Skiing Equipment
- AT Boots
- Skis with touring alpine bindings or telemark bindings (please adjust bindings to boots and skins to skis before the course)
- Skins that fit your skis (pre-cut)
- Telescoping Poles
Snowboarding Equipment
- Splitboard with touring bindings and skins (please adjust bindings to boots and skins to board before the course)
- Snowboard boots
- Collapsible poles (with means of attachment to pack)
Avalanche Rescue Equipment (provided if you don’t have your own!)
- Avalanche probe
- Collapsible shovel
- Avalanche transceiver (digital 457 kHz frequency only) three antenna transceivers are preferred
Clothing
- Ski socks
- Warm hat and/or Helmet
- Wool or Synthetic Base Layer (top + bottom)
- Mid-weight / breathable insulating layer
- Hardshell or softshell ski/snowboard pants
- Hardshell (waterproof + breathable) jacket
- Larger weight (i.e. 800 fill) ‘security’ puffy (down or synthetic)
- Gloves (two pairs are best – a lighter pair for going up, & a warmer pair)
Misc Items
- Sunglasses and/or Goggles
- Ski or Climbing helmet
- Sunscreen and lip balm: water/sweat-proof
- Personal first-aid / repair kit
- Camera or Smartphone
- Headlamp
- Water bottle (at least 1 liter); *we do not advise Camelbacks
- Lunch/Snack food
- Cell phone or two-way radio / BCA link (optional)
- Ski Backpack (large enough to fit all gear INSIDE; we can provide you one if needed!)
- Snow Study Kit (snow saw, crystal card, magnifying lens, ECT cord, etc.)
- Pencils (two, mechanical)
Snow Study Equipment
- Snow saw: A 35 cm blade handles all of the requirements of snowpack tests. (Very sharp blade teeth can have the dual purpose of a survival tool but can potentially damage packs and clothing and require more attention to storage).
- Thermometers (0C): There are three types of thermometers that are acceptable: dial stem, digital, and alcohol. Have an extra battery in your field kit if you use a digital. Have a small piece of p-cord to hang thermometers in the shade for measuring air temperature. For most avalanche snow observations you need no more than 2 thermometers. If you carry multiple thermometers make sure they are the same type and model for measurement consistency.
- Crystal screen: A card with a measurement grid is necessary for observing snow grains. Metal screens transfer heat much faster than plastic and can be challenging to use when air or snow temperatures are warmer than -5 C.
- Magnifier: A reasonable quality magnifying loupe or hand lens is required for observing snow grains. (A loupe or hand lens should be no less powerful than 10x and no more than 20x).
- Folding ruler: A 2-meter plastic folding ruler. (Inexpensive ones typically have short lives; they flex and often break easily when extended. Ideal examples include ones from a ruler manufacturer (e.g. Rigdid model # 1602).
- Accessory cord: A length of 4-7 mm diameter accessory cord is used for cutting out column tests larger than 30 x 30 cm. Overhand knots tied every 20-30 cm can help to effectively cut the walls. You can place washers at the knot for more effective cutting. A dedicated Rutschblock wire (G3 or Brooks Range) is preferred.
Technical Equipment
- Lightweight harness
- 3x locking carabiners
- 2x non-locking carabiners
- 1 belay/ rappel device
- 1x 48” sewn runner
- 4’ of 5-6mm. cord (or adequate anchor material)
- 1x “Hollow Block” cord or friction hitch
*Snowmetrics & Brooks Range are great resources to purchase high quality professional snow observation tools.
*CRIPPLE CREEK has a nice selection of snow study kits that include all of these tools, as well.
**your guide(s) will carry a First Aid Kit, repair kit & rescue equipment