Essential Backcountry Ski Gear For 2023

In our backcountry ski gear guide, we explain the concept of backcountry skiing and why it’s so popular. We list the gear that must be taken with a backcountry skier in order for them to feel adequately prepared.

Backcountry Skiing can be the stuff of legends. For the effort, a good backcountry adventure will deliver untracked lines, deep powder, and ample memories. With a wide variety of ski videos out there, from Warren Miller to TGR, showing off untracked glory deep in the mountains, nothing quite stokes the winter fire like backcountry skiing. While growing in popularity and widely embraced as a test piece for committed skiing adventurers, backcountry skiing comes with a fair number of serious challenges. Two of the most dangerous challenges include the potential for serious injury far from help and avalanches. So, what is backcountry skiing? Why are we obsessed with it? And what kind of gear does the average skier need, at a minimum, to feel prepared enough to give it a shot?

Warning: This is part of a series on backcountry skiing and only encompasses a brief overview of the sport and breakdown of essential gear. For tips and best practices for planning a backcountry skiing adventure, please refer to our Backcountry Ski Planner. For ANYONE traveling into avalanche territory, consider enrolling in an Avalanche training course by AIARE; it absolutely save lives.

Table of Contents:

Article Navigation: Click on any of the listed items in the table of contents below to jump to that section of the article. Similarly, clicking on any large, white section header will jump you back to the Table of Contents.

1. Backcountry Skiing: What it is and why we love it
2. Essential Terms
3. Gear Breakdown
4. Avalanche Preparedness
5. Conclusion

Mountaineers ski touring in alpine landscape.

Backcountry Skiing: What it is and why we love it

Backcountry skiing is exponentially more dangerous than resort skiing, but there are many reasons people take the risk.

Before the invention of the ski lift, skiing involved human powered ascents. If you wanted to ski, you had to earn your turns. The modern backcountry skier takes that concept and uses it to access areas where ski resorts might never exist, such as remote and mountainous terrain either federally protected (like a national park or wilderness area), or in an area that doesn’t see enough human traffic to warrant infrastructure creation.

People don’t generally start with backcountry skiing; they tend to graduate into it after learning how to ski at a resort. This distinction doesn’t always hold true, but generally speaking, resort skiing occurs first, followed by a growing interest in terrain that lies outside the resort boundaries. Backcountry skiing unlocks access to millions of acres of mountainous terrain and does so while providing all the other benefits of wading into remote areas, like a sense of adventure, a stellar workout, and a deeper connection to the outdoors. For some, the effort needed to access these areas is enough to turn them off to the idea; for others, it’s one of the many reasons to get excited about it.

Two big reasons to get into backcountry skiing are potential and powder. Ski resorts, while expansive, only cover a fractional part of the larger mountain ranges where they are located. If a resort has a bad snow year, there isn’t a whole lot you can do in-bounds to rectify that. Backcountry skiing opens up all sorts of terrain where conditions may be much, much better.

Another reason to get into backcountry is the prohibitive cost of resort skiing, which seems to increase every year. At the height of the season, a single day ticket for large ski resorts routinely tops $200. During these times, you may be wondering why you spent thousands of dollars on rentals, accommodations, lift tickets and resort purchases only to have to wait impatiently in lift lines while thousands of other people clamor for a spot. Backcountry skiing tends to alleviate the rat race. Granted, the upfront investment necessary to attain quality backcountry gear is nothing to laugh about. However, when that investment is made, you’ll be set for years as long as you take care of your gear and find time to get out there.

To sum up, we love backcountry because of the untapped potential for winter nirvana, enhanced connection with nature, adventure, and the sense of pride involved in earning our turns. We also love the cost breakdown over time. One expensive year of gear purchases will last the average backcountry skier up to five years, while the cost of regular resort skiing can top that within one or two winters.

Guided Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Trip Packages

Whether you’re a beginner looking to get your AIARE 1 Avalanche certification, or an intermediate to advanced backcountry user looking for guided trips with famed traverses and epic big-mountain descents, we’ve got you covered.

Find Your Perfect Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Trip

Essential Terms

One of the most important things you can do before heading into the backcountry is to arm yourself with information about the weather and avalanche conditions.

Because this article deals exclusively with backcountry skiing and the gear associated, let’s list out some of the most important terms you’ll come across. Many of these definitions were found using Avalanche.org, a great site for aspiring winter backcountry enthusiasts in the US. They have detailed avalanche forecasts for numerous states, along with international avalanche forecast reports for Canada, New Zealand, and Europe. Their Avalanche Encyclopedia is full of useful terminology.

