2026 Spring Skiing Essentials: The Gear Worth Packing This Season

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It snowed again in the Tetons, and that got me thinking about ski gear again. Perhaps for the last time this season? If you’re lucky enough to be chasing snow in the high mountains this time of year, it’s probably going to be a pretty involved adventure. For me, it means walking on dry (or muddy) trails for several miles and thousands of vertical feet in the dark before even reaching snowline, then transitioning to skinning, before ultimately booting up a couloir or ridge to gain my ski line. Then it’s time to drop into a few thousand feet of blissful corn snow turns. That’s a lot of work for just a few minutes of skiing, but every spring, I’m reminded that it’s totally worth the effort.

Whether you’re chasing spring snow in the Tetons, on a PNW volcano, in the High Sierra, or in Colorado‘s high country, you’ll know that kind of skiing requires some decently specialized gear. Here’s a look at what I’m the most psyched on using for 2026.

Skis: Blackcrows Navis Freebird Ski

I love when I’m putting together a gear list like this and it highlights a piece of gear that’s been around for years. To me, standing the test of time is proof enough that it works really damn well. The Blackcrows Navis Freebird ski is one of those things. These green touring machines have been in the Blackcrows lineup for as long as I can remember, and have become such an iconic tool that my friend group here in the Tetons refers to them simply as the “the green ski.”

What makes them so great? They truly are the perfect balance of weight and performance for human-powered skiing. At 102mm underfoot, they strike the middle ground between hard and soft-snow performance–perfect for the spring. They’re stiff, but not so stiff as to overpower you in sketchy terrain, and at 1775g for a 185cm ski, the weight won’t slow you down on long approaches, but offers enough mass for real skiing. These are the ski I’ll grab if I have no idea what’s in store for the day, simply because I trust them.

Boots: Scarpa F1 RS Boots

This year brought about a new crop of very high-performance 2-buckle touring boots, and Scarpa’s BOA-equipped F1 RS truly caught my attention. Here’s my full review on the boot, but my infatuation comes down to how smoothly the boot flexes.

In fact, I think we’ve come to a point where a two-buckle boot like the Scarpa F1 RS is going to be “enough” boot for most backcountry skiers–especially if your ski days involve a lot of walking and tons of transitions. Beyond this spring, I’ll likely have this become my go-to boot for everyday ski touring and technical steep skiing/ski mountaineering in the Tetons and beyond, thanks to its unique combination of uphill efficiency and downhill capability in the form of stiffness mixed with a really smooth and progressive flex pattern.

Skins: Pomoca Tour Pro Skins

I’ve found that cimbing skins might be one of the most overlooked parts of a backcountry kit–despite the fact that we use them every single day. We care about our boots and our skis so much, so why not put some extra thought into what allows us to get up the hill in the first place?

Unfortunately, I’ve found that climbing skin durability has deteriorated starkly over the past few years. Sure, the skins themselves might have gotten lighter, thinner, and offer a better balance of grip and glide, but gone are the days where skins would last many seasons without depositing glue on your ski bases after every ski tour. That is, until Pomoca’s new Tour Pro skins came into my hands. These mohair/nylon mix skins offer amazing skintrack performance, pack down sufficiently to stash into a jacket pocket, and haven’t f*cked up my ski bases even after a full season of abuse. There’s also new all-metal tail clips that don’t shatter the instant you look at the wrong. Honestly, that’s about all I could ask for with skins.

Bindings: ATK Raider 13 EVO

While proving harder and harder to get in North America this year, ATK’s tried-and-true Raider bindings are still my go-to choice for fixing my walking boots to my skis. The all-metal construction, 13DIN release, wide mounting platform, and built-in elasticity make these both the best-skiing pin bindings I’ve been on and the most durable I’ve found. I’m currently skiing a pair that has now been on three different pairs of skis, and still looks and feels nearly brand new. I’d recommend popping the breaks off them to shave some extra weight and streamline transitions.

Poles: Atomic Backland FR SQS

I was long a fixed-length Baton-style pole guy, until I grew weary of having to skate and push out of long exits in the backcountry. Huffing and puffing after my friends with extendable poles made me truly appreciate the merits of being able to change the size of your ski pole in the backcountry. Atomic’s Backland FR SQS poles came into my life this season, and I never looked back. This super simple two-piece extendable pole has a large, ergonomic grip, Atomic’s SQS releasable pole strap system, and a hidden trick up it’s sleeve: a Phillips and flathead screwdriver hidden inside the pole handle to quick backcountry repairs. I’ve actually lost count of how many times I’ve used theses tools to adjust bindings or scrape ice off boots and skis.

Shoes: Black Diamond Technician Pro Shoes

Spring skiing tends to require a lot of dirt walking. Personally, it’s my least favorite part of the sport, but it’s a necessary evil for smooth corn up high. I’ve tried all kinds of footwear, even resorting to hoofing it “Teton-Style” (aka boots on in the parking lot) to save some weight. I’ve since settled on the fact that comfortable, durable, and mission-appropriate footwear is a luxury worth indulging a few extra grams in. There are a lot of great approach shoes out there, but Black Diamond’s Technician Pro has been my favorite choice this year. These are plenty comfortable to walk many miles with a heavy pack in and feature a sticky climbing rubber sole with a precise, tapered toe shape for any rock scrambling you might find yourself doing. Tie them to a tree at snow line, or stash them in the bottom of your pack when your transition to ski boots.

