Shop Cody's Gear
Cody curated a list of gear that he uses for ambitious ski descents and deep backcountry adventures. Each of these products is tested and trusted by both Alpenglow Sports and Cody Townsend.
Unlock Gear Insights
We break down why each product was chosen with callouts and comparisons to similar ski mountaineering gear. We share these insights so that you can build a kit that you can trust.
Watch the Episodes
Our behind-the-scenes looks into the FIFTY+ makes us a great resource for the episodes and the stories behind them. We'll post the episodes as they air and will link to more info on the FIFTY+ website.
“Alpenglow represents everything that’s positive about specialty retail. Their commitment to Tahoe, public fundraising, local event development and community support is unparalleled in our industry. To me, this partnership is just representative of how supporting principled commerce can be good business."
“Cody Townsend is a visionary athlete who is pushing the boundaries of ski mountaineering. Cody has an innate storytelling capability, one which documents his adventures in an innovative, engaging and progressive fashion. We’re honored to work with one of the most well-rounded athletes alive today.”
The FIFTY+ Picks:
S/LAB Mtn Summit
Cody's Boot:
"An incredible mix of lightweight walkability and downhill ski performance. As a 200lb ex-ski racer, I’ve been amazed how well this 1,200g boot can ski. From Emerald Bay Chutes to Alaskan Expeditions, these are my go to boots."
- Cody Townsend
Pickup available at 415 North Lake Boulevard
Usually ready in 24 hours
S/LAB Mtn Summit
23/23.5
415 North Lake Boulevard
415 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City CA 96145
United States
My Go-to Liners:
ZipFit Espresso Liner
"Take the incredible heel hold and power of the ZipFit GFT, but shave off almost half the weight and you have the Espresso. This has been the dream liner of a bunch of professional backcountry skiers including the wizard himself, Hoji, myself and many more. It’s light, breathable, warm and powerful. The single best touring liner I’ve ever used."
- Cody Townsend
Learn moreZipFit GFT Tour Liner
"Looking for more downhill performance out of your touring boot? Just throw in a pair of ZipFit GFT Tour’s and be amazed how much better your boot performs. The added weight is worth the extra performance."
- Cody Townsend
Learn more
S/LAB QST Echo
Cody's Ski:
"An intuitive, friendly, fun backcountry ride. With enough weight shaved off to make it a ski you’ll want to choose for daily uphill adventures, but enough integrity left in that the down is still the most enjoyable part of your day, the Echo is what I ski at least three-quarters of my days in the backcountry. It’s just and easy, fun, energetic ski that’ll make you smile through the whole day."
- Cody Townsend
Pickup available at 415 North Lake Boulevard
Usually ready in 24 hours
S/LAB QST Echo
165
415 North Lake Boulevard
415 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City CA 96145
United States
Cody's Packs and How to Choose:
Crux 40 Pack
Cody's Top Pick:
"The ultimate ski mountaineering pack. Designed specifically for the steeps, to solve your problems at the crux, to carry your most technical equipment efficiently and comfortably and to make your gnarliest missions a little more efficient. It’s a very specific pack, a high end one that a lot of people probably don’t need. But if you want to ski Split Couloir one day, dream of Ford-Stettner on the Grand Teton, stay awake at night because of Alaskan high peaks…there is no pack better than this pack."
- Cody Townsend
Pickup currently unavailable at 415 North Lake Boulevard
Crux 40 Pack
White / M
415 North Lake Boulevard
415 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City CA 96145
United States
Avabag Litric Tour 40
Cody's Avy Bag:
"It’s a nightmare traveling with canister activated Airbags. I’ve done it for years and I can’t tell you how happy I am to move on from canisters after the introduction of the best electronic inflation device there is, the Lictric system."
