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Planning a vacation to the slopes? My ski trip packing list gives you a comprehensive checklist of everything you need to travel and enjoy your time skiing in a smart, safe, and stylish way.
Complete with sixty ski essentials and with plenty of room to add your own items, this downloadable checklist can help ensure that everything is accounted for and nothing is forgotten.
Scroll to the end of this article to download it in PDF format for free, and get ready to revolutionize the way you plan your ski trip!
Ski Trip Packing List
Open up your suitcase, grab a hot coffee or a glass of wine, and let’s streamline your skiing packing. That way, you can focus more time and energy on looking forward to your snow-capped, adrenaline-fuelled vacation on the beautiful slopes.
Ski Essentials and Equipment
If you’re a beginner, you may prefer renting skis and ski poles from the resort or a rental shop rather than purchasing them. The same may go for ski boots if you can find something comfortable.
Otherwise, even as a beginner, you should consider going to a specialized shop and buying a very comfortable pair of ski boots.
For the ski helmet, I would personally recommend purchasing rather than renting. Buying a ski helmet may often be not a lot more than renting it for a week.
However you get your essential skiing gear, be sure you account for the following items. Without these, you won’t be able to hit the slopes.
- Skis
- Ski poles
- Ski boots
- Ski helmet
- Ski goggles
Must-Have Ski Clothing and Accessories
Skiing holidays are so much fun, but the cold conditions should never be underestimated. Keeping warm, dry, and safe should be a top priority when out on the slopes.
These ski clothes and accessories everyone should take with them. That way, you can hit the slopes with peace of mind that you’re protected from the elements and the conditions.
- Waterproof ski jacket
- Waterproof ski pants/ski bibs
- Ski gloves/mittens and glove liners
- Thermal clothing/layers
- Ski socks
- Winter hat
- Ear warmers
- Neck gaiter/balaclava/face mask
- Sunglasses
- Ski backpack
Cool Ski Gear & Gadgets
Want to take your skiing experience up a level or two? Give these cool ski gadgets and nifty gear a try to make skiing a more enjoyable experience.
- Hand warmers
- Water bottle
- Air boot dryer
- Ski helmet earbuds
- Mini satellite communicator/transceiver
Non-Ski Regular Clothing & Accessories
While skiing is a specialized activity, it’s always still a vacation. You still need to pack for a vacation on top of the skiing equipment and gear you need.
With all the focus on your skiing attire, it can be very easy to forget some of your beloved and trusted clothing and accessories.
After a long day on the slopes, the last thing you want is to go relax in the warmth of your apartment or cabin only to find you’ve forgotten your pajamas or comfy socks.
Use this section to pack your non-skiing clothing and accessories, and remember to double up on some items. In cold weather, when clothes can easily get wet, it’s always good to have more layers and extra items.
- Packing cubes
- Pants/jeans
- Sweatshirts/sweaters
- Scarves
- Underwear
- Pajamas
- Loungewear
- Swimsuit (for the hot tub)
- Socks
- Shoes
Toiletries
When packing toiletries, it can be very easy to forget essentials. Your toiletries need to cover items both for hygiene and personal use and things you’ll need out on the slope, such as sunscreen and moisturizer.
Use our list, along with a spacious, sturdy bag, to make sure nothing important is left in the bathroom cabinet before you head out on the road or to the airport.
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick/lip balm
- Hand cream
- Deodorant
- Face wash & moisturizer
- Body lotion
- Body wash
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Solid shampoo and conditioner
- Aftersun lotion
Tech
There’s plenty of great tech to pack not only for personal use but also to capture the skiing experience. Make sure both your slope time and downtime are accounted for with these great gadgets, cameras, and accessories to take on your travels.
- Smartphone
- Portable battery pack
- Multi-charging cable
- GoPro Hero (for all the action shots)
- Kindle Paperwhite (to read in your downtime)
Plane Travel
If you’re not traveling by car and a long flight awaits you, the last thing you want is to feel tired and agitated when you arrive at the slopes.
Help your flight run smoothly and comfortably with these great plane travel accessories to pack. That way, when you arrive feeling energized and relatively well-rested, you don’t have to waste a day or two recovering from jetlag or any illness.
- Travel pillow
- Lounge pass
- Travel blanket
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Hand-sanitizer
International travel
If you’re going abroad, being organized and informed before you board your flight can save you a lot of complications further down the road.
Make sure you run through all the necessary documents needed to travel to the country you’re going to. Once you have those, be sure to pack everything on this list, to help assure your trip abroad runs smoothly, without hiccups.
- Passport
- All required documents (visa, vaccine certificates, hotel booking confirmations, etc)
- Travel adapter
- Travel medical insurance
Miscellaneous
With your essentials and trip-specifics packed, there’s always room for a few more accessories and items that will make your trip more comfortable or enjoyable.
Use our list of miscellaneous items to cover planning, first aid, and other areas. If you download our packing list printable, there’s room for you to add your own items too.
- Travel planner (with travel journal pages)
- Stain remover stick
- Energy-boosting snacks
- First-aid kit
- Makeup bag (if applicable)
- Hair styling accessories (if applicable)
Ski Trip Packing List Summary
Never leave your ski trip packing to the last minute. Skiing holidays are amazing fun, but forgetting even a couple of key essentials of winter clothing can be the difference between a memorable vacation or days spent desperately searching in nearby shops and supermarkets for core items.
Don’t take that risk. Particularly as many slopes are in mountainous areas, ski resorts, and smaller villages, the chances of finding large malls and particular items are very slim.
Plan ahead, and pack with confidence. Cover all your bases, take more clothes than you think you need, and that way, you can ski and enjoy your vacation in a safe, comfortable way. Your ski holiday packing list should cover as many bases as possible and then some.
You Might Also Like to Read
- Vacation Packing List (with Downloadable PDF Checklist)
- Weekend Packing List (with Downloadable PDF Checklist)
Save and Pin for Later
Keep our ultimate ski trip packing list, complete with a downloadable PDF, ready for your next ski vacation by saving it to one of your Pinterest boards.
