A typical day of resort skiing along the Front Range in Colorado usually starts off with an early morning start, two hour drive, parking anywhere from a few feet from the base of the mountain to over a mile away and sometimes dressing in the car. The rush of getting to the slope sometimes means that your gear is strewed all over the car, which inevitably means that something will be left behind. At the 2012 SIA show in Denver, the Massachusetts company, Kulkea, is debuting a new backpack to help transport your all of your Alpine gear from the car to the slope in one backpack. The new Ski Trekker is designed to not only hold your boots, helmet and gloves, but also your skis.
The unique feature of the Ski Trekker is how balanced the pack is when loaded. The boots each fit in separate pockets, one on each side; while the skis slide down through the center of the pack. The skis are held in place by straps and a ski ‘boot’ similar to those seen in some automobiles. This ‘boot’ or sleeve keeps the skis from slamming the back of the legs while walking with a loaded pack. If the weather turns damps, a sleeve fits over the skis covering the top opening of the backpack.
It may seem that the ski sleeve design would make the loading of this pack difficult, but that is not the case. Stand the Ski Trekker on the ground, place the skis in the opening of the pack, lift the pack up around the skis and secure them in place. As easy as it sounds, the loading procedure is best demonstrated in the video.
httpv://youtu.be/r-0Rc9gaF9I
Along with the unique gear placement in the Ski Trekker, it is loaded with even more features:
- Fabric: Water resistant backed 1680D, 840D & 420D nylons; & 210D polyester. Tarpaulin.
- Dimensions: 20”H x14.5”L x 19.5”W (expands up to 21”W).
- Support System: Removable Internal Frame with aluminum stays. Padded Back Panel. Contoured padded Shoulder Straps. Lifter Straps. Sternum Strap. Waist Belt.
- Ski Stability System: Cutting edge system for stabilizing, lifting and carrying skis.
- Versatile Central Compartment: Large top loading separate compartment for carrying skis or other gear. The Bottom Flap at the end of the central compartment includes a magnetic-zippered closure system. To carry other gear in the central compartment zipper the Bottom Flap shut.
- Pack Release: Pack Dislodge Buckles for simple pack removal.
- Boot Pockets: Two large side Boot Pockets with closable ventilation windows.
- Goggle Protection: Lens soft Goggle Pouch located within the pack for added protection.
- Glove Smart: Two Designated Glove Pockets and On-the-Go Glove Bungees.
- Forward Pockets: Two wide mouth forward opening pockets with translucent compartment.
- Waist Pockets: Two easy access waist belt pockets.
- Deployable Helmet Sling: Stored within a zippered pocket sling deploys to securely hold a helmet to pack exterior for maximum ventilation.
- Hidden Side Pockets: Two outside pockets beneath Boot Vents for storing maps and papers.
- Travel Ready: Detachable Shoulder Straps and Waist Belt to reduce the chance of damage in the airline baggage handling systems.
- Top & Snow Cover: Top buckles closed and includes an external zippered pocket and Snow Cover.
- Retractable ID Holder: Elastic tensioned covered ID Holder.
- Drainage Grommets: Bottom located coated drainage grommets.
- Reflective Edging: Light reflective.
It is anticipated that the Kulkea Ski Trekker will arrive into retail stores around September 2012, and online ordering will be starting a little sooner. As of right now pricing has not been announced. If keeping all of your gear neatly stored in one pack is appealing to you, once the Ski Trekker hits the stores, it might just be the perfect pack for you when hitting the slopes.