Piste essentials – why I carry a backpack
Why do I carry a backpack with me on the mountain? Well, there are a couple of reasons, but the main reason is so I can carry some important essentials without clogging up my pockets. Here are a few items that I’m normally packing. What do you carry with you?
Water
A very important one that many people often overlook is the need for extra hydration when skiing and boarding. It’s an exercise heavy sport that demands a lot from your body, so you need to make sure you keep yourself well hydrated throughout the whole day, and no, beers and vin chaud’s don’t count! So make sure you carry a bottle of water with you. You can always refill it later in the day.
Suncream
Something I only found out recently which rather amazed me is that for every 1000ft above sea level you go there is a 4% increase in the levels of UV that you are exposed to. Pretty crazy, right?
This means that the chances of you burning yourself while on the mountain, as well as in resort are pretty high. Remember that your face is normally pretty exposed, so make sure you apply a few lashings throughout the day. It is therefore pretty important to carry a little bottle of suncream with you on the piste. You can always apply it at a restaurant and wash your hands so they aren’t greasy in your gloves.
Energy snacks
Intense exercise like skiing and boarding takes it out of you, so why not boost your energy and give your body some nourishment that will help you perform better on the slopes. I like to carry a banana, (in the handy protector of course) and some high energy snack balls. You can make them at the start of the week and take a couple out with you everyday. Packed with high energy, protein rich ingredients they will keep you going for longer, plus they taste great and don’t take up a lot of room. Take a look at my favourite recipe here, or another great recipe on Mountain Mama Cooks.
Spare clothing / layers
Another important item you should think about taking is an extra layer of clothing. It doesn’t need to be thick and heavy, even another t-shirt like layer is enough to make a difference. Keeping a good temperature while riding is a delicate balance. Get it wrong and you’re either freezing off your proverbial’s or sweating like a hairy Yeti in a sauna. Neither is good fun. To avoid this, dress in a number of thinner layers that you can easily add or remove and store in your backpack. If the mountain weather take a turn for the worse you can layer up, if the sun comes out to play then de-layer. Simple.
What do you take with you on the mountains? I’d be interested to hear how they differ to what I take. Let me know on twitter @Nickylewlew.