10 Best Ski Backpacks in 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

Skiing and snowboarding are some of the most exciting alpine activities you’ll ever be doing in your life. There is something irresistible about the adrenaline rush and the ability to slide in the snow. Nonetheless, as your skill level rises, odds are you’ll start to carry more equipment and spend more time on the mountain. If you do some split boarding on the backcountry, in many cases a backpack is the greatest link to safety.

Here at Backpack Beasts, we would like to help you narrow your choices when choosing the best ski backpacks. We’ll break down the features you need to consider, clarify why those features are important — based on the style of skiing you’re going to do — and review a selection of ski backpacks to help you choose the right one for you.

In a Hurry? The test winners after 11 hrs of research

Best Ski Backpacks – Overview

Have you ever wondered when you were skiing how you would hold your gear? You may just need a place to store an extra pair of gloves, ski boots, snacks, and a heavy hat, or you may need a way to store a backcountry travel avalanche airbag system. Having the best ski backpack can make a difference for every type of ski trip, whether it’s a day in the chutes, a backcountry adventure, or a day at the resort. Below are our best ski backpack choices, including day and resort skiing options, ski mountaineering missions, and airbag fitted ones.

Ski Backpacks Reviews

1. Dakine Heli Pro Backpack – Best Value

The iconic Dakine Heli Pro Backpack is all the pack you need for long days on the mountain whether you’re headed out of the gates or on the resort. The 20L (1,200 cubic inch) pack accommodates skis in either a diagonal or A-frame configuration, while snowboards attach vertically. It has a main compartment with a zip closure as well as a non-padded sleeve that fits up to a 15″ laptop.

Essential internal features that are welcome on or off the snow include a hydration sleeve, a fleece-lined goggle/sunglass pocket, plus an organized front compartment. The Heli Pro benefits from years of continual upgrades resulting in a clean design that easily meets all your expectations.

Key Features:

• Made with 600D Polyester
• Diagonal / A-frame ski carry
• Front pocket with organizer panel
• Side compression straps
• Adjustable shoulder straps

Specifications:

• Brand: Dakine
• Capacity: 20L
• Dimensions: 20.5″ H x 10.5″ W x 5″ D
• Weight: 1.63 lbs

2. Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Backpack

The Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Backpack is a medium-sized pack for day trips to the ski mountaineering summits and backcountry snow. A sleek design with minimal weight and simple outdoor gear storage as well as a wide zippered opening to the main compartment, the Dawn Patrol 25 can take your skis up and let you carve back down with all of your stuff without getting in the way of needless belts and pockets.

Lightweight yet capable of carrying skis in A-frame or diagonal configuration, this allows you to carry essentials up and down the mountain. Compatible with both AvaLungs and hydration devices, you can wear the Dawn Patrol as an inbound day pack or outfit it for daytime, backcountry ready.

Key Features:

• Made with Dynex, 840D nylon
• Active, form-fitting suspension with zippered backpanel access
• High-tenacity, ultralight Dynex side panels, and shoulder straps
• Tuck-away diagonal ski carry and A-frame carry
• Hydration compatible with insulated sleeve and shoulder strap

Specifications:

• Brand: Black Diamond
• Capacity: 25L
• Dimensions: 22″ H x 13″ W x 3″ D
• Weight: 2.31 lbs

3. SALOMON Qst 30 Ski Backpack

The SALOMON Qst 30 Ski Backpack is an excellent option for anyone who wants to carry a lot of gear on their forays into the backcountry, the 30L size can swallow up everything you need for the day with ease and thanks to double zips running right around the main compartment you can easily access it.

Meanwhile, the avalanche safety gear is also instantly accessible, which is stored in a zipped pocket outside the pack. The main compartment has additional storage space in the form of two internal side pockets, a zipped safety pocket and a hydration sleeve for 2L. There is even more storage space on top of the pack in a fleece-lined zipped pocket and a small zipped pocket on the hip belt.