Keep in mind, the terms below are backcountry specific and do not replace the necessity for skis, goggles, appropriate winter clothing, helmets, ski poles, navigation tools, food, water, and a medical first aid kit.

Backcountry: Broadly defined, the backcountry is an umbrella term used to describe remote, underdeveloped areas. It isn’t solely related to skiing but encompasses designated areas like wildernesses and large, roadless tracks of land. In general, the theme with backcountry is that it’s wild.

Skins: Skis are waxy on the bottom to assist with speed when skiing downhill. Skins, by contrast, are attachments that aid in uphill climbing. Because backcountry skiing exists in a world without ski lifts, Skins are the attachments that allow a skier to climb up a desired slope. The name refers to seal skins, which were originally used to create them in the 1930s. Skins now consist of an adhesive side (usually glue) that bonds with the bottom of your skis and a nylon or mohair side which allows the ski to slide forward (uphill) but not backward.

AT Bindings: If you’ve skied at a ski resort, you’ve noticed that your boots connect to your skis via bindings. With resort bindings, the toe and heel pieces are fastened to the ski. An AT (Alpine Touring) setup consists of bindings which allow the user to pick up the heel component as they move. Without this setup, it would be needlessly difficult to climb up a backcountry slope.

Beacon: These essential pieces of equipment are simply devices that send and receive an electronic signal. They are very useful in determining the location of a skier that has been buried by an avalanche.

Probe: A collapsible metal rod that is used to probe through avalanche debris to assist in locating victims.

Radios: Radios are fairly common devices that allow users to communicate with each other across distances. These useful devices are a must when backcountry skiing as the distances skied are often larger than your ability to shout across.

Shovel: While shovels are a common household item, avalanche shovels are specifically designed to help unbury avalanche victims and consist of collapsible lightweight material.

Backcountry Ski Pack: Generally speaking, any solid backpack can work with ski touring, but many companies now make exclusive backcountry skiing packs to carry all of your gear.

Advanced:

An airbag pack: A backcountry ski pack with an inflatable component that can deploy to create breathable space when buried under snow.

4 Season tent for multi-day excursions: Burly tents that can handle winter camping.

Ice Axe: An essential piece of mountaineering hardware that adds a level of safety and support to steep and difficult climbs.

Crampons: A shoe frame with metal spikes, used to increase grip on steep slopes; there are ski boot specific crampons.

Slope meter: A useful tool to measure slope angle in the backcountry.

Gear Breakdown

Building off the previous checklist, let’s take a deep dive into some of the essential gear components needed before attempting a backcountry adventure.

Skins:

Backcountry Skier sticking climbing skins on skis in the snow.

The ski skin has come a long way from its seal hide origins. They can come pre-cut but will usually require you to cut them to fit your skis. They need to adhere to the entire length of the bottom of your skis: tip to tail. When putting skins on, make sure you attach them slowly and deliberately so as to fix any air bubbles or orientation issues as they come up. REI has a helpful article on attaching skins to skis, click here.

Skins will degrade over time, but proper maintenance can increase their lifespan. If your skins have a glue adhesive, NEVER attach the adhesive side to itself, if your skins have an adhesive side that is not made from glue, follow the instructions that come with it. In the spring, when snowpack begins retreating, there may be times when your skins collect dirt and rocks from exposed parts of the trail. A quick maintenance fix in the field is to run the skins along the sharp edges of your skis to scrape the debris off. Debris on your skins leads to less adhesive surface area, which will mean less grip over time.

Note: The categories below were compiled using a variety of sources: Outdoor Gear Lab, REI, Dynafit, Black Diamond and EVO. Each hyperlink below is connected to the source material to help with future research.

Black Diamond Glidelite Mix (Porter, 11/2020)

Photo by Black Diamond

• The Good: A top performer for most occasions.

• The Not So Good: Snow can find its way between the skin and the ski after multiple uses.

• The Price: $199.95 at REI, Black Diamond

G3 Alpinist + Glide (Porter, 2020)

Photo by REI.

• The Price: $204.00 at  evo and REI (still available upon article release)

Pomoca Climb Pro S Glide (Porter, 2/2020)

Photo by evo.

• The Good: Light, good glide, descent grip, great glue

• The Not So Good: Durability over time degrades faster than other models, harder brand to find.

