By: Aidan Anderson

The Reality of a Big Objective

I just wrapped up a week of skiing in the Alps, and I have some significant takeaways regarding my backcountry skiing equipment selection.

A trip like this one is always going to be gear-intensive, and having the right or wrong products for the job is a quick way to make or break your experience. The route, over 60 miles and 25,000 feet of vert, puts you and your gear through the ringer, and it’s crucial to be able to trust that your tools can get you through a demanding day (or 6). 

The Core Setup: Skis, Boots & Pack

First off, there’s the gear you use every day. A comfortable pair of boots, a versatile ski, and a backpack to hold the rest of your stuff. I won’t comment on the efficacy of a specific brand or model of boot, since all that matters is that your boots fit you well. 

Why Width Won: Ski Performance Across Conditions

As for the other 2, I took my trusty Black Diamond Helio 108 skis, and my Pingora Vivid 35 ski pack. I couldn’t have been happier with my decision. It’s worth acknowledging that I had the widest ski of anyone on the trip by almost 10mm, and yet the versatility and weight of the ski didn’t hold me back in the slightest.

I skied about every type of snow known to man across the route, and the Helio felt like the perfect tool for the job every single time. They’re light yet stable, hold an edge in technical terrain, have just the right rocker profile to be maneuverable in a tight spot, and let you open it up when you find the soft snow in the way that your friend with the 85mm ultralight skis will be jealous of every time. 

Pack Doubts vs. Pack Performance

On the pack front, I will fully admit to having been unsure if the Vivid 35 could handle this trip when I was packing. 35 liters is not a huge amount when packing this much gear, and not only does it have to be big enough, but it has to be comfortable for super long days with a lot of weight. I already knew I loved this pack for everyday touring, but I wasn’t positive it would be the right tool for this job.

I knew after day 1 that I made the right call. The expandable roll top on this pack makes the interior space plenty accommodating, and it also makes the perfect garage for ski & boot crampons, wet skins, and your harness. Basically all the tools coming in and out of you pack throughout the day. The back panel gives you top to bottom access to your lunch, layers, gloves, and whatever else you might need. My favorite feature however is the running-vest inspired strap design. I ski with a 500ml flask on one side (that also has a sizable snack pocket behind it), and my phone tucked into the other chest pocket.

For a trip like this where I’m constantly checking my phone for route data, weather, and taking photos, the quick access pocket is awesome. Additionally, not having to take the pack on and off to get water and food is a huge time saver. The wider straps carry a heavy load with ease, and even the waist pocket is big enough to hold my sunscreen, chapstick, and another couple of snacks. 

Small Details That Made a Big Difference

The rest of my gear list covered things like crampons, an ice axe, a harness, eyewear, gloves, skins, and various pieces of technology. I’ll call out some of the highlights that I felt made a difference day in, day out.

Technical Terrain Tools: Light, Fast, Reliable

This route has a lot of transitions from skinning to boot packing. That means a lot of swapping from skis and poles to crampons and an axe. My priority here was weight and packability. With that in mind I chose to bring a pair of Neve Pro crampons from Black Diamond, and a Corsa Alpine axe from Camp. The Neve crampons are very light and foldable, which makes a huge difference when they’re in your pack, but they’re super easy to get on in a technical spot, and they feel very robust when you’re scrambling through rock and ice. The Corsa Alpine is a perfect technical ski tool, as it’s light, short enough to not be noticeable extending above your pack, and comfortable in your hand for long periods of time. 

Moving Roped Up: Harness & Efficiency

The technicality of the route also means a lot of time roped up with your partners. I found myself putting on my harness at various times at a moment’s notice. For this reason, I chose the Alp CR harness, also from Camp. It’s incredibly lightweight and packable, and easy to put on without removing your skis. It’s also exceptionally comfortable to skin in for long periods of time. 

Gear That Earned Its Spot (Daily MVPs)

As far as my other big winners on the gear front:

• Black Diamond Tour Gloves basically never left my hands regardless of temperature.
• Julbo Fury glasses (with the 0-3 Reactive lens) went on first thing in the morning whether it was 4am and pitch black out or 11am with blinding high-altitude sun, and did not come off until dark.
• Guide Mix skins from Contour were the perfect skin for every snow condition, grip was excellent, glide was superior, and packed down small enough to stuff into a jacket pocket for a quick transition.
• Garmin Fenix 8 watch tracked every mile and every foot of vert perfectly and did not demand that I find a place to charge it every night.
• Head-to-toe Ortovox base layer and sock getup kept me warm in the morning and cool during the day and did not smell offensively bad even after 6 days of continuous wear. 
• My fueling program of Shot Bloks, Honey Stinger waffles, and caffeinated Maurten bars had me feeling satisfied and strong on even the longest days, and a bottle of LMNT a day kept me hydrated and happy. 

Final Takeaway: Gear You Can Trust

All in all, I can now say with more confidence than ever before that no matter what the demands of your trip or your destination might be, our selection here at TMS can outfit you for any need you may have. Not just that, but we’ll have the options to cater to your individual preference and the knowledge to help guide you to the right picks across the board.