Certain embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include a bag to store and provide easy transport of a pair (or multiple pairs) of skis or a snowboard(s) along with poles, boots, helmets, goggles and other ski or snowboard gear. Such embodiments provide a quick, efficient, and compact system for carrying sporting gear. Bags disclosed herein can include a shell having back surface for facing a user, a front surface, two opposing sides, a bottom surface, at least one shoulder strap, and an upper end. The upper end defines an upper opening sized to receive a pair of skis and accompanying bindings in a lengthwise direction. The bag defines a bottom opening in the bottom surface sized to receive the pair of skis in a lengthwise direction. The backpack can include a collapsible sleeve configured to extend from the defined bottom opening. The bag can also include a releasable flap attached to the bottom surface of the bag member and configured to cover the defined bottom opening and be released from covering the defined bottom opening to contain the collapsible sleeve in a collapsed position within the bag. The centrally carried skis then provide a balanced and efficient means of carrying winter sports equipment.