• The Price: $189.95 – $209.95 at EVO

Bindings

Ski technician using a hand-held screwdriver tool to tweak, twist bindings for ski boots.

As previously indicated, proper AT Bindings can significantly aid backcountry winter travel. They generally come in two categories, Tech Bindings, and Frame-style Bindings.

Tech Bindings are the more expensive choice, but offer numerous benefits. Unlike traditional ski bindings, the Tech Binding’s front piece is connected to an AT touring specific boot via two toe pins, allowing for ease of maneuverability uphill. Tech Bindings are also lighter than Frame-style bindings, but are less durable during sustained downhill.

Frame-style Bindings are generally cheaper and more versatile, but heavier. They can attach to regular skiing boots, which alleviates the necessity of buying an AT specific boot. The durability of most Frame-style Bindings means they feel better on the downhill. However, because the Frame-style Binding is larger, it is heavier, and while the open heel allows your boot to come up with each step, it takes more effort to do so.

Note: The categories below were compiled using a variety of sources: Ski Mag, Gear Junkie, Switchback Travel, REI, and EVO. I particularly liked the comprehensive comparison charts and graphs presented in this article by OutdoorGearLab and use the ratings below to help frame a pro/con argument for each option.

Best Tech Bindings:

• Pros: Supreme uphill versatility, generally lighter than frame bindings.

• Cons: Expensive, some features (like brakes) are add-ons, less support for hard-charging descents, many require specific tech boots to synch with. The total cost may turn off any budget conscious shopper.

G3 ZED 12:

Everyone has to start somewhere. If you’re trying to get into backcountry and know you want to chase wild, out of bounds destinations, consider the G3 ZED 12.

Photo by G3.

• Outdoor GearLab Rating (Nicholson I., & Porter J. 2020): Ease of use rating (8/10), Downhill performance rating (7/10), Touring rating (8/10).

• Price: ~$531.00 at EVO and G3

• Weight: 1.97 lbs, total weight for both bindings

• Release range: 5-12

• Cons: Brakes not included, need to buy tech boots, “hidden” costs drive bottom line price up.

Marker Alpinist 12:

An excellent all-around touring binding with three heel riser levels and comfort on the downhill.

Photo by Marker Alpinist.

• Outdoor GearLab Rating (Nicholson & Porter, 2020): Ease of Use (7/10), Downhill Performance (7/10), Touring (7/10).

• Price: $450.00 EVO

• Weight: 1.18 lbs, total weight for both bindings

• Release Range: 6-12

• Cons: No brakes, unproven long-term durability because it is a new product. Should not be used at ski resorts.

Dynafit Speed Turn 2.0:

Not everyone’s made of money, and outdoor costs can skyrocket if you’re not careful. The Dynafit is made for people on a budget, but comes with a few caveats.

Photo by Dynafit.

• Outdoor GearLab Rating (Nicholson & Porter, 2020): Ease of Use (7/10), Downhill Performance (5/10), Touring (7/10).

• Price: $350.00 at REI

• Weight: 1.63 lbs, total weight for both bindings

• Release Range: 4-10

• Cons: Doesn’t come with, and not compatible with a brake option. European made, harder to find retailers stateside.

Best Frame-Style Bindings

• Pros: Ease of use, Compatibility with alpine boots, Downhill durability.

• Cons: Heavier, not for people who skip leg day, limited lateral movement in the toe piece, which makes zig-zagging up a steep slope difficult and annoying.

With continued advancement in the tech binding category, frame-style bindings may soon be on their way out culturally, but they still pack a powerful punch for the average backcountry skier. The examples below are still available at various outdoor retailers.

Marker Duke EPF:

Photo by Marker Alpine.

• Ratings according to Outdoor GearLab (Nicholson, 12/2018): Ease of Use (7/10), Downhill Performance (10/10), Touring (5/10).

• Price: ~$430 at REI

• Weight: 6 lbs 2 oz, total weight for both bindings

• Release Range: 8-18

Salomon MNC 13 Alpine Touring Binding:

• Rating: 7.6/10 (Evolution Basin, n.d.)

• Price: ~$399.95 at REI

• Weight: 3 lbs 3.5 oz, total weight for both bindings

• Release Range: 4-13

Tyrolia Ambition 12 (BackcountrySkiingCanada.com, n.d.):

Photo by Tyrolia.

• Overall user rating: Dependable and fun for short to medium backcountry tours.

