How to Choose a Ski Touring Backpack

Ski Touring 101 / Gear guide

CRIPPLE CREEK BIKE AND BACKCOUNTRY

Carry what matters.

Match your pack to your trip, terrain and avalanche equipment.

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Ski touring backpack on a snowy alpine mountain

The short answer

For many day tours, a 25–35-liter ski touring pack offers room for rescue tools, extra layers, water and food. Race packs run smaller and overnight trips need more space; secure fit and accessible avalanche equipment matter more than the number alone.

  • Pick volume for the longest trip you routinely do.
  • Prioritize secure, separate shovel-and-probe storage.
  • Check fit, ski carry, and access to emergency gear.

By the Cripple Creek Bike and Backcountry ski touring team  •  Updated November 2026

Find your pack size

The right ski touring backpack depends on how long you're out and what you need to carry. Most ski touring packs fit into one of three categories:

  • Race and fitness packs (about 15–20L): ultralight, with on-the-go ski carry. Best for skimo racing and fast uphill laps.
  • Ski mountaineering and day touring packs (about 25–35L): a dedicated avalanche gear pocket, ice tool and helmet carry, and room for a full day. Best for most backcountry skiers.
  • Multi-day packs (40L+): a stronger frame and harness for heavy loads. Best for hut trips and spring traverses.

If you only own one pack, a 25–35L ski mountaineering or day touring pack covers the most ground.

Why Your Pack Matters

On many ski tours, climbing takes up most of the day, and your pack is on your back for every step. Unless you're training in a race suit on race skis, you should almost always carry a pack in the backcountry. On top of your avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, and probe), you'll want water, food, extra layers, and often crampons. A good pack carries all of it comfortably and puts the right gear within reach when you need it.

Backpacks have quiver slots too. Below we walk through each style and what it's best for.

A Few Things to Know First

Volume is measured in liters. The number in a pack's name usually tells you its capacity. The Dynafit Speed 20 is about 20 liters, for example.

Look for a dedicated avalanche pocket. Your shovel and probe should have their own quick-access compartment, separate from your layers and lunch. In an emergency, every second counts.

Ski carry matters. Most touring packs carry skis A-frame (one ski on each side) or diagonally. Race packs let you carry skis without taking the pack off.

Fit matters as much as features. A pack that fits your torso and carries its weight on your hips will feel far better at the end of a long day than a lighter pack that doesn't fit.

Race and Fitness Packs

If you're entering skimo races or just want to be as efficient as possible on the skin track, the lightest pack is the best pack. Every gram matters.

Race packs are ultralight but still functional while you're wearing them. The standout feature is a loop-and-elastic-hook system that lets you strap your skis to your pack without taking it off. Once you've done that, it's hard to go back to a traditional pack. During a race, your pack should never come off.

Food and water ride on the shoulder straps for easy access, and a larger pocket typically holds crampons and an extra bottle. The trade-off: race packs aren't built for a full avalanche kit or full-size tools. They hold only the minimum safety gear that race rules require.

Typical size: about 15–20L
Choose this if: you race, train for fitness, or do fast laps where speed matters more than storage.
Our pick: The Dynafit Speed 20 is light, simple, and lets you carry your skis on the move.

Ski Mountaineering and Day Touring Packs

Heading into exposed terrain, tackling a long approach, or just going on a normal day tour? A ski mountaineering pack is the right choice for most backcountry skiers. It's lighter than a traditional backpack but far more functional than a race pack.

These packs use tougher materials, offer more storage, and add features for safety and comfort. Look for:

  • A dedicated avalanche pocket for quick access to your shovel and probe
  • External ice tool holders you can reach without taking off your pack
  • A helmet carry system
  • Enough volume for layers, food, water, and boot or ski crampons for a long day

The goal is to keep critical gear easy to reach when you're in a precarious spot. On a pack with a good ice axe carry, you can reach behind you when the slope steepens and your axe is right there.

Typical size: about 25–35L
Choose this if: you want one pack for most backcountry days, from dawn patrol to big objectives.
Our picks:
  • Dynafit Radical 32: A light, functional ski mountaineering pack with room for a full day in the mountains. Need something smaller? Browse smaller touring packs for shorter outings.
  • Dynafit Free 32: A durable, freeride-focused pack for skiers who prioritize the descent and carry a full kit every day.
  • Black Diamond Cirque 35: A longtime staff favorite with one of the easiest ice tool attachments out there.

Multi-Day Packs

Planning a hut trip or a spring traverse? Multi-day packs have the same core features as ski mountaineering packs, including a dedicated avalanche pocket and exterior ice tool straps, but they're built to carry far more.

Add a tent, a stove, and everything else you need for a comfortable night out, and your pack gets heavy fast. That makes load distribution just as important as capacity. Look for:

  • Wide, padded shoulder straps
  • An adjustable harness to fit your torso
  • A more substantial frame to carry weight on your hips
Typical size: 40L for a typical hut trip, and more for an expedition-style trip

You can use a backpacking pack, but most don't have a dedicated avalanche pocket or proper ice tool straps, which can be a real problem for serious ski touring.

Choose this if: you're spending one or more nights out.
Our pick: The BCA Stash 40 carries heavy loads well and has the ski-specific features you need for hut trips.

What to Pack in Your Ski Touring Backpack

Whatever pack you choose, make sure it has room for the essentials:

  • Avalanche rescue gear: beacon (worn on your body), shovel, and probe
  • Water and food
  • An extra insulating layer, like a puffy jacket
  • Warm gloves or mittens and a dry hat
  • Skins and a scraper
  • Crampons or ski crampons, depending on the route
  • A first aid kit and repair kit
  • An emergency space blanket
  • Headlamp, phone, and navigation

For a complete layering list, see our guide on how to dress for ski touring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size backpack do I need for ski touring?

For most day tours, a 25–35L pack is the right size. Race and fitness skiers can use a 15–20L pack, and hut trips usually need 40L or more.

What makes a ski touring backpack different from a regular backpack?

Ski touring packs have a dedicated avalanche gear pocket, ski carry straps, and ice tool and helmet carry systems. Most regular hiking or backpacking packs don't have these features.

Can I use a race pack for regular backcountry touring?

Only if it securely carries everything you need for the terrain, including your shovel, probe, layers and emergency kit. Most regular backcountry days call for a larger ski mountaineering pack.

How do I carry skis on a ski touring backpack?

Most packs carry skis A-frame (one ski strapped to each side) or diagonally across the back. Race packs use a loop and hook system that lets you carry skis without taking the pack off.

Should I get an avalanche airbag pack?

An avalanche airbag is an additional safety tool, not a substitute for avalanche education, sound terrain choices and rescue gear. Airbag packs are heavier and more expensive, so talk with our staff about whether one makes sense for the terrain you ski.

Ready for your next tour?

Not sure which pack fits the way you tour? Stop by the shop and our staff will help you find the right pack and dial in its fit.

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Talk through your goals with the Cripple Creek Bike and Backcountry team, or browse gear that fits this guide.

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Part of our Beginner's Ski Touring Guide. Guides are general education; product fit, compatibility, conditions and current manufacturer instructions should always be checked for your specific setup.

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Once we have your setup dialed, we take care of the rest. We’ll make sure everything works together, mount your bindings specifically to you and your boots, trim your skins, and get the entire setup ready for the mountains.

Your perfect setup starts with expert knowledge and service. When you pick it up, it’s not a box of gear—it’s your complete ski setup, fully mounted, dialed, and ready to go.