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Whether you’re a novice backcountry skier or an experienced splitboarder, one thing is the same: You need a ski backpack to carry your gear. Ski backpacks are an essential item in the backcountry because they carry critical safety gear like an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe, alongside necessities like water, snacks and extra layers.

“Ski backpacks need to be lightweight, weatherproof, easy to get in and out of, and simple, without many parts that can break,” says Fischer pro skier Brody Leven. “I like to store my helmet inside my backpack instead of having to deal with exterior carry systems, so I prefer top-loaded backpacks with one large pocket.”

Resort skiers are less reliant on backpacks, so there are fewer options specifically designed for those skiing from a chairlift. Still, it’s not uncommon to see folks catching a lift uphill with a small backpack on the seat next to them. While safety gear isn’t a concern, it sure is nice to sip water, munch on a snack or reapply sunscreen without having to make a trip to the lodge or your car in the parking lot.

I live outside Aspen, Colorado, where a good season means at least 50 days on snow. Like Leven, I also have strong opinions about my favorite ski backpacks and have tested plenty of them to know which I like and don’t like. To help guide you on your ski backpack journey, we rounded up our favorite ski backpacks, as recommended by various ski experts and my personal testing experience. Whether you’re carving on corduroy or schussing turns through thigh-deep powder, we promise there is a ski backpack for you on the list.

Best ski backpacks for backcountry skiing

If you’re the sort who wants to ski up the mountain and then ski down the mountain, the Khroma has your back — pun intended. Designed for backcountry explorers and even ski mountaineers, the Khroma surpasses its weight class with gear loops, an ice axe attachment and an easy-access pocket with neon-orange zipper to store your avalanche gear. If you’re bootpacking the bowl, you’ve got options: You can carry skis or a board in a diagonal or A-frame position.

The Snowdrifter is a slim-and-trim ski pack made from 100% recycled fabrics — which is just one of the reasons pro skier Caroline Gleich prefers it. “I love the back panel access for fast transitions,” she says. She also gives a nod to Patagonia’s environmental stance: “Patagonia’s ironclad guarantee and commitment to environmental nonprofits mean you have a product that you can trust to work as long as possible.”

The Dawn Patrol has been escorting skiers on their early-morning ski tours for years, and for good reason. The 25-liter size is a great choice for single-day endeavors where riders want a lightweight and compact backpack that gets the job done. It has the necessary features for backcountry safety — gear pocket, ice axe loop and a helmet carry — but it’s streamlined enough that you can easily bring the Dawn Patrol in-bounds for a day of lift-served skiing.?

If you’re an experienced backcountry skier or mountaineer looking to upgrade your ski backpack, take a tip from Leven with the Ultra 20. This streamlined pack is completely waterproof, so you’ll never need to worry about nuking snow. And thanks to a combination of woven polyester and Dyneema Composite Fabric (aka Cuben Fiber, one of the world’s strongest fibers), this pack is bombproof. “The Ultra 20 is simple, weatherproof, repairable for life and super durable,” says Leven. “It will stay in use and out of a landfill for a long time.”

Outdoor gear is hard on the planet with all its petroleum-derived synthetic materials, but Picture Organic is one of the most sustainable brands out there. Not only is this ski backpack 100% recycled polyester with recycled trims and PFC-free waterproofing but it comes with end-of-life upcycling instructions on how you can cut the pack into various future uses. Favorite feature: a protected skins pocket at the bottom that makes it super easy to stash your climbing skins and go.

Here’s the secret sauce behind the Peak 45: It’s delightfully spacious but surprisingly light, making this one of my favorite ski backpacks for backcountry hut trips. Like other packs, skis can be carried in both an A-frame or diagonally, and the wide shoulder straps and padded hip belt are lined with Swisswool to absorb sweat and dry quickly. My fave feature: A full-length side zip exposes the guts of the pack, so you’ll never have to dig around for your puffy.

