Snowboarding with Camera Gear

Alright I'm looking for advice for snowboarding (or skiing) with camera gear, which I am sure some of you out there have done it.

This is my 3rd season snowboarding and I'm fairly comfortable on the slopes (doing black's on Whistler/Blackcomb etc is fun!)

Anyway, I want to take my camera up and start shooting more often. I have an XSi and thought about bringing my 17-40mm f4.0L with me and leaving the 70-200 f2.8L IS at home as I get used to carrying gear on my back.

Though as for a bag/pack I do have a Lowepro TopLoad Zoom AW with the chest harness. Is it better to board with gear on my back or my front? lol

Should I look at getting the Burton or Dakine camera packs and just load it up with crap to get used to the weight? I'd hate to fall on my camera

We tend to hit Whistler a few times a month but have typically brought out the little Pentax Optio W10 camera, I'd LOVE to be able to bring my Canon with me, the Pentax sometimes just doesn't do the photos justice hehe.

Typically to get to the terrain parks you have to ride down to them, whereas at our local mountains (Cypress, Grouse, Seymour) you can just walk to them. I want to take my photography to the next level!

If you ski/snowboard with your camera, how did you first start doing it? Just strapped on a pack and away you went? I'm assuming though people who do this probably have more seasons under their belt than I do but I'm always looking for more tips/advice/experience​!

Clik Elite makes a really nice outdoors backpack with dedicated padded camera section + hydration ready + storage for gear

http://reviews.photogr​aphyreview.com …camera-pack-video-review/

www.clikelite.com/shop

I've gone skiing several times with my camera and never had an issue. I've tried two setups - both a chest setup and a holster-type setup that attaches to your belt.

I'm not used to skiing with a backpack and certainly not anything on my chest, so the chest setup was a little difficult for me to use - both in comfort level and getting in and out of with ski gloves and poles.

I have an M-Rock Yellowstone holster bag (similar to the current model) attached around my waist. This seems to work best, as I can get in and out of it quickly.

I found that I had two issues - making sure I wouldn't crush it if I happened to fall on it and getting on/off the ski lift without it getting in the way. I decided putting the bags on my front, either chest or waist, would keep it mostly safe during the inevitable fall, and got around the ski lift problem.

I don't have any good pictures of me with my bag - only this one, taken by my brother:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …in/set-72157594581205854/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …in/set-72157594507391346/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …in/set-72157594507391346/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …in/set-72157594507391346/

I have an XSi also. I just ordered a Dakine Mission photo pack and am waiting for it to come in. I got this thing so I could carry my Camera and shoot pics on the hills of Breck and Vail in two weeks.
I cant wait!
The mission looks dope, and its got room for things like a water bottle, goggles, and other stuff I might need on the hill.

Which way do you fall the most!
I skied for years with a waist pack with good results. The one I use isn't made anymore, (Post #32 in Show me your camera bag), so look at these: Lowepro Beltpacks
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Bags/ci/4338/N/​4291080223

Thanks guys for the tips. The girlfriend still wants me to try riding with weight that isn't my camera first... well the local mountains with my camera at least.. then Whistler when I'm more confident. To land on my camera and have it break would be a bad thing lol especially when you're unemployed and cant afford to replace it!

I bought the Burton Zoom 28l pack and I love it. I'm used to riding with a backpack (20l) so the 28l wasn't too bad. It is noticeably different when sitting on the lift though.

The points that sold me on the Burton were:
A) Rear opening, the camera is retrieved from the back of the bag (the part that actually rests on your back). This allows you to put the bag face down in the snow and also serves as a theft protection.
B) Comfort, it has a lot of padding and feels very comfortable when strapped down. Some users comment that the lower waist strap sits a little high but I don't find it irritating at all.
C) Size, I have a T1i with minimal equipment but there is plenty of room to expand, it also has numerous pockets and pouches with snowboarders in mind i.e. board straps, shovel compartment, avalanche probe/tripod pockets on either side, fleece lined goggle pocket, and a laptop compartment.

I've only taken my gear with me once this season and that's only because I've only been out once. It was snowing like crazy and very cloudy so I didn't get any decent shots but I definitely plan on taking it out again.

Also note that this bag serves as my full time camera bag. It doesn't have to be purchased for mountain use only.

Well I took out the Canon XSi and left the 7D at home: http://www.tyleringram​.com/blog/snowboarding​-with-a-dslr

I just put the XSi in my waterpack and used that. Took a bit to get used to the weight difference, but after I did get used to it, I can't ride without something on my back now haha

Sometimes it is more advantageous to leave the larger camera at home - skiing / snowboarding may be one of those times...

I know someone that uses a lowepro 'sling' kind of a bag. like a one strap backpack that slides around to put the gear at your waist in front and then slides back to put it on your back. Once it is on your back you can snap a waist belt on and it stays put. I have one, but I don't snowboard or ski, so i don't have anything but second hand info from someone that uses one alot and likes it.

Onyxdragun wrote in post #9525261
Well I took out the Canon XSi and left the 7D at home: http://www.tyleringram​.com/blog/snowboarding​-with-a-dslr

I just put the XSi in my waterpack and used that. Took a bit to get used to the weight difference, but after I did get used to it, I can't ride without something on my back now haha

I'm with you on that, I feel naked unless I have a bag strapped down on my back.

ive gone snow boarding with a kata 3n1 before and it worked fine for me but i was being a bit careful with where i went

I've taken my 50D up in a Lowepro Toploader Pro 70AW that was kept in a backpack. Not the most elegant solution but it works. I've seen someone take a naked 5D MkII up to the hill - but he was a skier.

Don't mean to thread jack, but I basically have the same question.


I'm going up next week and plan to bring my 5DMII. The only photography backpack I have is a Kata R-103 which is a bit bulky and certainly too big for a camera and lens. I also have a Tamrac Sling, but i'm concerned about the lack of protection (in case I fall). I'm a pretty solid snowboarder, but its been many years since I've hit the slopes.

Also, I know people talk about bringing a zip-lock bag, but I've never done that before. Do I take the camera out of the backpack while I"m outside, put it into the ziplock, then go inside? And how long do I keep it zipped for? Camera and lens? What about lenses that aren't attached to the body? I don't plan to bring a flash up to the slopes, but will probably take it outside at night, do I need a baggy for that too?

I also have a Kodak Zi8 video recorder (like the flip). Do I need to bag that too?

I put my XSi with grip and 18-55 kit lens in a camel pack that also had 2L of water in it. There are backpacks made for cameras that companies like Burton and Dakine make but they are kind of expensive but padded nicely etc (similar to regular camera backpacks).

How many days are you going for? If you're going up multiple days, I would say perhaps leave it for 1 day to get used to riding again. Then bring it up the next time, but I find it's like riding a bike hehe

As for what to bring, I just brought my XSi and Kit lens because they are semi-retired. My 7D and other lenses stay at home unless I am going to a competition or something.

As for the ziplock baggy. People use that to help protect against condensation from transitioning from outdoor to warm indoors. I personally didn't do it and I had no problems, but I am sure it can happen. I don't take photos inside though, or havent yet while up on on the slopes. So by the time i get back outside, if there was condensation or fogged lenses they didnt show it when I got back out onto the snow

Technically anything electronic can be a victim to condensation, or I at least think so. I've taken my camera from the outside pouring rain, into a very humid tropical exhibit. Only downside for me was my lens fogged up for a good 30minutes was fine afterwards though. *shrug*