Getting Set Up for the Back Country

Kastle FX94

Kastle skis are back in north america with a vengeance, and this ski is no exception. Developed in collaboration with Chris Davenport the FX94 is built to climb as much as it is to ski. Built using a dual density wood core and 0.3mm titinal base and top sheet this ski will give all the stability you need on-piste without adding a ton of unwanted weight for the back-country. Integrated aluminum tail bracket makes taking skins on and off easy, and protects the skis top sheet at the same time. Complete with hollow-tech in both the tip and tail to cut down on weight and vibrations, you end up with a light weight ski that handles exceedingly well on and off piste.

Moment Sierra

Girls like powder too, and the fine folk over at Moment skis understand that. Enter the Moment Sierra. 92mm at the waist, full wood core, carbon fiber reinforced with juuuuuuuuuuust the right ammount of tip rocker gives you the the ski you need for the deep days without leaving it useless when Ullr is not so kind. These lovely ladies are hand built in the moment factory down in Reno, NV, and are sure to please regarless if your adventure takes you 20km into the backcountry or 5 turns from the lodge.

 

K2 Panoramic Split Board Kit

What would a guide of backcountry gear be without throwing something up for our knuckle dragging friends. K2 has jumped into the split board game this season with their all new Panoramic Split board kit. Built with all the care and devotion to quality they apply to all their products its a bomb-proof set up for the boarders out there that dont want to snow-shoe into the backcountry. Comes complete with the voile binding kit and K2′s precut skins this board is a cant miss for the price.

 

Diamir Fritschi AT bindings

These guys have been in the Alpine Touring game for a long time now, putting out some of the best user friendly bindings on the market. But they offer more then just the easiest to use binding, they are also the only binding on the market certified for both touring and alpine boots. They also come to the show with not 2 but 3 different elevator options (3, 9 and 13 degrees). With both 10 and 12 din options weighing in at 1970g and 2190g respectively there is a binding for both the weight conscious and performance driven in the line up.

 

Marker Baron and Duke AT bindings

Looking to do a little more skiing down then up? Marker has got your back with their Baron and Duke AT bindings, offering up 2 of the most burliest alpine touring bindings on the market. With the 16din Duke model(2630g) and the 13din Baron(2480g) there’s a binding for all skill levels and performance requirements. They are by no means the lightest bindings at the trail head, but all of our shop riders and testers agree they provide the best ride down. If your just getting into the back or slack country and want a binding that skis like your downhill binding, or want to sent some cliffs on your AT setup the markers are your go-to.

Col-tex Skins

When it comes to getting you up the hill, Col-tex is where its at, making some of the best skins on the market. “How are they making such wicked skins?” you might ask, well they have been in the game sense 1968, and they take that massive level experience and apply it straight to snow. Weither you choose their mohair or mix skin your sure to get to the top of the run in record time. Their simple to use Camlock clip system makes for quick setup and their glue is tested to -30 and is sure to keep your skins on your skis.

Arc’teryx Mens Vertical Jacket

GORE-TEX Pro shell? Check. Ample pocket storage? Check. Re-inforced shoulders for use with a pack? Check. Built by the fine folks at Arc’teryx? Double Check. This jacket was made for snow, built to keep the weather out and your precious body heat in. Complete with a stow-able hood, easy to use 1 hand pit-zips, helmet compatible hood and internal goggle pocket. If your ready to hit the slopes, in bounds or out, this jacket is ready to take you there.

 

 

 

 

Arc’teryx Women’s Scimitar Jacket

Designed with the outdoor women in mind the Arc’teryx Scimitar jacket is the go to backcountry shell. 3L gore-tex proshell keeps the elements out while still providing the maximum breathability possible. Complete with critically taped seams, water tight zippers, helmet compatable storm hood, snow skirt, pit zips to cool off on those grueling ascents and a resort-pass loop for those days you feel like riding the chair instead of your skins.

 

 

 

 

Patagonia Men’s Backcountry Guide Pants

When it comes to the right pant to take out on the slopes, may in be on the resort or in the back country, our needs are simple and specific. Waterproof, burly, venting zips. The guide pant covers absolutely all of those needs with their H2No waterproof barrier keeps us dry, rugged 4-way-stretch polyester (100% recycled) gets us the mobility we like without loosing durability. Zippered, mesh-lined thigh vents to keep us cool on uphill grinds, and to top it all off they have removable 3-point suspenders; a 2-way zippered fly; gusseted, zippered cuffs with 2-position snaps, edge guards; internal mini-gaiters and water-resistant zippered pockets.

