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Winter trip gear list

Are you going on a winter trip in the mountains, and wondering what to pack in your backpack? Here is a suggestion for clothes and equipment you should have with you when skiing from cabin to cabin in the winter mountains.

The weather in the mountains changes quickly and can be very demanding, so you must be prepared for extreme situations. 

An equipment without skis/boots/poles/food/drink will weigh a total between 10 - 14 kg. With clothes on the body, the weight of the backpack goes down to about 8 kg.

This is what you wear on your winter trip:

Warm and windproof clothing is mandatory on winter trips. Necessary equipment and extra clothes must also be carried in the backpack. 

  • Wool underwear, sweater, socks, longs (wool boxes and bras)
  • A wool sweater or fleece as a mid-layer
  • Windproof jacket and trousers
  • Hat, neck, gloves or wind mittens with wool mittens inside
  • Ski boots
  • Leggings
  • Backcountry skis and poles with wide pulley
  • Backpack with suitable volume for contents, 55-70 liters

This is what you need to have in your backpack:

Clothes

  • Extra hat, neck, mittens and socks in wool
  • One change of wool underwear, possibly light indoor clothes if you don't want to wear wool underwear to the cabin
  • Light indoor shoes/slippers.
  • Thicker wool sweater and possibly a down jacket
  • Rain gear, if the windbreaker is not waterproof, in case the weather is mild 

Equipment

  • Waterproof stuff sack that fits in your backpack
  • Windsack
  • Shovel/probe, possibly transmitter/receiver for steep terrain
  • Sleeping bag (sufficiently warm), and sheet bag (for use in the cabin)
  • Sleeping pad
  • First aid kits with e.g. blister plasters/sports tape
  • Toiletries, light towel
  • Some toilet paper in a bag
  • Ski goggles
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Map, compass and map folder, possibly GPS
  • Multi-tool + steel wire/duct tape
  • Matches/Lighter
  • Headlamp
  • Thermos
  • Food/drink for the trip
  • Ski wax, possibly also skins
  • Money/cards
  • DNT key
  • Membership card in DNT (download it digitally)

A woman sitting on a wooden floor surrounded by organized outdoor gear for a winter mountain trip. The gear includes skis, hiking poles, sleeping bags, a backpack, cooking equipment, and various other essentials. The woman is smiling and appears to be preparing for a multi-day winter hike or skiing adventure in the mountains

Clever tips:

  • With two changes of wool underwear, you have one set on a trip and the other inside the cabin. If necessary, rinse/wash the underwear when you are at the cabin, hang it in the drying room and you have it clean and dry until the next day.
  • "Light indoor clothing" can be a thin/light microfiber pant in addition to the extra set of wool underwear.
  • Feel free to wear bivouac shoes (down/synthetic fiber) as light indoor shoes. Provides safety when wearing BC ski boots that can freeze to binding.
  • Heated jacket provides quick and effective warmth during breaks. Wear over an outer jacket in dry weather.
  • Outerwear in windproof cotton or microfibre will often provide better moisture transport than all-weather clothing. You must then consider the weather forecast and possibly have rain gear in your backpack.
  • Transmitter/receiver is recommended for trips in avalanche-prone terrain. Practice using your avalanche equipment before the trip!
  • In addition to searching for avalanches, a probe is also useful for assessing whether a snow cornice is large enough to dig into.
  • A windsack, a sufficiently warm sleeping bag and sleeping mat must always be included. This saves lives every winter.
  • Do not leave a mobile phone at home. Even if you don't always have coverage, and your batteries wear out in the winter cold, your phone will be an important part of your safety equipment. Bring extra battery, or charging equipment.

Tips for packing the backpack itself

  • Everything should be packed in the backpack, with the exception of light items (such as sleeping mats).
  • Place heavy objects against your back. In the summer, many people prefer to leave the heaviest things high in the backpack.
  • Place the sleeping bag at the bottom.
  • Keep things you need during the trip (rainwear, change, food, camping stove and the like) easily accessible in top lids and side pockets.
  • Of course, you have a map and compass, or GPS, in your pocket or in a separate map folder.
  • Wrap your things in plastic bags or waterproof packing bags and it will stay dry in case of rain.
  • Make sure that the weight is evenly distributed on both sides of the pack.
  • Feel free to keep a snack in your jacket pocket, and drink close at hand.
  • Have a system of what you put where, so it's easy to find your way around when you need it.

Packing lists

Whether you are going on a summer trip, winter trip, summit trip or day trip, it can be useful to have tips on what you should bring in your backpack. Here you will find all our recommended packing lists.

Packing list ski touring

Packing list winter trip

Packing list summer trip

Packing list day trip winter

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Become a volunteer
Become a volunteer
Become a member
Nydelige Trollfjordhytta ligger på grensen mellom Vesterålen og Lofoten. Turen opp til hytta går fra Austpollen innerst i Trollfjorden.
Become a member
Packing list for the summer trip
Jøldalshytta i Trollheimen.
Packing list for the summer trip
Packing list for the summit trip
Packing list for the summit trip