With lodges being a shitshow who's skiing with a backpack this year? What are the pro-tips?

H

Hard

Member
With lodges being shut down at resorts all over, who's planning to ski with a backpack? Backpacks inbounds certainly have their flaws, but somewhere to store snacks, water, basic tools and first aid supplies might be really handy this year. Extra warm layers too on those cold days with nowhere to warm up.

For those who have experience with this, what are your backpack tips? For myself I have a small backpack that fits under a jacket with burly straps to cinch down tight. Hydration pack with insulated hose too. Filled with water, small snacks, advil, ganj and whatever else.

What are you all rocking?
 
I hope Karl Fostvedt was ahead of his time with the backpack steeze and it becomes the new track pants.

My tip is work out what you actually need, things like do the lifts have tools that you can use if need so you don’t have to carry them/worry about stabbing yourself in a stack. Travel light, use packs with waist & chest straps to make it seem less of a load on your back.
 
BD dawn patrol 32L. my main go to pack for anything but i got bigger dakine pack for touring this season. i coach too so it comes in handy for kids whenever I have a multitool or space to throw their lunches/extra masks in case they lose one/first aid/water, space if they want to bring along an extra pair of gloves, etc. ski dad things basically lol
 
Fridge was rocking the backpack in snowboard events for years. Just preparing for covid.

I can't fuck with it honestly, nowhere good to leave it, and I live close enough to the mountain. I just roll out with a couple pocket beers, and go shred for a bit then dip out.
 
better be safe than sorry. pack enough foood for a week on your back when your skiing your local tow rope

can’t forget the crampons and the sleeping mats
 
14207924:FaunaSkis said:
I hope Karl Fostvedt was ahead of his time with the backpack steeze and it becomes the new track pants.

My tip is work out what you actually need, things like do the lifts have tools that you can use if need so you don’t have to carry them/worry about stabbing yourself in a stack. Travel light, use packs with waist & chest straps to make it seem less of a load on your back.
Click to expand...

Matt Sterbenz competed in a jump/quarter pipe competition on the Whistler glacier with an empty backpack for flare in 2000 or 2001. He was 20 years ahead of the trend.
 
If I’m new to skiing and I’m not gonna be getting sweet air or doing flips or spins what are the disadvantages of carrying a small backpack?

I hate the idea of having beers in my pockets.

Seems like that would be more of a hindrance than a pack.
 
I still park close enough where I don't need a backpack, and my suit holds enough beer for the day. Pretty sobering seeing Patrol tending to multiple crashes at the bird today though. The sun softens things up on the first inch and half but it's ice under, so people keep crashing hard in some zones.
 
14207958:Millenialfalcon said:
If I’m new to skiing and I’m not gonna be getting sweet air or doing flips or spins what are the disadvantages of carrying a small backpack?

I hate the idea of having beers in my pockets.

Seems like that would be more of a hindrance than a pack.
Click to expand...

on the other hand beers in your pockets is just extra motivation to not fall and make them explode all over you
 
14207972:CENTORE said:
on the other hand beers in your pockets is just extra motivation to not fall and make them explode all over you
Click to expand...

It’s not worth the risk.

Also, walking to the car is wasted time and energy.

A small 35L pack can be both stylish and functional.

Anyone other than parents with children who goes to the lodge for a drink of water this year should automatically get sent home for the day until Covid’s over.

**This post was edited on Dec 6th 2020 at 8:53:49pm
 
I bring a backpack but I stash it somewhere. Usually at the bottom or top of the park, or on a ski rack. I've never had anything stolen, but I only put low value items inside. It's also really nice to walk up to the lift line in cheap regular snow boots and then boot up there, especially if parking is far away. It has the added bonus of keeping your boot soles in top shape.
 
Ive always kept a pack in my homies car and would take occasional laps with it on when I wanted a beer or my camera. Then I can trade off riding with the camera/back pack every other lap with my friends. We all get clips+Ski+Immediate beer access.
 
As a dad I usually carry a pack with layers, water, snacks especially at larger resorts and try to only hit the lodge for the bathrooms. I'm lucky to mostly ski places that aren't generally super cold and this year our home mountain is pretty small and the parking has been good so far so we'll eat lunch or dinner in the car with boots off and the heater on.

Just get something that fits nicely and is relatively low profile.
 
