I am going skiing in a few days in the Tetons and have read enough stories about people lost and freezing, and I simply will not do anything to get out of bounds. However I'm also not one to go off with nothing in my pocket just-in-case, the question I have is what would you put in your pockets for a normal day of skiing in a skiing area, that has lots of people around.

My stuff is probably going to consist of:

1 SAK Farmer;
1 mini Bic lighter;
1 Spark-Lite;
1-2 Granola bars or some other bar;
1 space blanket;
1 Motorola Q phone;
1 tube of a petroleum jelly product; and
a couple wads of cotton.

I don't want a bunch of stuff that is hard in my pockets, and often am not fond of having the phone. A knife, I never like to be without one, but when skiing, I don't like having it sometimes.

Since I will be skiing in a rather populated area, during ski season, I think my biggest battle would be keeping myself warm, should I be forced to spend extended time outdoors. A fire and some shelter should be able to see me through a night in my ski clothes, hopefully without needing to dry out. If I could start a fire, I don't think it would go unnoticed for long in the Tetons.

Comments? Anything else you'd bring? Anything you'd think better left behind?

how about a signal mirror?

Don't forget a whistle... and a compass... even a button style.

I carry a small pack that rides high on my back so that it allows me to sit comfortably on the chair lift.

One of the biggest problems that I have encountered is being on the chair lift when it breaks down. It can take hours to evacuate a lift and you are very exposed and unable to move to generate heat or start a fire.

In addition to what you have listed in the pack I carry:
- Thermos of hot chocolate
- High calorie food like chocolate
- Down Vest or Down Jacket
- Wind breaker if not already wearing a shell
- Balaclava
- Warm mitts
- Space blanket/Bag (I prefer a bag with the foot end cut out so that you can pull it over your head and down around your legs while wearing ski's on a lift and not have it flapping in the wind)
- Goggles
- Sun Screen
- Cell phone and sometimes a radio if skiing in a group

I usually put toe warmers in my boots at the start of the day as it is difficult to place them in a boot if you are on a chair lift

edit:
I used to carry a small foam pad to sit on but most modern chair lifts are well padded which provides good insulation.

Snacks.

I've been stuck on a chair lift too and it sucks.

Several copies of the trail map to keep me inside the ski area.
Making a wrong turn and descending into a "dead end" drainage is the usual reason for lost skiers at ski resorts.
Only leave the trails if you know where you are going.

That said for a day of resort skiing I would have;
SAK Farmer
Mini Bic
Quick tinder in my wallet
Photo freedom on keys.
That is about it.

Out of bounds and BC skiing is a full on survival scenario so I would have a bunch more gear.
Bill

When I ski, I always have a Leatherman Charge on me. Great for adjusting bindings and it has a wood saw. I keep a K&M match case with Rei matches inside. The button compass on the case is a backup to my Suunto Vector watch. A thin balaclava fits easily in a pocket and I can wear it under my helmet if the temps start to drop. A thin pair of glove liners helps as well. A large garbage bag takes up little space in a pocket and is invaluable for emergency shelter--on a lift or not. I usually have some pop tarts as well as
a lexan flask with water (more ergonomical to fit in a pocket and can be easily refilled if you are inbounds.) A thin Fox whistle goes on a ski pass lanyard around my neck. If I ski out of bounds--thats a totally different story and gear list. I dislike people talking on their cell phones on the lift next to me, but they are very useful to call ski patrol...

Also, I usually wrap a few feet of duct tape around a ski pole...

In addition to duct tape I also wrap fiberglass tape around the pole.

The fiberglass tape is very strong and when combined with duct tape you can tape your boot to your ski if you break a binding and hobble out if required.

If I break a binding, I'm either walking down, sliding down on my rear, or, most likely, calling for help and riding something down, or a combination thereof.

I like the idea of a whistle, signal mirror and compass. I can do that in one swoop, if I take the Coghlan's 5-in-1 Survival Aid from my BOB. And I can add some warmers to my pockets.

Thanks to all.

