Life-Saving Gear
Skis and boots will only get you so far in the backcountry. Don’t forget all the other stuff you’ll need to get you in and out safely.
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We’ve seen these sturdy polyurethane straps fix broken ski poles, failing skins, heli-baskets, and even a truck’s grille. All we’re saying is that one (or better yet two) of these in your pack is cheap insurance. [$5 for 18-inch length; voile-usa.com]
The Alpinist skins stick, glide, and climb in all conditions. And with G3’s signature tip connection system (two metal hooks that rotate to fit all ski tips), you can forget about accidentally kicking ’em off on the uptrack. [$153; genuineguidegear.com]
A confusing, techy beacon is the last thing you want when your partner is three feet under. The new Tracker 2 has the simplicity of the trusty original, combined with an additional antenna for pinpoint search speed and signal separation for multiple burials. [$335; backcountryaccess.com]
The new Grizzly 2 has an extendable handle, a massive metal blade, and a serrated edge that slashes through the densest avalanche debris. And if your two-wheel drive gets stuck in a snowbank, flip it into hoe mode for chunk-slashing power. [$84; ortovoxusa.com]
Navigating through a storm at midnight sucks, but the MYO XP headlamp—which shines 235 feet, has three lighting modes, and lasts 180 hours on one set of batteries—makes it considerably easier. [$80; petzl.com]
Backcountry skiing isn’t supposed to be misery. But sweating on the climb and freezing on the descent all but guarantee it. That’s where the Iota comes in. This compressible and light down jacket is easily stashed and layered. [$224; groundwear.com]
Probes function pretty much the same, but the difference between a good one and a great one is ease of assembly. The eight-ounce, carbon-fiber Quick Draw 230 is tapered at the end of each section, so it slides together in just three moves—grab, toss, and pull. [$65; bdel.com]
It only looks minimalist. Then you notice the features: shovel and probe pocket, removable helmet holder, and fleece-lined goggle pouch. For ski carrying, you can choose between the classic A-frame or the diagonal system. [$119; mammutusa.com]