I’m going to tell you a secret. I was not a snow sport enthusiast until last year. Last winter I lived in Lake Tahoe, California and we had an incredible snowfall year. Luckily, that was the year I decided to buy a season pass to a ski resort and learn how to snowboard.
Now with a full season under my belt and an avalanche course to boot, the Dakine Heli-Pro DLX 18L backpack (retail $105) has been an awesome edition to my winter sport gear. I took it out last weekend for a short backcountry day jaunt, and it fit all my gear and equipment for the day easily.
I loved the fact that I could carry my snowboard either vertically with the straps on the outside of the back, or put it horizontally through the backside of the pack. (I like the horizontal carry myself.) The bag has a retractable cable ski carry that would be mighty handy if I were a skier. An added bonus feature is the fleece pocket near the top, perfect for keeping my goggles scratch-free.
The insulated hydro sleeve kept my Camelbak hose from freezing and from me turning into Ms. Whiney Pants due to dehydation. The bag has a specially designed harness shaped for women, and it was noticeably a better fit than other bags I’ve used. The padded hipbelt provided extra support and stability. In all honesty, I needed all the support and stability I could get as I trudged up the snowy hill. [adsenseyu2]
I have the black colored backpack with a jazzy sky blue and purple pattern liner. I dig this combo because it’s low key but also pops with color at the same time. The backpack is also available in mulberry and tartan.
The Heli-Pro DLX 18L backpack can be bought on the Dakine website or here on Amazon.
Photo courtesy of Dakine.