14207958:Millenialfalcon said:
If I’m new to skiing and I’m not gonna be getting sweet air or doing flips or spins what are the disadvantages of carrying a small backpack?

I hate the idea of having beers in my pockets.

Seems like that would be more of a hindrance than a pack.
Click to expand...

I just don't like wearing a bag cause of the fact that you feel 10x less mobile, at least for me. I guess it wouldn't hurt to wear a small backpack if you're not gonna be in the park too much
 
Ortovox free rider 22 Ava bag , yellow looks dope on red parka with blue pants

great for snacks, kush, go pro, holding my packable layers, camelback, etc at the resort, same for bc and it’s an airbag, can hold daymakers, beacon , probe , ski carry etc and the back protectors great for rocks and trees if you send and eat shit a lot like I do, absolutely saved me from spine injury at least once in the trees sent my spine straight into a trunk impact was at about 15/20 mph, couldn’t sit for two weeks but could ski etc and no permanent injury
 
topic:Hard said:
With lodges being shut down at resorts all over, who's planning to ski with a backpack? Backpacks inbounds certainly have their flaws, but somewhere to store snacks, water, basic tools and first aid supplies might be really handy this year. Extra warm layers too on those cold days with nowhere to warm up.

For those who have experience with this, what are your backpack tips? For myself I have a small backpack that fits under a jacket with burly straps to cinch down tight. Hydration pack with insulated hose too. Filled with water, small snacks, advil, ganj and whatever else.

What are you all rocking?
Click to expand...

Park your pack at the main lift you'll be using or a central location.
 
Bags are silly if you live in the east, 30 second runs and you have to take your bag off to get on the lift. Used to stash my shit on hill either at the top of the park or near the lift. Had someone finish off my half empty gatorade on me, had full bottles stolen, and had my poles swiped. Started leaving my shit inside and it ended up being safer there. Probably just going to leave everything in the car this year.
 
14208445:Poikenz said:
Bags are silly if you live in the east, 30 second runs and you have to take your bag off to get on the lift. Used to stash my shit on hill either at the top of the park or near the lift. Had someone finish off my half empty gatorade on me, had full bottles stolen, and had my poles swiped. Started leaving my shit inside and it ended up being safer there. Probably just going to leave everything in the car this year.
Click to expand...

Why won’t they let you ride the lift with a backpack on?
 
I've never liked riding with a backpack, I can fit a few sandwiches and a 6 pack in my pockets, and the beer goes quickly so I'm not super worried about it exploding. My suggestion would be to make friends with the lifties, and stash your pack at the top or bottom terminal.
 
14208451:Millenialfalcon said:
Why won’t they let you ride the lift with a backpack on?
Click to expand...

"Your straps can cause entanglement". I guess someone at some point got hung up and that was that. You'll get called out by lifties both in ON and QC, not sure what the US is like.
 
14207981:Millenialfalcon said:
It’s not worth the risk.

Also, walking to the car is wasted time and energy.

A small 35L pack can be both stylish and functional.
Click to expand...

is this an ad?

Seriously tho unless your going into the backcountry anything you think you could need a backpack for you could put in your pockets
 
14208512:Poikenz said:
"Your straps can cause entanglement". I guess someone at some point got hung up and that was that. You'll get called out by lifties both in ON and QC, not sure what the US is like.
Click to expand...

Everywhere I've been in the US makes you put your pack on your lap. Working at Targhee, I've seen several people slip on the chair with it on their backs, and then get stuck on the chair when their straps get caught.
 
14208535:OCoffey said:
is this an ad?

Seriously tho unless your going into the backcountry anything you think you could need a backpack for you could put in your pockets
Click to expand...

If you’re at Taos you’re gonna waste the time mid day to walk all the way to the car?

Or are you gonna go to the cafeteria and spread Covid?

I’ll have my snacks, 3 beers and a small thermos of hot tea in my pack, thank you.

Take the L @ocoffey
 
14208556:Millenialfalcon said:
If you’re at Taos you’re gonna waste the time mid day to walk all the way to the car?

Or are you gonna go to the cafeteria and spread Covid?

I’ll have my snacks, 3 beers and a small thermos of hot tea in my pack, thank you.

Take the L @ocoffey
Click to expand...

I think you take the L for still skiing Taos after they went full scumbag this season and did a $1000 price hike on a season pass and raised day ticket prices.
 
