How to Choose a Ski Pack: Size, Carry and Pockets

Pick a pack by what you carry and where you go. Size it to the day, fit it to your torso and check how it carries skis or a board.

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Choose a ski pack by size first: about 10 to 20 liters for resort days, 20 to 30 for sidecountry and short tours, and 30 to 40 for full-day backcountry tours. Then match it to your torso length and check how it carries skis or a board.

A ski pack is not a hiking pack with a different logo. It has to sit close to your back so it doesn't swing in a turn, carry skis or a board when you walk, protect your goggles and let you reach the things you need on a cold hill.

Size the pack to your day

Kind of day	Typical size	What it usually carries
Resort laps	About 10-20 liters	Water, snacks, a spare layer, goggles or a spare lens, sunscreen
Sidecountry, hike-to terrain, short tours	About 20-30 liters	The above plus a shell or insulation, and avalanche gear if you carry it
Full-day backcountry tours	About 30-40 liters	Extra layers, food, first aid, skins and a repair kit
Hut trips and multi-day travel	40 liters and up	Sleeping and cooking gear on top

Treat the numbers as approximate, since makers measure capacity differently. A better test is to lay out what you really bring on a typical day and see whether it fits with a little room to spare. A pack that is too big encourages overpacking and flops around when it's half empty. One that is too small pushes gear onto the outside, where it catches on lifts and trees.

Fit by torso length, not height

Packs are sized by torso length: the distance from the bony bump at the base of your neck down to the line across the tops of your hip bones. Most packs fit torsos from roughly 15 to 21 inches, and many have some adjustment. When you try one on, load it with weight and wear your jacket and helmet, then check:

Hip belt. It should rest on top of your hip bones and carry part of the load, not sit at your waist.
Shoulder straps. They should wrap over your shoulders without gaps. Load-lifter straps at the top pull the pack in toward your back.
Sternum strap. It keeps the shoulder straps from sliding outward.
Movement. Twist, bend and tip your head back. The pack shouldn't swing, and its top shouldn't knock your helmet.

Shorter torsos and narrower shoulders often fit better in packs cut for them, and many makers offer women's shapes. Don't force a larger pack to work by cinching it hard.

Check how it carries skis or a board

Look for the carry method you'll actually use:

A-frame carry. The skis sit on either side of the pack with their tips meeting above it. It is stable and good for long walks on foot.
Diagonal carry. The skis lie diagonally across the back, held by straps. It is quick to set up, and often possible without taking the pack off.
Snowboard carry. Vertical carry holds the board against the back panel. Some packs also offer a horizontal carry across the front.
Helmet carry. A net, strap or holder keeps your helmet outside the pack on the climb.

Try the straps with gloves on. Straps that cinch quickly and don't slip are worth more than a pocket you rarely use.

Pockets and access

Avalanche tool pocket. A separate compartment for your shovel and probe, so you can reach them without unpacking. Check that it takes your shovel blade and your probe length.
Goggle pocket. A soft lining protects the lens from scratches.
Hip-belt pockets. Good for snacks, lip balm and a phone you want within reach.
Back-panel access. Lets you reach the bottom of the pack without emptying it.
Hydration sleeve and insulated hose. Water in tubes freezes in cold weather. Keep a reservoir against your back and blow water back out of the hose after you drink, or carry an insulated bottle.
Skin pocket. Keeps climbing skins from sticking to everything else.

Your avalanche beacon belongs on your body, not in a pack. Our avalanche safety kit guide explains how to carry the kit and why training comes first.

Resort, backcountry and airbag packs

Resort packs are light and simple. Backcountry packs add an avalanche tool pocket, more ways to carry skis and sturdier fabric. Airbag packs add an inflation system, which makes them heavier and more expensive. If you're considering one, read our airbag pack guide first. The pack still has to fit you well.

Weight and durability

Lighter fabrics save weight and tear sooner, while heavier ones hold up better against ski edges and rock. Most resort skiers do better with a sturdier pack, and tourers who count grams accept more care. Inspect the zippers, buckles and carry straps, which take the most strain.

Pack it well

Put the heaviest items against your back and centered between your shoulder blades so the pack doesn't pull you backward. Keep layers, snacks and gloves where you can reach them without taking the pack off. Stash a spare lens in the lined pocket, and dry the pack out at home after wet days.

When you have settled on the size, carry and pockets, compare ski and backcountry pack prices. If you are building a whole setup, our guides to ski helmets, goggles and poles cover the rest, and the touring ski guide covers the skis, bindings and skins that go with a touring pack.