Packing For a Ski Vacation: Strategies and a Packing Checklist

Packing for a ski or snowboard vacation obviously starts with the equipment. You need to decide what you’re taking and what you’re renting. Sometimes it’s a matter of space, sometimes it’s economics, but often it’s about trying new things, upping your game and being prepared.

For instance, if you’re heading to Tuckerman Ravine for some backcountry skiing and you don’t have backcountry skis and boots, you really might want to rent some. Or if you’ve grown up on skis but have never tried snowboarding, you might use vacation time to expand your slopestyle horizons.

And, if this is your first trip to the slopes, you really want to research the best ways to get ready, including packing right so you don’t end up wet and cold on the lift.

See why travel protection is great for ski trips!

You can download our Ski Trip Packing Checklist by clicking the button below. The accessible interactive PDF can be digitally checked off using any device or easily printed for your use.

See the text version of the list

After the equipment it’s the clothes. Ski apparel is about keeping you appropriately warm, dry, and stylish. High-quality bibs or pants and jackets over a base layer should be fine for most ski trips. After that, most problems are confined to hands and feet.

Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to ski gloves. The best are the best for some good reasons. Built-in heating systems are the hottest thing in gloves, but expect to spend a lot for the good stuff.

Heating systems have made their way over to ski boots as well. If cold feet are a bugaboo, choose low-temp-rated boots that don’t grip your foot too tightly and pack on the warm socks.

Also read: 6 Tips For Flying With Sports Equipment

For apres-ski wear, coziness reigns. Give your feet a break with some soft alpaca socks and some fleecy boots or slippers. They’ve earned it.

Consider shopping the vintage clothing market for some classic looks, whether in sweaters or stirrup pants. These clothes have generally not been worn to death, the workmanship is superb, the materials are soft, and the prices are better than new items.

Don’t forget a swimsuit or two for the compulsory hot tub or sauna time.

Video: 6 Winter Activities for Non-Skiers and Where to Try Them

Hiking boots or fur-lined mukluks are great for bumming around ski towns, especially when paired with flannel-lined jeans and a vintage Pendleton blanket coat or down jacket.

Similarly, classy plaids are dressy enough for all but the swankiest restaurants. No one thinks twice about wearing their boots to a sit-down dinner.

You, your skis, and more can benefit from the coverage offered by Generali Global Assistance’s travel insurance with assistance services. Plans like our Premium Plan include coverage for issues like your skis or snowboard being lost, damaged or delayed, plus Trip Cancellation, Travel Delay and medical emergencies.

Plus you get up to $1 Million per person in Emergency Assistance and Transportation coverage — crucial for the slopes. In 2018, almost 200,000 people were treated for winter sports injuries in the U.S. Medical evacuation from a ski resort or even from the mountain could require a helicopter, which is not cheap.

What’s more, getting covered is easy. See for yourself; get a quote today. Or, learn more about how travel protection can help on a ski trip.

Also see: 7 Best Ski Resorts and Destinations in the U.S.

• Base layer (merino wool or polypro)
• Belts
• Cold-weather boots
• Contact lenses/solution
• Copies of important papers
• Down jacket
• Emergency contact info (family, friends, travel insurance, banks, credit-card companies)
• Emergency matches
• Face mask
• First-aid kit
• Flashlight(s)
• Fleece mid-layer
• Gloves (heavyweight for skiing and lightweight for around town)
• Haircare items
• Handwarmers
• Hangers
• Hats/earbands
• Hiking boots
• Hygiene products
• Jeans (preferably flannel-lined)
• Laundry items
• Mittens (with a wind-blocking outer layer)
• Moisturizer
• Multi-tool
• Outer shell (Gore-Tex or similar)
• Pants
• PJs
• Scarves
• Ski boots
• Ski goggles
• Other ski wear
• Skis/snowboards
• Slippers
• Sweaters
• T-shirts
• Toiletry bag
• Trekking poles
• Undergarments
• Warm socks (alpaca or merino wool, several pairs)
• Wool or flannel shirts

Also see: How Travel Insurance and Assistance Works in Real Life

• Blanket and pillow
• Camera
• Cash
• Cellphone
• Changes of clothes (2)
• Chargers (including a power bank)
• Chewing gum
• Computer or tablet
• Copies of prescriptions
• Credit/debit cards
• Food
• Headphones
• IDs
• Insurance cards
• Jewelry and other valuables
• Tissues
• Lip balm
• Medications
• Shoes
• Water bottle

B007142403