The anticipation of an upcoming vacation is such a fun part of the entire trip process! Getting excited about the experiences you’ll have, dreaming of the memories you’ll make and the opportunity to take a break from our everyday life are all parts that add to the joy of vacationing!

But we also know that one of the more time consuming and patience trying aspects to travel is deciding what you need to pack. We want to offer some help with that and hopefully make even the packing for your trip, simple and hassle free.

This curated list from our friends at Ski.com can help ease the stress of trying to be sure you’ve got all you need for the trip:

“Choosing what to pack for any type of getaway can be challenging, but packing for a ski or snowboard trip is especially difficult because you’re going to be outside in winters element, and often at very high elevations, where the weather can change quickly. To make sure you arrive at your destination with everything you need, we have compiled a checklist you can use during your packing process.

SKI/SNOWBOARD APPAREL AND GEAR:

• Base layers (non-cotton long underwear with wicking ability)

• Mid layers (lightweight natural or synthetic down jacket or vest or microfleece or vest)

• Waterproof outerwear preferably designed for skiing or snowboarding

• Waterproof gloves/mittens (bring liners if your hands tend to get cold easily)

• Helmet (highly recommended)

• Hat

• Neck gater, scarf, balaclava, bandana or BUFF®(to cover your face and neck in cold, windy temperatures)

• Ski/snowboard socks (non-cotton with wicking ability are best one pair for every two days on the mountain)

• Goggles with UV protection

• Sunglasses with UV protection

• Snacks such as energy bars or something high in protein

• Sunscreen

• Lotion

• Lip balm

• Skis, snowboard, boots, poles (unless you are renting)

APRS-SKI WEAR:

• Base Layers

• Jeans

• Comfortable, waterproof boots or shoes with good tread - especially if its snowing in the town or base village or if you want to enjoy outdoor winter activities like snowshoeing, snow tubing or dog sledding

• Warm socks - especially for traipsing around in the snow

• Sweater, fleece or other warm top

• Jacket - if your ski/snowboard jacket is warm, you’ll be fine

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Temperatures can vary greatly, both winter and summer. Bring clothes you can layer, and make sure outer layers are wind and water resistant.

HIGH ALTITUDE

Drink extra water, pace yourself, take breaks during the day, and keep a snack in your pocket. Avoid or reduce alcohol and caffeine. You should adjust to the altitude within a couple of days.”

A FEW OF OUR OWN RECOMMENDATIONS:

We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite items as well as some highly rated options to help you better prepare for your up coming trip. We like economical purchases so we do our best to curate a list while being mindful of price. We also have learned the value of investment pieces and know that at times, you truly do get what you pay for.

WE. LOVE. CUDDLEDUDS. There, we said it. These are our all time favorite base layer and we wear them all winter long. The material is wicking so it keeps you dry. It is incredibly warm and comfy too. They have various warmth ratings to choose from. We recommend the fleecewear options for those who want more warmth or the software if you’re looking for a lighter layer. An added bonus in our opinion is the thumb holes to help keep your base layer in place as you’re active during the day. The shirts are great and we love their long underwear leggings too.

Chapstick is vitally important when you’re skiing in our opinion and they are not all created equal. Puritans Pride Vitamin E Stick is our go to all winter long. It has over 1,000 reviews on Amazon for a 5 star rating and once you use it, you’ll understand why.

These ski goggles are among the best selling options on Amazon. The lenses have an anti-fog coating and come in a variety of colors and options so there is a fit for everyone.

This is almost identical to our favorite facemask (ours has a velcro neck piece instead of being slip on). The neoprene face covering allows for easy breathability and covers your face and cheeks when you’re out in the cold.

There is a reason snacks are listed on the list of things to pack for your ski trip. You. Will. Need. Them. Skiing takes a lot out of your body, even on the bunny slopes so you’ll want to be prepared. It’s our firm belief that the vertical zippered pocket on most ski jackets was designed for easy snack storage. You can toss a baggy of trail mix, nuts or your favorite protein bar in there and you’re good to go! Our favorite protein bars are FitCrunch Bars, specifically the chocolate peanut butter one! They make for a great, protein packed snack that taste great!

When we’re traveling, back packs are our go to purse of choice. We have both of these bags and use them whenever we travel and in everyday life. We love the durability the leather offers but they both come in a variety of other styles and colors. Both bags also have double zippers on the main compartment for easy access.
The bag on the left is an anti-theft backpack where the largest compartment is accessed by a zipper that is against your back. It also has two additional smaller compartments with zippers hidden along both sides of the pack.
The bag on the left is another favorite and has multiple storage pockets and compartments as well. You really can’t go wrong with either choice and we love them both!

Footwear is plays a big part in venturing out in winter conditions. Ideally you want a warm, waterproof sole with a good tread. Both of these are highly rated boots and we’ve included an option for both men and women. Each one comes in a variety of styles and colors as well.

Still in the planning stages and haven’t booked yet? We would love to help with all the travel details for your upcoming ski trip. You can click here to answer a few questions and you’ll be one step closer to your next adventure!

For those of you about to travel, we hope that this helps relieve some stress to your preparing for your upcoming trip!

Are there any go to items you always take with you when you travel? Let us know in the comments below!