The ski season is upon us! Pretty soon, 12% of the earth’s surface will be covered in white. Some people will light up fires and snuggle in their blankets with a warm beverage in hand. Others will dig out their gears and head out for adventures they wait the entire year for.
And then there would be those who take a new step towards life, make a decision to partake in a new recreational activity, and see if it is just as fun as it looks. At least one of these activities will be the much-loved skiing.
If you belong to the latter category, you’ve come to the right place. Skiing is one of the most fun winter sports. From the painstaking process of learning to ski to the moment you finally start to shred on the snow, every moment fills you with adrenaline.
Very few things can dampen the mood during an experience like that – not being adequately prepared is one of them. Skiing trips are often far from home and far removed from cities. You need to come prepared and packed with all the essentials.
If this is the first time you are heading for the slopes and don’t know what to bring skiing, keep reading so that you spend more time skiing and less time worrying about what you don’t have.
What to Bring Skiing
While it’s entirely up to your specific situation on what you’d need to purchase, we are listing down the essentials that will make every ski trip easy and convenient.
All things you purchase for your first ski trip need to be durable, sturdy, and reliable. The right products will last you for years.
Here’s a list of all the things that are pretty much part and parcel of every ski trip:
- A Ski Bag
- Lip balms, moisturizers, body lotion, deodorant, dental care kit, etc.
- Snow Boots For Men Or Women
- Base Layer, Mid-Layer, And Shell Layer Of Clothing
- Ski Goggles, Ski Poles, Ski, Ski Helmet
- Ski Mask, hand warmers, toe warmers, hydration pack
- Pain relievers, prescribed medication, baby diapers
- Winter jackets, warm socks, gloves, and mittens, cozy sleepwear
What to Bring Skiing?
You can never be too safe when it comes to sports. The gears, the helmets, and all other essentials exist for your safety. The same goes for skiing. All the skiing essentials guarantee your safety and protection during the trip. And then there are some things you need to pack to make your ski trip comfortable.
1. The Right Kind of Luggage
Before we move on to the things to pack, let’s focus on the kind of luggage you’d be taking to the trip. If you are lucky enough to live in a place where a ski resort is just a car ride away, then you do not need to take more than one bag. You can place all your equipment in the car and take a small bag for all the other essentials.
However, if you are flying to your ski destination and taking your equipment with you, then you’d have to take two bags, and at least one of them will have to be checked in.
Now let’s talk luggage. If you’re planning to spend at least a week skiing, then take a spacious bag with wheels and a good amount of padding. Luggage like that will accommodate all your clothes, toiletries, and your equipment. The extra padding will keep your things safe.
However, if you plan on taking skiing for the rest of your life, invest in a ski bag. Ski bags are designed specifically to protect the gears. If a ski bag is enough for all your essentials, then you don’t need to take luggage at all.
Don’t forget to secure your possessions with luggage locks and luggage tags.
2. Toiletries
In all the excitement of skiing, it is very easy to forget about some items that are needed for self-care during the trip. While a high-end resort provides all the basic toiletries to their guests, you’d still need to take some of your skincare and personal care items to take care of yourself.
Remember, you are heading off to a very cold destination full of snow and glaring sun. The first thing you need to grab is your sunscreen. Some other toiletries you’d sorely miss and regret if you leave behind include:
- A hydrating lip balm
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Aloe Vera cream or any moisturizer infused with hyaluronic acid and other good stuff.
- Hair accessories such as comb, hairbrush, clips, etc.
- Dental floss, mouthwash, toothpaste, and toothbrush
- Body lotion for your hand and feet
- Deodorant
- Nail clippers and file
- A small bag of cosmetics
- Tweezers
- scissors
3. Regular Shoes
Many skiers are so focused on ski boots that they entirely overlook the importance of bringing regular shoes. A week-long ski trip means you’d also be taking your time enjoying the nearby towns at night or heading out for drinks.
You cannot do any of these things without proper pair of post-ski boots. Leave your slides, sandals, or Uggs at home as they won’t last in all the wet snow and hilly grounds. You need high-quality, waterproof, sturdy, and utterly comfy boots for the purpose.
You’d thank your lucky stars that you packed these boots because not only will they provide you comfort but will also prevent injuries. Also, you must familiarize yourself with foot cramps and learn of all the ways you can avoid that.
These comfy snow boots are one of those ways.
4. Layers of Clothing for Skiing
Skiing is all fun and games until you catch a cold! Make sure that you must be dressed for the occasion when you are going to a place with a below-freezing temperature.
