With winter on the horizon, you may be looking forward to your annual family skiing trip. Alternatively, you may be planning to try skiing for the very first time. Whether you’re an experienced skier or a novice on the slopes, you don’t want to arrive at the ski resort without your skiing essentials.
The essential items to pack when skiing are those items you need both to enjoy your adventure and also to stay healthy and safe. The list of essential items is different for every skier. Here’s a quick guide to assembling your must-have items.
Make a list
Before you log onto Amazon or hit the stores to buy what you need, make a list. Thinking about what you might need and getting a list down on paper ensures you don’t miss anything important. A comprehensive list can be compiled under the following 7 headings:
- Vital items
- Skiing equipment
- Other equipment
- Skiing clothes
- Other clothes
- Toiletries
- Other vacation essentials
Vital items
It sounds melodramatic, but for some skiers, this category is a matter of life and death. For example, skiers who suffer from an allergy must pack an EpiPen in case of anaphylactic shock. Skiers with serious medical conditions must pack any medication they require.
This category also depends upon what kind of skiing you plan to enjoy. For example, if you plan to enjoy cross country skiing in remote locations, a mobile GPS unit with built-in maps will ensure you remain on track and avoid dangerous areas. And if you have an accident, a first aid kit and a locator beacon may make the difference between life and death. The band-aids in your first aid kit may also come in handy to cover any blisters you suffer while skiing.
Skiing equipment
If this is your first skiing experience, it would be best for you to hire the specialist equipment you need at the ski resort rather than investing a lot of money into equipment that may be wrong for you and you might never use again.
However, if you have skied before and decide this is a hobby you wish to pursue, you should certainly invest in your own skis, ski helmet, ski poles, and ski boots.
In the post-COVID era, buying your own ski goggles is a good idea. For cross-country skiing, you’ll need a small backpack. And for transporting your equipment to the slopes for downhill skiing, take a ski bag.
Some skiers like to involve the whole family in their cross-country adventures and take a baby pulk. Other kinds of pulks are useful for carrying camping equipment on long-distance adventures.
Other equipment
This is equipment not directly related to skiing that you’ll also want to take, such as your camera and GoPro. You might want to pack ice skates or a snowboard along with a snowboard bag when visiting some ski resorts.
Ski clothes
Specialist ski jackets and ski pants are expensive. If this is your first skiing adventure, you might want to choose an affordable jacket that will serve as a ski jacket but can also be used for sightseeing or hiking. This also saves space in your suitcase. If you must wear a top-quality ski jacket, you may be able to hire one at the ski resort.
A neckwarmer provides protection in the gap between your helmet and ski jacket. Ski gloves and ski socks are important because it’s easy for your extremities to get cold. Your gloves should be breathable and waterproof. Glove liners help keep your hands warm and many skiers prefer ski mittens to gloves.
Clothes
Layers are key to keeping warm at high altitudes in the winter, whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, or hiking. Pack plenty of layers including thermal underwear. However, don’t forget that you will be doing more than just skiing on your vacation. Inside your warm hotel, you may want to wear a T-shirt, and for more formal occasions you may need a suit or dress. When you’re out sightseeing, sunglasses protect you from the sun’s glare.
Toiletries
A major problem when skiing is exposure to sunlight, wind, and frequent temperature changes. That’s why you should pack skin moisturizer, sunblock, and lip block. Hair ties help secure your long hair inside your ski helmet. When dealing with kids, baby wipes are always useful.
Other vacation essentials
While your main reason for traveling to a ski resort is skiing, you can’t forget the important documents you must take on any vacation, such as your bank cards, travel documents, driver’s license, and passport. Although you hope to enjoy a trouble-free vacation, accidents do happen. Ensure you take out adequate travel insurance and keep your insurance documents handy. If you plan to hire a car, you may need an international driving permit.
