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Be My Travel Muse

Solo Female Travel

The Ideal Ski Trip Packing List

02/19/2022 by Kristin 9 Comments

Back in winter of 2016, I learned how to ski and, most importantly, how to avoid turning into an icicle while doing so.

I didn’t go skiing or experience snow when I was growing up, save for a few times when I was too young to really remember it. I had to ask a lot of questions about how to prepare and what to bring when I did start to put together my ski trip packing list.

Everyone who grew up in a place with seasons finds this hilarious, but I genuinely did not understand winter prior to experiencing it firsthand and making a few blunders, such as underdressing for the cold, over the course of January.

However, I learned with the right clothing, just about any type of weather is doable, even -30 degrees! Even if you’re buying a new winter wardrobe like I was, it doesn’t have to break the bank.

I think I’ve got it down now, so I’m here to help you pack too.

My Perfect Ski Trip Packing List:

ski trip packing list
Get the right ski jacket

Your Ski Jacket is worth spending some money on in order to get something of quality. In all of my winter packing lists, I suggest spending money on shoes and jackets while going cheap on the rest if you’re on a budget. Ideally, the ski jacket will be completely waterproof and will last several seasons.” Remember the saying, “buy cheap, buy twice.”

Mine is The North Face brand (their designs are changing all the time, so this is a link to something similar to what I have but not the exact same), so it’s great quality and has lots of pockets for the ski pass, cameras, and my phone, as well as reflectors for night skiing and a bright color so that I’m easily visible on the slopes.

ski trip packing list
I love these boots!

The boots you wear when you’re not skiing are important, too. There are tons of other activities to check out when you’re on a ski trip that you’ll want good shoes for, like snowshoeing, sledding (which requires that you use your feet as brakes), and even just walking around.

They should be super warm and also waterproof. I’ve had the same pair for years now and even deep below freezing temperatures, with the right socks, they keep me warm and dry. Mine are UGG brand and here is a similar and well-reviewed pair from Kamik as well.

ski trip packing list
Since you’ll want to be able to play in the snow, too

Your gloves are super important too, because if you’re like me, your hands and toes get cold almost immediately. I was pretty stoked to find a North Face pair on sale for half off, and can report that they served me well during my ski trip.

Make your first base layer something pretty warm and resilient but not bulky. This is useful all winter long, and I wear it all the time. I have a merino wool layer that’s functional and practical which is an important thing in cold temperatures Thankfully, this type of wool isn’t itchy for me as I usually have problems with wool.

ski trip packing list

The rest, I bought super cheap and used multiple times.

Here’s the full ski packing list: 

  • Waterproof and snow-proof ski jacket
  • Snow boots
  • Ski gloves  <- get a size larger than you think you need in these
  • Hand warmers and foot warmers
  • Warm undershirt
  • Ski Mask/balaclava
  • Ski goggles <-those are the cheapies I bought, and while they were fine in good weather, I do wish I’d gone for polarized ones since when I was skiing in Finland, it was so foggy I basically couldn’t see where I was going and my goggles did nothing to help me see the variance between the sky and slopes
  • Two pairs ski underwear
  • Waterproof ski pants
  • At least two pairs of ski socks
  • Beanie for when you’re not skiing
  • Crash pads
  • Bag protector if you’re new like me or plan to do back-country skiing
  • All the SPF moisturizer, and apply it two or three times!
What should you bring with you on your ski trip? Here's the perfect packing list to make sure you keep warm and have an awesome trip! Read more at https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/ski-trip-packing-list/

Since I’d never been skiing before, it didn’t make sense to me to buy the skis, ski boots, and poles before being sure that I liked the sport. I’d suggest just renting these on the ground once you get to where you’re going if you’re also new. That way, you can make sure you like the sport before investing in expensive gear. Most of the items listed above, however, are useful for winter sports in general.

Happy skiing!

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I'm Kristin, and my vision of a better world is one where more women are empowered and living out their dreams. Solo traveling is the best method I've found to become the best, bravest version of me. This site is all about how YOU can have the adventure of a lifetime in an easy, fun, approachable way, so that you can feel empowered, too. Want to learn more about me?

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Comments

  1. Ijana says

    02/19/2016 at 3:55 pm

    This is really helpful! I’ll know exactly what to get when I (finally) go on a ski trip. Maybe next winter 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/20/2016 at 6:55 am

      🙂

      Reply
  2. Melissa says

    02/20/2016 at 10:37 am

    This is a fantastic list! My daughter and i took a ski trip last year for New Years and what a DISASTER! I wish I had had this list then. We vowed (coming from Texas) that we would never do a winter holiday again..since then we have done our best to agree to try once again with the correct attire. Thanks for all your posts Kristin they truly are an inspiration to me. Stay warm 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      02/20/2016 at 11:04 am

      People with winter experience laugh at me because I’m such a newbie but honestly without anyone telling you or without firsthand experience, how are you supposed to know what to wear?! Glad you found this helpful! It really was totally fine and I was warm enough, even later when I visited Finland where it was -27, with the right clothes on 🙂

      Reply
  3. Shanarah says

    02/29/2016 at 1:17 pm

    Thanks for posting this list! I’m actually moving to Finland in a few weeks time (yay!) And I know from when I visited last year, I did not have the correct clothing (I’m Australian so never really had winter before!) and I was freezing most of the time! I was wondering with the pants you linked to, were they true to size? Some of the reviews say the sizing is a bit off for them… Thanks again for posting this, it will be so helpful for me!

    Reply
  4. Alexandria Martinez says

    11/27/2017 at 3:04 pm

    I am thinking about going on a guided ski trip in the alps for the first time in my life. It is a daunting experience since I have not gone on a trip like this before. Knowing these tips, like to make the base layer warm but not bulky gives me a little more confidence in myself.

    Reply
  5. allan says

    10/29/2019 at 11:53 pm

    hi. i live my whole life in a tropical country. it’s gonna be my first time to drive a car on winter setting come end of this november till first week of december. do i need to use winter tires?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      10/30/2019 at 3:02 pm

      YES, and 4 wheel drive too!

      Reply
  6. Rhiannon Lynn says

    08/27/2020 at 4:16 am

    I’m wondering about decent barefoot winter boots under the 250Euro price mark…Baer don’t really do them, but I’m looking for some — barefoot/zero-drop heel, wide toe box (I go barefoot a lot, and have really muscly feet and broad toes), and a narrow enough ankle (is this just my family? We have tiny ankles and heels, broad ball of the foot, and tend to small feet), ethically made (if possible, can be hard to know for sure) and warm enough for the Pyrenees, which I live near to at the moment. Any recommendations?

    Reply

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