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The best end to a ski day? A hot beverage and your hut booties (don't forget your hut booties).

Ski touring checklist

Want to shift from lift lines to backcountry lines? Thinking about a winter hut trip? Use this list to bring what you need without getting too weighed down to float some turns while you’re out there.

Things to note: daylight hours in the winter are scarce, so good lighting and spare batteries are essential (lithium works best in the cold). Bring lots of calories to help keep yourself warm. And if you’re out in the spring, be aware that sun reflecting off snow can be super-intense and can burn the underside of your chin and the bottom of your nose if you forget to put some sunscreen there.

Avalanche training skills

The most critical thing to have in your winter backcountry quiver is knowledge about the conditions and the skills to assess the terrain around you. Learn avalanche training skills from Avalanche Canada or Avalanche Quebec before you hit the backcountry.

Snow gear

Depending on conditions, in glaciated and crevassed terrain, you may also want to bring a lightweight harness, rope, an ice axe and a crevasse rescue setup.

Safety essentials

Winter clothing

If you’re not sure what to bring, learn about how to create a clothing layer system to move moisture, insulate and offer protection from the elements.

Personal items

For winter camping, check out the equipment found in our winter camping checklist, and remember additional cold-weather gear like:

Be safe, and have a great trip!