• Price: $430.00 at REI

• Weight: 2 lbs 4.8 oz, total weight for both bindings

• Release Range: 4-12

Keep in mind, although individual options are presented above, it is imperative to understand the pros and cons that each binding option comes with. The selection of good backcountry bindings, based on a personalized profile of what you realistically do in the winter, will help set you up for long term success.

Avalanche Preparedness

It’s crucial that all members of your group carry essential avalanche rescue gear and know how to use it.

Avalanches: scary to think about and ever-present in the wilds of the winter backcountry. The following section dives into the best avalanche mitigation gear.

Beacon (AKA Avalanche Transciever):

Beacons are an essential piece of avalanche mitigation. The user wears the beacon close to the body, and the transceiver sends out near-constant radio signals. In the case of an avalanche, party members can switch to “search” mode in order to locate the radio signals coming from a potential avalanche victim. Speed is everything when rescuing fellow backcountry skiers, and Beacons, when used properly, can make the difference between a rescue and a recovery. Check out this informative REI article (Irons, n.d.) for more information on Beacons and how to choose one.

Backcountry Access Tracker 3 (Switchback Travel Staff, 2020)

Photo by BCA.

• Good: Great battery life (250 hrs.), easy to understand interface, streamlined package, max range of 55m.

• Bad: No Bluetooth, advanced skiers may want more features

• Target: Intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers traveling in smaller groups

• Price: $350.00 at EVO

Ortovox Zoom+ (Switchback Travel Staff, 2020)

Photo by Ortovox.

• Good: Very basic interface makes it easy to use correctly, great battery life (250 hrs.), lightweight and only runs off of one AA battery.

• Bad: Limited range (only 40 m), not ideal in a multiple burial situation

• Target: Backcountry beginners in smaller groups.

• Price: $260.00 at EVO

Mammut Barryvox S (Switchback Travel Staff, 2020)

Photo by Mammut.

• Good: Excellent range (70-95 m), superb battery life (3-400 hrs.), ideal in a multiple burial situation, many excellent features and easy to see visual interface.

• Bad: Expensive, may be overkill for average recreationist

• Target: Avalanche professionals and seasoned backcountry adventurers.

• Price: $550.00 at EVO

Shovel:

In the scary scenario that someone in your party has been swept up in an avalanche, everyone will be expected to help excavate. You can’t excavate without a shovel; they are mandatory. Check out this REI article (Irons, n.d.) on snow shovels, their types, and what to look for when purchasing.

Backcountry Access B-1 EXT Bomber Avalanche Shovel

Photo by BCA.

• The Good: widely available, lightweight and compactible

• The Bad: users report difficulty extending in temps below 20 degrees Fahrenheit

• Price: $50.00 at Cripple Creek Backcountry

Black Diamond Deploy 7

Photo by Black Diamond.

• The Good: quick assembly, fits in most backpacks

• The Bad: handle may be too short for tall skiers, not as light as others

• Price: $75.00 REI, Black Diamond

Probe:

Within the avalanche mitigation world, probes are often overlooked but have been proven to shave full minutes off of rescue times if used appropriately. Check out this article by EVO (EVO, n.d.) detailing probes and how to choose one. The top three probes below are listed out with aluminum and carbon options where available. Carbon is the stronger material, but drives up the price.

Black Diamond Quickdraw Probe

Photo by Black Diamond.

• Good: Quickdraw deployment mechanism, burly grip, very visible markings

• Bad: Quickdraw feature can get stuck,

• Price: $105 for 300 cm carbon at Black Diamond, $99.00 for 320 cm carbon at EVO, $69 for 280 cm aluminum at REI

Backcountry Access Stealth Probe

Photo by Backcountry Access.

• Good: Lightweight, fast release, compact

• Bad: Size options vary from retailer to retailer, not compatible with all backcountry packs

• Price: $90 for carbon based 240 cm EVO

Combo Packages:

All this and more, for the price of one! It’s tempting to bulk-buy avy gear so we can spend less time researching but know that a combination package may come with two stellar items and one less than stellar item, so be on the lookout for individual product reviews before you buy a set. Having said that, the options below do a good job of kitting you up quickly.

BCA’s Transceiver/Probe/Shovel package:

Photo by BCA.

• Description: Cheaper option, reliable gear, not top of the line but functional

• Price: $385.00at Moosejaw

Black Diamonds Recon BT Avy Safety Set:

Photo by Black Diamond.

• Description: Great, rounded set for recreational touring.

• Price: $419.00 at evo and Black Diamond

Black Diamonds Guide BT Avy Safety Set:

Photo by Black Diamond.

