ski trip packing list

Ski Trip Packing List

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Are you planning a ski trip but wondering what to pack?

I am Aspen, an NZSIA level 2 ski instructor with around ten seasons of experience. I have been helping many friends and students pack their luggage for a ski trip throughout the years. I have interviewed many of my friends in the ski industry to provide you with the ultimate ski trip packing list.

Follow this list and you are good to go for a great ski trip!

Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List

Here are everything you needed for a 7 days ski trip according to our experience/

Basic Ski and Snowboard Equipment and Clothing

Plan your packing according to the length of your trip and where you are heading to. It’s a good idea to check the snow and weather forecast before you start packing. 

  • Skis and ski poles/snowboard, or both! Not so sure about what ski length you should get? make sure of our ski length and size calculator.
  • Helmet, always wear a helmet because it will save your life! Try to get a MIPS helmet for further protection against injuries.
  • Goggles, with lens suitable for bright and flat light conditions.
  • Sunglasses, for sunny, warm conditions with not much wind.
  • Ski Boots/snowboard boots
  • Ski Socks, 3 to 4 pairs, if you are going somewhere cold and windy, or if you will do night skiing, you may want to get a pair of heated socks.
  • Ski Jackets, usually, we will bring 2 jackets, 1 shell and 1 insulated for changing conditions, Do make sure they are waterproof, breathable, and with a snow skirt.
  • Ski Pants, 1 or maximum 2 waterproof and breathable ski pants with snow ski gaiters.
  • Mid Layers, a thin down or fleece jacket underneath of the ski jackets for additional insulation.
  • Base Layer Tops and Bottoms, 2 to 3 quick-dry, breathable, relatively tight base layers, avoid cotton. Instead, go for merino or synthetic materials.
  • Gloves & Mittens, waterproof and insulated ski gloves or mittens. If you are going somewhere very cold, get a pair of heated gloves.
  • Inner gloves , 1 to 2 pairs (very important if you have sweaty or cold hands).
  • Neck Warmer/Ski Mask, 1 to 2 pieces.
  • Sweater, 2 to 3 sweaters on top of the bast layer.
  • Suspenders
  • Warm Winter Hat
  • Knee supports (for skiers)
  • Padded shorts, knee pads, wrist guard, or padded jacket (for snowboarders).
  • Sunscreen, SPF 50 is great, or else, at least SPF 30+ for sufficient protection against sunburnt and goggle tan. Make sure you take them with you and keep putting them on. You don’t want to burn your skin
  • Lip balm with sunblock
  • Ski Pass holder (if you don’t have one on the arm of your jacket or gloves)
  • Ski passes
  • Snacks with sugar or fat, nuts, candy, chcolate, energy bar, something that can boost your blood sugar level when you are tired, sugar-free gums are not so suitable here.
  • Ski Bag, you need one to put everything in.

Pro tips: if you are wearing a wrist guard, please make sure you can wear it under your gloves or wear it outside of your gloves.

Equipment for Backcountry/Sidecountry Ski Trip

  • Backcountry skis, GOOD excuse to buy a new pair of skis!
  • Ski skins
  • Alpine touring (AT) bindings
  • Alpine touring boots (usually with walk mode)
  • Backcountry ski poles (Preferably to be adjustable)
  • Backcountry backpack
  • Backcountry beacons
  • Shovels
  • Probe
  • Food and Water, food is more important, you need something that can boost your energy level quickly, like energy gel and chocolate
  • First Aid Kit
  • Backcountry education and folks have backcountry knowledge and experience!

Additional Equipment that will Make Your Ski Trip Easier

  • Carv, a great accessories for improving your skiing. Simply place the sensor under the liner of your boot, it will then collect, transfer and analysis your data and provide you with immediate comments and drills to improve your skiing. (Use Carv coupon code: CARVLIKELAM for $50 off on the online US store and £40 off in the GB store!)
  • Boot dryers, make sure there is a cold wind option and use it to dry your boots!
  • Backpack, you want one that’s durable, weatherproof, and easy to access to different tools, we don’t really recommend beginners to wear a backpack
  • Hydration pack/foldable water bottle, carry these only when you are wearing a backpack
  • Goggle cover, you want to
  • Ski Boot Traction Cleats, great for walking with your ski boots, they are great for walking down stairs or on the bathroom floor
  • Action cameras/GoPros – make sure to bring extra batteries and mount, if you are planning to mount it on your helmet or skis, make sure you bring a spare set of adhesive tapes.
  • Drones, do check with the resort whether you can use it there or not
  • Walkie-Talkie, get a weatherproof one
  • Foldable screwdrivers, handy tools to adjust the settings

Especially Useful Items for Skiing with Kids

  • Easy Wedge, they will save your back from helping the kids to keep their ski tips close
  • Waterproof gloves with long cuffs and zipper + Extra pair of gloves, kids love to take off their gloves and touch the snow, then they get cold, then they want to put on the gloves when their hands are still wet, and then they will end up wearing a pair of wet, cold gloves in 5 mins. Once their hands are cold, they don’t want to stay in the snow.
  • Kid’s favorite thermal bottle, it’s always nice to have some warm or hot water on the snow, according to my experience, kids like to see something they are familiar with during their first few ski lessons, their thermal bottle is a good target.
  • Ski Harness, another great accessories that will save your back
  • Snacks, candys and something that can boost their sugar and energy level, place them in a small zipper bag so it won’t melt in the jacket.

Non-Skiing Clothering and Accessories (Casual)

  • Warm winter jacket – better to be waterproof
  • Warm winter pants or jeans – waterproof is always great, but then Jeans look so good!
  • Warm winter hat
  • Neck warmer/scarf
  • Gloves/mittens
  • Sweaters
  • Waterproof winter boots
  • Undergarments
  • Walk Traction Cleats
  • Socks
  • Swimsuit (some accommodations come with spas with steam room and a jacuzzi, so make sure you bring along a swimsuit!)
  • Trainers and sportswear (for gym)

Personal Care Items

Miscellaneous

  • Foldable Travel Hangers, you will have a lot of things need to dry during the night, from gloves, goggles, neck warmer, heated socks, jackets, hat… so bring along some travel hangers is always a great idea.
  • Camera, memory cards, batteries, spare batteries, chargers
  • Masks
  • Travel plug adapter
  • Extension cord, very useful for ski trips, imaging you need to charge your GoPro, Insta360, Drone, Boots dryer, heated tools for the hair, your computer, power bank, iPads… it’s pretty great for keeping everybody happy.
  • Headphone
  • Power bank and cable
  • Insurance card
  • Flight Ticket
  • Hotel, transportation, famous restaurants reservations
  • ID/Drivers License/Passport and travel neck wallet, you will need your passport if you ski in Europe, sometimes you may ski across the border!
  • Bank cards
  • Daily Supplements
  • Wallets
  • Travel Pillows
  • Books/Magazines/Kindles
  • Laundry Bag
  • Sewing Kit
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Player cards/Board games

Wrapping Up

This list has covered almost everything you needed for a ski trip. If you are looking for a fun and enjoyable ski trip, consider of booking an instructor session with us! Our instructor network covers the US, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Asutralia, Japan, and China.

We also offer online ski school and lessons to help you become a better skier/snowboarder!