fishstick

Unsure if you've gone out and bought the snow pants yet, but I thought it might be useful to consider a basic paradigm shift in outdoor layering systems. In the past layering was considered the norm with the outer shell (snow pants) worn the majority of the time because the fleece lacked wind and moisture resistance. With the increasing availability of fabrics like Shoeller, Malden Power Shield (not to be confused with power stretch) and shelled Regulator, conventional outer shell pants spend 95% of their time in your pack where they belong. These new fabrics offer enough wind and moisture resistance to hike, climb, backcountry ski, and downhill ski without an outer shell as long as it's not super cold, super windy or puking wet snow. What I'm getting at is that you should ponder your other layers prior to buying the pants. Pants made out of the fabrics above are expensive, but if you already own or are pondering purchasing such, then the actual use you'll get out of your outershell is vastly diminished. Given that your "Gore" pants are going to spend most of their time in your pack, weight and bulk become a bigger factor, not to mention cost. The real benefit of getting away from the conventional fleece/gore layering system is increased performance. Each layer added to your legs increases weight to be lifted with each high step, and creates a friction interface between layers. Unless the cut of the outershell is brilliant, it contributes the highest amount of friction. You'd never ponder wearing gore pants or bibs in a marathon, but you can trail run and climb ice in a pair of Shoeller tights. Spend 12 hours moving continuously while wearing powershield in the winter and you'll never want to wear a shell again (unless of course the weather is REALLY burly). If you're really after snow pants, three layer Gore Tex XCR is brilliant. It's very breathable in relative terms and and worth the cost if you're wearing them a lot. Regarding the pants vs bibs question, I'd say pants with a fly for summer, bibs with a drop seat or 1 piece suit for winter. Get side zips, but make sure that the pulls don't interfere with your harness or hipbelt. Internal gaitors work for skiing, but add weight To the system if you're wearing conventional 30.00 gaitors in an effort to stop your rambos from shredding your 300.00 pants. Waterproof zippers save weight and increase ventilation by eliminating velcro flaps. In theory they're easier to fumble around with mitts on, but in reality they can be a total bitch to operate due to friction. Ponder what you're really using the pants for as well. Wet approaches on trails or general snow travel isn't too hard on things and lightweight is the way to go. Scottish mixed or going 12 rounds with Devil's club demands stronger materials (and weight). Look for brilliant knee articulation. Fabric bunching at the knee above a gaitor is also worth avoiding as it tends to catch crampons on steep sketchy terrain. Hope this helps.

I met a guy 3 or 4 years ago who claimed to have ridden Shuksan. Unsure of his name, but at the time I guess he was about 26 or 27 years old and lived in Glacier. My gut impression was that he knew what he was talking about.

I'd describe my Nozone as a good climbing pack, but it lacks in terms of approach comfort and ski carrying ability. Granted, mine's an old prototype, but I find the shoulder straps too narrow for the loads expected with a heavy rack and three tools. I'd also prefer a bit more room to tilt my head back. As Dru points out accessories can be added to carry skis, but who wants to fool around with such when it's just barfing slush out of the NW sky. On a positive note however, balance and construction are brilliant. I think it's worth mentioning that I know several folks who own/use both Nozones and Bora 40s (similar background to Dru). The 40 is their pack of choice despite its weight simply because it's more comfortable.