FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
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Post by FamilySherpa on Jan 3, 2020 10:27:35 GMT -8
I'm looking for recommendations on skiing backpacks. The models that hold skis on either side, or together across the surface of the pack. Preferably a model that has a good option for holding poles as well. Not looking for anything with an avalanche airbag.
About to go into my 2nd winter of teaching my 6 year old daughter to ski, and I'm finding there's a lot of time where I need to be able to carry my skis in order to help her with something. I've looked through you tube reviews and blogs and can really only find overly positive single reviews. No side by side comparisons or poor remarks on anything. I suppose everyone that is reviewing products these days are getting the product for free, so can't say much.
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Ski Packs
Jan 3, 2020 10:31:51 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by hikerjer on Jan 3, 2020 10:31:51 GMT -8
Take a look at packs from Mystery Ranch. A bit pricey but the put out an excellent product.
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FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
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Post by FamilySherpa on Jan 3, 2020 10:34:45 GMT -8
Take a look at packs from Mystery Ranch. A bit pricey but the put out an excellent product. I've been looking at those Jer. That's the old Dana Design company right? Found one called the D Route that looks pretty nice, but really cant find many reviews on it.
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Post by hikerjer on Jan 3, 2020 11:50:51 GMT -8
That's the old Dana Design company right? That's correct. Same guy, still running the company in Bozeman. I still have my old Dana Designs Terraplane which I consider one of the most classic pieces of gear ever made. I've never actually used any of their other packs but I have often lovingly fondled them and they are extremely popular with the backcounry ski crowd around here.
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rangewalker
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Agitate, organize and educate.
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Post by rangewalker on Jan 3, 2020 14:36:42 GMT -8
I have to swap back and forth a lot between ski's and snowshoes on the same trip. My favorite day pack, an Osprey Kestrel 38, has been my ski-snow shoe pack. I have a local shop that has been trying to intrigue me with some other Osprey models that actually have HD slots and hangers, I have resisted. My Kestrel 38 has daisy chains and sewn in straps make it easy to rig skis. It is also big enough to pack along different boots when needed. I solo so much I need to bring abit more swag and emergency kit just in case a day trip goes bad. I am on my second 38. I had a 28 too but it got shredded in a wreck.
Next week I am picking up new back country skis, Black Diamond Glidelites - 127's that are way too wide for conventional side pockets. See my post on "sliding snowshoes"
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 3, 2020 18:17:31 GMT -8
XC skiing/touring or downhill? What capacity? Check out Cold Cold World packs. These are fantastic packs. Built to last forever. I've used them for climbing and ski mountaineering/touring for years. Total cottage gear made by one guy in New Hampshire. The lid on the two I've linked has an extenal zip pocket and an internal zip pocket for securing stuff like wallet and keys. These are no nonsense packs. They are not intended for backpacking, but for the alpine world. Plus the name is cool. There are compression straps on the sides for skis and ice tool loops/straps to hold the poles. www.coldcoldworldpacks.com/index.htmwww.coldcoldworldpacks.com/valdez.htmwww.coldcoldworldpacks.com/chernobyl.htm
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 4, 2020 7:46:19 GMT -8
Add to the above, I'll send you either the chernobyl or valdez for you to give a trial run on a loan basis.
If it's a one shot trip, you can just borrow one of them.
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rangewalker
Trail Wise!
Agitate, organize and educate.
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Post by rangewalker on Jan 4, 2020 8:04:01 GMT -8
Check out Cold Cold World packs. These are fantastic packs. Built to last forever. I've used them for climbing and ski mountaineering/touring for years. Those look fantastic and really dialed in for winter.
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 4, 2020 8:15:15 GMT -8
Those look fantastic and really dialed in for winter. They are mainly designed for alpine/ice climbing, but are great ski packs as well. They are bullet proof (not light). The brand is little known outside the climbing world.
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Ski Packs
Jan 4, 2020 11:00:16 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 4, 2020 11:00:16 GMT -8
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 5, 2020 11:57:45 GMT -8
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 5, 2020 12:44:35 GMT -8
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FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
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Post by FamilySherpa on Jan 24, 2020 7:34:45 GMT -8
XC skiing/touring or downhill? What capacity? Check out Cold Cold World packs. These are fantastic packs. Built to last forever. I've used them for climbing and ski mountaineering/touring for years. Total cottage gear made by one guy in New Hampshire. The lid on the two I've linked has an extenal zip pocket and an internal zip pocket for securing stuff like wallet and keys. These are no nonsense packs. They are not intended for backpacking, but for the alpine world. Plus the name is cool. There are compression straps on the sides for skis and ice tool loops/straps to hold the poles. www.coldcoldworldpacks.com/index.htmwww.coldcoldworldpacks.com/valdez.htmwww.coldcoldworldpacks.com/chernobyl.htmI sort of wish I had taken you up on the offer to borrow your CCW valdez pack. I ended up buying a Mystery Ranch D Route. Some good things: Its the perfect size for what I wanted. Can carry skis & poles, but compact enough to be worn on a ski lift. Zippers are all solid & waterproof and the fabric seems very beefy and water resistant. Think old Arc Teryx Bora type fabric feel. Some questionable things: When skis are on the pack, the way they have to be positioned, the edges are right up against the pack. I'm curious how long the fabric holds up to a sharp ski edge. When I began examining the pack after purchase, looking at the inside pocket where the water bladder goes and the support board rests, i noticed the zipper was missing a pull. Not a huge deal, but when the pack is full, it will be hard to open the zipper without a pull. I assume I can fashion something that would work, but I reached out anyway for help, since it was a brand new item. The retailer wasn't much help, and wanted me to deal directly with Mystery Ranch. I emailed mystery ranch with a photo of the zipper and description of the issue to see what they could offer as a fix. They replied back pretty promptly but acted confused about what i had even purchased. Saying "Unfortunately we can not determine which zipper this is on the D-Route". The D Route has 3 total zippers and only 1 inside the pack. I emailed them back with more pictures to help them become more familiar with their pack. Waiting for their response. To be honest, I didn't realize most of their stuff was made overseas now. It looks like only their military grade lines are made here.
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Post by johntpenca on Jan 24, 2020 8:23:25 GMT -8
Can you tie a loop of tent cord to the zipper toggle? Or just return the pack. Do they have one that isn't defective?
Checked out the pack on their website. I'll be interested to know if the configuration for carrying skis whacks the calf on your right leg.
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FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
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Post by FamilySherpa on Jan 24, 2020 10:24:09 GMT -8
Can you tie a loop of tent cord to the zipper toggle? Or just return the pack. Do they have one that isn't defective? Checked out the pack on their website. I'll be interested to know if the configuration for carrying skis whacks the calf on your right leg. Oh yeah, there's a ton of simple fixes. I just figured since it was brand new, and an obvious QC oversight, they might offer something. I leave for a ski trip on Wednesday, so was hoping to not have to return the pack. Retailer wouldn't exchange it, said it was a warranty issue (a separate gripe in itself). My skis are quite short all mountain skis (170), so they don't even reach my calf when strapped to the pack, especially with the bindings being off center. I'd say some 180 park or freeride skis with a center binding might come close.
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