A Clean, Functional Ski Pack for Day Tours
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Airman’s Odyssey
Testing ski packs is a little like backseat driving; It’s easy to be a critic. In an effort to come up with fresh designs or innovative features, it’s common for backpacks to be more complicated and feature-rich than necessary. Many backpack designers would do well to follow the aforementioned advice from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and focus more on stripping away features rather than adding them.
Don’t get me wrong, design and features are important in a backpack. But it takes a balance of simplicity, utility and thoughtful details to win my endorsement for a backcountry ski pack. The designers over at Mystery Ranch have done just that with their latest Saddle Peak backcountry ski pack. It offers a functional balance of clean design and beneficial features.
Mystery Ranch Saddle Peak Ski Pack Overview
From first use, the Mystery Ranch Saddle Peak pack offers an intuitive, user-friendly feel. While the pack has numerous functional features, the overall design is utilitarian. Mystery Ranch does a good job integrating technical details like ski, helmet and tool carry without complicating the exterior. Basically, each strap and buckle has a clear purpose, and there are no “what-is-this-for” doodads that leave you wishing for a pair of scissors.
Another plus is that it’s not too big. In fact, at 25 liters, I was wondering if it would comfortably carry my typical mid-winter day touring load. With that in mind, I emptied my 32L Osprey Soelden ski pack right down to the uneaten snacks from the last tour and started stuffing them into the Saddle Peak.
I was actually a little surprised at how well everything fits and how compact and manageable the Saddle Peak feels, even fully loaded. And I’m not talking about a minimalist load. My load included three jackets — a warm puffy, a shell and a mid-layer — two pairs of gloves, an extra hat, a water bottle, thermos, skins, snowsaw, shovel, probe, headlamp, repair kit, goggles, sunscreen, scraper, etc. The only thing missing is a proper lunch, and there’s just enough room to add that, too.
The pack’s overall layout is actually similar to the Osprey Soelden ski and Patagonia SnowDrifter ski packs. In fact, several of the packs I have used in recent seasons follow the same basic panel loader design recipe with a dedicated avalanche tools pocket, a large main compartment, a dedicated goggles pocket, and a couple of hip-belt pockets.
The Saddle Peak is definitely smaller than the other packs mentioned, so if you’re prone to packing heavy, you might want to look at the Osprey Soelden. Nonetheless, the pocket for the avalanche tools is deep enough to accommodate a range of shovel handles, probes and snowsaws. It includes three organizer sleeves and features a long zip opening for full access.
The pack is reasonably lightweight at 1.23 kg / 2.7 lb (size S/M). It feels appropriately durable and reasonably weighted at the same time. It also features a solid compression strap system for cinching it down should you be traveling light or are looking to do some lift-access skiing and need to keep it low profile. For comparison, the Osprey Soelden weighs about 60 grams (2 oz) less.
Adjustable Fit to Match Your Torso
Part of why the Saddle Peak fits and feels so great, even fully loaded, is because the torso length is adjustable with a telescoping yoke. I’ve seen adjustable torso designs on bigger multi-day hiking packs, but never on a smaller day pack like the Saddle Peak.
To their credit, Mystery Ranch keeps the system pretty simple (and easy to adjust), and it doesn’t add significant weight or complexity to the pack. It uses a hidden Velcro panel that lets you adjust the yoke up or down for a custom-length fit. Just set it once when you first try the pack, and you’re done. The adjustable design includes a rigid plastic insert to stiffen the back panel. I found it to be overkill, and the pack has been performing fine without it. In addition to the adjustable yoke, the pack comes in two sizes (S/M and L/XL).
Skiing with the Saddle Peak Pack
In the age of avalanche airbag packs, it’s easy to overlook traditional ski packs. But anyone in the market for a traditional day touring ski pack should put the Mystery Ranch Saddle Peak on the shortlist.
Avalanche Tools Pocket
It’s sized right for routine day tours with simple organization and easy access to your stuff. The adjustable suspension system lets you fine-tune the torso length and fit of the pack to match your body. A functional compression system lets you cinch it down for light loads and chairlift-access tours. Nonetheless, I’d suggest running a smaller pack for dedicated resort lap days. Mystery Ranch has the D-Route 17-liter pack for just that.
Bottom Line
Mystery Ranch has a long legacy of pack design dating back three decades with roots in the Dana Design brand. Their experience shows in this pack. The Saddle Peak balances technical features like an adjustable yoke and multiple ski carry options with a functional, utilitarian design and durable build without being overbuilt or overly complicated.
The biggest limitation of the Saddle Peak is simply its volume. Not everyone will find the 25 liters to be sufficient for a full-day load. 25 liters is a tight fit for mid-winter skiing, but it hits a sweet spot with just enough space for skiers who pack carefully and balance how much they carry with thoughtful gear selection.
Although the Saddle Peak does not include back panel access, extended zip access on both sides offers relatively easy access to what’s buried inside. Of course, I’d update a few details, like moving the goggle pocket to the opening side of the main compartment and the internal zip pocket to the avy tools pocket. The pockets interfere with access to the main body from the top if filled with bulky items. But overall, the Saddle Peak is a well-tuned day-touring pack that can compress for occasional lift-access sessions. The adjustable yoke system really helps you get the fit you need and makes for a balanced feel that skis great even when fully loaded. 
Check the availability of the Mystery Ranch Saddle Peak Ski Pack $219
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