Key Features:

• U-zipped top opening
• Adjustable sternum strap
• Load lifter straps
• Bladder compartment with hanging system
• Helmet carrier

Specifications:

• Brand: Salomon
• Capacity: 30L
• Dimensions: 20.4″ H x 11.8″ W x 11″ D
• Weight: 2.73 lbs

4. Osprey Packs Kamber 42 Men’s Ski Pack – Premium Pick

The Osprey Packs Kamber 42 Men’s Ski Pack is ideal for both snowboarders and skiers alike. With a J-zip access panel on the front of the pack with glove-friendly zipper pulls, you can get to your probe and shovel easily. The Kamber 42 accommodates nearly every ski and snowboard carry option including; vertical, A-frame, diagonal and horizontal/vertical snowboard carry with reinforced contact points.

Under the dual-compartment and removable top lid, you’ll find a rope compression strap. Even when loaded with up to 40lbs the LightWire suspension, padded hipbelt and contoured shoulder straps provide a comfortable carry. The top pocket is removable for shorter excursions and includes a goggle pocket and helmet carry. An under-lid rope carry system and zippered pocket keep mountaineering gear secure and organized.

Key Features:

• Avalanche safety kit pocket
• Diagonal ski carry
• Internal hydration sleeve
• Stowable helmet carry
• Hipbelt pockets

Specifications:

• Brand: Osprey
• Capacity: 42L
• Dimensions: 27″ H x 12″ W x 12″ D
• Weight: 4.12 lbs

5. Deuter Freerider Pro 30 Ski Backpack

The Deuter Freerider Pro 30 Ski Backpack blends a comfortable fit with plenty of terrain-specific options for chasing powder on skis, board, or snowshoes in the backcountry. This pack includes a removable seating mat for giving you a dry seat when you’re in the backcountry, and a built-in wet pocket stashes soggy clothing after the sun has made an appearance. A shovel pocket with a different probe sleeve helps you to quickly access your shovel for checking snow stability or dig out a pit stop.

There are several options for lashing down your preferred snow travel method, whether it be a board, skis, or snowshoes. The complete back-entry zipper helps you to get inside your pack without having to remove your stuff from the front, and versatility with hydration gives you the option to bring a water bladder for quick drinking.

Key Features:

• Full back-entry hemispherical zipper
• Removable pivoting hip belt
• Large front shovel compartment w/ handle sleeve
• Fleece-lined goggle top pocket
• Detachable full-face helmet holder

Specifications:

• Brand: Deuter
• Capacity: 30L
• Dimensions: 22″ H x 12″ W x 7″ D
• Weight: 3.93 lbs

6. Ortovox Tour Rider 30L Ski Backpack

Call in sick and spend your day off work riding in the backcountry with everything you need to stash in the Ortovox Tour Rider 30L Ski Backpack. This versatile pack can carry skis, snowboards, split boards, ice axes, ski poles, and helmets externally to leave plenty of room for layers, snacks, skins, goggles, gloves, and more internally. Front and rear access points grant access to gear, even with skis attached to the pack. 

The Tour Rider also features a separate compartment designed specifically for avalanche safety gear like a probe and shovel, and the helmet net stows away during the descent. Zippered pockets at the top and hip hold smaller accessories like goggles, energy gels, sunscreen, or a topo map. Ortovox made the Tour Rider compatible with hydration reservoirs by adding a dedicated reservoir sleeve and tube port.

Key Features:

• Chest strap with signal whistle
• Hydration system compatible
• Compression straps
• Access to the main compartment can be done via the front or back of the pack
• Snowboard and snowshoe compartment

Specifications:

• Brand: Ortovox
• Capacity: 30L
• Dimensions: 24.8″ H x 12.2″ W x 6.3″ D
• Weight: 1.96 lbs

7. Backcountry Access BCA Float 2.0 Avalanche Backpack

The Backcountry Access BCA Float 2.0 Avalanche Backpack is the largest of Backcountry Access’ avalanche airbag line, designed to give for longer missions in the backcountry. Despite the bigger overall size, the included Float 2.0 airbag system is 15% lighter than the previous model and about 30% smaller, meaning you can fit more gear in the pack, and features an ergonomic trigger mount so you can feel confident deploying the airbag in an emergency, no matter if you’re left or right-handed.

