Backcountry Equipment Checklist

Your gear and clothing will depend upon the length and type of trip as well as snow and weather conditions. Besides the obvious (skis, boots, and poles), you need to bring Clothing, Food, Repair, and Safety gear. Trip co/leaders need to be prepared for equipment breakdowns, injuries, weather changes, and other unplanned emergencies during your tour. 

Participant Gear

• Skis - well suited to the terrain and conditions you are expecting
• Boots - Waterproof, comfortable, and broken in. Check that boots fit bindings on skis
• Poles - Correct length for users, wrap duct tape around shaft for emergency repairs
• Parka or Shell - Waterproof and breathable are best, fitted hood a big plus
• Pack - Capacity for all your clothing and gear, well fitted to the user. Waist belt a must
• Water Bottle - Two liters minimum, wide mouth bottles, isulated jacket or wool sock for cold days
• Lunch - Food that doesn't freeze, snacks for quick eating, lots of energy for cold weather
• Bandanna
• Sunscreen, Lip balm 
• Climbing Skins - If required for tour
• Gaitors - High gaitors that fit over ski boots
• Sunglasses, Glasses, Goggles - Important eye protection when skiing in trees
• Knee Pads and Helmet - Important safety gear for telemarkers
• Headlamp - Essential gear on any backcountry trip, check batteries
• Map, Compass, GPS - And the knowledge to use them
• Wax Kit - waxes, scraper and cork if using waxable skis,
• Silicon Glide - to prevent no-wax skis from sticking to wet snow

Safety/Emergency Gear

• Bindings - The most likely piece of equipment to break, carry spare parts for the most delicate parts
• Duct Tape, Safety Pins - for Pack or Parka repair
• Knife / Pliers - Handyman tool also has screwdriver head for binding repair
• Extra Straps or Light Rope - Useful for rigging sleds, shelter, crossing streams, splints
• Whistle - Locating lost or missing skiers
• Cell Phone - useful backup for emergencies IF coverage exists.  Turn OFF in pack to save battery power.
  
• Waterproof matches, Fire starter or candle
• First Aid Kit

Bandaids / Antiseptic wipes	Moleskin
Gauze pads / sanitary napkin	Laytex gloves
Ace bandage	Athletic tape
Aspirin/Ibuprofen	Heat packs for hands/feet
SOAP notes, paper, and pencil/pen	Triangular bandage (sling)

Group Gear

• Insulated pad - Keeping injured skiers off the snow
• Small tarp or bivy sack - Emergency shelter
• Thermos - hot, sweet tea or broth
• Bailing wire and extra binding screws

Clothing

Outer Layers (Gortex or Nylon)

• Parka - Waterproof and Breathable (Gore-Tex or one of the many similar fabrics), with hood
• Wind Pants / Bibs - Waterproof and Breathable, full side zippers very helpful in winter
• Over-mitts - Big enough to fit over gloves
• Balaclava or Face mask - Cover facial skin with windproof or insulating layer

Insulating Layer (Wool, Fleece, Down, or Softshell)

• Vest or light top - For use when active
• Sweater or heavy top - Thick, warm layer for use when stopping
• Fleece or wool pants
• Hat - light one for hiking, heavier one with ear protection for stopping
• Gloves / Mittens - Heavy pair for stopping, lighter pair for skiing, spare set if hands get wet
• Socks - Heavy wool or synthetic

Wicking Layer (Synthetic or Silk - No Cotton!)

• Light - midweight long underwear top & bottoms
• Synthetic sports bra (women)
• Poly or Silk briefs
• Light glove liners (wear inside thicker gloves or mittens)
• Light - midweight sock liners - keep feet dry inside sweaty boots