- Cody Townsend
Pickup currently unavailable at 415 North Lake Boulevard
Avabag Litric Tour 40
Desert Orange
415 North Lake Boulevard
415 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City CA 96145
United States
For Ski Mountaineering:
Akila LT Adze Ice Axe 42cm
Why it's Cody's Top Pick:
"More versatility and more efficiency for a few more grams is the tradeoff between the Akila and the Petzl Gully. It’s longer pick and spiked shaft make for easier and more secure movement in vertical terrain and long with more efficient plunging which almost makes the weight disappear. There is almost nowhere in the mountains this axe can’t go."
- Cody Townsend
Pickup available at 415 North Lake Boulevard
Usually ready in 24 hours
Akila LT Adze Ice Axe 42cm
415 North Lake Boulevard
415 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City CA 96145
United States
Essentials:
Mountain Radio
The Best Radio:
"The only backcountry radio I’ve ever used that actually works. Incredible battery life, functional design, durable build and intuitive usability. I’ve left them outside on my pack, outside of my tent, for 9 days without ever charging once for 9 days in Baffin Island. They helped save my life this year in Norway. Radios have become as critical to me as a beacon/shovel/probe and if it wasn’t for the ease of use of the Mountain Radio, I don’t think that would’ve happened."
- Cody Townsend
Pickup available at 415 North Lake Boulevard
Usually ready in 24 hours
Mountain Radio
415 North Lake Boulevard
415 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City CA 96145
United States
What's Cody Wearing?
Ergo Grip Active
The Most Versatile:
"The Ergo Grip has a wild amount of conditions it can go into. With the weight of a spring glove it out punches its class and can be used as primary glove on many winter days. It’s a touring glove, spring glove, work glove, winter glove in one. The most do-it-all glove in Hestra’s line up."
- Cody Townsend
Pickup available at 415 North Lake Boulevard
Usually ready in 24 hours
Ergo Grip Active
Black/Black / 6
415 North Lake Boulevard
415 North Lake Boulevard
Tahoe City CA 96145
United States
Blue Ice Harfang Hybrid
"Light, compact and secure. All you could want. The dyneema strap has less stretch than cordage allowing for less break-in period and the coin’ing of the front points makes for stronger and more durable points than the Irvis Hybrid"
- Cody Townsend
Learn MoreTenacious Tape 3" x 20'
"Lives in my backcountry kit because I’m a klutz and put holes in my outerwear, tents, sleeping bags and more very often. Too often to admit just how much. Do not go on a ski trip without it."
- Cody Townsend
Learn moreMountain Flow Glide Wax
"A quick rub on wax that lives in my backcountry kit for extra glide when the snow is a little stickier than you thought. Plus, knowing that you’re not using traditional ski waxes which are toxic for waterways, wetlands and animal habitats, will actually make you want to use it."
- Cody Townsend
Learn More
Scroll to learn more
The FIFTY+ is a new episodic video series by Cody Townsend centered on exploring the mountains and the definition of what makes a line a classic. It’s the FIFTY, plus more mountains, more lines, more adventures and more fun. The series is all about expanding, and exploring the definition of the classics as backcountry skiing continues to evolve.
Cody developed a scoring system to evaluate the merits of a line and determine if it's a classic. He and his partners will rank lines on the following characteristics:
- Aesthetics
- Popularity
- Ski Quality
- Climb Quality
- Bragging Rights
Our favorite parts of the Fifty Project was the amazing folks that we go to know through Cody's adventures. The FIFTY+ Project continues that tradition with an exciting cast of new friends and old favorites. Keep your eyes peeled! You might even see a friend from Alpenglow Sports!
What gear did Cody choose for a specific line, and why? How did it perform? Cody is a trusted voice for outdoor gear choices and our partnership will bring more, high-quality gear reviews to both our audiences.
The FIFTY+ is a new episodic video series by Cody Townsend centered on exploring the mountains and the definition of what makes a line a classic. It’s the FIFTY, plus more mountains, more lines, more adventures and more fun. The series is all about expanding, and exploring the definition of the classics as backcountry skiing continues to evolve.