When you’re a pro big-mountain skier like Rachael Burks, you need gear that makes your life easier — even if you can’t pronounce it. The Snoskiwoski is Burks’ ski backpack of choice, thanks to its simple and efficient design. “Every zipper has a purpose, and there are no pockets that leave you wondering what they’re for,” says Burks. “I can put enough stuff in there to be out on the glacier for 12-plus hours, yet it’s light and low-profile enough that I still use it for casual evening tours.”

Expert backcountry skiers, take note: Deuter launched a new avalanche backpack, and it’s one of the lightest in its class. Avalanche backpacks are designed for skiers caught in slides; they can deploy the airbag so it (hopefully) pulls them to the surface. Instead of the traditional CO2 cartridge to inflate the airbag, however, the new Alproof Tour 36+5 SL (or Alproof Tour 38+5 for men) is electrically powered with a USB port and two AA lithium batteries. Not only does that mean the Alproof travels better (CO2 cartridges aren’t allowed on airplanes but batteries are) but it can handle multiple deployments. Bonus: Ditch the airbag and it still makes a great ski backpack for an in-bounds uphill tour.

Best ski backpacks for resort skiing

If you have zero intention of going into the backcountry and want to spend your free time earning those sweet, lift-served laps, grab the Powderhound 12 and let ’er rip. This resort-specific backpack is small enough that you can sit on a chairlift without removing it but still has plenty of space for water, sunscreen and an extra layer or two. If you really need to hustle up a quick bootpack, the Powderhound still has the straps to tuck your skis into an A-frame carry.

If you’re a dedicated resort skier who cares more about bonus laps than apres, the D-Route is the 17-liter pack for you. Designed for lift-served skiers who occasionally venture beyond the gates, the D-Route is slim enough to squish onto a chairlift but super durable, thanks to 840-denier nylon coated in carbonate. End result: This ski pack will outlast any of your ski edges. (I occasionally use it for hiking because the burly coating sheds dirt debris too.) Access is through the top of the pack, but a side zipper opens up the interior for slope-side rummaging.

Similar to the Powderhound, the Osprey Glade is a smaller, streamlined pack specifically designed for in-bounds skiing. The low profile helps the pack easily swing on over puffy ski clothes but still isn’t cumbersome on a chairlift. Lift-served skiers don’t require a ton of features on their ski backpacks, but the Glade does have a nice goggle pocket — great for stashing extra lenses — and just enough space to fit an extra layer, snacks and water in the included 2.5-liter reservoir.

We consider the SnoBlast to be a crossover pack: With an included 2-liter bladder, you can use it in the backcountry for short tours, but it truly shines at the resorts. Thanks to quick-release loops on each shoulder strap, it’s super easy to loosen the straps and swing the pack around when it’s time to hop on a chairlift. And the whole backpack is constructed with CamelBak’s “Snow Shield,” a type of material that easily sheds snow so you can slay thigh-high powder without your extra layers soaking through.

It’s one of the most affordable ski packs in this guide, but the Dakine Heli isn’t light on features. Though it was designed for minimalists venturing into the backcountry, we think the Heli is a great choice for resort skiers who want to carry the essentials without all the extra straps, loops and pockets. It comes with a fleece-lined goggle pocket to stash your extra lenses, and the low-profile design makes it easy to accommodate on the chairlift.

BCA is known for its avalanche packs and backcountry radios, but we think the Stash 20 makes a great resort pack — especially if you occasionally dip into the backcountry. This low-profile pack has all the features you need, including carry options for skis and snowboards as well as goggle pockets and an insulated hydration sleeve to keep your bladder tube from freezing. While it may be a bit overkill for a single day at a resort, the Stash is a versatile pick for skiers looking inside — and outside — the gates.

The Verte 12 is little but mighty. Designed for resort skiers, we love the thoughtfully placed pockets that are easily accessible while on a chairlift: Just remove one strap and slide the pack to your side. Gregory also used a stretchy hip belt that moves with your body rather than awkwardly digging into your midsection, making it easier to focus on what matters: powder days.