Backcountry
Industry News
Brains
Most backcountry skiers carry some version of a repair kit and a first aid kit, but very few are as thoughtfully built as this kit from Mountain Sense. Designed as a lightweight, all-in-one solution for ski touring, this 2-pound rescue and repair kit helps skiers stay self-sufficient when things go wrong far from the trailhead.
The kit was developed over several years with input from mountain guides, doctors, and paramedics, and it is designed to address the kinds of real-world issues backcountry skiers actually encounter, from binding failures and skin problems to injuries and emergency rescue situations. But what really makes it stand out is not just how much it includes, but also the custom and purpose-built pieces that are hard to find anywhere else. Purchased separately, all the items would cost over $500.
Custom Pieces
One of the coolest items in the kit is a mini 1/4-inch ratchet with a carbon-fiber handle that stores four bits. It is the kind of small, efficient tool that just makes sense in the backcountry, where every ounce and every inch of pack space matters. Paired with binding repair hardware and a bit set, it gives skiers a much better shot at fixing issues that would otherwise end a tour.
Another clever addition is the carbon-fiber ice scraper, designed to handle snow and ice buildup on ski bases and skins. It is one of those tools that seems simple until you are deep in the mountains fighting sticky snow and wishing you had something better than your glove or ski edge.
On the medical side, one of the more unique inclusions is 2-Octyl skin glue, a wound-closure adhesive that can serve as a lightweight alternative to stitches in the right situation. That is not the kind of item most skiers think to pack, but it speaks to how intentionally this kit was assembled.
The rescue tools are also especially interesting. It includes a Bruce Wayne Rescue Tarp with rigging cord, giving skiers a compact emergency shelter and rescue option that goes well beyond the standard foil blanket. There is also a 3-foot waterproof stuff sack that doubles as an emergency deadman anchor, which is a brilliant piece of multipurpose design for snow rescue and rigging setups.
Another standout is the kit’s lightweight solution for a delaminated skin or ripped-out binding toe piece, exactly the sort of failure that can turn a normal tour into a much bigger problem in a hurry.
While the kit also includes a number of more standard medical and repair essentials, the real appeal is how well it seems tailored to the needs of ski tourers. It is not just a generic emergency pouch. It is built specifically for mountain travel and the unique, frustrating, and sometimes serious problems that come with it.
The full setup is available in a few versions and includes video instructions from IFMGA Mountain Guide Mark Smiley on how to use each item. For skiers who want a more complete, mountain-specific everyday carry kit, this looks like one of the better-thought-out options out there.
At the end of the day, the best backcountry gear is often the gear you hope you never have to use but are very glad to have when things go wrong. This kit stands out not because it tries to do everything, but because it seems purpose-built to solve the exact kinds of problems ski tourers actually face. For anyone looking to be more prepared, more self-sufficient, and a little less vulnerable to the unexpected, this is the kind of setup that could earn a permanent spot in the pack. Buy it here.
Full Kit:
Medical Items Included:
1) SnakeStaff ETQ Gen2 Tourniquet
2) Battle Wrap Compression Dressing
3) CPR Mask
4) Nitrile Gloves
5) 2 Kaolin Hemostatic Gauze Packets
6) Surgical Grade Skin Adhesive 2-Octyl
7) Irrigation Syringe
8) 2 Waterproof Tubes for Medications
9) Sunscreen Storage Tube
10) Lip Balm SPF 15
Repair Items Included:
11) Carbon Fiber Storage Handle 1/4” Ratchet
12-18) 7 Bit Set
19) Drill Bit: Binding Repair
20-28) 3 T-Nuts / Bolts / Washers: Binding Repair
29) Superglue
30-36) Multitool (pliers, wire cutter, scissors, knife, screw driver, can opener, nail file)
37) 24” MTN Sense Ski Strap
38) 65cm Stainless Steel Zip Tie
39) Wax Block
40) Carbon Fiber Ice Scrapper
41-42) Double Capped Rivets
43) Chicago Screws (aka Sex Bolts)
44) Ceramic Utility Knife Blade
Rescue Items Included:
45) Bruce Wayne Rescue Tarp
46) UHMWPE Cord for Rigging
47) Kevlar Cord for Rigging, whiteout navigation, ECT column cutting
48) Mylar Emergency Blanket
49) Nitecore NU25 Headlamp (USB-C charging, 400 Lumen)
50) Waterproof Stuff Sack / Deadman Snow Anchor
51) 3ft (1m) UHMWPE Eye Spliced Anchor Cord
52) EVA Foam Carrying Case
