With base lodges听closed or at limited capacity this ski season, you won鈥檛 be able to just stuff extra layers in a locker, grab a hot bowl of chili at the caf, and warm up your frozen digits by a cozy fireplace. But the season is still on, and you gotta stay fueled and warm to chase that pow. So听where will you stash your hand warmers, thermos, and pocket bacon? I conducted an unofficial survey of 国产吃瓜黑料 staffers and my Twitter followers to find out.听Here鈥檚 the verdict.
Winner: Shove Everything in Your Pockets
Zip pockets, stuff pockets, chest pockets, drop pockets鈥攖his no-nonsense approach easily took the win with nearly half the total votes.听Adherents to this method fill up their ski jackets with granola bars, liner gloves, extra goggle lenses, and sunscreen sticks. The听strategy takes some creative packing to keep you from looking like the Michelin Man, but if听executed well, it can be a no-fuss solution for minimalist skiers. Plus, every item is within reach for easy access on the lift, so you鈥檒l never need to slow down. It can be tricky to carry water, though, so we suggest investing in some听. And if you鈥檙e hoping听to add or shed a layer, you鈥檙e out of luck.
Runner-Up: Wear a Backpack
The humble backpack took second place in the polls, though it鈥檚 worth noting that it was tied for first among our staff, likely due to the unusually high number of gearheads at听国产吃瓜黑料. Perhaps it鈥檚 not the coolest choice, but it is the most practical. Looking to tackle some听out-of-bounds terrain?听You鈥檒l need space for avy tools. Skiing with kids? That bag better be full of snacks and hand warmers. If you get yourself a reservoir and a , you won鈥檛 even have to pause to hydrate. As a person who runs cold and refuses to hit the slopes听without an entire meal鈥檚 worth of food along, this strategy is my personal pick. Just make sure your hauler is sleek enough to leave room on the lift seat for your butt, or be prepared to take it off after every run. Pro tip: 鈥淢y preferred method is skiing with someone else who has a pack,鈥 one 国产吃瓜黑料 employee wrote. She might be onto something here.
Honorable Mention: Rock a Fanny Pack
As one editor succinctly put it, fanny packs are best 鈥渇or springtime and beers.鈥 If you鈥檙e not quite a backpack person but can鈥檛 fit everything in your pockets, a slick waist pack is undoubtedly the way to go. Trust us on this: they鈥檙e cool again.
Honorable Mention: Get a Ski-Patroller Vest
The is undoubtedly a pro move. It鈥檚听the best of all worlds, a high-capacity, close-fitting, convenient essential鈥攁nd pretty badass. There鈥檚 a reason this is the uniform for mountain professionals. Some vests even sport听a backpack-like compartment for snow tools, so you can听safely access that sweet, sweet sidecountry. Vests are specialized pieces of gear and often pricey, but they can be a worthwhile investment for anyone who spends more days on the mountain than off. You鈥檒l just need the snow-sliding chops to back up the look.