The Mountain Institute
Winter gear list
This is intended to be used as a reference and recommendation for various items. All of items are interchangeable w/ a different style or brand.
Skis
There is an endless amount of skis out there right now. The number listed with the name of the ski is the width underfoot. Essentially, how wide they are. Recommended width is 95 to 105 with 100 being the sweet spot.
A ski is only as good as it waxed and sharpening.
For priorities of gear when acquiring quality equipment, keep in mind the following…
1.)Boots
2.)Bindings
3.)Skis
__________________
Pros: Lightweight, easy to ski, fun
Cons:
Best for: Everyone
__________________
Pros: Lightweight, easy to ski, fun
Cons: You need to carefully sand down/dremel the rounded rubber piece on the tail for your skin to fit perfectly.
Best for: Everyone
___
Bindings
Fritschi Vipec Evo 12 Bindings
Pros: Lightweight, easy to use, fast transitions, one of the only bindings that have a DIN setting for both toe & heal (this really increases the safety of your knees)
Cons: All plastic
Best for: Beginner/Intermediate skiers who only ski a couple times a year
Ski Crampons: Must have for icy conditions
______________
Pros: Lightweight, easy to use, fast transitions, all metal.
Cons: DIN setting only in the heel. Can be a little advanced of a binding for those who do not ski tour often.
Best for: Intermediate/Advanced skiers who ski more than a couple times a year
Ski Crampons: Must have for icy conditions
Additional recommendations: ATK Freeride spacers
Skins
Get the Ready2Climb
Shovel
Best one out there
Avalanche probes
great probe
__________
-
carbon fiber sounds nice at first but they break easily
-
get a metal probe
-
-
minimum length of 280cm
Poles
BD EXPEDITION WHIPPET READY 3 SKI POLES
TRAVERSE WHIPPET READY 2 SKI POLES
-
comes in handy when in the alpine
Beacons / Transceivers
Easy to use out of the box.
Don’t get the cheaper versions of this Blackdiamond beacon, if you are going to get a blackdiamond beacon, get this one.
Easy to use out of the box.
Fantastic beacon.
Packs
Pros: Ultra lightweight, extra padding/protection for crampons/skis
Cons: Will not carry heavy weight the best but better than most Dyneema packs. Best to pack light.
Not best for multiday trips
Internal avalanche rescue pocket
Pros: Ultra lightweight, large space
Cons: Will not carry heavy weight all that well. Best to pack light.
Good for multiday trips
Pros: Ultra lightweight, great features
Cons: Only 40L. Will not carry heavy weight all that well. Best to pack light.
Not best for multiday trips.
Many options. They have a military-specific line – call them directly for access
Pros: Lightweight, functional.
Cons: Internal avalanche rescue pocket
Mystery Ranch Gallatin Peak 40
Pros: Functional, carries heavy weight like a pro and allows you to still move
Cons: Heavier
Boots
This one is tough.
Everyone has different feet and there are a lot of boot options.
Best to call around and interview shops that have boot fitters who will take measurements and recommend the best boot for you. Most places offer molding of the liners but this is only half the battle. Buy your boots from a ski shop that has a boot fitter, and that is their specific role.
A custom insole can and will go a long way.
If you are in the following areas I can highly recommend…
Jackson, WY: JH Boot room
Breckenridge, CO: A racers edge
-
This shop mostly has race boots, If you already own a pair of boots, get a custom insole made here!
Goggles
Don’t buy super cheap goggles. You will regret it.
Sunglasses are great, but at the resort and when it starts snowing sideways, you. are going to need a pair of goggles.
- smith goggles are great in design. Being able to unclip the strap is more convenient than you might realize.
________
You may want to consider the following set of lenses.
- 1x low-light lens (cloudy/flat light days)
- 1x dark lens (for really sunny days)
- 1x clear lens for night
Sun glasses
You want a pair of sunglasses that won’t fog up while touring. Recently, there has been an increase of sunglass-goggle crossovers. These things are great, you can change out the lenses just like you would on a pair of goggles.
