danzo

Hey everyone,

I will be riding my first gondola next week and riding on my first real vertical; Mont-Tremblant.

In videos I've seen, it looks like a lot of people wear back packs, I guess for obvious reasons, pack some things to stay comfortable on the long way down.

Is it normal to go down with let's say a 2 liter hydration pack? I got one for when I ride my mountain bike, was thinking it might be nice for boarding also, since it's nice and compact.

Cyfer

Some backcountry guy use them. I do limited backcountry but most use vacuum bottles in my pack. Reason why is simple, even with the winterizing kit from camel back the tube still freezes. Usually makes a huge mess too because sometimes while it freezes the water expands and pushes the tube off the bladder. Your call but if I'm in bounds on the mountain I'm not too gnarly to take a short break at the lodge.

Lamps

You don't need a pack at tremblant, it's not that long to get down and there's a restaurant on the top. Unless you will be bringing your own Heineken's.

john doe

I bought a small off brand camel pack when I went to Keystone and Vail last winter. I wore it under my outer shell. Never froze in any way and I hardly ever noticed it was there. I really liked having access to water at all times.

__________________

2011 Smokin Buck Ferton 155
2013 Flow NX2-SE
2013 Flow Hylite boa
Burton Stagger pants/jacket
Smith I/O

racer357

I am borderline type 2 diabetic. One of the symptoms when my sugar levels go weird is thirst.

I bought a camelback this year and it is great. I really like not having to hit the lodge.

FWIW, I rode with mine outside my outer shell in -35 degrees and it didnt freeze. Blow a bit of air back through the hose after you drink and it works great. Just don't inflate the bladder like an airbag.... LOL

mojo maestro

^I call BS.....shit not freez'n at -35^

racer357

I was surprised too. It would get ice in the bite valve, but I just crushed the ice with my teeth and it was all good.

Tarzanman

I usually wear a pack that has an aftermarket hydration bladder. My pack has a hollow section through one of the straps to thread the water tube through.

I fill mine with a dilute (half and half) mixture of water and gatorade. It isn't absolutely necessary, but it is very convenient. I save time and money by sipping water on the lift or at the top of a slope. Also, I don't have to keep a bottle in my pocket (either empty or full).

The pack can hold other stuff that might come in handy (beanie, spare goggles, screwdriver, sandwich, etc) or even carry straps for a snowboard if you have end up having to hoof it.

__________________
Read on another forum: "If someone held a gun to my head and said, "You have to move to Salida tomorrow", I'd probably do it. If they told me I had to go to Breckenridge instead, I think I'd just let them pull the trigger."

danzo

Thanks for the responses.

That was my only concern, the exposed tubing causing the water to freeze. I know the bladder won't, my body should be able to give off enough heat to keep it from freezing (back sweats a lot :x)

Guess I'll check MEC for a bladder tube sleeve of some sort.

StickieTime

I recently bought the Camelbak Zoid. Small enough to wear under jacket, I can barely tell i have it on. The tube is covered with sleeve as well.