Backcountry Ski & Avalanche Safety Gear List

This gear list covers what to bring for guided backcountry skiing, splitboarding, and avalanche education courses with The Mountain Guides — including AIARE Level 1 and Level 2 courses, backcountry ski tours, and multi-day hut trips across the Tetons, Wasatch, and Beartooths. Our AMGA-certified guides supply group safety equipment, but every participant needs personal layering, ski/splitboard touring setup, and avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, probe). Rentals are available for most items — check with the office before your trip.

Be prepared to be out moving around in cold temperatures. Wear clothing made out of synthetic materials or natural products such as wool or down. Cotton products are not acceptable. Clothing should be able to layer without encumbering your movement. If choosing down it must be kept dry.

Dive into our go-to gear picks below — handpicked by our guides in collaboration with our partners at Black Diamond.

Upper Layers

Long Sleeve Mid-weight Wool or Synthetic Long Underwear Top: Men's Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody, Women's Coefficient LT Hybrid Hoody

Mid-weight Insulated Jacket: Men's Solution 2.0 Hoody, Women's Solution 2.0 Hoody

Shell Jacket with Hood: Men's Recon LT Stretch Shell, Women's Recon LT Stretch Shell

Puffy Jacket – Hood Recommended: Men's Mission Down 4000M, Women's Mission Down 4000M

Bottom Layers

Synthetic or Wool Long Underwear Bottoms: Men's Coefficient LT Pants, Women's Coefficient LT Pants

Shell Pant: Men's Recon LT Stretch Pants, Women's Recon LT Stretch Pants

Socks – Synthetic or wool. Sized for your boots and blister protection.

Head & Hands

Sun Hat: 5-Panel Synthetic Cap

Medium-Weight Warm Hat: Active Beanie

Buff or Neck Gaiter: BD Neck Gaiter

Gloves: BRING THREE PAIRS — one lightweight, one mid-weight, one heavy-weight – Tour LT Gloves, Tour Pro Gloves, Guide Gloves

Accessories

Backpack – 30-40 L Avalanche Pack: Cirque 35 Pack, JetForce Pro 35L Avalanche Airbag Pack

Sunglasses/Sunglasses Case

Ski Goggles

Extra Prescription Glasses/Contact Lens

Sunscreen: 35+SPF

Lip Balm: with SPF

Headlamp – with fresh batteries: Cosmo 350 R Rechargeable

First Aid (minimal): blister care, personal medicine. Guides will carry a large first-aid kit.

Water & Food: Thermos or insulated water bottles are best

Trail lunch consists of snacks throughout the day. Aim for a variety of items including sweet, salty, fat, and proteins

Examples: beef jerky, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, bars, candy, PB&J, etc.

Find a balance between high-calorie foods and space/weight in your pack

Drink mixes with electrolytes

Ski/Snowboard Equipment for the Backcountry (Packages Available for Rent)

Boots – Alpine Touring, Telemark, or Snowboarding Boots

Skis or Splitboard with compatible binding for boots: Helio Carbon 102 Skis, Fritschi Xenic 10 Bindings

Climbing Skins (fit to skis or splitboard): Ascension Nylon Climbing Skins, Ascension Splitboard

Ski Poles: Razor Carbon Pro

Helmet (optional)

Ski Crampons (for spring and technical trips; ask your guide if you'll need them for your trip).

Snow Safety Equipment (Required and Available for Rent at JHMG)

Transceiver

Shovel: Transfer LT Shovel

Probe: Quickdraw Pro Probe 280