I was smoked, shellacked, completely and utterly exhausted. It was a bluebird afternoon in late-March, and I had just finished a full day of skiing with my five-year-old daughter at Colorado’s Keystone Resort.

My lower back throbbed from the several-dozen times I’d scooped her up from the snow. Carrying my skis and poles in one hand, her skis under an arm, and her hand in mine, I awkwardly hobbled through Keystone’s base area toward the bus. One thought echoed through my head: I gotta find a better way to carry all of this crap.聽

The very next morning, while riding the ski bus, I glanced over and saw a guy using a device I’d never seen before: a neon bag that enveloped his bindings with a drawstring at the top, and slits on the top and bottom allowed the ski tips and tails to protrude. His wife and kids, seated next to him, also had bags on their skis. When the four of them stood up, they wore their skis and poles like backpacks.

The man introduced himself as Phillip Peterson, unzipped his jacket, and tossed me one to try. I couldn’t believe how small and lightweight it was鈥攊t crumpled down to the size of a handkerchief in my pocket.

Philip told me that the device, called The Ski Pack, was sold by a company called that he co-owned. I asked him how he had come up with such a cool and innovative design. He smiled.

“My son and his friend invented it,” he told me.

How Two Kids Invented a Game-Changing Ski Bag

News flash: skiing with small children is hard. Really hard. You have to juggle meltdowns, snack time, weather conditions, and yeah, tons of gear. To hang out at a typical ski resort’s kiddie area is to see dozens of parents finding creative ways to schlep skis, boots, water bottles, helmets, and yes, the occasional rag doll-like toddler, across the snow.

The Ski Pack was born from this epic struggle. Back in 2020, Phillip Peterson’s son, Zachary, was a fourth-grader at Redstone Elementary in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He and his friend, Madeline Gacnik were both involved in an extracurricular activity called Destination Imagination, which prompts kids to find creative solutions to everyday problems.

Anyone who is familiar with the long-running kids’ programs Odyssey of the Mind or Olympics of the Mind is familiar with the concept.

Both the Peterson and Gacnik families were passionate skiers, and the kids’ problem solving idea stemmed from their own trips to the resort.

“They originally wanted to solve world hunger, and we had to rein them in a bit,” Phillip, who works for the Colorado Department of Public Health, told me. “The problem they moved to next was that parents get tired of carrying their kids’ skis and they could get more ski days in if kids could carry their own skis.”

No notes from me on this logic.

The kids had two months and a $100 budget to create their prototype before presenting it to a panel of adults. Julia Gacnik, Madeline’s mother, told me that the families took regular trips to Hobby Lobby to examine fabrics suitable for carrying skis. Then, the kids had to investigate various designs that solved the problems of other minimalist ski carriers.

“If you’re putting a basic shoulder ski strap on a three-year-old, they’re going to be hitting cars and scratching up their skis,” said Julia, who works in data analytics. “We’d prompt the kids with these scenarios. How should it fit? What should you do with it when you get to the ski lift? What should it look like?”

The questions helped Madeline and Zachary zero in on a concept. The bag should fit like a backpack, they decided, because young children are accustomed to wearing backpacks. The bag should be made from lightweight and collapsible fabrics. When not being used, it should be able to fit in the pocket of a toddler’s jacket.

The original prototype was made from Colorado Rockies-branded fleece. Julia helped the kids sew it together on the Gacnik family dinner table. But it had a flaw.

“It didn’t dry very well and it didn’t have adjustable straps,” Julia said. Employees at Hobby Lobby pointed the kids toward a nylon ripstop fabric instead. That material worked better, and the kids’ designs evolved around it.

After two months, Zachary and Madeline presented their product to the Destination Imagination panel, who offered feedback. There are no winners in the activity. But with the project done, the kids’ still saw room for improvement, and their parents encouraged them to continue working on it.

Julia said a lightbulb went on in her own head during one of her family ski trips. The Gacniks have four children, and all of them were using the bags as they walked through the parking lot.

