Pack Nerdom: Versatile Climbing/Skiing Packs under 1kg

To throw one more at you, I'll mention the Mountain Hardware Alpine Light 35L. Full disclosure: I am not in the skiing scene and so I cannot say with any certainty that this pack will hit your skiing needs. However, the side/compression straps seem like they could take skis and for alpine/ice pursuits it is a fantastic pack. The pack fits many of your other requirements, but it is without a dedicated pocket for avy gear. Almost everything on the outside can be removed and there are quite a few options for rigging things to your liking. The previous model (white/red/blue) was made in the same vein as the current model (white/gold) but there are some notable differences in how they decided to do things so it could be worth looking at both if they catch your eye.

Second the Blue Ice Firecrest 38. I did a gear review for Alpinist Magazine about that pack. It’s meant to be a ski/climbing pack. I really really like it. I live in Alaska and do a ton of back country skiing. It’s been a great quiver-of-one pack for BC/ice/alpinism.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've been doing lots of research and I'm now leaning towards prioritizing a pack with a dedicated avy pocket. It seems to be a better option than storing inside the pack and I think I'll keep the Alpha FL climbing, so this pack can be more dedicated for ski mountaineering. 

I really like the look of the snoskiwoski pack the best so far. It seems pretty great except for the top closure mechanism. I would lean towards a roll top or atleast a larger flap. How does it handle being overstuffed? Because it is a 40L and not 35L I don't imagine needing to overstuff it often, but that might be the one downside. Can anyone who has used it speak to the functionality of the top closure? 

Clint Helanderwrote:

Second the Blue Ice Firecrest 38. I did a gear review for Alpinist Magazine about that pack. It’s meant to be a ski/climbing pack. I really really like it. I live in Alaska and do a ton of back country skiing. It’s been a great quiver-of-one pack for BC/ice/alpinism.

Clint, which issue of Alpinist is your review in? I would like to read it, and can’t find it in an online search, but have all the issues here at home.

Terry Ewrote:

Clint, which issue of Alpinist is your review in? I would like to read it, and can’t find it in an online search, but have all the issues here at home.

It hasn’t been published yet, but it’s a great pack! 

I use a Patagonia ascentionist 30L touring. Puffy, extra gloves, etc in a dry stuff-sack, avy gear in the main (only) compartment. Straps to carry the split board. 

You could get a padded belt from Petzl for like 10$ to add to the FL30. I added one to my canyoneering pack and it helps a lot with heavy loads.

Mike Brownwrote:

You could get a padded belt from Petzl for like 10$ to add to the FL30. I added one to my canyoneering pack and it helps a lot with heavy loads.

Can you link to this? I tried googling but couldn’t find this option. Thanks!

Erik Norsemanwrote:

Can you link to this? I tried googling but couldn’t find this option. Thanks!

https://m.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/Harnesses/Comfort-foam-for-CANYON-CLUB-harness

They also have gear loops that you can add that’s what I did on my dry-bag backpack.

Loops 

Cilogear 40Z ski pack.1000g stripped. Has all the components you are looking for.

https://www.cilogear.com/40zskipack.html

I think the Arc Rush SK 32 or 42 fits your requirements perfectly except it doesn't have a running vest style strap. https://arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/rush-sk-32-backpack

I have been desperately on a search for a pack with a similar set of requirements, but I want it to be 40-45L for bigger days. I am surprised people want the side zip vs. the back panel opening. IMO the back opening is superior because when you have a roll top with a side zip you can't get into the pack while skis are A-framed.

Matt Zwrote:

You've basically described the reason I started building my own packs under the company name Otter Body Threadworks. This one is: 35+L, internal avalanche pocket, external ice tool carry, option for diagonal or a-frame ski carry. Total weight about 1200g before removing any components. Roll-top closure; tri-fold removable closed cell foam frame-sheet; removable compression straps; removable padded waist belt; load lifters; internal zippered pocket; full-length #10 water-resistant side zipper; front daisy chains for bungee attachment (also can attach a third-party helmet holder); loops to attach a brain; hydration port on the shoulder, doubles as a port for a shoulder mic; avalanche pocket is sized to fit a full-size shovel blade and 320cm probe; buckles can be either "g-hook" style (my preference) or side release. I've made a similar pack in a 45+L version.

Short list of what I (and others) have worn it on;

- Ham and Eggs guided ascent

- Grand Teton ski descent

- FA attempt in the Himalaya

- full seasons of ice/ski guiding in Montana and the Tetons

- climb-to-ski routes in Hyalite Canyon and elsewhere

Also check out the Apocalypse Equipment packs. Owner is a mountain guide as well and makes a damn good product.

These look amazing.

Hyperlite Porter 3400 w/ the rear pocket, but at that price may aswell get the Headwall 55. For me personally that pack could literally be the one pack to rule it all short of just needing a 20-25L daypack, but for alpine climbing, ski-touring, backpacking, ski-traverses, cragging, it could adapt to all of those.

