Berghaus Powderkeg - Early Bird Offer

Book your Winter 2012 ski trip before 31/08/2011 and we will send you a Berghaus Powderkeg rucksack! The Powderkeg was designed with help from Olly, IFMGA mountain guide and director of Mountain Tracks. Simply book a winter trip worth more than £1000 with Mountain Tracks before the end of August and you'll receive a Berghaus Powderkeg. Book trips worth a total of £2000 and we'll even give you a second one!*

This is what Olly has to say about the sack and the design process...

"It's not often you get to help design a rucksack from scratch; last year I was given the opportunity to do this via our equipment sponsor, Berghaus. Berghaus wanted to take advantage of our experience of working in the mountains in all weathers and conditions. I was interested in getting involved as I felt existing ski rucksacks seemed to lack the right balance between great functional add-ons and performance when skiing. This was a great opportunity to really get a sack I would want to use throughout the season. So I spent some time sketching different designs, highlighting the shape and features I felt would create a better sack for skiing. I then met with the designers at Berghaus and we talked through the criteria we felt would be essential for a sack to be ideal for skiers. Berghaus built and then sent me a couple of prototypes to test through the winter. Detailed feedback allowed them to modify any design issues ready for the finished product.

The designers at Berghaus have done a great job. The sack has 'ski randonne race' features like the diagonal limpet ski carrier so you can stow your skis in a matter on seconds. The Powderkeg also has integral shovel and probe holders and a skin pouch in the base allowing for quick access to equipment. The 'teardrop' shape of the Powderkeg is a generous 30L and very stable, keeping all the weight round your hips for great performance when skiing. I found it to be a perfect size for a week's ski touring. In good weather, when in gets hot skinning up the ascents, the fold-away net helmet holder works really well for stashing extra clothing. The Powderkeg also has some handy little net pockets on the belt for snacks and sun cream. The Mp3 pouch on the shoulder strap is also great, but I have to confess it held my lip salve rather than banging beats! The contrasting zip colours look funky which, in my opinion, finishes the overall design off perfectly.

Personally, I love it! Its the best ski rucksack I've used by far. Feedback from other guides and Mountain Tracks clients has been very encouraging. I have to say a big thank you to the Berghaus staff for such an excellent job. Over the past 4 years they have been very proactive in developing their 'Extrem' range, listening to all the feedback we give them on their clothing, rucksacks and footwear. See you in the winter with a Powderkeg; a fantastic sack for serious skiers!

*Maximum 2 sacks per person