All the Float 2.0 system elements sit entirely separate behind a zippered covering, freeing up valuable space in the main compartment for gear, first-aid kit, and supplies. The Float 42™ 150-liter airbag not only creates buoyancy and decreases your burial depth but also protects your head and neck from trauma in an avalanche.

Key Features:

• Ergonomic trigger mounts on left or right for convenience
• Separate avalanche compartment eases access to shovel and probe
• Ski and snowboard carry for traveling up couloirs or steep ridges
• Support frame and molded back panel evenly distributes weight for all-day comfort

Specifications:

• Brand: Backcountry Access
• Capacity: 42L
• Dimensions: 21.6″ H x 13″ W x 9.1″ D
• Weight: 4.4 lbs

8. Thule Upslope Snowsports Ski Backpack

A lot of thought has gone into the Thule Upslope Snowsports Ski Backpack, and it’s also solidly built so it will handle all the bumps of backcountry skiing in its move. The outer avalanche safety gear compartment of the pack has dedicated covers for the probe and shovel handle to hold the tools separated from the dry gear in the main compartment, this is generously sized and everything in it can be easily accessed via the backpanel. You have to unfasten a few clips on the straps of the shoulder and unzip it to do so.

There are flexible ski or board carrying options, including A-frame or diagonal ski carriers, and horizontal or vertical snowboard carriers, with a bottom loop that easily adjusts to varying widths of skis and boards and stores to avoid snagging when you’re on the move.

Key Features:

• Airbag ready pack can be used with or without the Mammut Removable Airbag 3.0 system
• Dedicated snow tool storage
• Insulated hydration sleeve
• Backpanel entry

Specifications:

• Brand: Thule
• Capacity: 35L
• Dimensions: 21.3″ H x 16.1″ W x 12.2″ D
• Weight: 3.52 lbs

9. Dakine Mission Backpack

Rugged and sporty, your active lifestyle is sure to keep up with this Dakine Mission Backpack. This 15-inch laptop backpack, loaded with several pockets and compartments, a fleece-lined iPad sleeve and sunglasses pocket, and an organizer pocket for your pens, keys, and earphones, is designed to hold it all.

You can even use the vertical board to hold belts to clip on your favorite snowboard or skiboard. This ski bag is an absolute must-have for daily use and mountain missions. A belt strap keeps your pack in place when you’re moving, something you absolutely want on a pack that’s going to be seeing any action. The sternum strap also assists with load distribution on your back.

Key Features:

• Dedicated laptop sleeve 
• Fleece-lined sunglass/goggle pocket
• Vertical board carry straps 
• Stowable waist belt 

Specifications:

• Brand: Dakine
• Capacity: 25L
• Dimensions: 20″ H x 14″ W x 9″ D
• Weight: 1 lbs

10. CamelBak SnoBlast Ski Hydration Pack

When you’re on the mountain, the last thing you want to do is waste time fumbling through a pack looking for the one piece of gear that fell to the bottom—especially when you’re wearing gloves. The CamelBak SnoBlast Ski Hydration Pack tri-zip design lets you choose between opening the top of the pack or unzipping it down the side to instantly access all of your gear.

This versatile, compact pack is perfect for carrying your lunch, shed layers, helmet and 2 liters of hydration for a full day on the slopes. Unzip the side panels, and the SnoBlast expands to offer an extra 6 liters of storage for additional gear. When you really want to load up, the external attachment points let you carry a helmet and snowshoes on the outside of the pack. The Therminator harness also keeps your insulated drinking tube zipped securely into the shoulder strap, which keeps it from freezing in cold weather.

