If you are planning your first ski trip, preparation is key. When you are packing, you need to make sure that you have all of the normal travel necessities as well as all of the specific gear that you need for skiing. This handy checklist will help you make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.
Ski Gear
You need a lot of gear for skiing, and it’s important that you don’t forget anything. Here are some of the basics:
Ski pants and jacket– You will need both a ski pant and a jacket to keep you warm while skiing. There are some amazing synthetic fabrics that are designed for skiing, so look for a good quality pair of womens waterproof snow pants made with modern, lightweight materials. It’s worth investing in a good quality jacket too because it’s going to get cold when you are out on the slopes.
Ski gloves – You will need two pairs of gloves. One pair for every day, and a heavier pair that you can wear if it is really cold out.
Boogie/Snowboard boots – These are your ski shoes, and the fit is very different from normal shoes. Make sure that you shop around before you buy your first pair of boots and always try them on to make sure they are comfortable. If they don’t fit well, your feet will hurt a lot after a day on the slopes.
Ski poles – You will be using these to help propel you on your skis, so you need a pole that is strong enough for skiing and comfortable to hold.
Helmet – A helmet is an essential piece of skiing equipment. Even if you are very careful, it’s possible to trip and fall while skiing. This could cause serious injury if you are not wearing a helmet.
Warm Clothes
As well as your ski gear, you will need plenty of warm clothes to wear when you are not on the slopes. Here’s what you will need:
Pants – You will want a pair of waterproof/ breathable pants for every day. These can either be hiking pants or snow pants, depending on what you prefer.
Sweatshirts and Sweaters – You need at least two sweatshirts to wear while you are skiing as well as a couple of sweaters that you can wear every day. It’s worth buying a couple of long sleeved shirts as well, just in case you need some extra warmth.
Puffy Jacket – You need one jacket that is really warm for when you are on the slopes and another that is just warm enough for a chilly bar in the evening. If it’s not too cold while you are skiing, you can wear this to stay warm when you go out for lunch.
If you are concerned about missing things off your list, there are some great travel apps you can use to make a packing checklist and tick things off as you go. Once you have everything on this list, you are ready to hit the slopes!
