Reddit mentions of Dakine Heli Vest, Shadow, Medium/Large

I never liked the bulk of a backpack, but have only good things to say about the dakine heli vest:. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0102X3QU0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481747938&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=dakine+heli+vest&dpPl=1&dpID=41kds4gXXNL&ref=plSrch

It's pretty common to hike in snowboarding boots, if yours are that uncomfortable you should get a better pair. I have several packs I use depending on amount of runs I'm planning on doing, number of days out, how long of a trip I'm doing. For a single day hike up to a peak and then riding down I would probably just use my Dakine Heli Vest, for a full day a 20L pack, for overnight I would probably use a backpacking bag. Snowshoes aren't as easy to secure to the outside of a bag as you might think, especially if you don't want sharp spikes poking random places and the weight shifting at random- I suggest you address that issue prior to getting on the trail. Please take some time to educate yourself on avalanche hazards and the safety equipment necessary,,as well as some general survival knowledge. If all you can think to put in your bag is board/boots/snowshoes you are not someone I would want to share the trail with yet.