How to choose the right ski backpack? Tips from a snowboarding instructor

A backpack is an indispensable attribute of your stay in the mountains. No matter what you will be doing there: skiing, snowboarding, hiking or just relaxing. You are bound to have a set of things that you will have to carry with you. Of course, you can shove everything in your pockets, but it will be easier and more comfortable with a backpack. Today we will tell you how to choose this attribute of the traveler to be comfortable to ride.

Immediately note that we will not touch on the topic of off-piste or park skiing, and in general to touch on the sport, because it has its own features and nuances, and we will talk about just being on the track.

Why you need a backpack on the slope

The day of a person who came to spend a vacation in the mountains, usually begins with the gathering – breakfast is not counted.

It is necessary:

• check whether the clothes are dry – you hardly want to freeze and get cold while skiing;
• inspect your equipment – you may have to tweak and readjust some things;
• find mittens, helmet, mask and balaclava;
• charge your phone and walkie-talkie, which many people use to stay in touch with friends;
• make a thermos of tea, pack a snack;
• bring an extra jacket, sweatshirt or thermals in case you sweat more than usual;
• take a map of the resort at the reception, just in case it is better to have it with you.

It turns out that you will have with you about ten accompanying things of different sizes, which will not be enough pockets of jacket and pants. And it is not safe to ride with a thermos in your hands. That’s why you should think about buying a backpack.

In addition to the main function of storage, the backpack can perform and protective. If you carry something soft on your back, it can be a kind of analogy to the “turtle” and, let not much, but to protect when falling and injuries.

In addition, the backpack can be placed on the snow to sit, buckle up, or wait for friends who are delayed on the trail. You can think of many variants of its use, especially with the experience of “life in the mountains” the number of applications will grow.

Head of snowboarding school X-Camp Russia

“A backpack is an eternal problem: it either hangs on you, or there is nowhere to put it, or you hand it in to a storage room and wonder “what is it for?”. So I am the type of person who drops off their stuff to others. I even gave my wife a backpack specifically for that purpose. But it’s not hard to guess who ends up riding with it.

Of course, there are other examples. A Norwegian rider with the unpronounceable name Fridtjof Sæther Tischendorf constantly competes in freestyle competitions with a backpack and even won the X-Games 2019. Therefore, it is worth just picking up a comfortable backpack. The benefits of having one are much greater than they seem.”

What to look out for when buying

From our experience of traveling and staying in mountain resorts, we can responsibly say that there is no such thing as the perfect backpack. First of all, your priorities and desires will influence your choice. For some people it will be comfortable to carry a medium backpack, for others – a small one, just for a thermos. When choosing, you can rely on the following list of nuances, but remember that your personal comfort should come first.

• Volume up to 20 liters – in most cases it will be optimal.
• The presence of a mounting system for skis and snowboards.
• Stiff backrest, tight and ergonomic fit on the back.
• Ability to unbuckle the waist belt, if there is one.
• Sufficient pockets for small things.
• Quick access to things from the back.
• Hydrator compartment (drinking system consisting of a water tank and tube).
• Padded compartment for mask and goggles.
• Attachment for helmet.
• Waterproof pouch.
• Bright color.
• Practicality of the material and strength of the fittings.
• Modular design to be able to get rid of unnecessary straps and straps.

How to choose the right backpack

• You should definitely try on the backpack. Make the final choice and purchase over the Internet is not advised. If possible, try to load the backpack as you will do it on the slope. Analyze how comfortable you will be riding with it. After choosing one, compare it with several other similar models.
• Do not choose a backpack “for growing up”, it should fit you. At least on a half-empty backpack will be more difficult to carry skis or snowboards. At most, it will be uncomfortable to ski at all, because all your stuff will be “flying” inside. This means that you can forget about stability and balanced skiing.
• Girls are better to choose a backpack among female models, because manufacturers try to make straps and waistbands taking into account the female anatomy. Such models often have a shorter back, which makes the fit more appropriate to the average female height.
• Don’t be shy and try to use the zipper and pockets while wearing gloves or mittens. Ignore if the laces on the zipper runners are uncomfortable, you can always replace them.
• If you plan to actively break into off-piste skiing (especially at urban resorts), pay attention to how much the loose ends of the straps and various loops will dangle. Check whether it will be possible to hide them. The fewer such details on the backpack, the less likely you are to hang on spruce branches and bushes.