Taos trying to become Telluride :(

14208565:tanner48 said:
I think you take the L for still skiing Taos after they went full scumbag this season and did a $1000 price hike on a season pass and raised day ticket prices.
Click to expand...
 
14208538:SendyMcSendyface said:
Everywhere I've been in the US makes you put your pack on your lap. Working at Targhee, I've seen several people slip on the chair with it on their backs, and then get stuck on the chair when their straps get caught.
Click to expand...

Yeah this actually happened to me but I even had it on my lap thankfully. My one buckle got stuck between the seat and when I got off, well...the bag didn't. Embarrassing but kudos to the lifty.

And op you want a pro tip?: don't put a backpack under your coat lol wtf
 
14208556:Millenialfalcon said:
If you’re at Taos you’re gonna waste the time mid day to walk all the way to the car?

Or are you gonna go to the cafeteria and spread Covid?

I’ll have my snacks, 3 beers and a small thermos of hot tea in my pack, thank you.

Take the L @ocoffey
Click to expand...

Nah I’ll just ski to my car and walk 20 feet back to the lift at my local. All while enjoying my weight free back
 
14208538:SendyMcSendyface said:
Everywhere I've been in the US makes you put your pack on your lap. Working at Targhee, I've seen several people slip on the chair with it on their backs, and then get stuck on the chair when their straps get caught.
Click to expand...

So the liftie makes them take off something that tho not meant to... saved them from falling? I’d rather hang there than fall but idk I’ve never fallen, jumped off, never fall
 
14208648:SavageBiff said:
So the liftie makes them take off something that tho not meant to... saved them from falling? I’d rather hang there than fall but idk I’ve never fallen, jumped off, never fall
Click to expand...

No, they get caught when trying to unload, and the chair drags them through the stop gate. Shit’s dangerous.
 
The problem with packs is the viscous cycle of loading and unloading. This means you have to get to the lift line, take off your gloves, use your hands to unclip the cold buckles, take off your pack, put your gloves back on, get to the top where there is usually a pretty gnarly wind chill, take off your gloves again, clip the cold buckes back on then do a run then repeat.

Most ski jackets have like 20 pockets anyway to stash anything you would need.
 
finally gave in and got a ski pack this year, Its perfect to keep weed, snacks, drinks, any other shit you need, and if you do it right you can keep the waist strap on and just be able to take the straps off your shoulders and rotate the bag around you for getting on the lift.

or get a big ass fannypack like ski patrollers do
 
Rode one week at Taos and one a Bridger last year so basically I’m a pro and no one said anything to me about needing to take my pack off to get on the lift.

Make sure your straps aren’t dangling and use common sense.
 
I'll often just stash my pack at the top of the lift cause it can get in the way sometimes, but I ski at trustworthy hills so be careful I guess.

When I try backflips with packs on my head will usually hit the top of it and give me a brief heart attack but I've never crashed because of it.
 
unless ur bringing a camera no point in wearing a backpack lmao, leave ur shit in the car or keep it on you. and if u have a water bottle/beer just leave it at the top of the lift/park. my pants have more than enough space to hold phone, wallet, keys, pocket bacon etc
 
A thermos with a hot bevvy. Soooo nice on the chairlift. You'll feel very sophisticated pouring piping-hot coffee into the little lid-cup and enjoying it. Bonus points if there is someone else on the lift to show off to or if you have a nice cup of hot tea in a smoke shack.
 
wore a nike backpack once or twice, but theres like 10 parking lots and the resort isn't too big, so i just park in a ski-in ski-out lot and keep my stuff there
 
Throw a backpack on if you find you have enough usable items to put in it on given day. 9/10 I don't ride with a pack when Im resort skiing, but every time I do.. It's always nice to have all the items handy, especially at bigger resorts out west. Regardless, any steezy trick is going to look twice as cool with a pack on if executed properly. It's also nice to get used to the feeling of skiing with a pack (in case you want to try ski touring) as it can take a few runs to start to feel comfortable with.
 
I avoid the lodge at all costs, covid or not. I'm all about the parking lot lifestyle. I have a Coleman stove with a table, camp chair, and

easy up if it's snowing.
 
Sounds fucking hilarious, wish that’d happen at sugarloaf today , woulda been a hoot

14208758:SendyMcSendyface said:
No, they get caught when trying to unload, and the chair drags them through the stop gate. Shit’s dangerous.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top