Last Minute Gift Ideas For Backcountry Skiers

I know it’s hard to believe, but there are just 10 days left before Christmas. So, with that in mind, here are 10 last-minute gift ideas for those of you still scratching your head, wondering what to get the backcountry skier in your life.

1: Voile Ski Straps. This is a great stocking stuffer with tons of uses. I always get the 24″ ones, as the longer ones have the most uses of all at a tiny weight penalty. We recently used one to strap a boot down onto a shattered binding to get us home.

2: Petzl E-Lite. This tiny light packs a punch and weighs far less than a spare set of batteries for your regular light. In fact, I sometimes wonder why I don’t just use this tiny marvel all the time, it’s so good.

3: Rub-on wax. It’s amazing how sticky snow can get, especially in the spring, or, if you’re like me you don’t wax your skis as often as you should. A good rub-on wax is a great thing to have in your pack.

4: A Good Thermos. Few things in backcountry skiing are as enjoyable as a good hot drink at the top of a skintrack.

5: Approach Gloves. Most backcountry skiers use a light pair of gloves for the skin up, saving their bulkier, warmer gloves for the descent. Brittany has had great luck with these gloves, strong enough to deal with sleds and trailers, too.

6: A good multi-tool. For the knife, pliers, and screwdriver alone, a multi-tool is indispensable for any backcountry pack. This one seems like a nice light choice.

7: A backpack. The Dakine Poacher has been my go-to pack for years. There may be lighter packs out there, but I love this pack for the way it carries and its versatility.

8: The gift of sight. Zeal’s Link goggles are the best helmet compatible goggle out there. They haven’t changed the design for years, with good reason- they simply work. The SPPX lens changes based on the amount of light you’ve got to work with.

9: A brand new pair of skins. There may be other skin choices out there, but these are the gold standard upon which all others are judged.

10: Still Stumped? Take the easy way out and give them a gift certificate from backcountry.com

Happy shopping!

• Author
• Recent Posts

Frank Konsella

Frank loves snow more than anything... except his wife.  He ensures his food is digested properly by chewing it 32 times before swallowing.He is a full-time real estate agent serving Crested Butte and Gunnison and would be honored to send you his monthly newsletter.

Latest posts by Frank Konsella (see all)

• Bluebird Backcountry Ski Area - February 14, 2020
• Gear Review: Smith 4D MAG Goggles - January 6, 2020
• Gear Review: LEKI Tour Stick Vario Carbon Ski Poles - December 9, 2019