Looking for some Christmas gift ideas for that Backcountry skier in your life... Well, we put together a dynamite list of some of the best backcountry ski gear and clothing that would make the perfect gift this holiday season. Not only is this gear awesome, but we use a lot of this same gear in our own backcountry ski kit when we're out on backcountry tours, so we know it's bomber. Santa will surely put smiles on the faces of backcountry skiers abound with any of these presents under Christmas tree this year!
Every backcountry skier should have a good pair of gloves to handle all types of conditions in the backcountry. From snow, ice, rock, tree branches to handling rope, the Eddie Bauer First Ascent Guide Glove will keep your hands warm, while also protected from the elements.
The Outdoor Research Trailbreaker ski touring pants are the goto pants for backcountry skiing's most well-regarded authorities in Lou Dawson of WildSnow.com and well-known backcountry ski guide Martin Volken. Need I say more!
The FlyLow Gear Quantum Pro Jacket has all that you need in a hard-shell backcountry ski jacket. It protects you from the wind, snow and wet conditions due to its 20k/20k waterproof breathable membrane and high performance DWR. It has a helmet-compatible hood, pit zips, a removable powder skirt and big interior pockets to hold skins. It really is the do-everything Swiss Army Knife of backcountry skiing jackets.
It's always a good idea to have a pair of shell mitts that you can throw on over the top of gloves when the weather gets nasty. The Outdoor Research Mount Baker Shell Mitts are just what the doctored ordered. These are really durable shells that won't take up much room in your pack.
There's a good reason the Black Diamond Traverse Ski Poles are the most popular backcountry ski poles out there today. They work like a charm and can take the abuse of a hard charging backcountry skier.
Never leave home without a headlamp when traveling out into the backcountry because theres always a possibility you'll find yourself hiking/skiing out in the dark. The Black Diamond ReVolt is the perfect headlamp for backcountry ski tours. It is bright, light and tough enough to keep in your pack, and it can even be recharged on the go using its USB cord. This little headlamp may just help guide you out of the woods one day.
The POC Fornix Helmet is made to protect your noggin' while out in the backcountry. It's super well-designed, good-looking and light enough for any backcountry trip, weighing in at less than 1lb (or only 420 grams). The POC Fornix is the same style helmet worn by big mountain snowboarder Jeremy Jones' when he's out filming his epic backcountry adventures in Alaska, Jackson Hole or Nepal.
The one pair of goggles that always gets rave reviews by friends and professional skiers alike are the Smith IO Interchangeable Goggles. These goggles have incredible lenses for seeing in all types of conditions, and the lens can be quickly changed out in a matter of seconds. With the Smith IO Interchangeable Goggles, you will no longer be spending 10 minutes trying to swap out a goggle lens.
The Backcountry Access Tracker 3 Avalanche Transceiver takes all the good qualities from the popular Tracker 2 beacon, and makes it 20% lighter and smaller. With instant real-time display and multiple-burial searching, this is the one transceiver you don't want to leave home without.
Black Diamond just makes great stuff for backcountry travel and their backpacks are certainly some of the best made. The Alias Pack is the perfect streamlined backpack for storing all your backcountry ski and avy gear while out on a tour. For the really serious backcountry skier, you might consider the Alias Avalung Backpack that has the AvaLung system built right into the pack. The Alias backpack is a really nice size pack for backcountry ski outings.
Made in Vermont and 100% Guaranteed for life, the Darn Tough Vermont Merino Wool OTC Padded Ultra Light Socks are the perfect backcountry ski sock. Enough said.
One of my favorite pieces of backcountry ski gear has to be the Seirus Neofleece Scarf Combo. Say good-bye to that bulky old neck-warmer, the Seirus Scarf Combo will keep your face protected from binding winds, snow, and branches smacking you in the face when skiing through the trees. It also keeps your neck, nose and face warm from the bitter winter cold. It can easily be stored in a jacket pocket and quickly put on without having to remove a hat, goggles or helmet. Every skier should have this piece of gear in their kit.
Sherpa Adventure Gear Renzing Hat combines 100% Lambswool on the outside with a soft microfleece earband lining for added warmth and comfort. These hats are also individually carded and knitted by Nepalese women in the valley of Kathmandu. With 8 different colors to choose from, its one good looking hat, that will keep your head toasty warm.
Merino wool is the base layer of choice for mountaineers and backcountry skiers alike. It keeps you warm, dries quickly, and keeps the stink away, unlike tops and bottoms made of synthetics. The half-zip moc Stoic Alpine Merino 150 Bliss Shirt Long Sleeve is our choice for a good solid base layer that will keep you regulated on the uphill, while keeping you warm on the downhill.
Every backcountry skier needs a really good warm, incredibly light-weight down jacket that can be thrown on at the top of a cold peak. The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded Down Jacket is just that jacket. The jacket uses high-quality 850 fill down, and uses Q.Shield treated down that will stay insulated and dry even when it gets wet. It also stuffs into its own pocket so it can easily be stowed away in your pack when it's not being worn. This is the down jacket that any backcountry ski enthusiast would be stoked to have this holiday season!
For stocking stuffer gift ideas see, Backcountry Skiing Stocking Stuffer Ideas.