Skis, boots and what goes on your head

Purcell recommends modern lightweight powder skis, 105 to 125 mm underfoot, on tech bindings with skins and touring boots. A splitboard with skins and crampons does the same job. Mistaya allows one pair of skis per person on the helicopter and no ski bag; Purcell publishes its own rules.

Touring skis or splitboard, with skins Powder width, tech bindings. Check the skins fit before you leave home, not on the helipad.
Touring boots Wear them on the flight in, as Mistaya asks. They are the heaviest thing you own.
Poles with powder baskets
Ski crampons For firm spring mornings and wind-scoured ridges. Light, and the day you need them there is no substitute.
Helmet Mistaya lists it with your ski clothing, not as optional.
Light indoor slippers Boots come off at the door. Mistaya keeps loaner snow boots for stepping outside.

Avalanche safety

Purcell runs an avalanche rescue practice on arrival before anyone tours, and you should expect the same anywhere serious. Bring your own kit or arrange a rental with the lodge in advance; Mistaya publishes a rental list. Purcell names its guides as ACMG certified, which is the standard that matters in this country.

Avalanche transceiver Three-antenna, fresh batteries, and you know how to use it under pressure.
Shovel, metal blade Plastic blades break in debris. Mistaya's list says metal blade best, and they are right.
Collapsible probe
Lightweight harness and a locking carabiner For glacier travel. Mistaya sits on glaciated ground and asks for a double or triple locking karabiner.

Eyes, skin, lips

Snow doubles the sun. Bring both goggles and glasses, because a whiteout and a bluebird day can be the same afternoon.

Goggles
Sunglasses Glacier-grade if you have them.
Lens cleaning cloth
Sunscreen and lip protection The underside of your nose burns from the snow. Nobody warns you.

The day pack and the small things

A small to medium touring pack that carries the avalanche kit inside, not strapped on. Then the things that are nobody’s to lend.

Day pack, small to medium With an internal sleeve for the shovel and probe.
Water bottle or thermos Fly with it empty; Mistaya asks for that. A thermos of something hot on a ridge in January is worth its weight, which is the point.
Blister kit New boots and a week of skinning. Bring more than one kind of blister plaster.
Pocket knife
Headlamp For the lodge at night. Mistaya's list asks for one.
Camera, spare batteries, charger Cold kills batteries. Keep spares inside your jacket, not in the pack.
Toiletries and your medications Mistaya provides towels, soap and shampoo. Assume nothing else.

The helicopter

This is where the list becomes a weight. Mistaya allows a soft duffel of no more than 60 litres plus a day pack, everything including any alcohol weighing 35 lb in total, and weighs it at the hangar. Purcell publishes its own limits; confirm with your booking. Mistaya asks you to fly in your boots and ski clothes, which also keeps the heaviest things you own off the scale.

Soft duffel, 60 litres or under No suitcases, no wheels, no external frames. Nothing strapped to the outside; it will be removed to fit the machine.
Weigh the lot at home Duffel, day pack, alcohol, together. 35 lb at Mistaya. Skis are separate and one pair is allowed.
A bagged lunch for the first day Mistaya asks for one because you tour the afternoon you land.
Declare anything flammable Fuel, bear spray, lighters: kept separate and shown to helipad staff.
Poles and tripods as separate items Not inside or strapped to the duffel.
Waiver signed Paper, at the hangar, witnessed. Mistaya will not fly you without it.

What to pack for a winter week at a backcountry lodge

Skis, boots and what goes on your head

Avalanche safety

Layers

Eyes, skin, lips

The day pack and the small things

The helicopter

The weeks behind it