The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List

Whether it’s your first day on groomers or a week chasing storm cycles, this packing guide keeps you organized, warm, and safe. It’s built for beginners, resort regulars, and backcountry tourers (with extra notes for off‑piste travel).

Before You Pack: Planning and Safety

• Check mountain weather, road conditions, and—if you’ll ski off‑piste—the avalanche forecast. If danger rises, postpone or choose a safer plan.
• Reserve rentals, lessons, and parking early; peak dates sell out fast.
• Documents and insurance: photo ID, reservations, pass/lift info (or digital copies), health card, and travel insurance with winter‑sports coverage if desired.
• Leave a plan with a contact: route, destination, and return time. Bring a fully charged phone; consider a satellite messenger/PLB in remote areas.

Clothing: Master the Layer System

• Basics: moisture‑wicking base, insulating midlayer, and a waterproof/breathable shell. Avoid cotton.
• Base layers: merino or synthetic top and bottoms.
• Midlayers: light fleece/softshell; a thin puffy for breaks or very cold days.
• Shells: waterproof/breathable jacket and pants; taped seams help in wet snow.
• Socks: 1–2 pairs medium‑thickness ski socks (no cotton).
• Gloves: insulated, waterproof gloves; liner gloves for dexterity; mittens for deep cold.
• Neck gaiter/balaclava; thin beanie or helmet liner.
• Eye protection: ski goggles with appropriate lens tint + sunglasses; pack a spare lens if possible.

Boots, Skis, and Bindings: Bring or Rent?

A great boot fit matters most. Bring your boots if you can, even if you rent skis.

Option	Pros	Considerations
Bring boots	Best fit and control	Weight/airline rules; often fits carry‑on
Rent skis	Avoid baggage hassle; matched to conditions	Pre‑book; availability
Bring skis	Familiar flex/feel; control your tune	Bag fees; protect tips/tails
Remove bindings (flying)	Saves space; reduces damage risk	Check airline/shop policies

Tip: tune and wax before travel, use a padded bag, strap skis, protect tips/tails, and cover pole tips.

Safety Gear: Inbounds and Backcountry

• Helmet: wear a properly fitted ski helmet with the chin strap fastened.
• Backcountry essentials: avalanche transceiver (on your body), probe, shovel—and the training to use them. Practice group rescue. Consider an airbag, headlamp, small repair kit, and emergency shelter on remote tours.

First Aid, Health, and Sun

• First aid: blister care, bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain reliever, tape, tweezers, and personal meds. Carry a larger kit for remote routes.
• Hydration and calories: insulated bottle or hose; salty, high‑energy snacks. Hydration helps reduce fatigue and aids altitude adjustment.
• Sun protection: SPF 30–50 sunscreen and lip balm; reapply midday.

Daypack Essentials (20–35 L)

• Water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, spare glove liners, a light midlayer, map/phone, headlamp, compact repair kit (multi‑tool, ski straps), and a small first aid kit.
• If touring: beacon/probe/shovel in a dedicated pocket. Remote terrain: add compass/altimeter, extra food, PLB/satellite messenger, and a bivy/space blanket.

Travel Logistics and Airline Tips

• Carry‑on buffer: documents, meds, a spare base layer and socks, gloves, goggles, and small electronics—just in case your ski bag is delayed.
• Ski and boot bags: padded bag with tip/tail protection; wrap poles or use a sleeve; label inside and out. Wheeled ski bags ease transfers.
• Fees and weight vary by airline; pre‑book sports equipment when required.
• Protect your kit: strap skis together, cushion bindings, and place soft layers between gear and the bag wall.

Electronics, Charging, and Communication

• Pack spare batteries or a power bank; keep devices warm to preserve battery life. Consider an action camera with extra cards. Use a satellite communicator/PLB in remote zones.

Repair and Maintenance Kit

• Multi‑tool/ski wrench, duct tape, spare screws/zip ties, binding screwdriver, spare pole basket, and ski straps. For long trips, add a small edge file and all‑temperature wax.

Après‑Ski, Lodging, and Comfort

• Comfy footwear, casual clothes, swimwear, travel laundry soap, compact towel, earplugs and sleep mask. A boot dryer is a nice luxury; dry liners and socks overnight.

Kids, Beginners, and Special Considerations

• Kids: extra layers, spare gloves, helmet, kid‑friendly sunscreen, favorite snacks, and simple downtime entertainment.
• Beginners: book lessons, rent gear to avoid costly fit mistakes, and bring extra layers—new skiers tire quickly and get cold faster.

Packing Organization and Timeline

• Hacks: roll clothes, use packing cubes, tuck socks inside gloves, zip bags for small items, fragile gear in the center, and place contact info in pockets and on tags. Compression bags save space—watch weight.
• Timeline:
  • 7–14 days out: confirm bookings, rental availability, and airline sports‑gear rules; reserve lessons/parking.
  • 3–4 days out: tune skis/board; charge electronics; gather documents and insurance info.
  • Night before: pack your carry‑on essentials, recheck weather/roads/avalanche info, and leave your trip plan with a contact.

Simple Master Checklists

On‑person / Carry‑on

• ID, tickets/reservations, wallet, phone + charger, meds, small first aid, spare base layer, goggles, sunglasses, thin gloves, snacks, power bank.

Checked suitcase / Personal luggage

• Shell jacket and pants, midlayers, extra base layers, extra socks, après clothes, toiletries, boot dryer bag, multi‑tool, travel laundry soap.

Ski bag / Board bag

• Skis/board (tips protected), poles with tip covers, helmet (or carry‑on), bindings secured or removed, outerwear if allowed. Label inside and outside.

Daypack (on mountain)

• Water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, goggles, spare glove liners, headlamp, repair kit, first aid, map/phone, beacon/probe/shovel (if touring).

Final Safety and Etiquette

• Ski in control and within your limits; heed signs and closures. Wear a helmet and use the buddy system in the backcountry. If you go off‑piste, take formal avalanche training and practice beacon/shovel/probe skills frequently.