As a general rule, dressing for skiing involves three layers of clothing: the base layer, a mid-layer, and the shells. The base layer comprises thermal underwear. This prevents heat loss from your body and keeps you warm and snug. Make sure that your base layers fit nicely and are either merino wool or synthetic wool. No other material can do the job, especially those that can get wet easily.
Mid-layers are excellent insulators and are clothing items made of permeable and breathable material. The porous texture of these clothes keeps the warm air close to your body and traps it there while everything outside is cold and wet. Flannel and down are perfect materials for that. Fortunately, many ski pants come with a mid-layer, so you don’t need to worry about that front.
The last layer is called shell and is made of wind and waterproof material. Without the shell, the mid-layer will serve no purpose. This material prevents the cold wind and wet snow from penetrating your clothing and, in turn, prevents the warmth from leaving you.
5. Ski Gear
If you are a seasoned skier, you probably already own a couple of high-end ski gears because you know their significance.
However, if you are a first-time skier planning to learn the sports on this trip, then you need to know a few things to make your life easier. Ski gear is expensive but worth it if you plan on skiing frequently for the rest of your lives. However, if you are more of a once-in-a-few-years skier, then there’s a more convenient option for you: the rentals.
Renting the gear on-site will save you from the tedious task of packing and carrying them on the flight. It will also give you an insight into all the components of the gear, their quality, and even your size.
Basic ski gear includes skis and ski poles. Some resorts might also rent ski boots, but that’s not a guarantee, so you better and call and confirm in advance.
6. Skiing Paraphernalia
You need to bring along three layers of clothing to keep your body warm and arrange ski gear for your trip, which you can either purchase or rent at the resort.
That’s not all. To make your skiing trip a success, there are several small items you need to bring along. We suggest making a list so that you don’t miss out on anything. If you forget to bring your ski gloves, balaclavas, neck gaiters, or ski socks, we are afraid you’d have to sit out on this trip.
These small skiing accessories are absolute necessities. You simply cannot step out on the snow unless you are wearing socks that are made specifically for skiing purposes. A pair of good quality ski socks are usually made of merino wool and are high enough to work with ski boots, and you also need to ensure that those socks do not cut off circulation. Neck gaiters or balaclavas are two other essential for this trip because they provide your face and neck with extra protection, saving you from getting windburns.
It should be noted that under no circumstances can neck gaiters be replaced with winter scarves. The scarf will not last long against the cold winds, and soon enough, your entire neck will be exposed to the dangerous weather. Additionally, a flapping scarf can obstruct the view, creating possible hazards.
Here’s a pack list of ski paraphernalia for your convenience:
- Hydration pack
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Helmet
- Hand and toe warmers
7. Medical Supplies
There’s a high chance that your resort has a pharmacy nearby, but let’s not put your well-being on chance. Make a small pack and label it ‘Medicines’. Begin by adding all the basic medicines in the pack, such as OTC pain relievers, because your body will remember every fall and stumble you took on the slopes.
Then add in any medication that has been prescribed to you by your healthcare professional. Girls will also need to pack in feminine products, and parents of babies and toddlers will need to pack in some extra diapers.
8. Regular Clothes
We have already talked about the clothing layers you’d need to bring to wear under your skiing clothes. However, you’d also need to bring a couple of warm clothes and accessories to enjoy the nightlife around your resort. Some basic clothing essentials you need to pack on a ski trip includes:
- Winter jacket/ Warm coat
- A knitted hat
- Sweaters
- Gloves and mittens
- Waterproof snow/winter boots
- Warm socks
- Sweatshirts, jeans, tops
- Warm and comfortable sleepwear
- Undergarments
Our Final Thoughts
A trip to a mountainous resort where you can spend your days and nights on snowy terrain, make new friends, hang out in your toasty cottage, enjoy a hot bath in your private tub, and sleep off your sore muscles from skiing; in a cozy bed by the fire? Sounds pretty exciting!
Even more so if this is your first-ever ski trip and your first time on the slopes.
However, even a dream vacation like this can go wrong if you don’t go prepared. The best way you can ensure an unforgettable experience is by taking all the skiing essentials with you. When you know what to bring skiing, you’ll have everything you’d need to stay safe and warm during your time at the resort.
To simplify your task, prepare a list by following our guide. So that when you open your luggage at the resort, from your wool ski socks to your neck gaiter, everything will be sitting there nicely, promising you good times ahead.