 

 

Arc’teryx Gamma MX Pant

Sometimes mother nature cuts us a break, and we dont need our cold weather gear. Times like that we break out our Gamma MX Pant. Lightly Insulated, DWR weather repellant, integrated webbing belt and reinforced leg cuff(to protect against edge cuts) its our go-to minimalist pant for spring excursions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patagonia Ultralight Down Jacket

This bad boy is a 800 fill hyper light insulating piece. What does that mean for you? Simple, it keeps pack weight down, but helps to keep you warm threw cold snaps and sudden weather. Featuring nylon ripstop fabric and Deluge DWR (durable water repellent) its ready for any adventure your ready to throw its way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patagonia Merino 2 Lightweight Crew

When it comes to base layers its merino wool or bust. Patagonia Merino 2 Lightweight Crew is the ideal piece for something as demanding as a day in the backcountry. It keeps you warm threw the most punishing conditions but isn’t overly thick or bulky and is naturally breathable, because nothing is worse then over heating on your way up a trail when your trying to get to the good snow.

 

 

 

 

 

Back Country Access Tracker2

When heading out of bounds and off into the backcountry not having a beacon isn’t even a option. This is your lifeline, and more importantly it could be your friends life line and the only way of finding them on time after a slide. BCA took this importance and responsibility to heart when designing the new Tracker. The 3 antenna waterproof beacon is one of the most user friendly around, offering a search range of approximately 40m, instantaneous real time display points you in the direction you need to go and the thin profile and harness offers limited bulk. Minimum 1h of operating in search mode after 200h of being in transmit mode (approximations made in a lab under controlled conditions, always make sure your beacon has fresh batteries when heading into the back country).

K2 Rescue+ Shovel

When it comes time to pick a new shovel my rules are simple. 1.Pick the strongest shovel you can find. 2.Don’t let added weight discourage you from picking a shovel, this is the tool you might have to use to get your friend out of a avalanche, a few extra grams wont kill you. K2 took these ideals seriously when designing their new line of backcountry tools. Built to last the Rescue+ is a ideal pick when it comes to a backcountry shovel. Boasting a 3 piece construction with a extendable handle, shaped blade (with waves in it’s blade profile much like a serrated knife), can transform into a hoe to drag snow downhill and allow you to shovel in tight spaces, and the ability to transform itself+ and K2 Backside/Backcountry ski into a rescue sled this shovel is packed with features. Coming in at 800g it’s not the skinniest shovel available, but it more then makes up for its extra heft.

Back Country Accesses B1 EX

When it came time for BCA to redesign their shovel line they had 1 thing in mind, to make the lightest weight shovel possible without compromising strength. Enter the child of their efforts in the B1 EXT (the B stands for Bomber, as in bombproof). Coming in at 595g this shovel comes complete with a extendable handle and the strongest blade-handle connection in the business(you can actually stand on this shovel while its assembled directly on the connection). They achieved their desired weight class by selecting the strongest and lightest aircraft grade aluminum they could find, giving you unparalleled strength in a lightweight body. If your not riding K2 skis and therefor wont benefit from the ability to transform your shovelinto a rescue sled this is the shovel for you.

Back Country Access Profile 240 Probe

Built to last threw the most grueling conditions the Profile 240 is BCA’s top selling probe. Their Quickie Tensioning system makes set up wicked fast and simple, silkscreened 1cm depth markings make snow-pack analysis easy to do. Weighing in at only 247g its a cant miss for all around use.

 

 

Canadian Avalanche Center

CAC Avalanche Bulletin
The first thing you want to check befor considering heading out into the backcountry. The CAC in partnership with Parks Canada put out avalanche bulletins on a daily basis. Check it out, check it often, even if you not planing on heading out skiing for a week, it always helps to stay updated with what the region your going to be skiing in has been doing.

Environment Canada

Weather Canada
You wouldn’t plan a day at the beach without checking the weather first would you? The same principle applies to back country skiing. Check the forecast, animate the weather maps, see if there’s a storm coming in and which way its blowing. If their forecasting a major storm to hit, maybe thats a good day to stay home.

Parks Canada Avalanche Advisory

Parks Canada Avalanche Report
Even tho the advisories are almost always the same as the ones on the CAC site, it never hurts to check both. The more information you are armed with out there the better chance you can avoid any major incidents.

Association of Canadian Mountain Guides

ACMG Reports
The ACMG posts reports that are submitted by certified guides making observations in the backcountry on conditions. Not as user friendly as the Parks Canada or CAC reports, but a good one to check into.

Trip Plan

Trip Plan Form
When ever you head off into the wilderness you want to make sure you let people know where your going, who your going with, how long your going to be gone, when your going to be back and schedule a time that if you don’t make contact they can call in help. This is a form you can print out and fill in to leave with the person/persons you are apprising of your wilderness adventure. It is very detailed, which is exactly what you want just in case you get caught in a situation where help is required.

Yamnuska

Yamnuska Avalanche Courses
Have all the best avi gear available wont do you much help without the proper training in its use. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is a guiding company that offers courses in Avalanche Skills Training(AST) as well as intros to back country skiing, mountaineering, wilderness first aid, and pretty much anything else you can think of when it involves outdoor adventure. They run AST courses almost every weekend, and I highly recommend taking them. The knowledge you can gain may very well save your life or the life of your friends one day.