Ive been back country skiing with these packs for the last 3 years and Im very happy with them (dakine poacher,& guide) I like the outside shovel & snow tool compartment easy to get too, and the probe/shovel handle sleeves in there I also stuff my snow saw in it too as well as my skins, survival gear .the outside ice ax sleeve & water bottle mesh pocket on the sides are perfect! the bigger down loader compartment I stuff extra jacket, gloves, goggles, food, 1st aid gear, bivy, crampons etc. the diagonel ski carry system works for me and is easy on & off . the pack is really easy to ski with on and snugs up to my back perfectly when I winch it down nice & tight . I use it for work as a back country ski patroler with even more toys in it ! bottom line its comfortable , it holds all my tools organized, out of my way, and easy to get too ! I dont want to know I have it on when Im skiing and it does that really well !! thanks again and have a good season .... D. French ...(Mammoth Nordic Back country & June mtn. ski patrol)

i'm 6'3" and the guide pack fits me well, but my shorter friends have used it comfortably too. I bought my first guide pack about 10 years ago, and it was ripped by the airlines after about 5 years. i liked it so much that i sent it back to da kine, and they sent me a new one no questions asked, even though i offered to pay to have it repaired. the 2005 model was even better, and i use it for winter stuff as well as summer cragging because the back-panel zippers are so awesomely convenient. bottom line, da kine is a great company that stands behind their products, and the guide is hands down the most useful backpack i've ever owned. when this one gets worn out i'm definitely buying another.

For years now I have been looking for the perfect ski pack- namely a sparate and big shovel/probe pocket, a good ski carry system with options, and something that is big enough so that I can take extra stuff if I want a rope, rescue gear, or a multi-day tour. Who doesn't love the fuzzy goggle pocket and camera pocket? I am also a huge fan of back-panel zippered access, which is key if you have your skis strapped on and want to get in your pack easily. Though the black diamond packs have this feature, it is a rinky-dink small opening-- hardly useful. Also, the shovel pocket-- this is rare-- is actually big enough to fit some of my larger, pro-style shovel blades and full-size probes. I find that many ski packs with dedicated shovel pockets only hold small, rinkydink shovel blades and probes. Why bother?

I like that the snowboard carry straps (which I finagle to use for vertical-carry of my skis) tuck away. The only thing more annoying than not having these straps available is having them flap all around. I use the diagonal carry sometimes, though it's a little awkward. I do like that you can also A-frame skis if you want to. The snowboard straps would allow you to attach snowshoes easily, as well.

The foam on the waistbelt and harness is good-quality, though my husband complains that the foam doesn't cover his hipbones, and he's a 34/35 waist. Kind of odd considering that the pack is sized towards average and larger users. My husband is 6'5", long legs, and this pack fits him fine. I will echo the complaint that this pack should be sized. Even a sm/med and med/large option would do. I am 5'4", with a long torso, and the pack just barely fits, and though it's not a textbook fit it does ride comfortably when loaded down.

Overall this pack has everything I want, and works beautifully. I am also glad that the materials and construction mean that this pack is likely to last.

Good features, bad fit. I'm about 5'6" and 140lbs. The pack is too long for me. Other than the bad sizing, the pack has pretty decent features overall. It has an outer pocket for snow tools, a large main compartment, and a nice zippered top pocket. The compression straps can make it pretty small when not packing heavy, and there is a lot of adjustment in the shoulder straps. My favorite feature is the back access to the main compartment. Very convenient when you have skis strapped on.

Overall, not a bad pack, but make sure it fits right. They really need to have more than one size.

I just returned from an 8 day ski touring/mountaineering trip in Switzerland. This pack performed so well that, 2 of my friends and one of our guides wanted to demo it. I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs. and it fits me well. But one of my firends is about 5'7" and it was too big for him. It carries and skis well, the rear entry is terrific, and I always know where my gear is because it is so well organized. In our group of 8, 3 of us had this pack and we all felt it performed great!

I used the Dakine Guide Backpack as a all day pack while skiing on Ruth's Glacier in Denali National Park. It is a great pack with all the features required for winter skiing in the backcountry. Plenty of room to store all the gear required (shovel, probe, skins, etc) in the front gear enclosure with easy access from the side without having to open the top of the pack. Plenty of room inside the pack for extra clothes or other essentials. Hydration system worked great (I added the 70L UnBottle hydration pack (camelbak) without the winterized kit and the sleeve took care of keeping the hose from freezing). Rear access is just a great idea. Pack fit well (I am 6' and 200lbs). I would buy this pack again.

I love everything about this pack EXCEPT the wire for the retractable ski carry (diagonal) pulled free the first time I tried to load my skis. Bummer cause I live in Alaska and shipping is expensive. I'll keep the pack, but if I was in the lower 48 I'd return it and ask for a new one to see if was simply a defect. Very comfortable ski pack and the back panel access is great. I wish I could give it a higher rating

I use this pack for everything from day hikes to climbing Mt. Rainier. It is a little heavy for it's size, but it is super comfortable, sturdy, and well designed. The back panel zips open, which is genius; I hardly ever open the top any more. It carries well with a small load, and also does fine for multi-day trips. The ski carry system is also much easier to use than others I have tried. If you are not too concerned about weight, and want a sturdy all-around pack, get this.

you can load this pack full or pack it light and the straps keep everything tidy. No complaints here, this pack is awesome!