what do you carry on trips?

Cookie, check out this sled -- it's what I've been carrying since the Phantom.

It requires some modifications to your gear. Drill holes in tips and tails, plus holes in the ends of your shovel handle pieces (and the blade, if they're not there already). That, plus 1/4" bolts and wingnuts (4) and a length of 4-5mm cord makes a board-stiff, bombproof rescue sled. It's pretty impressive. I carry that gear with me anytime the skis come out.

Thanks for that link Marcus, seems like exactly what I'm looking for, and having a recommendation makes me feel a lot better about buying. I've had my share of mishaps, and over the last couple of seasons I've realised that a sled is probably a necessity.

I already have holes in the tips/tails of the skis, and I suppose doing the shovel won't be too hard.

Are instructions provided on how to drill the shovel?
Do you have any idea if this weakens the shovel handles?

( Like Luke Skywalker when caught out on the Ice Planet Hoth while riding his Tauntaun)

And very much like Rob Roy escaping the murderous English   

In additon to many of the great suggestions above, I always, even in summer, carry:
spare gloves
2 handwarmer packets
>1 hat (2-4, variations for loss or a bald sweaty noggin)
extra eye pro
leg cramp medication (Hyland's quinine)
emerg. blankie---the bag rips and once I ended up with a foil loincloth for the nght.   :'(

See this TAY thread from 2009, variations on the same content.

www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=12321.0

Thanks for that link Marcus, seems like exactly what I'm looking for, and having a recommendation makes me feel a lot better about buying. I've had my share of mishaps, and over the last couple of seasons I've realised that a sled is probably a necessity.

I already have holes in the tips/tails of the skis, and I suppose doing the shovel won't be too hard.

Are instructions provided on how to drill the shovel?
Do you have any idea if this weakens the shovel handles?

For this setup, all you really need to buy are some 3-4" long, 1/4" bolts or machine screws and some wingnuts. A 20' length of cord and a couple of voile straps will do the rest. I have 5mm cord, but you could do it with parachute cord, or probably make it work with an emergency 6 or 7mm rap-cord, if you're carrying that anyway.

My shovel blade had holes already on the blade end, up on the sidewalls. I use those and the handle-slot to secure the blade between the bindings. I think the blade is easier to drill than the shovel, since it's at least flat. Given the size of the holes (1/4" or so) I doubt they have an appreciable effect on the strength.

I've got a drill press that made all of the drilling (I did six pairs of skis and 4 shovels) really quick. A step bit helped in getting the right hole size quickly. You're welcome to come use it, if you like.

Watch this video and learn how to go light.
This guy is an avalanche forecaster in Utah and he doesn't even need a pack!!! Towards the end he shows what he carries..

!

I have only been involved in two bona fide rescues in the last couple years. One item that proved to be far more useful than its wt was a short ridge rest pad. It roles open inside my day pack and protects anything else that needs padding. I also carry, all in a very small stuff sac:
1) bivi sac
2) space blanket
3) extra mittens
4) hand warmers
5) gu
6) candle
Since I would all ready have the other gear to dig a trench, this system is designed to provide quick shelter. With out the pad the rest would really not be worth much. Recall the fatality on the Muir snow field, guy died laying on snow, while providing insulation to his partner.