Skiing Packs

Backcountry skiing demands a pack that carries avalanche safety gear, layers, food, and water while riding stable on the skin track and staying out of the way on the descent. OutThere USA skiing packs are designed by our founder, three-time Adventure Racing World Champion Mike Kloser, who has navigated alpine terrain in some of the harshest mountain ranges on the planet. That experience in high-consequence environments shaped every detail: where ski-carry straps sit, how the load distributes on a steep skin track, and how quickly you can access a shovel and probe when seconds matter.

The WC-30 is our top pick for full-day ski touring and backcountry missions. At 30 liters it carries a shovel, probe, skins, extra layers, food, water, and a first-aid kit with room to spare. Diagonal ski-carry straps let you attach skis securely for bootpacking, and the A-frame carry option handles wider skis on longer approaches. Side compression straps cinch the load tight against your back so the pack does not sway when you drop into steep terrain. The padded hipbelt transfers weight to your hips on sustained skin tracks, and the streamlined profile sits close to your center of gravity so it does not throw you off balance on technical descents.

For shorter tours, lift-accessed sidecountry laps, and spring missions where you are carrying less, the WC-15 gives you 15 liters of organized storage. It fits a shovel, probe, extra layer, water, and snacks in a compact frame that rides close and does not restrict your movement. The adjustable harness dials in over a puffy jacket or a shell, and the breathable back panel prevents the sweat buildup that soaks your base layer on long climbs. External webbing loops handle ski or snowboard attachment for short carry sections.

Both skiing packs feature durable, water-resistant nylon that handles abrasion from edges, ice, and rock. Reinforced attachment points keep skis locked in place on exposed bootpacks, and reflective accents add visibility during early-morning starts and late-afternoon descents. When your day starts with a headlamp skin and ends with last light on the ridge, these are the packs that keep up.