How to pack for a Multi-Day Ski Trip
If you’re planning for a multi-day trip but scratching your head as to what to bring, we’ve got you covered. Print out the checklist below to make sure you don’t forget anything. Bon voyage!
Don't forget the top-to-bottom rule
As a ski family, we’ve turned packing for trips into an Olympic sport. To ensure we don’t forget any of our essentials, we pack from top to bottom and then inside out.
When you’re building your checklist, start with the top of your head (Helmet! Goggles! Toque!) and then work your way down to your feet (Ski boots, yes, but what about everyday shoes for touring the village?)
You should obviously check out the weather reports before you hop on a plane. More generally, though, don’t forget to pack for day and night. You don’t want to be freezing around the campfire in your airplane clothes, or stuck wearing a ski suit to dinner.
In short, it pays to be systematic when packing. You’d be surprised how easy it is to forget a key piece of gear in the excitement of planning a trip.
Ski Trip Checklist
Head
- Helmet
- At least two sets of googles
- Warm hat
- Sunglasses
- Balaclava, mask or buff
Torso
- Thin merino wool base layer
- Medium base layer with a zip
- Mid-layer
- Ski jacket
- Bathing suit for the sauna/ hot tub
Hands
- Glove liners
- Hotshots
- Gloves or mitts
- Ski poles
- Beer
Legs
- Thin base layer
- Mid layer ski pants (if you're wearing a shell)
- Ski pants
- Two sets of long underwear for off-hill fun
Feet
- Ski socks (at least one pair per day, or else plan to wash and hand dry your socks each night. Pro move: change your socks at lunch for an even better experience.)
- Footbeds
- Ski boots
- Heaters with batteries
- Hotspots for your toes
- Boot drier
- Winter boots to walk around the village
And please don't forget your skis!
Here are some great travel tips for flying with gear
- Check your airline’s policy on ski & snowboard gear. Weight and size varies from airline to airline and some destinations your gear does not count towards your maximum checked bags. Separate boot bags are often permitted and also don’t count towards your checked bag allowance, but be sure to read the rules on what can be packed in your gear bag.
- Pick a bag that will fit your gear and protect it. A roller bag is best suited for air travel since it is easy to carry and often additional baggage can be attached. Make sure the base of the bag where the wheels are made of heavy duty plastic or rubber since that is where abrasion occurs. If you are planning to carry your boots in the same bag, look for a separate compartment or removable boot bag to further protect your skis & boots.
- If you decide to pack a separate boot bag, choose one that can fit multiple items like your helmet, goggles, and clothing. Backpack style boot bags are great for freeing your hands to carry the rest of your luggage.
- Maximize space while protecting your gear. Jackets and snow pants are bulky and take up luggage space, pack them around your gear or in your boot bag to provide extra padding. Pro tip: the inside of your boots is great for stashing socks and other small articles.
- Check in with your airline when you book your flight and let them know ahead, you will be bringing gear. No surprises when you get to the airport and piece of mind in case they have made any baggage policy changes.
- Get insurance! Accidents happen and travel insurance is your friend. Some private insurance companies have travel insurance, make sure you check the policy and purchase additional insurance if necessary. If you forget to, there are several banks that offer online insurance plan purchases that are effective the day of.
