Ski touring with the right backpack

We all know specific backpacks for different kinds of activities, from mountaineering and cycling backpacks to running backpacks, and of course ski touring backpacks. As all other ski touring gear, backpacks, being used in constantly wet, icy and snowy conditions, and subdued to heavy load on the material during skiing, are equipped by quite a few additional functions.

Ski touring backpacks don’t differ from classic mountaineering backpacks only by the special attachment systems for skis or snowboard carry. These backpacks can also be fitted with airbags, special compartments for avalanche and first aid kits, and they always have big zippers that can be opened with gloves.

Different sizes and volumes of touring backpacks

Most ski touring backpacks offer between 25 and 40 litres of volume for storage.

Smaller backpacks with volumes up to 30 litres are mostly appropriate for storing some warm clothing, first aid kit, food and thermos bottle. These backpacks are most usable for one-day tours. We can also use them for freeriding, where we ascend by ski lift and hike a short distance to the start of the descent.

Backpacks with larger volumes, from 30 and up to 45 litres, have enough storage for everything you need on multi-day adventures. Even for a climbing rope, more sets of clothing and food, climbing gear and other will fit in.

Additional feature of a ski touring backpack is that it completely fits your body. Lined back, wide shoulder straps, wide hip belt and a chest strap make sure that backpack blends with the body and doesn’t hinder even the most intensive movement.

Main features of ski touring backpacks

Generally, ski touring backpacks are made of heavy duty materials, are resistant to wear, and offer additional options to attach gear. You can attach touring skis, snowboard/splitboard, poles, ice axe, helmet or crampons to them. On the gear loops you can hang carabiners, ice screws and other smaller accessories that you need in the mountains in winter.

As already mentioned, most of these backpacks have a special, quickly accessible, compartment in which we can store avalanche safety gear (shovel and probe) and first aid kit. In the top lid you usually put goggles, and you can open complete back of some backpacks so that you can easily get to the main compartment. This especially comes in handy when you have skis attached to the front of the backpack.

Then there are avalanche backpacks (airbags)

Avalanche backpacks have all that classic ski touring backpacks have. In addition to that they feature a system of airbags that fill with air when the system is activated.

The main purpose of this security system is to prevent the user being buried in the avalanche. If we get caught in an avalanche, with pulling the lever we activate the airbags which increases the volume of our body for additional 170 litres.

170 litres of additional volume is usually enough for keeping our body on the surface of an avalanche. The closer you are to the surface of the avalanche, the lesser possibility there is for injuries, and higher the probability your friends find you in time.