Ready for skimo – your packing list for your next ski tour 

1/ Ski: my favorite is the Dynafit Blacklight 88 with the perfectly matched Blacklight binding. The ski is light but stable enough for athletic descents on all kinds of terrain.

2/ Poles: Light ski poles – for instance, carbon fiber poles - are really important. Telescopic poles offer greater comfort than fixed length poles, but fixed poles have more direct power transfer.

3/ Boot: The new TLT X is extremely light and is therefore perfect for ascents. Despite the low weight, it offers excellent performance on descents in all snow conditions.

4/ Backpack: My current favorite is the Dynafit Speed 25+3. It is large enough for day tours and the separate safety gear compartment and ski attachment points can be accessed without taking the pack off. Additionally, the bottle holder and energy bar pocket on the harness are really practical.

5/ Ski crampons: I always have these in my pack, particularly in spring.

6/ GPS watch: I use a watch with a barometric altimeter and a long-lasting battery so I can navigate reliably on multi-day tour.

7/ Skins: My first choice is the Dynafit Speedskin. It’s essential to have skins with good glide characteristics, so you can maintain your pace even on flatter stretches.

If needed: crampons and ice axe.

1/ Midlayer: My preference here is also a quick-drying material that insulates well, such as the Speed Polartec Hoodie.

2/ Base layer: For me, the perfect base layer is a quick-drying material that still provides warmth when damp, like the Dryarn fabric.

3/ Hardshell jacket: The TLT GORE-TEX® Jacket offers rugged protection against wind and snow, yet – for a hardshell jacket – provides really good freedom of movement. This makes it an ideal ski touring jacket, and one which I wear all day on cold or windy days.

4/ Down jacket: A good down jacket that will pack down small is almost always worth adding to your backpack. In many cases, it provides your safety margin of error. In very cold temperatures I wear mine under my hardshell jacket. 

5/ Ski touring pants: The TLT Dynastretch Pants are perfect both for cold and for somewhat warmer days. In particular, the exceptional freedom of movement and the warmth/moisture management characteristics make them my go-to touring pants. On really warm days, I use a slightly thinner pant, and in extremely cold conditions the TLT Dynastretch combines well with a base layer underneath.

6 & 8/ Hat & Headband: Depending on how temperature sensitive you are, covering your head almost always makes sense. I always wear a hat or headband underneath my helmet on descents to prevent my head from getting cold.

7/ Neck gaiter: In colder conditions, a neck gaiter can be quickly pulled up to provide warmth, without needing to stop.

9/ Gloves: For most ascents, the DNA Gloves are my first choice. To keep my hands warm on descents and as a safety measure I like to carry along a pair of warmer gloves.

10/ Socks: Close-fitting compression socks are essential to prevent the sock from slipping. Additionally, good moisture management is critical, especially in spring.

11/ Sunglasses & Glacier glasses: On climbs I almost always wear sunglasses – even on cloudy days, sunlight reflects back off of the snow into your eyes.

1 & 7/ Helmet & goggles: The TLT helmet offers maximum protection at a minimal weight and is the perfect choice for ski touring. On descents, I use the ultralight Speed Goggles.

2/ Headlamp: On almost every ski tour I have a headlamp stowed in my pack.

3/ Smartphone: For navigation and for making calls in the event of an emergency, a smartphone is indispensable on a ski tour.

4/ Probe: Carbon fiber or aluminum probes with a length of at least 240cm are ideal.

5 & 6/ Shovel: A strong, lightweight aluminum shovel is a must-have. All modern shovels can be disassembled and easily stowed in a backpack.

8/ Avalanche transceiver: I use a modern three- antenna transceiver, one that is as light as possible. It is essential to check the batteries before use and to change them frequently. When the transceiver is not being used, the batteries should be removed, especially in summer.

1/ Bivy bag: In case of an accident, a bivy bag can prevent the onset of hypothermia.

2/ First aid kit: in emergencies, carrying band-aids, certain medications and blister bandages can be extremely helpful.

3/ Mini repair set

4/ Knife

5/ Gels: For a quick burst of easily metabolized energy, I usually keep gels in my backpack.

6/ Energy bars: Depending on your taste, energy bars, nuts or dried fruit make great ski touring snacks.

7/ Hot drink: In winter, I prefer a hot drink that stays warm inside an insulated bottle. Pro tip: if you carry a lightweight insulated plastic drinking bottle, wait until the trailhead to decant your hot drink from a vacuum flask – this will keep the drink warm until you reach the summit.

8/ Sunscreen & lip balm: I make a point of protecting my lips from the sun whatever the season. In spring, sunscreen is essential.