mg3DSJ, like a lot of folks these days, has joined the growing trend and decided to get more adventurous with our skiing this season.  Unless you’ve been living in a tree well for the last five years, you’re no doubt aware of the exploding popularity of backcountry skiing.  But how many of us are actually able to commit the time, the money for special equipment, and the safety training to do it properly?

There is a compromise available, however, in the form of inbounds “hike-to” or “side-country” terrain that is being embraced by many big western resorts and requires none of the commitments above, but only a good set of thighs and a sense of adventure.

I’m excited about the idea of earning my turns, and wherever, and whenever, I get the chance to take on any hike-to terrain, I have resolved to maximize it.  But, what I don’t have is a pack to carry my skis.  Actually I do, but I won’t use it because I hate wearing a pack for resort skiing!  It’s extra weight, a hassle on the lift, and everything I normally carry fits easily into my pockets.  As a matter of fact, in the past I just carried the skis over my shoulder.  This leaves your poles as extra baggage rather than tools for optimum efficiency and balance, and just basically sucks.

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So that’s when DSJ did some googling and found some pocket sized ski carriers.  We all know about ski carrier straps, and although some are perfectly functional for off piste use, they are almost all marketed mainly to beginners carrying their skis to and from the parking lot.  We believe there is a whole new market for these among expert skiers heading off piste.

Our criteria was pretty straight forward:

1. Simple and quick to use on wide skis

2. Comfortable to wear straight or diagonally across the back with no poles.

3. Folded easily to a compact pocket size

Fortunately, price isn’t really a factor, since all the carriers are quite inexpensive at around $20 or less.

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Bowtie folded

DSJ tested two types at Jackson Hole.  One was the Bowtie Ski Carrier, a traditional single strap tote, and the other, the Mountain Goat Ski Tote, designed as a two strap backpack style carry.  Both are small enough to keep in your pocket, forget about, but always be available for an off piste foray. 

As a note, some “hike-to” boot pack trails are like a sidewalk.  The Headwall and Crags boot packs at Jackson were definitely not.  Steep, deep, soft, and uneven.  One of our party that shouldered his skis, gave up halfway after endless post-holing.  Without the use of poles for balance and climb assist, he was miserable.

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Bowtie (front)

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Bowtie (back)

The Bowtie Ski Carrier, as mentioned above, is your basic single strap ski tote.  Unlike some, however, it does extend to a length allowing the skis to be carried diagonally over the shoulder and across the back.  The single strap design lends itself to simplicity and the diagonal carry was comfortable due to the ski brakes hanging off the back just below the waist. 

We found attaching the velcro straps above the toe piece and below the heel piece to be the best for comfort and balance.  The strap can be easily adjusted once it’s on.  To remove the carrier, loosen the strap, reach down and grab the tails of the skis and pull up till the strap is loose enough to be pulled off over the head.

Bowtie has several different models, but we found the basic 2” Magnum model to fit the bill just fine with velcro attachments that are long enough for the widest skis. 

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Mountain Goat

The Mountain Goat Ski Tote, is fairly unique in that it is actually designed and marketed toward side-country applications as an alternative to wearing a pack.  While it is minimal and compact, it is a burly design and should stand up to continued usage for years.  With two straps, it’s slightly more complicated to attach and get on, but the payoff is a nice secure and balanced load. 

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Mountain Goat layout

Unlike the photo on the left, we found the optimum method of attachment to be below both the toe and heal pieces.  Keep the shoulder straps loose for ease of entry, then cinch down till the skis ride high enough to be supported by the bottom attachment.  Removal is easy, just loosen the straps and let them fall off the shoulder.

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Mountain Goat folded

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Both carriers easily met our requirements and we would recommend either of them depending upon your personal tastes.  Please visit their web sites for more details and order a pocket carrier so you’ll always be prepared to earn your turns and grab some fresh lines without ever shouldering your skis again!