A Mountain Guide’s Packing List: What Everyday Skiers Can Learn From a Pro

Packing with Purpose: Adjusting for the Day’s Objective & Conditions

Once you’ve got your essentials dialed, fine-tune your pack based on the day’s objective and ask yourself:

1. What’s the objective? Is it going to be technical?
2. What are weather and the snow conditions going to be like?
3. How long am I going out for?

From there, tweak your kit accordingly. Many may opt to leave snow science and rescue sleds to the pros, but these items can be valuable for any group looking to venture deep into the backcountry safely on their own. (As with any gear, know how to use it before you need it). When Mackin ventures out with friends on big days, she makes sure gear is allocated evenly amongst the group (this includes food, water, and rescue items). Good communication is key, and a great way to make sure you don’t unnecessarily double up on heavy items.

Big Day Add-Ons

• Rescue Sled: A must for long, remote tours where Search & Rescue isn’t an immediate option.
• First Aid Med Kit: Think beyond the basics.
• A clotting agent to stop a bleed, plus a tourniquet and lots of gauze. Listen to Teton County Search and Rescue’s Fine Line Podcast to learn about how a backcountry snowboarder dealt with a severe bleed after a crash to realize the importance of this stuff.
• SAM splint
• Specialized medications
• Extra Batteries: Dead beacon = no bueno.
• Snow Study Kit:
• Crystal card
• Snow saw
• ECT cord
• Loupe
• Thermometer
• Notebook

Small Day Modifications

• Lighter Med Kit: At minimum: Advil, blister care, sunscreen, and hand warmers.
• Drop the Rescue Sled:If it’s bluebird out, you’re traveling close to a trailhead, and you are certain that you have higher-level help easily available.
• Consolidate Layers: But keep the ‘oh-sh*t’ puffy, every time you leave it, you end up needing it.

Fine-Tuning for Conditions

Backcountry conditions change fast, so your packing should be proactive, not reactive. Check the forecast before heading out and prioritize access to key layers or gear.

• Always pack both goggle lenses – Fogged-up or iced-over goggles can ruin your day. When in doubt, low-light it out.
• Two puffy jackets – A thick ‘oh-sh*t’ puffy + a thinner one for layering.
• Two hats – One for the uphill, one for the downhill (because nobody likes a soggy beanie).

Sunny Spring Day Mods:

• Lightweight wind shell
• Leave the midweight puffy behind
• Big emergency gloves can stay in the car

Cold, Cloudy Day Mods:

• Midweight shell under ski shell
• Light, mid, ski shell combo

Where Style Meets Function: Keeping Your Flair in the Backcountry

We get it—technical gear can feel sterile, and there’s a certain ‘cool’ factor in rocking an oversized cotton hoodie and Hawaiian tee. But I caution you: writing off technical apparel completely will ruin your day.

Mackin proves that fashion and function can co-exist in the backcountry. Some of her go-to guide flair essentials include:

• Skida Alpine Fleece Hat (Cheetah Print) – Warm, breathable, and fun.
• Polarized Heart-Shaped Pit Vipers – The new goggle tan.
• Glitter – Why not? Light, easy to pack, and doesn’t get in the way.

On the flip side, here’s what should stay at home:

• Resort ski jackets – Too heavy and limit layering options.
• Fleece – Heavy when wet, zero protection from harsh conditions.
• Cotton anything – Absorbs moisture, loses insulation, and makes you miserable. Cotton kills.

Pro Packing Tips from a Seasoned Vet

Even with the right gear, how you pack it can make or break your day. Mackin's top tips:

• Test Your Gear Before You Go: New bindings? Rentals? Check everything before you’re at the trailhead. That means adjusting bindings, checking pack fit, and making sure everything is charged.
• Pack Strategically:
• Least-used or heaviest items at the bottom.
• Puffy on top for quick access.
• Keep water/snacks handy.
• Invest in a pack with a separate rescue gear compartment.
• Carry a Bag of Extras: Mackin keeps a duffel in her car with a spare puffy, sunglasses, hat, gloves, goggles, hand warmers, batteries, and even an extra beacon, probe, and shovel.
• Après Pro Tip: Keep a celebratory beer and your favorite treat in the car for when you return. The real reward.

Final Thoughts: Be Prepared, But Don’t Forget to Have Fun

If you’ve made it this far, congrats—you’re officially out of excuses for showing up underprepared. Just kidding—Sunday morning scaries still apply. But here’s the thing: the right gear doesn’t just keep you safe, it makes your day smoother—and saves your friends from having to bail you out (again). And that’s exactly why partners like Mackin matter. Because at the end of the day, the best backcountry days aren’t just about what’s in your pack—they’re about being prepared enough to feel safe and let it rip.