Backcountry Ski Gear

The Carbon Whippet is the high-tech big brother of the iconic Whippet. If you enjoy steep skiing and haven’t tried a Whippet yet, then you are missing out. If you have tried a Whippet, then you know handy they are in just about every situation. This iteration of the iconic staple of ski mountaineering features a totally removable Whippet head for unmatched versatility in any terrai..

While exploring nature’s mighty splendors, it’s easy to venture out of shouting distance or lose sight of your partners. Backcountry Access solves the problem with the BC Link 2.0 radio. Compatible with any pack with shoulder straps, the BC Link 2.0 has a six-mile usable range and thanks to the upgraded wattage, this upgraded version will reach up to 40 miles if the need arises. Bo..

The Kohla Space Pack combines one of the fastest race-pack layouts with the wonder material known as Dyneema*. Strong, light, waterproof, you name it. The Space Pack carries a spritely 20-liters of gear split between a main compartment and a crampon pouch. The main zipper houses all your safety gear, a hydration bladder, snow study equipment, and maybe a puffy jacket or extra glove..

Long used in distance running, “running vests” give an individual the ability to explore the furthest reaches of wilderness due to the extra goodies that can be brought along, without the bulky restrictive feeling of a pack. Because of this, the good folks at La Sportiva created the Course pack, which combines the comfort of a running vest with the simplistic functionality of a ski..

At Skimo Co we're pretty conscientious about things that are light, so the construction of the Vapor Carbon 2 Pole was a real head turner around here. Designed specifically for ski-mountaineering and backcountry skiers, these weight-conscious poles are something we can really get behind. If Bruce Lee taught us nothing else it is that lightweight can also be strong, an attribute sha..

Traumatic experiences with fogged-up lenses and improper vision shading have steered many a backcountry skier away from goggles while moving fast. Rewrite those shudder-filled memories while still having full coverage for big outings with the Dynafit TLT Pro Goggles. The double lenses on the TLT Pro boast full protection from fogging, so you can rest assured that wiping condensatio..

Guides are crazy. They haul heavy packs, are strapped with a large radio, and usually bring along a little extra gear should a client forget theirs. They just can't catch a break. Unless they head out with the appropriately named Guide Lite 2 Carbon pole from Leki. For anyone looking to lighten their load, Leki is bringing a pole worthy of the guiding world to the general populatio..

The Salomon MTN Carbon S3 is a versatile, lightweight pole that quickly adapts to varying terrain. This version of the S3 features a low swing weight due to the carbon fiber construction while the extended foam grip lets you quickly choke up while crossing a steep slope. When you hit a booter you can quickly shorten the poles using the reliable tension-adjustable clamp system. The ..

The Ski Raptor 20 is the embodiment of, "Ask for and you shall receive." While its predecessor bearing the same name was an instant hit, many noticed and wished it had a dedicated pocket for avalanche gear. Wanting to please the people, CAMP has done just that with this current iteration. With the dedicated avalanche pocket, you can now store your avalanche tools for convenient acc..

Just as Sauron crafted one ring to rule them all, CAMP crafted the Speed Raptor 30 to rule all your pack needs. This intelligently laid out pack borrows the best traits from skimo and freeride-oriented ski packs to create an adventure-ready companion, eagerly awaiting your next ski mountaineering mission. While booting often feels like crawling up the fiery slopes of Mount Doom, th..

The trekking poles of yesteryear were pretty much glorified alpine ski poles, with no adjustability, shock absorption, or extra features. With the recent innovation in the world of trekking and fastpacking, however, the paradigm has flipped and now ski poles are taking their cues from the hiking world. Black Diamond's Alpine Carbon Cork WR poles mesh the two worlds together nicely ..

Everyone knows that Snap has, “The Power,” and now with the lithium rcB 1200 and 1800 battery packs from Lenz, you too, can have the power. These streamlined batteries work with all models of Lenz heated socks, vests, gloves, bandages, LED systems, and integrate with the Lenz app, allowing the user to fine-tune their heating experience through their smartphone. Providing a maximum ..

In conjunction with a primarily nitrogenous atmosphere, the Earth's distance from the Sun (150 million km) provides the ideal conditions for life as we know it. Even with this cushion, there remains more than enough sun to go around to burn your eyes should you venture out sans protection. If you plan to spend your days biking, running, or skiing with varying levels of solar exposu..

The Ortovox Ravine 28 is a modern freeride pack with useful mountaineering-specific features. A rope attachment affixes rope to the top of the main compartment while an ice axe can be stored either in the safety compartment or outside of the pack, ensuring you're covered for all vertical adventures. A side zipper and top roll-top offer easy access to the main compartment and a sepa..

The Ravine 28S is a modern freeride pack that will make all your other packs envious. The Full Contact Light Back System is ergonomic and distributes weight evenly across the back, providing a secure fit for skiing. A separate safety compartment allows for quick access to safety equipment while a side zipper provides easy access to the main compartment. Similar to skimo-style packs..

Local avalanche classes full? Gathering with strangers during a pandemic sound like a bad idea? Not much of a textbook reader? Lucky for you, our friend, badass (ski) mountaineer, and IFMGA guide, Mark Smiley, has put together an online course that serves as a comprehensive guide to avalanche safety. The course is applicable to all skiers - whether it's your first season in the ..