“It was the end of the day when kids are usually in meltdown mode and we walked in peace and quiet. There were no tears, no struggle,” she said. “It was validating, like 鈥榟ey, we’re onto something.鈥�”

The Gacnik and Peterson family decided to safeguard the design. They filed for a patent in 2020 and founded a company later that year. They began selling it through word-of-mouth and also to parents’ ski groups. The product evolved too, and the kids’ eventually sourced reused parachute nylon for the bags. The design also evolved.

Right now, the .

“Every parent is proud of their child, but seeing my kid go through this鈥攕ewing a product together, evolving it, pitching it to adults鈥攎ade me so proud,” Phillip said. “To see Zachary and Madeline grow this way has been special.”

Testing the Ski Pack on the Slopes

Whether or not to bring a backpack has become the seminal question of my ski days.

Before having kids, I’d only bring my pack when I planned to bootpack to expert terrain. But when I started skiing with my daughter, the backpack became a semi-permanent part of my setup, specifically so I could A-frame my skis for the trudge back to the bus. In truth, I dislike skiing with a pack鈥攏o matter the design, all of them are hot and cumbersome on a chairlift. I miss the carefree days of hitting the slopes pack-free.

My assessment of The Ski Pack was borne of that experience: could I enjoy a day on the slopes鈥攈alf of the day by myself, the other half with my kiddo鈥攚ithout the crutch of my backpack?

The first part of my day went swimmingly. After placing my own skis in the Ski Pack, I walked with ease to the chairlift. Sure, it took a few moments to adjust the straps to my torso and to dial in a snug fit. But after that initial monkeying with the product, I was off.

The Ski Pack’s magic was most evident when I wasn’t using it. I folded it into a wad no bigger than a roll of kids’ socks and just tucked it into my pocket. I never felt a bulge in my side, nor did I inadvertently bump into something due to a protruding pocket. I just forgot about it.

That’s a big upgrade from the other ski slings, straps, and carriers I’ve tried over the years. You can find dozens of these products on Amazon, but the ones I’ve tried are all bulky enough to be an annoying item in your pocket.

Hours later, when it was time to go home, I produced the Ski Pack, tucked my kiddo’s skis into it, and wore it like a backpack. My wife wore it, too. We even put it on my daughter and had her walk around wearing her skis. It was that simple.

I have minor quibbles about The Ski Pack. The shoulder harnesses are not connected by a cross-chest strap to better distribute the weight of your skis. There’s also no padding on the shoulder harnesses, so if you have a thin jacket, you might feel a pinch. Both issues are harder on adults, due to our heavier skis. My daughter never complained.

Of course these two additions may alleviate these problems, but they would also add to The Ski Pack’s overall bulk鈥攁nd the product’s minimalist size is the key to its success.

“I think as adults inclined to overcomplicate designs with additions,” Philip Peterson told me. “The kids wanted something extremely simple.”

I have no clue what the future holds for The Ski Pack. Phillip told me that the product is at a crossroads, as both Zachary and Madeline are now teenagers who have obligations and interests outside of the company. They’ve had to change manufacturers recently, and both families are in talks about what to do next with the whole project.

I sincerely hope they keep it going. After all, skiing with your kiddo isn’t going to get any easier. The Ski Pack solves a big part of the struggle.

The post This Tiny Ski Bag Is a Game Changer for Parents. It Was Designed by Two Colorado Kids. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Your backpack is your command center in the mountains, and in winter conditions, it ensures operations run smoothly. The best backcountry skiing packs are roomy enough to fit all of your essentials while keeping them both organized and accessible in a tight package that feels comfortable as an extension of your body. We took all of this into consideration while testing over a dozen backpacks specifically designed for backcountry skiing and alpine touring and rounded up the best picks for you below.

