I'm a minimalist too. I put hand warmers in my boots on the drive up the canyon. And I carry a nose warmer that velcroes on to my goggles. Other than that, just money. Part of the enjoyment of the experience for me is stopping for a hot drink and a bite of chocolate.
I tried a camelback a few times but don't like the extra thickness over my back (even with the tiny flat model) or the frozen hose issues (which I've had even with insulated tubes and trying the blow back trick). I think my problem was that I'd lean back on it and the hose would refill. Who knows, but it froze almost every time and was useless and uncomfortable.
And I have also tried using my boot bag and taking it in to the lodge, but I don't like that either. I'm not into paying for a locker and leaving them laying around is frowned upon, and that area is a madhouse. I prefer booting up in the car and going straight to the lift. And when I stop for breaks it's usually mid mountain, so having a pack wouldn't be of any use anyway.
And I don't even break out my boot bag unless I'm going on a trip or a friend is driving. Otherwise I just have a mental checklist and carry my boots in one hand and helmet with hat, mittens, goggles, neck warmer in the other in it and go. I always keep spare hand warmers and sunscreen in the car.
I tried a camelback a few times but don't like the extra thickness over my back (even with the tiny flat model) or the frozen hose issues (which I've had even with insulated tubes and trying the blow back trick). I think my problem was that I'd lean back on it and the hose would refill. Who knows, but it froze almost every time and was useless and uncomfortable.
And I have also tried using my boot bag and taking it in to the lodge, but I don't like that either. I'm not into paying for a locker and leaving them laying around is frowned upon, and that area is a madhouse. I prefer booting up in the car and going straight to the lift. And when I stop for breaks it's usually mid mountain, so having a pack wouldn't be of any use anyway.
And I don't even break out my boot bag unless I'm going on a trip or a friend is driving. Otherwise I just have a mental checklist and carry my boots in one hand and helmet with hat, mittens, goggles, neck warmer in the other in it and go. I always keep spare hand warmers and sunscreen in the car.