Pack: La Sportiva Challenger 28 Pack

I’m a bit of a backpack nerd, always looking for the ultimate tool for the job. Turns out, spring skiing missions don’t really require the same type of backpack as freezing cold midwinter objective. Taking advantage of warmer temps, I try to travel as light as possible in the spring. Consequently, I can get away with a much smaller and streamlined pack. La Sportiva’s new Challenger 28 ski pack perfectly fits that bill. Made of super-durable and light Challenge Sailcloth fabric, this 780g 28-liter pack features a large main compartment with roll-top and side-zip entry, plus a dedicated avalanche tool pocket, and zippered hip belt pockets.

External points carry skis diagonally or in an a-frame configuration, plus two ice tools, a helmet, and a rope. The whole pack is designed to be modular, allowing me to strip it down to the bare essentials, or add features depending on the day at hand. Best of all, it’s extremely comfortable to carry all day. For light and fast skiing, I’m convinced La Sportiva’s new pack gives competitors like the Raide LF30 and Black Diamond Cirque Ultra a real run for their money.

Apparel: Raide TourTech Bibs, Strafe Cham Jacket, Outdoor Research Astroman Air Sun Hoodie

Spring skiing tends to involve a rollercoaster of temperatures. Dark starts typically mean below-freezing temperatures, but once the sun comes up, things heat up quick. I’ll typically skip the long underwear, layer a pair of lightweight running shorts below softshell bibs. This year, Raide’s Tourtech Bibs have won me over with their excellent fit, simple design, and great blend of waterproofing and breathability. Up top, I’ll wear a thin merino baselayer top below a breathable wind and sun-resistant layer like the OR Astroman Air Sun Hoodie. I’ll usually still carry a packable puffy jacket for emergencies, like Flylow’s new Raven Jacket, and a thin waterproof shell like Strafe’s Cham Jacket in case the weather turns. For gloves, Stio’s super thin workwear-style Village Insulated Gloves do the trick.

Tools: Petzl Gully Axe, Blue Ice Harfang Crampons

Pointy things are a big part of spring skiing. When hunting corn snow, ideally I’ll be ascending when the snow is still frozen solid, meaning I’ll have crampons on my feet (or skis), and perhaps an ice axe in my hand. Like those Navis Freebird skis, Petzl’s Gully Axe has proven to be a tried-and-true favorite since it first came out years ago. The adjustable finger rest, shaft shape, and pick design make this one of the most capable lightweight ice tools ever made. On my feet, I’ve become a fan of the Blue Ice Harfang crampons. The foldable design means that these are super-packable and light (377g), but the steel front points add durability on rock. I find them to be a bit more durable and reliable than the very similar Petzl Leopards.

Safety: Sweet Protection Ascender MIPS Helmet, PurePeak Avalanche Shovel, Mammut Barryvox S2 Beacon, Mammut Carbon Probe

Just because it’s spring doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about avalanche and mountain safety. I’m a firm believer in helmets, especially in the spring, when melting snow means rockfall is a real danger. Sweet Protection’s Ascender MIPS helmet was designed with exactly that in mind–it’s a light, low profile lid that still features MIPS protection and full ratings for ski use.

For avalanche safety, I’m still carrying a standard beacon, shovel, and probe kit. I use the same beacon as I do year-round, the Mammut Barryvox S2. In my pack, I slim down my rescue kit to the full-carbon 305-gram PurePeak Shovel and a Mammut Carbon Probe 280.

Of course, I won’t skip carrying a first aid kit and small repair kit. I’ve since taken elements of Mark Smiley’s excellent MTN Sense Repair Kit to create a version of my own.

Accessories: Smith Optics Syncline Glasses, Hydrapak Collapsible Water Bottle With Filter, BioLite Range 500 Headlamp

Finally, there’s a few other bits and bobs I’m carrying with me on any spring skiing mission. Sunglasses are a must on spring days, and full coverage is crucial on sunny days. I tend to skip goggles in the spring, instead opting for the better breathability and goggle-like coverage of sunglasses like the Smith Syncline Glasses.

Proper hydration is also a huge part of spring skiing, and I’ve learned that I don’t actually have to be carrying all the water I need to drink if I bring a filter. I’ll typically bring two collapsible bottles: Hydrapak’s Flux 1.5L (it comes with a built-in filter), and small 500ml Hydrapak Stow. That way I can have a small bottle on the outside of my pack for quick access, and the larger one inside.

Finally, a headlamp is necessary for starting in the dark. The rechargeable BioLite Range 500 is the perfect balance of so-small-you-forget-its-in-your-pack and bright enough to illuminate the trail ahead. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the bear spray.