Backcountry Ski and Ride day GEAR LIST

This list is for the Town of Banff Backcountry Ski and Ride trips.

You need to have everything on the list!

rental equipment

I may be able to provide the following (trip location and trip date dependant):

  • Transceiver (charge of $15/day applies)

  • Shovel (no charge)

  • Probe (no charge)

Touring equipment and safety gear may be also be rented at the following locations:

Banff: Bactrax

Canmore: Gear Up

Lake Louise: Wilson Sports

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS

  • We only allow MODERN DIGITAL TRANSCEIVERS on our trips.

  • A transceiver with a PERSISTENT MARKING FUNCTION IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

  • Your transceiver must have been tested in both transmit and receive modes – it needs to have a signal at a minimum of 30 metres in both modes.

  • Note that BCA Tracker transceivers do not have a persistent marking function. BCA Tracker transceivers are allowed but one of the transceivers listed below is recommended.

  • I can recommend the following transceiver manufacturers:

    • Pieps

    • Black Diamond

    • Mammut/Barryvox

    • Ortovox Diract

  • Many manufacturers have a “professional” level transceiver. If you have never used a transceiver before it is recommended you buy or rent a simpler, recreational-level transceiver as long as it has a persistent marking function.

  • It is best if your transceiver is less than 10 years old.

Common equipment problems

Issues we see with ski equipment include the following. Some of these problems might end your ski week or at least make life very frustrating! Make sure you have these things sorted out before the trip.

  • Slow skis/boards

    • Make sure your bases are smooth and waxed! A tune-up for your skis/board is essential.

  • Inappropriate backcountry skis/snowboards

    • Too heavy, too narrow, or skis and boards that are not backcountry specific.

    • Try to keep your set-up as light as possible.

    • Ski width under your foot in the 95-110 mm range is best. Narrower than this and you may have issues in deep snow or crust conditions, wider than this is often too heavy.

  • Old skins

    • Make sure your skin glue is in good shape and get them fixed if the glue is dirty, in clumps, or the glue has worn off at the edges or ends of the skins.

    • Avoid G3 “Alpinist”, “Scala” and “Expedition” skins - this is old stock with glue that does not work. “Alpinist+” and other G3 skins are OK.

    • New skins are well worth the investment if yours are looking old.

  • Boot problems

    • Ill-fitting boots will give you blisters. I recommend a professional boot fitting.

    • All boots have bolts and rivets that may come loose. If your boots are brand new or well-worn make sure fittings are tight and in good shape.

    • Bring specific tools to tighten the bolts/screws on your boots and check them once per week of touring.

  • Poles that are too long for skiing in deep powder snow

    • Adjustable length poles are best

THE LIST

SKIING EQUIPMENT

  • AT touring skis or telemark skis or splitboard

    • Understand that telemark and snowboard bindings may not be releasable and greatly increase your risk if caught in an avalanche.

    • No snowboard/snowshoe combinations, splitboards only.

  • Skins

  • Touring specific boots

  • Adjustable length ski poles

EQUIPMENT THAT YOU SHOULD BRING SKIING EVERY DAY

  • Digital avalanche transceiver (marking function recommended)

  • Avalanche shovel

  • Avalanche probe

  • Helmet

  • Sunglasses

  • Goggles

  • Water bottle and/or thermos

  • Small headlamp

  • Skin wax: I find a simple candle works fine.

  • Small personal first aid/repair kit: band aids, blister kit (Leuko tape works best), headache pills, hand and toe warmers, extra batteries for your transceiver, duct tape, pocket knife, specialized binding and boot parts.

  • Toilet kit: toilet paper, baggie for used paper, hand sanitizer

  • Camera

  • Health insurance information

  • 35-45 L capacity backpack.

    • All your gear and clothing must fit inside your pack

    • Nothing should be strapped to the outside.

CLOTHING SYSTEMS

  • Average temperatures are normally about -5 to -15 but you need to be prepared for temperatures from -25 to +5

  • Several thin layers are better than fewer thicker layers. No cotton!

  • Long underwear tops and bottoms - wool or synthetic

  • Ski pants – softshell or light hardshell pants both are fine

  • Thin windbreaker/softshell - for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warmer softshell jacket – I prefer a hooded jacket but it’s absolutely necessary

  • Shell jacket – to keep the wet out, Gore-tex or similar seems best

  • Down or synthetic insulated jacket – for breaks and emergency use

  • Lightweight gloves – for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warm gloves. Mittens are optional but recommended if you get cold hands. Electric gloves are allowed but cannot be used when searching with a transceiver due to electrical interference.

  • Hand warmers if you get cold hands

  • Warm toque for skiing down

  • Lightweight toque for walking up

  • Balaclava or neck tube – essential for cold conditions

  • Sun hat

  • Consider heated socks

GROUP GEAR

Each guide will provide:

  • Group first aid kit

  • Group repair kit

  • Emergency toboggan/shelter

  • Radio

  • GPS, compass, map etc

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