​What Ingrid Backstrom Takes Into the Backcountry - The Packing List

Photo courtesy of Ingrid Backstrom. 

Ingrid Backstrom, one of the most successful skiers of all time, has spent years styling out the cliffs of Squaw, and ski mountaineering across the world. Now, she’s moved back to her home range, Washington’s North Cascades, where, this winter she’s exploring with a new baby in tow.

She’s still figuring out what that looks like, but she knows she’ll be hosting backcountry S.A.F.E.A.S clinics, and getting out into the backcountry herself. “Certain trips don’t seem as desirable these days,” she says. “I don’t need to go across Siberia this winter. I’m thinking it’ll be more like some straightforward road trips, where I get a lot of skiing but can still hang out with the family.” Here are her gear essentials for getting out in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

#1) The Marker Kingpin Binding

Ingrid says she’s a big fan of Marker’s Kingpin touring binding, which was released last year. “It opens up a whole new world of trust in having a binding that goes uphill and downhill for me,” she says. “I have been skiing on it a bunch, I had Marker Dukes and Tours before, but the Kingpin is so light and awesome and really bomber for the downhill. It consolidates all that gear into one piece: it’s easy to go uphill, but I can also hit airs. “

#2) Volkl V-Werks BMT 122 Ski

For long tours in the kind of coastal snow that can be heavy and light, Ingrid favors the fully-rockered Volkl V-Werks BMT 122, which, despite its chunky waist, she says is really maneuverable and really light. "The ski is much burlier than the weight of it,” she says. “And because of the construction and the carbon fiber, it skis really quick and nimble with that Volkl dampness.”

#3) Giro Range Mips Helmet

Ingrid says wearing a helmet gives her peace of mind and the Giro Range, which comes with MIPS, Multi-Directional Impact Protection System, is the most comfortable one she’s found.“It has a crazy fit system it’s like ‘jooop,' you turn the dial and it’s perfect. “ she says. “ In previous helmets I’ve had it’s felt like it tightened in only one direction. This one is also pretty low profile, so I forget that I’m wearing a helmet .”

#4) The North Face Brigandine Jacket and Pants

The Northwest, especially early season, can come with challenging, variable weather. Think snow one second and rain the next. Ingrid says that the North Face’s Brigandine kit, which is waterproof, breathable, durable, and stretchy, is perfect for Washington skiing. "It’s light and packable, but it also keeps you dry and moving well,” she says.

#5) PB sandos and cold brew coffee to go

Ingrid says that, on the hill, she’s a peanut butter sandwich person. “Some people take energy GUs, I take Justin’s peanut butter packets,” she says. If you want to go full Ingrid sandwich mode, you can find her favorites bread recipe here. For long rides to the mountains, or family road trips, she says she grabs a can of Highball cold brew coffee, which is fair trade and organic.

#6) The North Face Snomad Pack

“I’ve been using this pretty cool pack that The North Face is doing,” she says. “It’s the ideal pack: it has a dedicated compartment for avi gear, a helmet carrier that keeps it so it doesn’t have snow in it. It has good ski carry and tool loops, a phone pocket on your hip, and a goggle pocket lined with fleece. It’s pretty much the perfect pack.” The minimal 34-liter pack also has Modular ABS routing tunnels, and an easy to open back panel, so you can always get into your stuff.

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stash member Heather Hansman

Writer, editor, leftie, early riser, semi-occasional telemarker. heatherhansman.com.