– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

7 Cheap Last Minute Ski Touring Gifts

by Manasseh Franklin December 22, 2019
written by Manasseh Franklin December 22, 2019
Cheap and easy last minute gifts for the ski tourers in your life.

Cheap and easy last minute gifts for the ski tourers in your life.

Yep, you did it again. You waited, as usual, until the ripe final countdown to Christmas to consider what gifts you’ll get those special ski tourers in your life. You haven’t decided whether backcountry dot com is worth your time or cash again. And realistically, it’s unlikely that even the shipping prowess of Amazon Prime will save you now. The clock is ticking, but what to do?

You could: A) wait another 24 hours and then raid the candy aisle of your grocery store, roll the goods up in some crinkled wrapping paper and put a bow on it.

B) scratch an IOU on a piece of scrap paper (preferably red) with a probably false promise like ‘one dog walk’ or ‘post-ski beers’.

C) shuffle to your local gear store (LGS) to buy your special someones those practical miscellaneous (and cheap) items they would probably never buy themselves. Choosing option C gives you the highest likelihood to be invited on more ski tours this season.

Now, of course you could go flash some Benjamins around the LGS (Blizzard Zero G 85s with MTN Explore bindings, please?), but there’s plenty of low-key, low budget options for things that everyone needs. Here are some of our favorite options for last minute ski touring gifts.

Ski straps

Duh. The always most useful thing you have in your ski pack, cup holders, garage bench, ski pant pocket, etc. When do you ever look at a pile of ski straps with anything other than admiration? They are the true all-around tool; I even used one last week to pry open a frozen lock box last week. Not only are they practical, but also available in pretty much every color of the rainbow.

A ski scraper

If you’ve been keeping up with our Tech Tuesday tip series, you’re well atuned (get it?) to the utility of the ski scraper. Keep it in your repair kit. Scrape that icy crud off your skins (or skis) with it. Examine snow crystals on it. Examine your nose hair on it. Whatever. Who ever chances to be the lucky recipient will be thanking you to the heavens when that next FSF starts coming on.

Compression socks

For that extra special ski tourer on your list, give the gift of blister-free touring boot comfort. Dissent makes some of our favorites.

A multi-tool

Occasionally, Doug and I mix up our race skis (why we have identical skis with nearly identical bindings is anybody’s guess). You know who was super grumpy the other morning when she put on her skis only to find the bindings way out of adjustment? Me. You know who really wished she had a multitool? Me. We’re big fans of Pocket Pozis around here, maybe someone will read this and slip one in my stocking this Christmas…

A buff (or two)

Have you ever gone to secure your a-framed skis and realized you forgot a ski strap (there it is again) but realized you had a buff instead? Yep, buffs aren’t just for keeping heads/necks/ears warm, or making great headbands, or wrist warmers or whatever else you do with your buff. In fact, the true utilitarian spectrum of the buff is yet to be explored. Give the gift of exploration. Give a buff.

Anything that claims CBD

Ointments, energy bars, oils, drinks, this CBD stuff keeps popping up everywhere, even at my LGS. It’s all the rage. Does it work? Who knows. Do we want to convince ourselves it does anyway? Absolutely.

Gift card to said local gear shop

But really, would it be Christmas if someone didn’t get or give a gift card? Give your ski touring buds one the gift of ‘choice’ while simultaneously removing yourself from the responsibility of forethought. It’s a true win-win.

Here’s to happy, safe, powder snow filled holidays where everyone gets that perfect thing they might not have asked for but will definitely end up needing. Commenters: what are some of your last minute gift go-tos?

4 comments
1
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Going on Your First Ski Tour? Seek Good Company
next post
Rise of the Mid-Fat — Trends in Touring Ski Shapes

4 comments

Bill December 22, 2019 - 2:08 pm

Who can’t use another carabiner

Sedgesprite December 22, 2019 - 9:41 pm

Carbon and flouro wax alternative.

David December 22, 2019 - 11:43 pm

In addition to that multitool it sounds like you need a couple of stickers to put on your skis so you don’t mix them up with Doug’s. Bentgate was giving out some nice ones last season… and they were free, too.

Manasseh December 23, 2019 - 8:06 am

You’d think it would be so easy, David. But the stickers might add a fraction of an ounce to the race skis… 🙂

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Clanicius on Spring Touring Essentials for Day Trips, Overnights, and Ski Mountaineering
  • DavidH on Exploring the Gem of Washington Pass
  • Gary on Exploring the Gem of Washington Pass
  • Jim Pace on Exploring the Gem of Washington Pass
  • Lou Dawson 2 on Breaking Down the New BD Pieps Beacon Recall

Gear Reviews

  • Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 115 W Touring Boot Review

    April 7, 2021
  • BCA Scepter Ski Pole Review — Updated and Improved

    April 6, 2021
  • Spring Touring Essentials for Day Trips, Overnights, and Ski Mountaineering

    March 29, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Team WildSnow Recaps 2021 Grand Traverse Ski Race

    April 5, 2021
  • The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race

    March 3, 2021
  • Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry

    February 24, 2021

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Totally Deep Podcast 86 — Ross Herr of Dynafit

    March 9, 2021
  • Totally Deep Podcast 85 — Serious Powder Talk with Doug & Randy

    February 25, 2021
  • Drinking Beer with the Bench Girls — Totally Deep Podcast 84

    February 12, 2021

Tips & Tricks

  • Spring Avalanche Drama (and How to Avoid It!)

    April 2, 2021
  • Spring Touring Essentials for Day Trips, Overnights, and Ski Mountaineering

    March 29, 2021
  • Pocket Vs. Harness — Where Should You Wear Your Beacon?

    March 18, 2021

Ski Touring Stories

  • Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry — Shaun Deutschlander Q&A

    January 18, 2021
  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

Exploring the Gem of Washington Pass

April 15, 2021

Ski Crampons — When To, When...

April 13, 2021

Ski Touring News Roundup Spring 2021

April 9, 2021