The Salomon QST 30 is an excellent option for anyone who likes to carry a lot of kit on their forays into the backcountry - the 30-litre capacity will swallow up everything you need for the day with ease and we especially liked the fact that you can easily access it thanks to double zips that run right around the main compartment.
Meanwhile there's also instant access to avalanche safety gear, which is stored in a zipped pocket on the outside of the pack. The main compartment has additional storage space in the form of two internal side pockets, a zipped security pocket and a 2-litre hydration sleeve. We were a little surprised to find that the hydration tube doesn't run through an insulated shoulder strap though, given the raison d'être of this pack.
Salomon claims the side pockets inside the main compartment are for storing shovel handle and probe, although we think it makes more sense to keep these together with your shovel blade in the outer compartment, which has Velcro straps in which you can insert them.
There's yet more storage space in a fleece lined zipped pocket on the top of the pack and a small zipped pocket on the hip belt - talking of which Salomon's new thermo-moulded back pad and curved hip belt offers great stability, with a large buckle that can be adjusted with gloved hands.
Skis can be carried laterally either side of the pack, or diagonally; a board can be carried laterally on the outside of the QST 30. There are also attachments for ice tools, and both ski/board attachments and those for your tools are sturdily built and easy to use.
The whole lot is rounded off with an adjustable exterior helmet carrier and a large top grab handle to make a very decent day pack for any skier or boarder looking to head off piste.