______________
You may want to consider the following set of lenses.
- 1x low-light lens (cloudy/flat light days)
- 1x dark lens (for really sunny days)
- 1x clear lens for night
Helmet
There are not many helmets out there that are multi-sport rated, look descent, and are lightweight
These helmets are rated for skiing and climbing, they are multi-rated. They have headlamp retention slots and goggle straps on the back. They are all very lightweight.
Gloves
3 pairs recommended
1.) Mittens
2.)Warm gloves with good dexterity
3.)Lighter weight gloves with very high dexterity
- Norrona lofoten Gore-Tex thermo100 short Gloves
- Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Lite Gloves
- BD Legend Gloves
- BD TORQUE GLOVES
Pants - Hardshells
Functional, Beacon pocket, upper part of bib can be removed.
Outdoor Research Trailbreaker Pant
Functional, Beacon pocket.
RAB Khroma Latok GTX Pro Pants
Functional, Beacon pocket.
——————-
-
Having a beacon pocket can be very helpful for SAR type of applications. You often have a chest harness on with a radio, making it uncomfortable & challenging to have your beacon in a chest harness.
-
Touring all day in hardshell pants can be warm. This can cause your feet to sweat more than normal, making your feet colder and more prone to cold weather injury. Make sure any pant you choose has good ventilation.
-
A good pair of hardshell pants is a must-have.
Pants - softshells
Functional, Beacon pocket.
Functional, Beacon pocket.
____________________
-
Softshell pants can make a significant difference when touring all day in warm temperatures.
-
You may want to use your hardshell pants for really cold and/or wet days.
Jackets - Hardshells
Norrona lygen goretex active jacket
______________________
- There are a lot of options
- Recommended brands
- Norrona
- Tamok: Backcountry specific
- Lygen: Ski touring specific (little bit lighter weight)
- Arc’teryx
- Rab
- Patagonia
- Mammut
- Norrona
- Must have:
- Zippers underneath the armpits!
- A hood!
- Chest pockets!
Jackets - softshells
______________________
- There are a lot of options
- Recommended brands
- Norrona
- Arc’teryx
- Rab
- Patagonia
- Mammut
- Must have:
- Zippers underneath the armpits!
- A hood!
- Chest pockets!
Jackets - Mid layers (puffy/fleece/sun shirt)
A sun shirt is great to have for various conditions
Patagonia Men’s Capilene Cool Daily Graphic Hoody
_________
one of the best fleece type layers on the market
___________
Arc’teryx ATOM HEAVYWEIGHT HOODY
Arc’teryx PROTON HEAVYWEIGHT HOODY
______________________
- There are a lot of options
- Recommended brands
- Norrona
- Tamok: Backcountry specific
- Lygen: Ski touring specific (a little bit lighter weight)
- Arc’teryx
- Patagonia
- Norrona
Jackets - Large parka/Belay Jacket
Baselayers
As your first layer of clothing, baselayers are arguably the most important factor when it comes to regulating your body’s temperature. If you start with the correct baselayer, you establish a foundation from which to build upon with further layers. Get this wrong and all the most expensive, technical outerwear in the world won’t help you keep warm, dry, and ultimately safe.
CRAIGIEBURN WOOL BASELAYER 3/4 BOTTOMS
BD SOLUTION 150 MERINO BASELAYER 3/4 BOTTOM
Recommended:
1x light set (top and bottom)
1x heavy set (top and bottom)
——————-
- 3/4 length is nice for leggings
- It is best to have a couple of different “weights”
- lightweight for warm days
- heavyweight for cold days
- There are a lot of good brands out there, above are just a couple options
Puffy shorts
Socks
Repair kit
Medical/first aid kit
Extras
Hand warmers
Sunscreen
Hat with decent-sized brim for sun protection
Belts
Duck tape
- put a couple of wraps on your ski poles!
Nalgene/Water bladder
- avoid the skinny opening Nalgene, water will freeze easier.
Snow climbing tools