Hot take: skiing with backpack speakers, airpods is OK—with limits

Yes, that's right: even backpack speakers can co-exist on the ski hill...

How to enjoy music while skiing

Live and let live, I say. However, it requires some working out of the basic etiquette of our new media lives so we don't end up in another skier VS snowboarder, spy VS spy type polarizing battle. 

Whatever your ski soundtrack and device of choice—backpack speaker, ear buds, or sweet nothing—here are three considerations for audial accommodations.

1. Skiing and snowboarding safely with music 

Whatever device you use (or not), you need to hear others around you while shredding. The one-earbud approach can work but it still impacts your awareness. 

The upside of backpack speakers is that the music is ambient, not embedded, so you can hear your surroundings better even as you rock out to MGMT or The Naked and Famous.

2. Audio etiquette for the ski resort

Music enhances the experience for some, but not all. Earbuds or helmet wifi keeps the music individual and unobtrusive, but potentially makes you hazardous (see above) or obnoxious in the lift line (if you're unable to hear and react to others trying to form up and fill the chairs). 

On the other hand, backpack speakers force your music on others. 

Here's a humourous take from outdoor comedian @MattSlyons:

Maybe don't be that guy...

Solution? If you want to ski with a speaker or earbuds, dial it down or even better, hit pause in crowded areas near lodges or in lift lines. Often there will already be music in common areas, so the conflicting sounds will not be pleasant anyway and communication and connection will be enhanced.

3. Boundaries and no-go zones 

Purists will argue that backpack speakers still invade others' space while riding lifts or skiing, and this is true. However, the intrusion is generally short-lived; most times you will pass out of earshot within 10 - 15 seconds. 

If even that seems too much for you, fair, but we don't live in a perfect world and barring a total device ban, we have to learn to live with imperfection. 

To really escape it all, a short hike or traverse is usually all you need. (Audio fans, take note: your speaker is probably unwelcome at the top of a summit hike.)

Follow that basic etiquette, and it's likely we can create understanding and avoid conflicts so that the partiers and the purists alike can enjoy the mountain.

Can backpack speakers increase safety? 

A friend of mine recently explained his choice to use a backpack speaker skiing because in gladed areas or deep snow, his friends can still hear him even when out of sight of each other. Useful if, say, you're stuck in a tree well and can't shout.

He also argued that it provides an element of comfort and fun for kids who might need a little boost now and then—and he can still hear them when they're spread out across the slope. 

All good in the hood

Skiing and snowboarding is most fun when we all feel part of a community.

Anyone who remembers the 80s and the skier VS snowboarder debate of the time, think back and consider whether we aren't all happier when we live and let live at the ski hill. 

With fundamentals of etiquette and safety considered, we can accommodate our differences and still have fun on the hill. Even with backpack speakers on board.