• Description: burly, with probe and shovel that may be too much for casual recreationists, must have for professionals

• Price: $549.00 at Black Diamond and REI

Radio:

Radios are super helpful whether you’re in-bounds or out in the great wild yonder. Below are three reliable options for keeping your group connected and communicating. Check out this REI expert article (REI, n.d.) dedicated to helping you decide what kind of radio you may need. Another great resource is Outdoor Gear Labs Walkie-Talkie comparison (Grandy, 2020).

Backcounty BC Link 2.0

Photo by Backcountry Access.

• Range: Usable (6 miles line of sight), Max (40 miles line of sight)

• Battery Life: Avg (80 hrs.), Max (400 hrs.)

• Price: $189.95 REI

• Bottom Line: This radio rocks, it is expensive (the listed price is for one radio), heavy and the connection between the pieces can pop out if not secured correctly but it’s clear signal and great battery life trump all other concerns. Additionally, it performs very well when obstacles separate people like trees, ridges or other natural features.

Motorola T600

Photo by Motorola.

• Range: 35 miles straight line of sight, has trouble with topographical variance

• Battery Life: Avg. 9-11 hrs, Max. 23 hrs

• Price: $119.95 REI

• Bottom Line: A great second to the BC Link, the radio is intended for water use so wet, spring snow shouldn’t impact usability. However, users have reported occasional waterproof defaults in the design, and the battery life is not great.

Midland X-Talker T10

Photo by Midland.

• Range: Max. 20 miles

• Battery Life: 20 hrs. (needs three AAA batteries, not included)

• Price: ~30.00 REI and Midland

• Bottom Line: For someone on a budget, you can’t beat this radio. It’s compact, easy to understand and has a great battery life. The range, while up to 20 miles, tends to fail before that and can be a problem in backcountry situations. For the day spring skier and a small squad that sticks close together, this is a hard option to pass up.

Backcountry Ski Pack:

For all the gear mentioned above, you’ll need a sturdy pack to carry it all in. Is it possible to use a summer backpack? Sure, but the options below have been specifically designed to help the backcountry adventurist get out there without sacrificing functionality. The list is not all inclusive, but will give you a great head start on your search for the ideal backcountry pack. A couple of great resources to use when expanding your search include Gear Junkies Best Ski Backpack Review (Bouchard, 2021), and Switchback Travels Best Ski Backpacks of 2021 (Switchback Travel Staff, 2021).

Note: L. equals liters.

Day Touring:

Black Diamond Dawn Patrol

Photo by Black Diamond.

• The Good: Fits most everything for big single days in the backcountry

• The Bad: Expensive, less supportive under heavier loads, not for multi-day.

• The Price: 32 L. $169.95 EVO, Black Diamond 25 L. $149.95 Black Diamond

Dakine Heli Pro 20 L

Photo by Dakine.

• The Good: Multiple options for attaching skis, deep pockets, dedicated avalanche tools pocket.

• The Bad: Small, only recommended for day use.

• The Price: ~$100 at EVO,  Women’s REI

Deuter Freeride Pro 34 L

Photo by Deuter.

• The Good: Excellent snowboard holds, packs down to fit most day touring, price reasonable

• The Bad: Uncomfortable for taller people, not ideal for more committed days

• The Price: $130.00 for both Men’s REI, and Women’s REI

Multi-Day Touring:

Black Diamond Cirque 45L

Photo by Black Diamond.

• The Good: A true multi-day winter backpack with many features, will fit all avy gear and overnight gear.

• The Bad: Heavy and bulky, not for resort or single day backcountry use, more expensive than smaller packs

• The Price: $220.00 at Moosejaw, and Black Diamond

Advanced:

Once you have your finger on the pulse of backcountry skiing, there are additional add-ons that will help you go steeper and farther. These include (but are not limited to) Ice Axe/Mountaineering Axe, Crampons (remember, they need to be compatible with ski or snowboard boots), Avalanche Airbags, Slope meters, 4-Season Tents (Nicholson, 11/2020), and other Backcountry accessories. Each item (like those listed above) comes with a ton of options and varieties. The name of the game with backcountry is patience; take your time and do the research. Spontaneity is usually frowned upon when in avalanche country; taking deliberate steps towards your goals helps guarantee you’ll be able to ski backcountry for years. Failure to do so could lead to abrupt and dramatic consequences.

