To each his own:  The decision of what gear and clothing to bring on a single day or multi-day backcountry ski trip is very subjective, depending on one's personal preferences.  What one person can't possibly live without is nothing more than dead weight and a waste of valuable pack space to someone else.

With that caveat in mind, I have compiled a check list of things that I generally shlep along on day trips and multi-day trips.  This list is a rough guide only, and may not include everything you would want to bring, or it may be overkill. 

(Note:  Items marked with an asterisk ("*") are for multi-day overnight trips.)

Gear: 

• Shelter* -- Can be a tent or bivy sack, depending on the weather and your need for comfort vs. weight.  Unless it is dumping (or threatening to dump), I prefer the simplicity and lightweight advantages of an Goretex bivy sack.  Lots of people prefer the floorless "megamid" tents for spring trips, but I haven't used one.

• Sleeping Bag*  -- Should be rated down to about 0 - 10 degrees, again, depending on your comfort level.  I prefer lightweight down, but this can be risky in damp weather, as down loses its ability to insulate when wet.

• Sleeping Pad*

• Internal Frame Pack

• Wide mouth water bottles -- Camelbaks are nice too, but the thin tubes and mouthpieces freeze easily.  Widemouth nalgene bottles can also double as a tea mug.

• Ski gear -- Skis, boots and poles of your preference.  Adjustable probe poles are nice.

• Climbing Skins/Crampons -- Skins are pretty much mandatory unless you are doing a fairly flat tour with kick wax or a waxless base ski.  Crampons (or ski crampons) should be considered if you are attacking the gnarly couloirs.

• Ice Axe -- A nice short ice axe should be brought along whenever you think you would be comfortable with it.  A lot of times I find myself feeling very glad I brought it along (and there have been many times I was disappointed that I did not have one).

• Avy Transceiver -- Carry (and learn how to use) an avalanche transceiver that transmits on the new standard (457kh).

• Shovel -- Essential for digging snow caves, building camp and wailing on your ski companions when they irritate you.  Oh yeah, its also nice to have in the event you need to dig your friends out of an avalanche -- its tough to dig with your fingers.

• Avy Probe

• Stove, Fuel & Cookware*

Clothing:

• Ski Socks (2 pair)

• Thick wool/polypro socks for camp*

• Booties* -- made of down or other insulation, these are key for wearing around camp.  Get ones with soles, or get mukluk-type boots.  You won't want to be wearing your wet and sweaty tele boots around camp.

• Polypro top and bottom base layer

• Thin fleece zip-T layer

• Fleece pants* -- nice to have for cold nights.  Thickness can vary from fleece tights to thicker fleece pants with side zips.  Bring one or the other based on anticipated temps, your comfort level and weight considerations.

• Fleece or wool pullover or vest -- I usually don't bring this on a day trip, since I rarely get cold, and only bring for nighttimes on multi-day trips.

• Down Jacket -- I love my down jacket, because it packs small and light.  Can substitute for fleece or wool top layer on day trips and/or overnights, if you don't get cold easily or temps are not too low.

• Outer Layer -- Bring a weatherproof outer layer (pants and jacket shell).  Generally, I either bring a Goretex paclite jacket or, if precipitation is not expected to be an issue, a lighter weight nylon shell.  I always bring a pair of Goretex shell pants with size zips (for venting on uphills).

• Hat & Balaclava

• Gloves/Mittens -- I usually bring a pair of thin windstopper fleece gloves for touring, and a modular mitten system for colder weather travel and nighttime around camp.

• Gaiters -- These keep the snow and dirt out of your boots, add some warmth and waterproofing, and also serve well at camp when worn over your booties.

• Baseball, Sun Hat and/or Bandanna -- cover your noggin and your mug.

Miscellaneous:

• Food & Snacks

• Headlamp -- should be brought along on overnight trips, but also as insurance for those single day tours that run "a little late."

• Sunglasses and/or Goggles

• First Aid Kit

• Ski/Binding/Pole Repair Kit

• Safety Gear -- depending on your level of paranoia and tendency to get lost and/or injured, you can bring safety items like a signal mirror, a whistle, signal flares, FRS radios, etc.  Personally, I think everyone in a group should carry a signal mirror and a whistle.  The weight vs. the "oh shit" factor on these items can't be beat.

• Map, Compass & GPS -- A good topo map (with adequate detail) and a compass are essential on ski tours.  Put the map in a ziplock bag to keep it dry and legible.  A GPS receiver is a creature comfort, but it sure is nice in a whiteout crossing a large meadow or an open bowl.

• Spare batteries -- for your radios, transceiver, headlamp, GPS, etc.

• Lip Balm, Sunscreen & Toiletries

• Water Treatment* -- you can boil snow for water, or you can find (or dig for) a water source and use a filter or iodine tablets.  Remember, even ice cold running water can contain giardia cysts and other nasties.