The Winners at a Glance

• Best All-Around: Rab Khroma 38
• Best Use of Space: Picture Komit.Tr
• Best Organizational Features: Ortovox Ravine 34/32S
• Best Single Day Ski Mountaineering: Exped Couloir 30
• Best Quiver Killer: Thule Stir Alpine

The Reviews: The Best Ski Packs of 2024

Rab Khroma 38 ($250)

Weight: 2 lbs 8 oz
Size: Unisex, One size 19in / 48cm
Dimensions: 61 x 31 x 29cm
Pros: The full back panel zipper opening and roll-top make for easy access and adjustments to the pack鈥檚 size
Cons: Poorly-ventilated back panel

It may look like an alpine climbing pack at first glance, but this ultralight roll-top is stacked with smart features that enhance hut-to-hut ski missions and big line pursuits. Cinch it down for light loads or stuff it full of layers, food, and other gear鈥攊ts wide hip belt didn鈥檛 pinch our waists during tours when the pack was fully loaded down. With two compression straps on either side, plus a sternum strap that can be adjusted via toggles, it was easy to fine-tune the pack to change how it sat on testers鈥� backs when they were changing configurations (the pack allows for A-frame and skimo ski carries, but not diagonal) for heavier loads. While the fit and range of carrying capacity makes this the ultimate do-it-all pack for all sorts of different missions, the Khroma鈥檚 accessibility is what really sold our tester who used it for mellow ski touring and bigger ski mountaineering objectives in Colorado鈥檚 Gore Range. 鈥淥n a tour when I needed my small repair kit for skin glue, it was so easy to access the entire pack without having to unload everything,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 could just open the full zip back panel and find the kit super fast.鈥� He also liked the external avalanche tool compartment and the large zippered hip belt pocket that made grabbing a snack on the go super smooth. One complaint was that the thick back panel didn鈥檛 ventilate well, so this pack may not be the best option for spring tours in warm temperatures.

Bottom line: A great choice for skiers who want one pack for everything and the ability to carry a lot or a little with ease.

Picture Komit.Tr 26 ($160)

Weight: 2 lbs 15 oz
Size: Unisex, one size
Dimensions: 51 x 28 x 15 cm
Pros: Dry pocket at the bottom is good to keep wet items separate
Cons: No diagonal ski carry, only A-Frame

Our Central Colorado tester raved about this 26-liter pack鈥檚 鈥淧andora鈥檚 Box of features鈥� that he used in conditions ranging from bluebird and above-freezing to blowing snow in single digits. The roll-top closure allowed him to expand and compress the bag as needed, while the zippered back panel made for easy access to the interior water bottle pocket and gloves. 鈥溾�嬧�婭 was on a tour in the West Elk Mountains where we skied three different lines and I must鈥檝e transitioned from skinning to bootpacking to skiing a dozen times,鈥� he said. Thanks to the waterproof zip pouch at the bottom of the pack, he was able to keep his wet skins and crampons separate from the rest of his dry gear. 鈥淢y layers would鈥檝e been soaked if I had to throw them in the main compartment at each transition.鈥� Another 6-foot 2-inch, 200-pound tester was surprised by how well the pack fit. 鈥淔or me, a pack this size can feel a little short on my back, but this one didn鈥檛. I appreciated how the sternum strap adjusted low enough to fit my chest.鈥� For wetter days or those in rugged, rocky conditions, the pack also boasts 210 Denier Ripstop nylon and PU coating made from 100 percent-recycled poly, recycled buckles and trims, and PFC-free DWR treatment.

Bottom line: The Komit.Tr 26 was designed for full-day ski tours when you want something light on your back and you鈥檒l be throwing skis on and off your pack during lots of transitions.