A wise man once asked, "If one can PACE 2, can one PACE 3?" We certainly think so. Compared to the PACE 2, COROS designed the PACE 3 with an improved 38 hours of battery life in GPS mode, 24 days of regular use, GPS updates, and exciting new display technologies. For most activities, 38 hours of active battery life gives you plenty of breathing room. A new GPS chipset with optional..

Designed to turn your performance up a few Kilohertz, the Frequency from Julbo finds a compelling blend of protection, style, and performance that allows it to excel across many different scenarios. Built around a photochromic lens, the Frequency automatically adjusts to different lighting conditions, meaning you can leave the spare sunglasses at home. The wide suspended lens offer..

When you're in harsh alpine environments, eye protection is paramount and every detail matters. Smith's Embark Sunglasses are designed to keep the elements out and let you soak in the beauty of your surroundings. With its photochromic lenses adjusting automatically from 45% to 7% of light transmission based on ambient UV and visible light, the Embark negates the need for multiple s..

In the high alpine, solar radiation can be paradoxical. Who expects to be boiling hot in a land covered in snow and ice? For intrepid glacier travelers who know the importance of full protection, the Dynafit Sky Pro Sunglasses are a ready-made solution. Anchored by a reactive photochromic lens, these glasses will shade your peepers even in the most sun-drenched environments while s..

With the IR Waxer 2.0 from mountainFLOW, less is truly more. As with all infrared waxers, the IR Waxer 2.0 increases the absorption of wax into the structure of the ski base, allowing you to use less wax with arguably better results when compared to traditional waxing irons. Because more wax is absorbed into the base structure, there is less residual wax to messily scrape onto your..

With its massive range of uses and generous lens volume that allows for an unencumbered field of vision, we think the Density aptly lives up to its name. Featuring a feather-weight frame made from bio-sourced and durable Rislan material, the Density has a pleasantly "light" feel without compromising durability. The shock-absorbing inserts in the nose pair well with the rubberized t..

It has been said that spandex is a privilege, not a right. Julbo must disagree but they decided it's a right for everyone when they added it to the design of their Ultimate Cover sunglasses. With a removable nose cover as well as removable side shields, all made of spandex, these sunglasses can protect you from high altitude sun rays as well as ripping northern winds. The CustomFit..

The Sherpa FX Carbon is a high-performance pole designed for splitboarders looking to venture far into the backcountry. The carbon upper helps keep the weight down while the aluminum lowers fend off errant edge strikes. The Aergon Air grip with hollow-core technology is light but provides a large, ergonomically shaped grip for comfort and control while skinning. The back of the gri..

In pursuit of the perfect vision solution for backcountry users, Smith created the Pursuit Sunglasses. A tall and wide lens with optional side shields and nose cover provides goggle-like protection from wind, sun, and snow without sacrificing breathability and airflow, which makes glasses desirable for high-effort activities. The adjustable arms and nosepiece allow you to customize..

For some, party time ends at dawn. For others, the party starts at dawn when the sun is cresting the ridge, pouring light over that perfect line you're about to descend. As you race against the sunlight, you can track all your stats with the COROS Apex 2 Pro watch. Total ascent, time on the skin track, heart rate, pace, ascension rate, blood oxygen level - these are examples of the..

Skin up, ski down. Seems simple, but we all know there is a lot more to it, including having the fitness to get up high in the mountains. Get the most from each outing by tracking all your data with the Apex 2 Pro sports watch from COROS. Yes, this watch has ski mountaineering as an activity option, kind of important to mention. It also can track reps and sets automatically from ov..

Airbags, contrary to their name, are not made of air, and thus are not known to be the lightest of protective systems. This abundance of extra heft, therefore, has traditionally left many airbags out of the quivers of those seeking to put in the biggest vertical days. Thankfully, the good folks at Arva realized the need and created the Tour 25 UL. This airbag is light on weight but..

There are few things worse than carrying extra weight, especially when trying to move quickly and efficiently through the mountains. With the Reactor Tour 28 UL Airbag Pack, Arva has created an airbag for the weight conscious, ensuring you can have the protection of an airbag, without being weighed down. Predominantly built using recycled 210D CORDURA fabric, the Reactor Tour 28 UL..

Increasingly, many airbag owners are discovering the benefits of a battery-operated system. That is, the ability to travel on an airplane, multiple deployments on a single charge, and forgoing the hassle of needing to refill a canister after a single use. Recognizing this, Ortovox and Arc’teryx collaborated to create the Avabag LiTRIC platform. Taking this platform, Ortovox made th..

The “S” stands for short, but the Ortovox LiTRIC Tour 28S airbag is anything but short on functionality. With the electronically driven LiTRIC avalanche floatation system, you can fly with this in your carry-on, ensuring you can use your own familiar airbag instead of a rental. After a full charge, the Litric Tour 28S will have enough power for two deployments, providing a margin o..

The Ortovox LiTRIC Tour 30 bag is perfect for backcountry outings where you need reliability and functionality. With the LiTRIC system, you get both. Utilizing lightweight lithium batteries to drive a supercapacitor, the LiTRIC Tour 30 remains reliable in temperatures down to -22°F and once activated can fill the airbag in 4 seconds. Whether you simply want to practice with your ai..

The Ortovox Avabag LiTRIC Tour 36S is filled top to bottom with features that are defined by quality and performance. The modular LiTRIC system, which serves as the foundation for the Avabag LiTRIC Tour 36S, uses supercapacitors and lightweight lithium-ion batteries, resulting in a design that allows for reliability in extreme temperatures. With two deployments per charge, you can ..