Ah, the ski road trip. It’s a rite of passage for any traveling two-planker. You’ll need gear that excels in variable conditions as well as clothing and accessories that’ll make life on the road feel like a home away from home, and places to stow all of it to keep your rig nice and organized.
A. YETI Hopper M30
Buy Now — $299.99
Yeti updated its Hopper soft cooler, nixing the zipper and widening the entryway for easy loading and retrieval of your food and drinks. The mouth utilizes magnets and two quick-release buckles to keep your goods secure and prevent spilling.
B. LEKI Chiller Camp Chair
Buy Now — $129.95
A packable, easy-to-assemble camp chair is key for parking lot hangouts on long roadtrips. The Chiller from Leki is built with fiberglass-reinforced plastic for stability, a flexible, ventilated seat for improved comfort and six-toed, rubber feet for optimal stability, no matter what the lot surface looks like.
C. Salomon QST 106
Buy Now — $900
The 2020 QST 106 is built to handle a variety of snow conditions in a multitude of terrain. An updated sidecut eases turn initiation while an edge-to-edge titanal insert and stiffer flex (especially in the tail) promotes power and stability, and cork inserts in the tip and tail deflect vibrations like the suspension of your trusty road trip rig.
D. Backcountry Access Stash 30
Buy Now — $179.95
No matter if you need added storage at the ski area, a backcountry pack for the trailhead or just want to keep your car tidy, the Stash 30 is as trustworthy as they come. The 30-liter pack has a freezeproof hydration sleeve, BC Link radio integration in the other sleeve, a durable construction, dedicated safety tool pocket and more.
E. Hydro Flask 24 oz Standard Mouth
Buy Now — $34.95
Hydration is key on a road trip, while skiing or just in life, generally. This 24-ounce water bottle from Hydro Flask is built with a vacuum insulated double wall that will keep your H20 as cold as ice for up to 24 hours.
F. Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
Buy Now — $20
You won’t always have access to a shower on your cross-state road trip. Keep your dome clean with this gentle dry shampoo made from plants that alleviates oil, dirt and odor build-up.
G. Kate’s Real Food Organic Hand-Rolled Energy Bars
Buy Now — $29.88
These organic energy bars from Jackson Hole-based Kate Schade are our favorite snack. The bars come in six mouth-watering flavors—lemon, coconut and ginger or dark chocolate, cherry and almond, for example—that’ll keep your energy levels high whether you’re on the hill or behind the wheel.
H. Dragon PXV
Buy Now — $180
The stylish PXV utilizes Dragon’s Panotech toric lens shape for a huge boost in field of vision, and its integrated Lumalens increases contrast to clear your sights on fields of fresh powder.
I. Hestra Leather Fall Line
Buy Now — $165
Dexterity, comfort and protection—the Leather Fall Line offers them in spades. Seamless construction in the palms ensure perfect grip while a padded back helps keep your hands safe from any natural hazards on the Hollywood line.
J. Dragon Drac LL
Buy Now — $129
The Drac is a lightweight pair of sunnies with subtle styling equipped with Dragon’s Lumalens that will enhance color and boost the appeal of all those roadside attractions on your journey.
K. DryGuy Travel Dry DX
Buy Now — 39.95
Don’t let your soaking boot-liners sit in your trunk after a big day of skiing. Utilize this handy, compact boot dryer that plugs right into your cigarette lighter or built-in vehicle outlet to dry out moisture and prep you for an early morning shred mission.
L. Salomon Acro Chukka WR 2
Buy Now — $140
The Acro from Salomon blends a high-performance winter boot with the elegant styling of an ankle-high chukka. The entire shoe is water-resistant to keep your feet dry, while Cordura fabric resists abrasion and deep lugs provide traction when you transition from car to bar for the evening.
M. The North Face Respirator Mid Layer
Buy Now — $130
This midlayer will aide you on the mountain or simply following the white lines to your next destination. It’s lightweight, stretchy and built with a gridded fleece that keeps you warm while wicking away moisture.
N. 686 Men’s Everywhere Multi Pant
Buy Now — $89.95
This everyday pant from 686 is equipped with ten pockets, has built-in stretch for improved mobility and a DWR finish helps shed moisture, so you never have to worry about driving along in soggy bottoms.
O. Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket
Buy Now — $149
The NanoLoft Puffy Blanket is packed with synthetic insulation made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled fibers, and preserves heat no matter how low the mercury is—ideal for sleeping on or wrapping yourself in when your trunk becomes your bedroom.
P. Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket & Bib
Buy Now — J: $599 | B: $599
The Hemispheres kit is all about that stretch, baby! The ultra-weatherproof Gore-Tex jacket features special stretch fabric from GORE under your arms, across your upper back and across the hood, to ensure full mobility, even with your head tucked into your helmet. A stretch back and gusset panels in the bibs equate to full mobility for your lower half, too.
Q. Yakima Skybox Lo Carbonite
Buy Now — $599
Make more room in your car and stash your skis, poles and even a duffel in the Skybox Lo Carbonite. The super sleek, aerodynamic design reduces drag and cancels out annoying noise from the wind, while dual entry access allows you to get the goods from either side of your vehicle. Bonus: It’s made in the USA from up to 80-percent recycled materials.
*A big thanks to Rack Attack in Golden, Colorado, for supplying the Yakima Skybox Lo Carbonite. Rack Attack has 18 locations across North America, and can assist with all of your car rack needs this winter. — rackattack.com
For a selection of FREESKIER-approved backcountry safety essentials, click here.
