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Read moreWhat to Wear Skiing + Ski Trip Packing List
With any number of ski essentials you need to bring to enjoy pow days, figuring out what to wear skiing and coming up with a packing list for your next ski trip can easily make you feel overwhelmed. A comprehensive ski trip packing list can save you from traveling anxiety and from leaving behind your favorite ski gear. We’ve created a guide for what to wear skiing and a ski trip packing checklist to help you pack for your pow days like a pro!
Read on for a quick summary of the ins and outs of your packing list, and then a downloadable and printable ski trip checklist to make your packing process quick and easy!
Ski Packing Categories
Ski Outerwear
The cold can get in the way of an awesome pow day. Your ski jacket and insulated pants are your best friends on the slopes. Packing warm ski outerwear does not just complete your skiing look – it keeps you from shivering by blocking the cold out, and it gives extra protection from wipeouts.
Outerwear is bulky and takes up a lot of baggage space, so you may want to consider saving space and renting instead. Check out Black Tie Ski Delivery – they rent ski outerwear in more than 30 ski destinations.
Ski Base Layers
Base layers are a necessity for ski packing, and come in many forms – pants, shirts, sports bras, and even tights. Base layers are designed to be lightweight – you can layer them on without feeling awkward, and you can pack them without worrying about taking up too much baggage space! If sweat makes you uncomfortable, you can count on ski base layers to keep perspiration and moisture at bay.
Ski Gear
If there’s something you ought to make sure to remember when packing for a ski trip, it would be your ski gear. Nothing spells bummer more than a forgotten pair of skis or boots.
On the other hand, ski destinations across the country make it silly easy to rent the latest ski gear, which makes packing and flying a breeze. Find the best local ski shops at over 30 ski destinations and book your gear all on one website.
Ski Accessories
No ski trip is complete without packing your favorite ski accessories. Since you’re going to be out in the cold, it’s important to bring accessories like goggles and gloves that will keep you warm and comfortable. Our ski trip checklist below provides a full list of accessories to bring on your trip.
Casual Clothing
Not sure what kind of clothing to bring on a ski trip? We recommend packing some casual clothing to explore the ski town off-piste. Trade your skis for durable shoes or boots for shopping, exploring, and dining. Your ski packing list should include non-ski clothes for evenings and days off the slopes. And don’t forget to bring your swimsuit! Your hotel or Airbnb may have a hot tub to relax in after a day chasing powder.
Toiletries
The more popular the ski resort is, the more expensive their prices can be. Save money by bringing your toiletries along on your skiing trip. We’ve added essentials like sunscreen, facewash and toothpaste, plus a few others to the ski trip p
How to Pack for a Ski Trip
Here are some final tips on how to pack for a ski trip quickly and efficiently. Just open and save a copy of this checklist!
- Download and/or print this handy ski trip packing list and check off the items as you go.
- Roll items before packing into your suitcase or bag to make more space.
- Pack ski clothing/outerwear in ski/snowboard gear bag to make more space.
- To avoid overpacking: lay all of your items out and do a 2nd and 3rd review to eliminate things that you may not need.
- Wear your bulkiest clothes to save space in your luggage.
- Avoid having to check your bags by renting gear at your destination. Check out TripOutside for the highest rated, vetted ski shops where you can rent all types of ski and snowboard gear and clothing at over 35 different ski resorts.
- If you’re flying, check out your baggage allowance ahead of time.
- Make more space by bringing versatile clothes you can wear more than once.
With a ski packing guide that includes what and how to pack for a ski trip, plus a downloadable and printable ski trip packing checklist, you will be ready for your next ski vacation in no time. When you’ve packed your much-needed equipment, clothing and accessories, nothing can get in the way of a pow day.
Find ski and snowboard rentals right here on TripOutside.
Packing checklist below.
Ski Trip Packing Checklist
This handy ski trip packing checklist will make packing a breeze!
Base Layers
- Warm pants/leggings/tights (or all of the above, depending on temperatures)
- Long sleeve shirt (or 2, depending on temperatures)
- Sports bra(s)
- Underwear
- Warm wool ski socks
Outerwear
- Insulated and waterproof Ski jacket
- Insulated and waterproof Ski pants
Ski Gear/Equipment
Or save the hassle and rent easily online at over 35 ski resorts!
- Skis or Snowboard (with bindings)
- Ski or Snowboard Boots
- Ski Poles
- Goggles
- Helmet
- Warm & waterproof gloves
- A neck warmer or scarf
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
Accessories
- Go Pro camera
- Ski lock
- First aid kit
- Tissue
- Snacks
- Toe and hand warmers
- Water bottle or hydration pack (optional)
Casual Clothing
- Casual outdoor coat
- Snow boots or casual waterproof boots (hiking boots work great)
- Regular gloves
- Swimsuit for the hot tub
- Sweater(s)
- Jeans or leggings
- Scarf
- Sleepwear
Toiletries
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Soap or bodywash
- Face wash
- Cosmetics
- Lotion/Moisturizer
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Glasses/Contacts
Miscellaneous Items
- Phone chargers
- IDs and Insurance cards
- Ski tickets/pass
- Sewing kit
- Medications
- Headphones
- Camera
FAQs
What to wear skiing?
In this article, we break down exactly what you should wear on your ski trip. Whether you are skiing or snowboarding, the tips apply to both!
How to choose ski or snowboarding pants?
There are many different factors to choosing the best ski pants or snowboarding pants for yourself, here are our most practical tips:- Waterproof: This is the most crucial part of the deal. You can ski and snowboard with even some waterproof rain pants with some base layers underneath. But the most important thing is to make sure that you don’t let all that snow turn into water and soak you. – Insulated: If the pants have some built-in insulation, that will help you stay warm on the mountain and your butt warm on the chairlift up. Other features to consider:- Pockets: You can’t have enough of these. Think phones, maps, gloves, keys, masks, snacks… there is a lot to pack on a trip. – Built-in Gaiters: These help your pants stay on and hook on to the boots and keep the snow out of your pants from the bottom. Dry = warm.- Ventilation: Temperatures can vary a lot from day to day, seasonally, and even from the top of the mountain to the bottom. It’s nice to have some ventilation to cool down when things get a little heated. – Strong in the right places: Around the bottom of the pants, sometimes you will find reinforced cuffs that get worn out from rubbing against the boots and bindings. These are helpful for the longevity of the pants. – Radical self-expression: It’s great to have a unique pair of pants that call to you. Not only does it make you excited to put them on, but it also helps your group find you on the slopes or in the lift line. “Oh hey, there is Reet in his neon purple cat printed snowboarding pants”
Do I have to wear a ski jacket or is any jacket ok?
Any warm jacket will do, but you have to consider where this jacket will go. Is it waterproof? Then this will be an outer layer, even a good rain jacket can work if you can have enough warm layers underneath to stay warm. Is it a fleece? Then you probably don’t want this as your outer shell but would be a good mid-layer jacket. Also, make sure that you have base layering that is not cotton.
Meet Julie & Reet
We’re Julie & Reet, the outdoor adventurers behind TripOutside. We love human-powered outdoor adventures and have traveled to hundreds of destinations that you see on TripOutside.
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