Conclusion

Backcountry skiing is a demanding and growing outdoor discipline. The risks are plentiful, but the rewards are well worth it. With the information presented above, you’ve taken the crucial first step in deciding how best to approach backcountry skiing. However, this article is only about gear and only gives three options per gear item. Please use the resources below to dive deeper into the myriad gear options available. Many additional steps exist after gear purchasing, and it’s incumbent upon the aspiring backcountry skier to make sure they have ALL the gear they need, along with suitable company and a well thought out plan. For further information, please visit our Guide to Planning a Backcountry Ski adventure.

Sources (listed in order of appearance):

1. AIARE (American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education). (2020). Retrieved from https://avtraining.org/

2. Avalanche.Org. (n.d.). Avalanche Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/#anchors

3. REI. (n.d.) How to Choose, Trim, and Attach Ski Climbing Skins. Retrieved from https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ski-skins.html

4. Porter, J. (2020, November 9). Black Diamond Glidelite Mix STS Review. Retrieved from https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/snow-sports/climbing-skins/black-diamond-glidelite-mix-sts

5. Porter, J. (2017, January 30). G3 Alpinist Review. Retrieved from https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/snow-sports/climbing-skins/g3-alpinist

6. Porter, J. (2020, February 11). Pomoca Climb Pro S Glide Review. Retrieved from https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/snow-sports/climbing-skins/pomoca-climb-pro-s-glide

7. Ski Magazine Editors. (2020, November 10). The Best Backcountry Ski Bindings. Retrieved from https://www.skimag.com/gear/backcountry-bindings/

8. Bible, Aaron. (2020, December 8). The Best Backcountry Ski Bindings of 2021. Retrieved from https://gearjunkie.com/best-backcountry-ski-bindings

9. Switchback Travel Staff. (2020, December 21). Best Ski Bindings of 2021. Retrieved from https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-ski-bindings

10. Nicholson, I., & Porter, J. (2020, October 23). Best Backcountry Ski Bindings of 2020. Retrieved from https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/snow-sports/best-at-bindings

11. EVO. (2020) The 6 Best Touring & AT Ski Bindings for the 2020-2021 Winter. Retrieved from https://www.evo.com/reviews/ski/best-touring-at-bindings

12. Nicholson, Ian. (2018, December 21) Marker Duke EPF Review. Retrieved from https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/snow-sports/at-bindings/marker-duke-epf

13. Evolution Basin. (n.d.) Solomon Guardian MNC 13 Alpine Touring Binding. Retrieved from https://evolutionbasin.com/42656/salomon-guardian-mnc-13-alpine-touring-binding

14. Backcountry Skiing Canada. (n.d.) Tyrolia Ambition 12 Alpine Touring Binding. Retrieved from https://www.backcountryskiingcanada.com/Tyrolia-Ambition-12-Binding-Review

15. Irons, Geoff. (n.d.) How to Choose and Use an Avalanche Transceiver. Retrieved from https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/avalanche-transceiver.html

16. Switchback Travel Staff. (2020, November 10). Best Avalanche Beacons of 2021. Retrieved from https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-avalanche-beacons

17. Irons, Geoff. (n.d.) How to Choose Avalanche Shovels. Retrieved from https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/snow-shovel.html

18. EVO. (n.d.) How to Choose and Avalanche Probe. Retrieved from https://www.evo.com/guides/how-to-choose-avalanche-probe

19. REI.com (2021) How to Choose Two-Way Radios. Retrieved from https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/twoway-radios.html

20. Grandy, Gray. (2020, November 11). Best Walkie-Talkies of 2020. Retrieved from https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-walkie-talkies?specs=n&n=0&sort_field=#compare

21. Bouchard, Nancy. (2021, January 13). The Best Ski Backpacks of 2021. Retrieved from https://gearjunkie.com/best-ski-backpack

22. Switchback Travel Staff. (2021, January 6). Best Ski Backpacks of 2021. Retrieved from https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-ski-backpacks

23. Nicholson, Ian. (2020, November 5). Best Four-Season Tent of 2020. Retrieved from https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-4-season-tent

Terms of Use: As with each guide published on SKYBLUEOVERLAND.com, should you choose to go backcountry skiing, do so at your own risk. Prior to setting out check current local weather, conditions, and land/road closures. While taking a trail, obey all public and private land use restrictions and rules, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and of course, follow the #leavenotrace guidelines. The information found herein is simply a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due-diligence. In spite of the fact that this guide was prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. SKYBLUE OVERLAND LLC, its partners, associates, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individuals following this guide.