Ski Trip Pack List: 26 Essentials for Skiing and Snowboarding

Ski Trip Pack List: Essential Gear for Skiing or Snowboarding

Whether you’re traveling an hour or 10 hours for your next ski or snowboarding trip, you’ll want to make sure don’t forget any of the essential gear. How terrible would it be to arrive at the Ski Resort and you forgot your mittens or your neck gaiter or your GoPro you really wanted to film with. This list will help you pack everything you need to have a rad time on the slopes and in town.

Clothes

Ski Jacket – While a good ski jacket isn’t the most important piece of gear for riding, a good jacket can make a huge difference in your comfort on the mountain. Columbia isn’t the highest quality outdoor brand ever but I’m really impressed with their products, especially considering the price. I really like this Alpine Action Columbia jacket which comes in mens, womens, and kids styles. Make sure to pack a jacket that suits the weather where you’re headed. Though it’s better to be on the warm side, if you’re headed into the 30s, you might want something with layers you can strip down.

Keystone or Breckenridge: Which resort is better for families and beginners? — Decked out in full Columbia gear: The Bugaboo pants and Alpine Action jacket

Ski Pants – Ski pants are absolutely essential (unless you want to look like a jerry). I have the Columbia Bugaboo pants and I’m really happy with their warmth, comfort, waterproofness plus they’re flattering and not too baggy.

Base Layers – Base layers are probably the most important part of staying warm. We use Columbia base layers as well as REI base layers.

Ski Socks + Cozy Socks – We love our Stance socks whether we’re skiing or snowboarding and afterward it’s nice to have a pair of clean, cozy socks to chill in or to slip on with some boots when you head into town.

Gloves + Mittens – I highly recommend having both of these, not one or the other. Hands get cold easily and layering up with thin gloves before sliding on your mittens makes a difference. I like having gloves that work on touch screen so I don’t have to take off both my gloves to check my phone. On the other hand, I love toasty warm, insulated mittens to go on top like these Columbia ones.

Neck Gaiter or Face Mask – One again, better to be on the safe side than be cold on the slopes. Powder days, windy days, or just straight up cold days call for face warmth. Go for the full face mask or just a neck gaiter.

Beanie – Whether you want to layer up your helmet with some extra warmth or just want something stylish to keep you warm when you head to the lodge or town for dinner, beanies definitely have to be on your ski trip pack list.

A Dinner Outfit – Besides all the essential snow clothes, you’re going to want one or two nicer outfits to go out in. You can get as creative as your luggage size allows for on this one. Don’t forget shoes that are function and still fashionable for dinner. When all else fails, pack a pair of waterproof Ugg Boots.

The Crown, Things to do in Summit County in Winter — Good food and chill vibes at The Crown

Pajamas – Some warm and cozy jammies for when you hit the hay.

Optional: Swimsuit – If your lodge or hotel has a hot tub, don’t forget a bathing suit. Nothing feels better the the warm water after a cold day riding.

Optional: Flip flops – Usually we camp when we go on ski trips so it’s rarely warm enough to slide on some sandals however if you’re staying at a lodge or hotel, flip flops are super nice to have for chilling at your accommodation.

Gear

Skis or Snowboard – Whichever fits the bill.

Optional: Ski poles – If skiing.

Bag – A bag isn’t necessary unless you’re flying in which case you’ll need a bag to store your gear in. This Burton bag is nice because it can hold multiple boards if you’re not traveling solo. Or check out this Dakine bag for skis.

Helmet – Highly recommended especially on crowded weekends or holidays at resorts. While sometimes I pass on a helmet since I’m not very good, I want my little kids to have helmets no matter what.

Goggles – We have pretty cheap, low end Bolle goggles and most of the time they’re great however, on stormy days with low visibility, I wish I had a good pair of Native Eyewear goggles. I’ve only tried Native Eyewear goggles once and I was really impressed with the quality and visibility. Click here to check out their different lens styles. Not sure what type of goggles are best for you? Click here and check out this guide to choosing the right pair of goggles.

Small Backpack – A backpack is super helpful for holding your water bottle/reservoir, snacks, and phone charger if you want to spend the whole day on the slopes. You’re definitely going to want something small like a Camelback pack or the Matador Hydrolite Hydration Pack so you don’t have to deal with taking off and putting it on your lap every single time you hop on a lift.

Miscellaneous

Jackery Battery Pack – While most ski lodges have charging stations, that would require sitting at lodge and waiting for your phone to charge. I like being able to charge my phone while I’m riding so I can enjoy a full day on the slopes. I use this Jackery charging pack and am really impressed with how many times It can charge my phone before having to recharge the battery back itself. It’s also really good in cold weather because that can often be an issue with phone charging packs. Be sure to pack your phone charging cable with it.

Lifeproof Case – Most of us ski with our phones for the sake of communication, photos, videos, and the occasional IG scroll. It’s unlikely that you’ll crush your phone on a wipeout, however it eases my mind when I have my life proof case on. It’s waterproof, dirt-proof, and drop-proof (AKA fall proof) so I never have to worry about breaking my couple hundred dollar phone while having a good time at a resort. Plus, with a Lifeproof case your phone won’t die as fast which cold weather often does to your phone.

GoPro – If you shred, or even if you don’t shred, you might want to record those pow days with a GoPro. Don’t forget your GoPro accessories like a ski pole mount or helmet mount

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Hand & Toe Warmers – ALWAYS pack hand warmers and toe warmers, even if it’s “not supposed to be that cold.” Better safe than sorry on this one cuz cold hands and feet can totally take away from your good times.

Lip Balm – This is absolutely essential on a ski trip. I get so mad if I forget lip balm on a long day of riding especially in extra dry destinations like Colorado. All Good is my all time favorite lip balm because it’s not slimy or perfumey.

Sunscreen – I get wayyyy more sunburnt on the slopes than I ever do at the beach. Once again, my go to is All Good sunscreen or sometimes Rocky Mountain Sunscreen. I know it sounds silly to like one sunscreen over another but there is a noticeable difference in these two. They’re thin, non-greasy, and have great sun protection.

Toiletries – All the essentials.

Entertainment – Whether your ski trip destination is reached by car or plane, you should pack something to entertain you on the long commute such as books, music, headphones, etc or download an audiobook off Audible. These things can also help cure boredom around the lodge too.

Ski Pass & Other Important Documents – If you’re not purchasing your ski passes at your destination, don’t forget to pack your ski pas so you can hit the lifts right away on your first day. Also be sure you have access to any other important documents (ID, insurance, etc) or reservation confirmations.