Winter mountain environments leave zero margin for equipment malfunctions. This checklist details the absolute hardware standards required for active participation in our backcountry ski tours and certified AIARE avalanche training courses. Prior to the field session, ensure your climbing skins are trimmed precisely to your ski or splitboard dimensions and verify that your avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe meet current professional rescue standards.
You must have all the items on this list when you meet your guide, regardless of season or forecast. Please call us if you have any questions. Your guide will not let you take part in the activity if you don’t have appropriate gear. Please arrive at your meet-time dressed for the activity. There will be time for questions and adjustments. Avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, probe) and ski touring backpack can be rented from us and requires advanced notice.
There are many brand/model options of clothing and gear. The links below are examples of items that work well.
CLOTHING:
- Long Underwear – Men’s Top Woman’s Top Men’s Bottom Woman’s Bottom
- Lightweight Fleece Top – Men’s Woman’s
- Softshell Top – Men’s Woman’s
- Insulated Jacket – Men’s Woman’s
- Waterproof-breathable Pants or Bibs – Men’s Woman’s
- Waterproof-breathable Jacket – Hardshell jacket with a helmet-compatible hood. Men’s Woman’s
- Warm Socks – Wool or synthetic ski specific socks. Men’s Woman’s
- Medium-weight Gloves – Men’s Woman’s
- Heavy-weight Gloves – Waterproof and insulated. Men’s Woman’s
- Warm Hat – Wool or synthetic and fits under a helmet. Unisex
- Neck Warmer – Unisex
PERSONAL GEAR:
- Ski Pack – 30 to 45 liter ski specific backpack. Ortovox Peak Pack
- Ski pack can be rented from us and must be requested more than 7 days in advance
- Sun Hat – Light packable ball cap or brimmed hat. Ortovox trucker hat
- Sunglasses or Glacier Glasses – High quality sunglasses with dark lenses or photo-chromatic lenses. Julbo Mountain Glasses
- Ski Goggles – Low light or photo-chromatic lenses. Julbo Goggles
- Sun block & lip balm – SPF 15 or higher
- Water Bottles – Two 1-liter bottles required. No bladders allowed for risk of freezing and/or breaking. Nalgene
- Headlamp – Full charge or fresh batteries. Petzl headlamp
- Lunch and snacks for the day
SKI/SPLITBOARD GEAR:
- Alpine touring skis or splitboard – please adjust your binding to your boots prior to the course.
- Touring ski boots / snowboard boots
- Ski poles
- Climbing skins – Please cut your skins to match your skis prior to the trip.
- Helmet – Rated for alpine skiing or ski touring. Solomon MTN Lab
AVALANCHE RESCUE GEAR:
Avalanche gear can be rented from us and must be requested more than 7 days in advance!
- Avalanche transceiver – Ortovox Diract
- Avalanche Shovel – Modern metal avalanche shovel. Ortovox Shovel
- Avalanche probe – Ortovox Probe