If you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting down to your ski holiday for months and now the time has finally arrived to start packing. Here is a definitive list of what to pack for a ski holiday or sort at home to help you through your excitement and to make sure you don’t forget those all-important ski essentials.
I flew out to Sweden last month for six days of exploring Småland, and within the trip we planned in three days of skiing, at Mullsjö Alpin and Isaberg National Park. We had skied many times before so had most of the gear, but we still needed reminding what to pack. Read all my posts from Sweden here.
Top 10 Essentials
1. Millets Dare2b Women’s Invoke 2 Ski Jacket – BUY HERE
2. Sweaty Betty Drift Long Sleeve Ski Thermals (base-layer) – I’d recommend in investing in a good base layer from somewhere such as Sweaty Betty, as it’ll make a huge difference!
3. Fleece/jumpers for going on top of base layers (mid-layer) – I picked up a load from Go Outdoors, Primark and Fat Face.
4. Mountain Warehouse Extreme Softshell Ski Pants/Salopettes – Make sure you grab a pair which are comfortable and stretchy as you’ll be moving around a lot in them!
5. Decathlon Ski Socks – I would recommend bringing one per day as they get hot and sweaty and again, I’d invest in a good brand!
6. Sports Direct Nevica Meribel Goggles – normally you cannot rent these in resort, so we recommend you buy in advance to avoid the high prices in resort
7. New Look Hats, Dare2b gloves and a scarf also from New Look – essential for staying warm alongside all of your other ski gear.
8. Mini Kanken Backpack – Essential to keep your ski pass, piste map, mobile phone, camera, water bottle, sun cream etc
9. Neck warmer – I grabbed mine from ebay for around £6 and I loved the pattern!
10. Apres-ski clothing – Make sure you bring a range of clothes for apres ski on the slopes after a busy day. I opted for an array including jumpers, Breton tees, black jeans, a couple of dresses and a denim jacket. Keep it casual!
FULL PACKING LIST FOR SKIING
HAND LUGGAGE
- Passports – And check them before leaving the house!
- Travel documents – including airline e-tickets, car hire information, airport parking vouchers, directions for getting to the resort and accommodation if self-driving.
- Insurance documents
- Currency and bank cards – don’t do what we did and wait until the airport!
- Snacks for the journey – your journey to your ski resort can be long and tiring, especially if you have been up since the early hours of the morning. Take some food!
- Magazines or book – for the flight and in the car
- Camera – keep it in your hand luggage to keep it safe
HOLD LUGGAGE
- Sweaty Betty Drift Long Sleeve Ski Thermals (base-layer) – I’d recommend in investing in a good base layer from somewhere such as Sweaty Betty, as it’ll make a huge difference!
- Fleece/jumpers for going on top of base layers (mid-layer) – I picked up a load from Go Outdoors, Primark and Fat Face.
- Millets Dare2b Women’s Invoke 2 Ski Jacket
- Mountain Warehouse Extreme Softshell Ski Pants/Salopettes – Make sure you grab a pair which are comfortable and stretchy as you’ll be moving around a lot in them!
- Decathlon Ski Socks – I would recommend bringing one per day as they get hot and sweaty and again, I’d invest in a good brand!
- Sports Direct Nevica Meribel Goggles – normally you cannot rent these in resort, so we recommend you buy in advance to avoid the high prices in resort
- New Look Hats, Dare2b gloves and a scarf
- Mini Backpack – Essential to keep your ski pass, piste map, mobile phone, camera, water bottle, sun cream etc.
- Travel adapters – Obviously!
- Neck warmer – I grabbed mine from ebay for around £6 and I loved the pattern!
- A helmet – When I first started skiing helmets weren’t really worn but now it’s now strongly encouraged for all skiers and snowboarders wear one. You can purchase your own, or hire one in resort along with your ski equipment.
- Sun cream and lip block is essential – The sun is very strong in the mountains as it bounces off the snow so a high factor is recommended.
- Sunglasses – when you stop for breaks and are not wearing your goggles, sunglasses are great to help protect your eyes from the brightness of the sun reflecting off the snow.
- Toiletries – try and avoid buying items like this in resort as prices can be very expensive.
- Snow/outdoor boots – Make sure you bring some walking or hiking boots with you, with a big tread to avoid slipping over in the snow when you are walking around in the evening.
- Slippers – These are particularly useful in a chalet where you walk around in the public areas a lot.
- Pants, socks, bra etc etc.
What do you think to this list? Have I missed anything off? Let me know in the comments!