Shoulder pockets are easy to buy from cottage gear makers (lots on etsy lol), or make yourself. I think a few companies are starting to make their own add-ons now.

Cirque 35/45, then modify it as you see fit.

Firecrest 38L looks intriguing, but I haven't had the best luck with durability of blue ice stuff (squirrel 22L, but its just 210D nylon dragging up multi pitches).

Or go the custom route! In Canada there's Alpine Threadworks but their wait time is long. Never heard a bad thing said about their packs though.

North face has a new pack for backcountry skiing 

https://www.backcountry.com/the-north-face-rapidus-alpin-34-pack?skid=TNFZCC9-TNWHRAUN-LXL&INT_ID=AP_brand-home%7CThe-North-Face_5-New-Arrivals_0_REC-NA_REC-TNFZCC9_7_20221117&ti=QVBfYnJhbmQtaG9tZXxUaGUtTm9ydGgtRmFjZV81LU5ldy1BcnJpdmFsc18wX1JFQy1OQV9SRUMtVE5GWkNDOV83XzIwMjIxMTE3

fellow pack nerd here. I have used and sold Alpha FL both sizes, Mountain Hardwear Powabunga, Cilo Ski pack, Arcteryx old Khamski, Blue Ice Kume, and finally settled on the Apocalypse Equipment. I have never been able to make a ski pack with the back panel that opens carry well. The old orange Khamski was my favorite pack for a very long time, the FL 45 worked ok but didn't have a dedicated snow tool pocket. The Kume was pretty good. The pluses of the Apocalypse are the wider hip belt, side access, the roll top is weather proof, dedicated pocket for snow tools and the price isn't crazy for a custom pack. Gavin is also great to work with. Feel free to ask me specific pack questions if you have them. 

bearded samwrote:

fellow pack nerd here. I have used and sold Alpha FL both sizes, Mountain Hardwear Powabunga, Cilo Ski pack, Arcteryx old Khamski, Blue Ice Kume, and finally settled on the Apocalypse Equipment. I have never been able to make a ski pack with the back panel that opens carry well. The old orange Khamski was my favorite pack for a very long time, the FL 45 worked ok but didn't have a dedicated snow tool pocket. The Kume was pretty good. The pluses of the Apocalypse are the wider hip belt, side access, the roll top is weather proof, dedicated pocket for snow tools and the price isn't crazy for a custom pack. Gavin is also great to work with. Feel free to ask me specific pack questions if you have them. 

Thanks for your take on all these packs. A couple Qs...

Apocalypse Pack - how do you like the shovel handle/probe sleeve *IN* the main compartment, opposed to the separate shovel blade, vertical zippered pocket? If my bag is packed relatively full and I want the shovel and probe in a timely manner it seems silly to have the important goods separated from each other and also underneath all the gear and not outside.

Powabunga - Is it true they neglected to put any ice tool/axe carry options? This pack looks great otherwise. It didn't carry well for climbing? And is the new magic hip belt a game changer for actually skiing or just flashy on paper only?

Jake woowrote:

Thanks for your take on all these packs. A couple Qs...

Apocalypse Pack - how do you like the shovel handle/probe sleeve *IN* the main compartment, opposed to the separate shovel blade, vertical zippered pocket? If my bag is packed relatively full and I want the shovel and probe in a timely manner it seems silly to have the important goods separated from each other and also underneath all the gear and not outside.

Powabunga - Is it true they neglected to put any ice tool/axe carry options? This pack looks great otherwise. It didn't carry well for climbing? And is the new magic hip belt a game changer for actually skiing or just flashy on paper only?

Apocalypse - the question is do I feel like the time of getting shovel blade and handle together in an emergency? It's an extra second or two, deep breath as doing so. It carries so well, light, and everything is in the place you want it. You can tell that a user makes these packs not a designer.

Pow - I have never been able to get a pack with a zippered back panel carry well. I have sold packs, fit hundreds of backpacking packs and something about those packs. The hipbelt on that small of a pack is less of an issue. I have a 70L Arcteryx pack with a pivoting hip belt and its great. 

I've pretty much given up on ultralight packs for backcountry ski touring.  

The reason for that is because of the availability of avalanche airbag packs.  For me, having the additional safety afforded by an airbag pack is worth carrying a few extra pounds.  

Any update on what you went with?

My partner recently replaced her old Marmot pack with a 40L Haute Route pack from Ortovox. It is not under 1kg but it fits all the other criteria you have. I used the Ortovox Trad 35 for years until I upgraded to a new bag. Because they are a a specific mountaineering company, most of their bags are great for ski touring, alpinism, and rock climbing. I currently considering getting one of their super small day packs for multi pitch if I don't like how my old High Sierra hydration packs works out.