Backpack - yes or no

[FallenFigs]

How much of a pain is skiing with a backpack/Camelbak? DH usually boards with it but am going solo this time.

Need water, probs layers, hat for lunch, sun cream. And if you don’t take a backpack, where does all the stuff go??

Pockets but i don't take anything but a tiny water bottle, mini sun cream and lip balm

I have a smallish dakine one for exactly what you’ve said in your op.

it’s very handy and no bother at all.

I'd say yes. Just means you can take what you need without hassle.

Pockets and I leave a rucksack with my snow boots with things we need at lunch (water etc) which is less hassle than going back to chalet. A lot of people just ski with a rucksack though

I have it all in my pockets, usually the big inner pockets for hat etc. Get a flexible, thin plastic bottle. Or if a backpack I would get a proper ski one with a low profile, I have a dakine one which is great if we’re out with the kids and need more gear.

I have one of the small ones from Decathlon. Water, sun cream, bank cards, lip balm, extra balaclava in case it’s windy.

Teeny tiny Dakine pack for me too. Dislike having my pockets crammed out with snacks and sunglasses and headband.

Someone will be along soon to point out how we are dicing with death on chairlifts but so long as it's not a big pack I don't see the trouble.

No issue with backpacks on the chair lifts as long as you take them off to go on the lift and can do so without causing chaos with poles etc . I've seen close shaves, not dicing with death but certainly people could have gotten hurt. Especially with children on the lift.

I used to use a backpack but now discovered my new ski coat has really deep pockets and it's great for all the stuff.

What’s the potential issue with the lifts? Getting caught in the bar?

think I can fit a hat in pockets but not the rest and def not water. I drink a lot

I use a tiny Karrinore one that sits flush against my back with no extra bits that could get caught in the lift. I don’t take it off for chairs either. Much easier than stuffing pockets with lots of bits!

www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-sierra-10-backpack-791145#colcode=79114503

This is what I have. The bad reviews are people moaning it’s not big enough, but it’s big enough for ski bits!

Yes, but also that you can't sit far enough back on the chair, so either can't get the bar down or are precariously perched.

That bag looks like it could be very dangerous. Lots of potential for areas to get caught and you to be hanging somehow.

Everyone wondering about why should do a little YouTube search on dangers of rucksacks on ski lifts.

The not getting bar thing down worries me especially as I have a child who is on the small side

I’ve been skiing for 25 years and never took a backpack until this year. Mainly for carrying extra layers etc for the kids. I find when it’s quite empty you don’t need to take it off to get on the lift and you need one that sits quite flat to your back. When it’s got a lot of stuff in you have to take it off for the chair lifts and it’s a PITA. I would just take a small one and limit what you take.

I've never really skied with one, just put what I needed in my pockets. It's actually not great for your skiing as it moves your centre of gravity back a bit. But a small one is unlikely to be a problem. It's also going to be our first time skiing with our son (7yo) so we will have to take something for snacks/water/snacks/spares/snacks. Did I mention snacks?

I usually just used pockets and took what I needed (including my baguette for lunch!). That said, if I was going with kids I'd take a tiny rucksack for extra things you might need.

DH and I both have Backpack, Lightweight Backpack with Storage Bag Multipurpose Daypack for Outdoor Hiking Travelling Walking amzn.eu/d/9Ly8qcF these. No issues with sitting right back on the lift, but we're each only carrying a hat, wallet, spare hand/foot warmers and contact lenses. They're very thin fabric with no structure, so they sit flush with your back, not too high. Nothing to get caught anywhere.

I'd say over 50% of the people on the slopes this week have a small pack of some kind. Haven't seen any issues at lifts at all.

Same. A small 10-15 litre pack fits everything I need.

All I have on me is credit card, maybe a bit of cash, lip balm, tiny tube of sunscreen and ski map. All in pockets.

I have a 10l with a water bladder for skiing and walking. It's no problem and I'm not a good skier.

Ok so I took a small Camelbak bag in the end. Small enough that the lift crew were ok with it, definitely didn’t tip me forward but big enough for extra layer, hat, snack etc.

But it was so cold that the bladder tube and mouthpiece froze, so no good for water 😂

I can't ski without a backpack now. I find that I'm too used to the balance with one that it I'm off-balance when I don't wear one. I always take it off for chair lifts though. I like to carry a litre bottle of water rather than paying mountain prices (and dh, dd and I do use most of that in a day) and we like to carry our books with us for lunch time/after ski stops.

I know you’ve been now, but a proper technical running or cycling bum bag (not a fashion one) with proper pouch for a water bottle plus the storage conpatment works really well for a few extra bits like a hat, a sandwich and a drink. You can spin it on the chair lift so it doesn’t push you forward. Get an insulated bottle though. Camelback do them, so the water doesn’t freeze.

The bonus of skiing at a small Scottish resort is that I just leave my bag somewhere and pick it up later!
But for one to carry maybe a trail running one like this Decathlon one? Fits close to your body and doesn’t have stuff to get caught plus it has front pockets.