Cody developed a scoring system to evaluate the merits of a line and determine if it's a classic. He and his partners will rank lines on the following characteristics:
- Aesthetics
- Popularity
- Ski Quality
- Climb Quality
- Bragging Rights
Our favorite parts of the Fifty Project was the amazing folks that we go to know through Cody's adventures. The FIFTY+ Project continues that tradition with an exciting cast of new friends and old favorites. Keep your eyes peeled! You might even see a friend from Alpenglow Sports!
What gear did Cody choose for a specific line, and why? How did it perform? Cody is a trusted voice for outdoor gear choices and our partnership will bring more, high-quality gear reviews to both our audiences.
The Official Retail Partner of the FIFTY+ Project
Alpenglow Sports is stoked to provide our friend and longtime customer, Cody Townsend, with the gear he needs for his new project, The FIFTY+! After 6 years of climbing and skiing 46 of the 50 lines in the book “The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America”, Cody's headed back into the backcountry in pursuit of new "modern classics."
In the process of skiing the classic lines depicted in the book, Cody often found himself curious about adjacent lines and what truly constituted a classic. This new series will chronicle his attempts at these lines, and subsequent determination of whether or not they should be included as a classic, based on his personally developed scoring system.
As Cody has ventured to more remote locations and completed more challenging ascents through the FIFTY Project, he often found himself being asked about his gear choices. What gear did he choose for a specific line, and why? As a result, rather organically, he became a trusted voice for outdoor gear choices and performance, and a new aspect of the series, gear reviews, evolved. Alpenglow Sports is excited to be able to utilize his experience with the gear we carry, and are honored to add his voice to our team.
About Cody Townsend
Cody Townsend is a career professional skier based in Tahoe City, California. From award winning freeride skiing to directing, producing and starring in The FIFTY, his passion for skiing and the mountains has driven him for 20+ years.
About Alpenglow Sports
Alpenglow Sports is an original California Mountain Shop that has been providing locals and visitors with inspiration, local knowledge and the best gear to enjoy the great outdoors since 1973. Based in Tahoe City, we take pride in being community, socially and environmentally responsible to ensure Lake Tahoe stays one of the best places to play, visit, and live in California.
About Alpenglow Sports
Season 2. Episode 1.
The Grunge
The Grunge is a hidden, narrow, steep funnel pouring off the eastern flank of North Timpanogos Peak. A short walk away from the "Fifty Classic" Cold Fusion, this line provides a steeper, more committing, more technical alternative to the open flowy gullies of Cold Fusion. It's a sought over objective in the Wasatch backcountry community that demands technical dexterity and steep skiing artistry.
Joined by Mali Noyes, Sam Smooth, photographer Fred Marmsater and cinematographer Bjarne Salen, the group sets out on an early spring day to test their sleep deprived endurance, steep skiing prowess and group dynamics to determine if the Grunge is a classic or not.
Watch Now
Bonus Episode
The Everything Episode
The Everything Episode - A deep dive into all the gear from the winter of 2025
This nearly hour long video discusses nearly every piece of gear Cody used this past winter—except for backpacks because that’s got its own separate bonus episode coming soon. It’s sort of best enjoyed as a podcast and most of the feedback is suggesting it as such. If you want to take a peek at it yourself, episode is here.
Watch now
Season 2. Episode 2.
Lone Peak
The NE Couloir of Lone Peak is a both aptly and terribly named. With almost no north facing aspects in the couloir, another 1am start to beat the heat of the early morning sun is in order. Which wouldn't be that hard typically for a crew used to alpine starts, but the catch is, this was the very next day after skiing The Grunge. Additionally, Lone Peak's remote nature requires a unique approach, one very atypical in the Wasatch backcountry.
Joined by Mali Noyes, Spencer Harkins, photographer Fred Marmsater and cinematographer Bjarne Salen, the group sets out on an early spring day to again test their sleep deprived endurance, steep skiing prowess over exposure and who can ski the most dirt.