Key Features:

• Tri-zip access makes it easy to reveal the entire contents of your pack
• Expansion panel adds 6 liters of additional storage capacity when needed
• Helmet carry attachment points
• Snowboard and snowshoe carry
• Four point compression

Specifications:

• Brand: CamelBak
• Capacity: 21L
• Dimensions: 19.1″ H x 9.4″ W x 2.8″ D
• Weight: 1.65 lbs

Buying Guide

Capacity

Gear capacity is a perfect way to narrow down your options when choosing the best ski backpack. In most situations, it goes hand in hand with the sort of skiing you’re going to be doing. There are three main groups that could come under your gear capacity. Large (35-55L) – Due to their abundance of space, these ski backpacks are often used for overnight hut excursions. It will be heavier but will also come with more features and space. Medium (20-35L) – Ski backpacks with a medium gear capacity are ideal for backcountry one-day skiing. Small (20L or less) – These small ski backpacks are perfect for side country trips served by chairlifts, helicopters or snowcats.

Hydration System

Dehydration is one of the most dangerous stuff skiers face. In reality, Dr. John Seifert, a researcher, estimated that a total of twelve ounces of water or sports drink should be consumed while skiing every hour. The ski backpacks offer three different hydration system options. The hydration system for the ski backpack can include the reservoir/bladder, or it may be compatible with a reservoir/bladder. Alternatively, some ski backpacks have insulated sleeves to keep the tubing from freezing the snow. Not all ski backpacks have a hydration system in them.

Airbags

Airbag packs are either fitted with an airbag operated by gas or fan. By default, these packs are heavy and have limited capacity, so for most ski mountaineers, they are not the first option. Airbag systems are however widely used in activities such as heli-skiing, cat-skiing, lift-served backcountry skiing or day-touring. The most recent invention in the field of airbags is the use of a supercapacitor to power a fan which continuously inflates the airbag once deployed. There’s also a system called AvaLung, which basically allows a skier trapped in an avalanche to breathe residual air from within their clothes pockets.

Weight

Ski backpacks range from lightweight 2-pound models to heavy airbag-equipped bags. A lightweight pack— along with lightweight gear both inside and underfoot — should be a top priority for those who are focused on moving quickly on the skin track or who don’t want to get weighed down on the descent. Expect a big bump in weight if you want added carrying comfort or an airbag system. Finally, you should remember that the weight of a pack is generally correlated to its level of support: the lighter the pack, the less padding, and suspension it offers.

Comfort

Several aspects contribute to the overall comfort of a pack, including the shape and size, the suspension beefiness, and the amount of flexibility provided by the bag. A pack that is streamlined and sits near the back (look for lower capacity, minimalist suspension, and compression straps) will perform better than a pack with a beefy suspension system that separates the load from the body. On the other hand, when weighted down on the skin track with 40+ liters of equipment, you’ll be glad to have a sturdy back panel, shoulder straps, hipbelt, and features such as load lifts that help you to fit the pack.

Compression Straps

The load on your pack will generally change over the course of a ski day as you switch layers and transition. To compensate for this, most ski packs are built along the sides with compression straps to help you to snug off a partially full load so that it fits tight to your back and doesn’t feel too loose. These straps are also particularly useful when streamlining large-capacity bags.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is RECCO and how do they work?

If you’ve read of reflectors from avalanche beacons, they’re often just called RECCO reflectors. By putting small reflective panels on backpacks, coats, gloves, and other clothing, this system works. These tiny reflectors do a fine job of reflecting quest signals backward. When you search buried casualties, time is certainly the key. Unfortunately, current avy search systems have several disadvantages but the RECCO reflectors fix a few problems. They will enhance signals that are sent out looking for you by using these little passive reflectors on their gear. This ensures that by utilizing RECCO systems on your vehicles, you will be located quicker and away from more distances.

What is the difference between Avalung and avalanche airbag?

Backpack airbags help shield the neck and head from injuries while jostled about in an avalanche. They even help hold you close to the top of the slide so you don’t bury yourself deeper than if you didn’t have one. Avalungs presumes you have been buried already. You pull the Avalung bite valve into your mouth as you’re scooped up in the fall. When you’re buried, you breathe in it as it redirects the CO2 from your body to another place such that you’ll have enough oxygen to breathe more than you would otherwise. Utilizing both will be by far the strongest choice for pure survival.

Conclusion

We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best ski backpacks as well as our guide on features to look for in a ski backpack. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.