Backcountry Access Stash Pack - 976cu in - 2007 BCS

Rick, you may be able to really strech that bungie on the outside to strap your snow shoes on, but you would be much better served to get some cord or a strap and use the daisy chains on the back as an attachment point.

re: "is the insulation really that much better than camelbak"

The reason I'm interested in this pack is because of my first hand account yesterday. I was riding with two friends. One had this pack, the other had a camelbak pack (forget the model)

We were at Vail, huge powder day with pretty cold temperatures. I believe the high maybe hit 13 degrees F, but with the wind on exposed ridges it was much colder. Needless to say with the temps, wind and pow, the packs were exposed to the elements.

The BCA pack's hydration system never froze all day.
The camelbak's hydration system was frozen by 10am and never thawed until we got back to the car.

I'm sold.

This pack is very comfortable on the lift. It sits very close to the back and even when full does not expand so far that you feel like you are going to pitch forward on the lift. The compromise is that your ability to carry gear is limited. For inbounds skiing (i.e. with kids where you need to carry extra stuff) and side-country/slack-country ventures, this a great choice.

The insulation is pretty good, keeps water flowing in most temps, up to the retarded -20 degree C days. And it is pretty comfortable on the lift, although most places ask you to take it off and hold it.

Works great, can carry uber-fats easily

If you're a skier, I'd go with this pack - if you're a boarder, go with the Stash Rider. I have a Rider, and it's a great carry system for a board - properly hitching the board to the pack with the carry system yields and efficient way to do it. If you're a skier, I'd stick with this pack - the great thing about the diagonal carry is that it'll keep the skis out of your way while you hike. BCA designs some pretty smart gear.

carries Karhu/Line 130's easily

As long as you keep everything cinched down tight the pack should have minimal movement.

get the stash if you are carrying skis. they are basically the same pack except for the stash has a ski carrier and the stash rider has a snowboard carrier. You will have a very hard time carrying skis with the stash rider.

I ordered the black version of the Stash (which appears to be the 08/09 version) and that pack has a loop. I also ordered the red version of the Stash (which, per the included documentation says that it's the 07/08 version) and that bag has the bottom velcro strap.