Ortovox Ravine 34/32S ($240)

Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz (men鈥檚 34L) / 2 lbs 2 oz (women鈥檚 32SL)
Size: 28-34 L (men鈥檚) / 26-32 S (women鈥檚)
Dimensions: 11.81 x 22 x 10鈥�
Pros: Hyper-compartmentalized for easy organization
Cons: No hip belt pocket

Ortovox continues to lead the charge in ski pack innovation with this lightweight, framed pack that rethinks how ski gear should be carried. Two side zippers, one of which goes to the main compartment and the other to a separate compartment for quick access to skins, crampons, and gloves, gives you several organizational options. The main compartment, which has a drawstring closure, and the open avalanche tool sleeve are secured with a hook and webbing flap that鈥檚 easy to open and close with a gloved hand. The brand also left no stone unturned with both a goggle and front panel pocket, ice axe loops, two carrying options for skis, hydration bladder pocket and tube access, and a helmet carry net. 鈥淭he fit was perfect,鈥� said one tester who used the women鈥檚-specific 32 liter version. 鈥淚 have a small torso and the back panel and straps felt very comfortable and secure, with a bunch of options for customizing the fit and an adjustable-height sternum strap.鈥� As with some packs that have many designated pockets (seven in total on this one), the Ravine doesn鈥檛 leave a ton of space available in the main compartment, so best to use this for small and medium outings in moderate temperatures where you don鈥檛 need a bunch of extra layers and other gear that takes up a lot of room.

Bottom line: This one鈥檚 for all skiers who need all their gear to live in a very specific place and women who demand a snug, anatomical fit.

Exped Couloir 30 ($230)

Weight: 3 lbs 5 oz
Size: Back Length Range 18-21 in (men鈥檚), 17-20 (women鈥檚)
Dimensions: 12.2 x 22 x 8.7 in
Pros: Durable materials and balanced carry
Cons: Snow builds up in buckles

With a load limit of 29 pounds, the robust suspension and internal steel wire frame on this pack dispersed weight evenly, which allowed testers to comfortably strap skis and other technical equipment to the outside and still maintain a comfortable, balanced fit. That was key for our Jackson, Wyoming-based tester who used it on several big spring objectives in Grand Teton National Park where he found himself carrying some extra gear. 鈥淲hile I was skiing a line known as Chute Buck and faced with a steep, tight couloir and two rappels below me, the pack ensured that my rope, crampons, ice axe, and other gear for the day stayed tight to my back, allowing me to make precise turns as I descended into the unknown.鈥� Another tester praised the foam and tricot polyester back panel as both comfortable and effective at mitigating sweat on a hot springtime mission in Utah鈥檚 La Sal Mountains. The 420 Denier Ripstop Nylon and EVA foam reinforcement on the front and base make this pack super durable. Other thoughtful details, including the beefy hip belt with two stretchy mesh pockets, 270-degree access through the back panel zipper, and brightly colored interior material that made finding smaller contents easy, seal the deal.

Bottom line: Smart storage solutions and carrying capacity make this pack ideal for single day ski mountaineering missions.

Thule Stir Alpine ($200)

Weight: 2 lbs 14 oz
Size: Unisex, one size
Dimensions: 11.42 x 10.24 x 22.83 in
Pros: Customizable features
Cons: No avalanche tool pocket

This pack can shapeshift into just about anything you want it to be, thanks to its smart design, a removable lid, frame sheet, hip belt padding, and sternum strap, all of which can shed up to 500 grams (1.1 pounds) for lighter, faster missions. 鈥淚 was very grateful for the side-access zipper when the thing was filled to the brim with overnight gear for a snowmachine-accessed ice climbing festival up the Knik River Gorge,鈥� said our Alaska-based tester, who was able to use the side-access to get to gear without removing his climbing rope draped over the top of the pack. The streamlined body yet large 40-liter capacity makes it ideal for bigger trips and overnights requiring warm gear for cold temperatures. 鈥淭he suspension had a perfect amount of padding for the capacity of the bag and even with a heavy load on the overnight trip, it felt great with no awkward pressure points,鈥� added the same tester after putting the pack to the test on ski mountaineering trips on Turnagain and Hatcher Pass. With little details like a storm flap to cover the pack when the lid is removed, a stretchy shoulder strap pocket for holding sunglasses or snacks, and gear loops on the hipbelt, this crossover pack is ready for anything from casual skiing to full-on mountaineering. One ding: the lack of an avalanche tool-specific compartment felt like the only oversight.

