What to bring on tour

The following gear is mandatory.

  • Skiers: Skis with touring bindings and skins for climbing slopes

  • Snowboarders: Splitboard setup and skins for climbing slopes

  • Pending on weather conditions. Will announce eligibility closer to festival weekend:

    • Tele Skis + Skins (Must have skins. Pattern alone is not sufficient)

    • Snowboard + Snowshoes

  • Helmet, ideally with adjustable ventilation. Check your goggles are compatible.

  • Poles (2 piece preferable)

  • Avalanche kit

    • avalanche transceiver (battery above 80%)

    • snow shovel

    • avalanche probe

  • Whistle – pea-less and loud

  • Backpack – 20-30 litres is a good size for day trips. A tool compartment for probe and shovel, goggle pocket and pole attachments are very handy.

  • Clothing – outer waterproof shell layer (jacket and pants) and multiple inner layers to regulate warmth. No cotton.

  • Gloves – warm pair for cold conditions and lighter pair for warmer conditions

    Goggles– magnetic interchangeable lenses are very handy for changing light

  • Sunscreen and lip balm

  • Water bottle or bladder – drink tubes should be insulated to prevent freezing

  • Food – lunch and high energy snacks

  • Mobile phone – keep the battery charged

  • Headlamp – suitable lumens for skiing at night/in low visibility conditions

Demonstrating snow touring equipment.
Snow camping in an orange four season tent buried in the snow

The following gear is highly recommended but not mandatory.

  • Ski or splitboard (or boot) crampons (strongly recommended)

  • Ice Axe / Whippet

  • Poles with self arrest grip(s)

  • Ski straps – good for securing skis on packs, can be used for emergency repairs

  • Sunglasses – snow rated ideally

  • Navigation equipment – map, compass, GPS

  • First aid kit – lightweight

  • A small powerbank to recharge your phone if required

Gear hire + purchase.

Snow Monkey at Jack Frost rent Alpine Touring Skis, Splitboards and Avi Backpacks that come with shovel, probe and beacon, and are offering 50% off all Dynafit boots for the festival.

Supply is limited so bookings are recommended, and Snow Monkey has a three-day minimum for rentals.

https://www.snowmonkey.com.au/contact-us/

Bumps Elsternwick in Melbourne offers the following backcountry gear for hire:

  • Avalanche packs

  • Snowshoes

  • Touring Skis with lengths 156cm – 190, with a variety of frame, full pin and kingpin bindings

Bumps encourages people looking to hire to get in contact ASAP due to limited availability.

https://bumps.com.au/pages/hire (touring options about halfway down the page)

Tirol Sports at Hotham have some ex-demo BC gear and skins for sale, but no longer offer rental options.

https://www.tirolsports.com.au/

Pop up tent with snow gear including skis and touring equipment

Everest Sports Bright offer Alpine Touring Skis + Boots, Avi Backpacks (Beacon, Probe and Shovel) for hire. Everest also hires out Telemark Skis with Skins.

https://everestsports.com.au/

OneTree Sports at Hotham Central no longer offers backcountry rentals, however they are selling off their old fleet so have discounted gear for sale that is worth checking out if you’re looking for a touring set up.

https://www.mthotham.com.au/on-mountain/during-your-stay/retail-shopping/one-tree-sports