Ski Touring - Daniel Ross
This is the comprehensive list of gear I take with me backcountry skiing.
Daniel Ross's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
Products in this list
- LINE Men's Vision 98 Skis by Sun & Ski Sports — The most playful backcountry skis ever. Incredibly versatile and easy to ski. They like a centered stance.
- WNDR Alpine Nocturne 88 Camber Skis 2024 by WNDR Alpine — The Tools. These are my ski mountaineering skis. I pull these out when the snow is hard and I REALLY want edge hold. Perfect volcano corn ski as well
- Intention 108 by WNDR Alpine — Soft Snow Hero. If I don't know what to expect, I grab these
- 2023 Line Vision 118 by SkiEssentials — The Boats! Deep pow days only. Mucho fun
- ATK Haute Route 10 Plus Binding by Skimo Co — I love to keep it simple with touring bindings. They keep you in when you want, are simple to operate, and release reliably. They also have a low lean angle, keeping your foot close to flat relative to the ski. I have these on my Vision 98s, and my Nocturne 88s.
- Raider 13 EVO Binding by ATK Bindings — I have these on my Intention 108. I opted for brakes because I do ride this setup in the resort. The heel has enough adjustability that I can use either of my boots with them. Brakes are annoying but the Evo system makes them as painless as possible.
- ATK HY 13 Free Alpine Touring Ski Bindings 2027 by ATK — I just mounted these to the Vision 118. They are the lightest hybrid binding on the market. I can only pair my Radical Pro boots with them.
- Blacklight Boot Men by Touring Skis Unisex — I upgraded to this boot for a bit more stiffness and power transfer compared to the TLTX. It still walks like a dream.
- GFT by ZipFit — I love this liner for my Radical Pros. Can charge, perfect heel retention, but walks decently well still.
- Radical Pro Alpine Touring Boot - 2026 by Dynafit — The charger. This is my stiff boot I bring out for resort days and hard charging days.
- Arc'teryx Men's Rush Bib Pants Orange XL by Arc'teryx — I love this hardshell bib. It is well thought out as a backcountry ski bib. I have beaten it to hell and back in the last four years and it's still holding strong. Very waterproof.
- Ritter Merino Ski Socks by Ridge Merino — Thin merino wool socks are the best ski socks. These feel best on my feet after a long day of touring and don't get that crunchiness after a lot of use.
- Men's Aspect Midweight Merino Wool Bottoms - 3/4 Length by Ridge Merino — They do the job very nicely
- Men's Windshifter Ultralight Wind Shell Jacket by Ridge Merino — This thing is so light there's no reason to leave it at home. Wind shells are the best layer option for the in-between conditions.
- Men's Solstice Lightweight Pullover Hoodie by Ridge Merino — Best choice of sun hoody for the Sierra. It's wool, so it keeps you warm and happy but breathes and protects from the sun when Juneuary comes along. I also like that it is burlier and can handle scraping on rocks.
- Pursuit by Smith Optics — I live in these in the winter. I hardly ever put goggles on because of these.
- Arc'teryx Men's Rush Jacket by Arc'teryx — Actually waterproof in a lightweight and packable package. I love this jacket
- Fält Guide Glove - 5 finger by Hestra — I like to take the liners out and use them as over gloves.
- Vapour-Rise™ Gloves by Rab — I've only used these gloves as my "liner" gloves for the past three years. They barely feel like they're on your hands but are surprisingly warm. Pair with a leather glove and you're golden.
- Khroma Tour GORE-TEX Gloves by Rab — These babes come out when it gets COLD. They still have plenty of dexterity and keep your hands actually dry
- Men's Neutrino Pro Down Jacket by Rab — Durable. Warm as hell. Packable. The go-to puffy
- Summit Mips® by Smith Optics — A perfect every day ski helmet that can handle ski mountaineering as well. It is legitimately big enough for my melon as well as a hat and beanie.
- Launcher REACTIV Photochromic Goggles by Julbo — It's 2026. Get you goggles that fit your face and are photochromatic. It's worth it.
- Aspect Merino Wool Beanie by Ridge Merino — The skull cap beanie is the only way. Cover those ears and fit underneath a helmet.
- Eastside Ripstop Snapback Hat by Ridge Merino — The flat brim works best integrated with the helmet and goggles. Pro tip: if you have a hat with a button, just take it off. I does not mess with the integrity of the hat.
- LF 40L by Raide Research — The most well thought out ski touring pack of all time.
- Free Pro R2C CF Climbing Skins by Pomoca — I have these skins for all my skis. They're the best option I have found so far.
- PRO IPS by AVALANCHE BEACONS — It was between the Mammut Barryvox S2 and this. I chose this because of its capability to see through signal interference.
- Alugator Light by Mammut — I was skeptical about the durability of a lightweight shovel and how efficiently it could move snow. I am pleasantly surprised on both fronts.
- Stealth 270 Probe by Backcountry Access — A good probe for the Sierras. You could get a longer one for deeper snowpacks.
- Alpine Dish Brush/Scraper by MSR — The most underrated tool in backcountry skiing.
- Bivy Double by Ortovox — I use this as my rescue sled. It is a bit heavy, but it is durable and works very well.
- Sierra Merino Wool Neck Tube by Ridge Merino — I'm always wearing a merino wool buff. It doesn't come off my head.
- Men's Dawn Patrol Hybrid Pants by Black Diamond — Softshell pants for spring skiing
- Choucas Harness by Blue Ice — Lightweight alpine harness. I love that the belay loop is not attached to the waistband so I can center the gear loops no matter how many jackets I'm wearing.
- Leopard LLF Crampon by Petzl — Super lightweight ski mountaineering crampons.
- ATK Ski Crampons by Skimo Co — Spring tools.
- C.A.M.P. Corsa Alpine Ice Axe Yellow 45 Cm by C.A.M.P. — The cheapest lightweight skimo axe I have found. The Blue Ice Hummingbird is lighter, but way more expensive.
- 5 Panel Mushroom Hat -Purple & Blue by McClumsy — Perfect mountain hat
- Rad Line 6mm Rope by Petzl — The most widely used rope for ski mountaineering and early season glacier travel
- Rocha Screw Lock Carabiner by Petzl — I love the tiny, light HMS carabiner.
- Alpine ATC-Guide Belay Device by Black Diamond — ATC for the skinny ropes. I use it with the rad line mostly.
- Men's Alpha Wool Insulated Jacket by Ridge Merino — Do you want cozy? Do you want breathable? Do you want to avoid microplastics on your skin? This mid-layer is the one you never want to take off. Actually though I love this thing. I live in it.