Bottom line: The Thule Stir Alpine is a versatile workhorse that can pull triple duty as a ski-, mountaineering, and even a climbing pack.

Backcountry Skiing Backpacks FAQ

How do I choose the right backpack for backcountry skiing and alpine touring?

1. Choose a backpack that fits your body.

Backpacks come in various sizes to accommodate different torso lengths, so measure the length of your spine from the base of you neck to the top of your hips and choose your backpack size accordingly. Backpack torso lengths generally range from 15 inches (size XS) to 20-plus inches (size L). Because fit is the biggest single factor in pack comfort and carry, we recommend going into your local gear shop wearing the layers you plan to tour in and trying the packs on for size. The hipbelt should securely wrap your iliac crest, and the back panel shouldn鈥檛 hit you in the back of the head when you have a helmet on

2. Choose a backpack that suits your skiing adventure.

If half-day backcountry tours are your norm, choose a lower volume pack (20L-30L) that fits just the essentials (shovel, probe, water, extra layers, snacks). If you typically spend full days in the backcountry, you鈥檒l want a higher volume pack (30L-40L) that fits extra supplies for the extra time you鈥檒l be spending out in the elements. Also make sure that your avalanche shovel easily slips in and out of the dedicated avy pouch, and that the pack is both big enough and sufficiently organized for your touring preferences. Don鈥檛 be afraid to size up to a larger pack capacity if you鈥檙e on the fence about how much space you鈥檒l need鈥攁 few extra liters of empty space won鈥檛 weigh you down that much. If you鈥檇 like to be able to secure your skis to your pack, look for a pack with an A-frame or diagonal ski carry strap system. The same goes for your helmet: some packs have integrated helmet-carry systems.

What should I pack for backcountry ski days?

Always carry avalanche safety equipment when traveling in the backcountry. That includes wearing a beacon and carrying a shovel and probe in your pack. You鈥檒l also need extra layers, a helmet, sufficient hydration (it鈥檚 a good idea to carry some hot liquid for longer backcountry adventures), energy snacks, a first aid kit, and a multi tool.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 22
• Number of products tested: 14
• Number of vertical feet climbed: 600,000
• Number of beers carried in a pack up Highland Bowl on closing day: 12
• Number of times our lead tester鈥檚 wife asked him to carry more stuff 鈥渂ecause you have extra room in that fancy pack鈥�: 5

To nail down the best ski packs of 2024, we seeded 14 products to 22 different testers according to their planned objectives for the season, body and skier type, and appropriate testing environments. Then, we set testers loose in the mountains, largely in the Continental U.S. (Colorado, Utah, Jackson Hole, and Alaska), where many states received historic snowfall this past season. Testers jammed gear into packs, stuffed them shut, and put the packs through both rugged and mellow ski ascents and descents.

We focused on newly-designed packs with practical, ski-specific features that make traveling on snow easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Comfort is a must, even for packs meant to carry smaller, lighter loads, as is durability, so we asked testers to evaluate straps and back panels and hip belts alongside the quality of materials used. After every time a pack was taken out, testers filled out feedback forms assessing fit, weight distribution, ease of access, even pocket size and placement. Testers noted how easy it was to find what they needed, transition in the skin track, and carry their skis and boards on their back up steep couloirs. After this rigorous testing process, the following six packs emerged as the cream of the crop.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Scott Yorko is a former gear editor for Backpacker, SKI, TransWorld SNOWboarding, and 国产吃瓜黑料. He lives on the edge of West Central Colorado, where he splits his ski time between the world-class resorts around Aspen and backcountry terrain of the West Elk Mountains. He loves to chase storms and visit pow-shredding friends, many of whom tested this year鈥檚 crop of ski packs, in places like Alaska, Jackson Hole, the Sierras, Utah, and all throughout Colorado.

More from the 2024 Winter Gear Guide

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