If there鈥檚 one thing that will burn you on a hut-to-hut ski trip, it鈥檚 packing too much stuff. It’s worth spending聽the time to pack聽all the right things, and nothing extra. For me, on a backcountry hut trip this spring in the Alps, that meant choosing items that were lightweight, highly functional, and didn鈥檛 stay wet or get smelly. Here are pieces that met or exceeded expectations and emerged as my favorites.
The Hat Quiver: ($38) and the ($115)听
I had the lightweight, fleecy Skida Low Pile Hat on my head most of the time. It cut the wind and kept my ears toasty during cold tour days and was a stylish way to cover my gross hair at night in the hut. On sunny days I swapped it for an old ball cap with a flippable brim that fit under my helmet. For the in-town apr茅s scene I donned the Tio Lee Fargo (there鈥檚 nothing wrong with a little fashion!). It鈥檚 warm, aesthetically different from most hats I wear, and added a little flare to the puffy and jeans I wore everyday.聽
The Sleeping Bag Liner: ($75)
I often use the ($129), but I chose the Reactor Extreme this time. Its聽polyester liner is a little heavier than silk, but I brought it because the next-to-skin feel is much cozier. It claims to add up to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and I found it warm enough to use it as a standalone sleep system in warmer hut bunks without needing to add the provided quilts.
The Sports Bra: ($60)
The new gold standard! I was on this trip with three other women and we all wore this same merino bra. It鈥檚 supportive for ski touring with a longer fit and thick band that ensured it literally never moved and chafed. The wider straps didn鈥檛 dig into my shoulders after long days under a heavy pack. I hardly thought about it at all and wasn鈥檛 jonesing to take it off at the end of the day. Most importantly, it didn鈥檛 smell after two weeks, despite many days with copious boob sweat.
The Oh Shit Puffy: ($800)
An 鈥渙h shit puffy鈥 is always critical for those times when the weather turns and you need something to throw on during transitions to stay warm. The Rush was packable and plenty warm, though I was able to skin and ski in it on chillier days without overheating. This might have had to do with the brand鈥檚 air-permeable liner, which according to Arc鈥檛eryx, 鈥渟peeds vapour transfer.鈥 The face fabric is durable and wind- and water-repellant, which kept the jacket (and me) dry during a snowy white out day on the Aletsch glacier.
The Pack: 38 S ($210)聽
With each transition, be it from snow to hut or skinning to skiing, I was impressed by how well thought out and functional the aptly-named Haute Route pack was. Eight different compartments provide an easy spot to stow everything. I used the front outside zipper pocket for snacks; the top pocket for glasses, liner gloves, and other small essentials, the hip pocket for sunscreen, wax, and a scraper and the separate safety compartment for my shovel, probe, and my ice axe. My favorite feature was the back zipper which allowed me to access everything without unpacking. At night I could pull out my liner and toothbrush from the bottom of my pack without disturbing the other contents.聽
The Brain Bucket: ($150)
The photos of this helmet might look a little dorky (most helmets do, to be fair), but I鈥檓 a big fan. At just over 10 ounces, it鈥檚 lightweight and easy to pack, which makes it less tempting to leave it behind. I removed the visor for this trip, and appreciated the low-profile fit making it easy to put a hat under, or pull a hood over. I was also pleased with the helmet’s breathability. At home in Colorado I never wear a helmet to move uphill, but this one was so low-hassle and well-ventilated that I barely noticed it and often left it on for short ascents. Plus, it鈥檚 triple-certified for skiing, climbing, and biking, making it especially worth the price.