When winter arrives, many people start to think about traveling to a new ski destination. Whether you’re looking for a weekend escape to the slopes, or an extended trip abroad, it’s important to learn how to pack for a ski trip. No matter where you decide to take a ski vacation, the packing list for a ski trip will stay consistent, but initially it can be overwhelming to figure out what to pack for a ski trip.
Unlike other types of trips, packing for a ski vacation is a bit more challenging because of all the equipment you’ll need to bring with you. Forgetting specific ski gear can be a real hassle. With a little preparation, you can get your ski trip checklist in order and make sure you’re prepared for the adventure of a lifetime. We’ve created a ski trip packing list to make sure you are prepared for your winter vacation and you don’t have to worry about what to pack.
Flying for a Ski Trip
What should I pack for a week skiing in a different country or out west? Flying to a new ski destination poses a few challenges. Fortunately, it has been done before and we have the tips and tricks for you. Airlines losing baggage can be a huge hassle, especially when ski days on vacation are so precious. Carrying all the ski gear through the airport can also be challenging. Here at White Cloud Concierge we have learned that the two most important things to keep in mind when flying with ski gear is:
- Carry on your ski boots
- Have a rolling ski bag
What to Carry On
If permitted a small-medium size bag, put your ski boots in this bag and any other absolutely critical pieces of gear. If you have special heated gloves for Raynauds or other certain needs that absolutely cannot be rented or easily replaced, carry it on the plane with you. Most everything else can be rented, borrowed, or bought on the other side. Anything custom for your body should be carried on the plane.
Below is a list of things to lay out on the floor before packing them all in a bag. Take a picture of the spread on the floor before you pack it all up so that you can see anything that was included/ forgotten. Another trick is to organize all the items by which bag they go into before packing them, that way if a bag is lost, a photo record exists of what’s in there and what needs to be replaced. Besides the essential gear, take time to think about what to pack for a ski trip so you don’t pack too much and have just what you need.
Bags to Pack
- Rolling ski bag
- Checked bag
- Carry on bag
- Personal bag
Ski Gear for the Resort
- Skis
- Boots
- Poles
- Helmet
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
Ski Gear for the Backcountry
- Skis
- Boots
- Poles
- Whippet
- Skins
- Shovel
- Probe
- Beacon
- Airbag
- Ice axe
- Rope
- Harness
- Slings, carabiners, nuts, atc
- Crampons
- Water container
Ski Clothes and Accessories
- Shell jacket
- Shell pants
- Big gloves
- Medium gloves
- Little gloves
- Ski socks
- Top base layers
- Bottom base layers
- Fleece
- Light puffy
- Heavy puffy
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Hand/toe warmers
- Chapstick
Technology
- Camera
- Laptop
- Laptop charger
- Phone
- Phone charger
- International outlet adapters
Take time to review this packing list and pack your belongings neatly into specific bags. What to pack for a ski trip and how to pack for a ski trip flight can be intimidating. Follow this checklist to ensure things go as smoothly as possible and that you will have all the ski gear you need for both backcountry skiing and resort skiing for a ski vacation.