Yellowstone Expeditions Recommended Equipment List
Please bring the following camping and skiing equipment with you. Bring what you need, but try to conserve your luggage to one duffel. Use this list as a check list!
FOR SKIING and to carry in your daypack:
- Daypack, (sufficient size to carry warm clothing to put on during lunch, extra mittens, water bottle, snacks and lunch, sitting pad, ski waxes, etc.)
- Waterbottles (two, at least 1 qt. capacity each, and you may want to bring your own thermos for hot drinks.)
- Insulated pad for sitting at lunch stops. (something like a thermarest or ensolite sleeping pad will do. Bring a size just big enough to sit on or share with your partner)
- Skis and Ski poles (a mid weight touring ski is what we like. I ski on Madshus Glittertinds, many of our guides use the Madshus Pelestova.)
- Ski boots (We recommend over the ankle. We rent Alpina model 1550s and 1600s)
- Gaiters, for Yellowstone powder snow (We all use Outdoor Research gaiters)
- Ski wax, scrapers and cork for waxable skis or Maxi-glide for waxless skis
- Climbing Skins if you plan on telemarking
- Warm Ski Hat and balaclava, neck gaiter or scarf, ball cap or sunhat with rim
- Ski Gloves, extra pair of warm Mittens for lunch stops
- Sunglasses, Ski Goggles, Sunscreen, Chapstick
TO WEAR FOR SKIING:
- Warm wool socks, (a pair for each day)
- First layer of long underwear, top and bottom, (wool or synthetic, ie. polypropylene / capilene)
- Warm shirt and wool or synthetic pile fleece sweater, (remember to dress in several layers, we recommend no cotton)
- Warm ski pants or knickers (fleece or wool)
- Wind pants or ski pants and jacket, with hood
- Winter storm coat
OTHER EQUIPMENT:
- Flashlight or headlamp, with an extra light bulb and batteries
- Pocketknife
- Bandanna or Kleenex
- Towel and washcloth, swimsuit or shorts for the sauna, shower shoes
- Personal hygiene gear (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, comb, etc.)
- Light shirt and pants (sweats are good), for around the camp and sleeping (cotton is OK here)
- Boots or shoes for around the camp, or down or synthetic fill booties...several of our guests have even recommeded shower and sauna shoes!
- Blister kit for feet, personal first aid kit, personal medications
- Binoculars
- Camera, batteries, lenses, extra film, extra memory cards for digital cameras, chargers for digital cameras, tripod for telephoto and time exposures
- Note book or journal
- Reading material
THE TEN ESSENTIALS:
In addition, consider the "10 Essentials". Pocket knife, flashlight, compass, topographic maps of the area, sunglasses and sunscreen, emergency matches in a waterproof container, lighter, fire starter or candle, first aid kit, high energy food and water, a sense of humor, extra clothing and socks, hat and gloves or mittens, and a repair kit for skis and poles.
RENTAL EQUIPMENT:
We have rental equipment available. We have an assortment of Madshus Skis, Alfa, Alpina, and Whitewoods Boots, Yuba Snowshoes, and Outdoor Research Gaiters.
We have a couple of sporting goods stores in town if you happen to forget some equipment, or if you want to pick up a few last minute items. We recommend:
39 Madison Avenue
(406) 646-7801
Free Heel and Wheel (Kelly or Melissa)
40 Yellowstone Avenue
(406) 646-9736