If you cut the ends off a soda or beer can and slit the resulting cyclinder open lengthwise, you have a workable splint for a broken pole. The splint can be rolled like a cigar tube for carry. When applied you should secure it with duct or gorilla tape.

When I taught snowboarding, I kept several items on me, but not for survival:

- Mini ratchet screwdriver with a P-0 bit (all snowboards use this size screw)
- 10mm wrench (all snowboard bindings use this size nut)
- A couple bandaids
- Duct tape
- A couple cheapo watches (3 for $5) to give to instructors who were late to bells because they didn't have a watch
- Bandana for wiping goggles and other purposes

In addition, when I rode in the mountains, I brought my typical mini PSK, and a knife.

I've come close to accidently skiing out of bounds, I can easily see where a mistaken turn could get you into trouble fast.

I did not see goggles mentioned previously.
Goggles should be standard EDC ski equipment, but if
not, should be included in winter survival gear.

Of course cold, but also Wind can be the big enemy.

So, an extra layer of pants, thin wind-pants being a minimum.
A decent-sized parka hood on at least one jacket.
Face-mask that breaks the wind like chamois leather.
(A Balaclava will NOT due for this, even though I like it
as a hat and improvised mask.)

2 knit ski caps. (May not be needed of you have a foam
insulated helmet.)

People at downhill ski resorts rarely get lost, but it does
happen. Consider a small GPS.
I believe that proportionately, snow-mobile, snow-shoe, and
cross country skiers are much more likely to get lost.
OTOH, downhill resort skiers are less likely to have survival
gear.

As others have mentioned, a whistle and signal mirror. Any reason you can't carry a small fanny or day pack with more stuff in it???

The problem with carrying alot of bulky "hard" items while skiing is that you are increasing the risk of injury should you and your boards switch positions(ouch). I think a good whistle, the proper protective clothing, maybe a A.M. heatsheet, a small fire kit, a photon micro, a map of the resort and a small multi tool would be sufficient. AS LONG AS YOU STAY INBOUNDS!! I would just carry the items throughout your body and not bulk them up in one area.

Shows what I, a hater of the dreaded white stuff, didn't think about...

Have you skied before? In my experience falling onto gear isn't as much as a problem as some people here seem to think. I've just come back from a week skiing. I carried a phone and a GPS, and fell several times, without them hurting. I wore a jacket with chest pockets. In a fall that area tends to be protected by my arms, and/or curling my body around it.

I carried less than I have done in previous years, and not much more than my usual EDC plus ski clothes. The GPS is fun because it records maximum speed and my tracks - it reckons I was doing over 60mph at one point. I did carry a 350ml pouch of water and a Snickers bar, which I don't EDC. I wouldn't leave my phone behind. Coverage tends to be good in popular ski areas, and phone + GPS is usually enough to you rescued. (I'm not saying to rely on this, just that it is the best first resort and better than spending a night on the mountain side.)

Hi Dan_McI

One wrong turn on the ski slopes.

http://quicksilverscreen.com/watch?video=26001

If you are new to skiing or boarding (I hope not to offend anyone):

Acquire a park map, spend some time learning the runs you are likely to encounter and keep the map on you. Learn the color codes and insignia. One small lapse and you will find yourself on a black run instead of a green run. That is no small difference.

Getting out of bounds is tough to do. Refuse to take any neat looking shortcuts. Yes, there's sweet powder on the sides, but forget about it.

You are going to get warm then cold, then warm then cold. If the lift "breaks", you will get very cold. The wind will bite at your face - have goggles. A lot of people wear ear protection.

Have a cell phone. If in a party, carry walkies, also. Have a re-grouping plan. Keep in frequent contact with your party - know what runs they are on (some parks are large - some are huge). Sooner or later, someone will need to go back to the lodge or the vehicle. By the way, having to go back takes forever - try not to have to.

You will get thirsty - Camelbaks are awesome. You will get hungry - carry snacks.

Secure all items so you don't lose anything should you hit the surface ungracefully.

Everyone needs to have personal information and 'contact in case' information on them.

Have a great time!

I carry what I would for a day hike. My daughter is now carring and find all the stuff I ask here to take useful. Yes you can call for help but......
cheers