't get too bulky.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

I ski with a backpack when I'm on duty. Having limited additional help, I need more supplies than the typical patroller. I also find it rides better on my "ample" frame than a fanny pack.

I don;t find that it puts me in the back seat, as much as it has me bend at the waist to keep the weight centered.

In bounds, off-duty, I don;t have much use for a pack. It always feels great to get rid of it.

Backcountry, I went througha phase of bringing a lot of extra stuff. I really try to keep it to a minimum now, as I'm not 21 anymore.

 

[dmc]

In the backcountry or out west - I use one...
Mainly because I need a place to stash a shovel and a probe... But also for water, food, an extra pair of goggles, camera and an extra layer...

As well as crampons,ice axe and skins for my splitboard - when needed...

I always carry avalanche gear with me when riding out west... You never know when your going to get a chance to slip OB...

I always take it off when I get on a chair lift...

 

[powers]

I only use a pack BC or OB. My wife hooked me up with a Dakine Heli-pro and it's sweet! It'll store a basic first-aid, extra goggles, lunch/scooby snacks, h20 and any other small knick knacks without being too bulky. Lifts aren't an issue as you just take it off first. If you want to go real minimalist you should check out the "G-string" ski carrier by Indigo. It carries your skis across your back for hiking and when your done you can stuff it in your pocket. Another idea that I should have patented hiking to the bullwheel at smuggs... :roll:

 

[beswift]

Filling in the space.

Dakine makes good product. I have some of their Windsurfing accessories. Obviously, this is kind of a troll. :roll: Depending on the person, the activity and the needs one would use a pack or not. Then again, the kind of pack would be determined by the intended activity. I've never done more than a day trip away from vehicle or lodging in the back country in the winter. I've slept out in nights that hit 20 below , but always in my car. Many would discourage that. Somehow, though, I have found it more comfortable than my tent. Nevertheless, I didn't keep it running. If you are a patroller who puts in a lot of time on the slopes and you condition yourself to carry a pack, how can anyone see something wrong there? If you're some geek who's either worried about his possessions or has big ideas of going out of bounds, you prabably won't be reading this thread.

 

[jimme]

Usually I have a pack on. Lunch, exta clothing and such is easily at hand. Of course you have to be able to appreaciate nearly frozen sandwiches, but if it's dumping or a powder day, no time is lost in the lodge. Since I do wear one most of the time I have to admit it feels nice on days I don't wear it. If the area is uncrowded I'll stash the pack in a locker, but if the place is really busy or lockers are not available then I keep it on my back. I do a side to side shimmy before getting off the lift to be sure nothing is caught. Also, like some others, the forward lean packs cause on the chair lift is uncomfortable. This season I expect to stow it in a locker more often because ultimately, for me- skiing is more comfortable without one..

Jimme

 

[JD]

No packs allowed on the lift at Stowe today because they said a kid was hung to death by his pack in colorado last week. Is this true? Or is this just a case of the Utah inncidient being distorted by word of mouth. Let's hope noone ever gets hung by their ski pants... :roll:

 

[Greg]

No packs allowed on the lift at Stowe today because they said a kid was hung to death by his pack in colorado last week. Is this true? Or is this just a case of the Utah inncidient being distorted by word of mouth.

With me following the ski scene in Colorado as closely as I do now, I'm guessing it's the latter as I haven't heard anything about that... :roll:

 

[ChileMass]

I wear a camelpack or fannypack to heold a few items (digital camera. granola bars, hand warmers, gaiter, etc)......I turn it around to my front when loading on the lft cuz I don't want to crush my stuff, and I have never had a problem.

 

[andyzee]

Didn't put in enough of choices., so I chose only when on duty. I only wear mine when I decide to bring a camcorder up, which isn't too often

 

[bvibert]

I wear a Camelbak type of hydration pack under my jacket, that keeps it from freezing and from getting caught on stuff.

 

[noreaster]

Because of western ski areas large size, need to drink water, and higher probability of change in weather, I typically wear a backpack while skiing out west. Backpack has water, lunch, space blanket in case of injury, and some additional cloths. The backpack I wear is extremely tight and does not limit my skiing. All straps are secured.

East coast skiing does not require a backpack because hydration is not an issue due to the low altitude and change in weather is never a problem because it only takes a few minutes to ski off the mountain to the base lodge.

I chose ALWAYS in poll because out west I do always wear a backpack. East coast I never wear a back pack.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Didn't put in enough of choices., so I chose only when on duty. I only wear mine when I decide to bring a camcorder up, which isn't too often

Ture for me: On Duty and when BC/OB