What to pack for a ski or snowboard holiday – the ultimate list!

I’ve just come back from a great snowboard holiday (blog to follow) and as many people will be taking ski trips I thought I’d share my knowledge and what I believe are the ski/snowboarding essentials for beginners.

What to pack on a snow sports holiday can be tricky if you’ve never been before and even if you have skied or snowboarded, you may need a refresher if it’s been a while since your last time on the mountains. Here is my essential list of what to bring on a snowsports holiday.

ON THE SLOPES
Underwear –

You may be changing twice a day so consider that when you are packing underwear. You may need one pair on the slopes and one pair for apres activities per day.

Although this is a holiday, skiing and snowboarding are very active sports so a sports bra or two won’t sit unused in your suitcase either.

Layers are key –

It is better to wear a number of layers which you can strip off or put on quickly instead of carrying one thick fleece which will make you hot when you are moving and won’t keep you warm enough when you stop.

Depending on when you are going skiing, you may find yourself on the slopes in minus temperatures with a serious wind chill. Thin, longsleeved thermal tops and leggings will help keep you warm and will also help wick away moisture when you sweat (which you will, especially if it’s your first time as you’ll be using muscles you aren’t used to using). How many you bring is up to you but aim to have at least three good quality ones. I don’t think it’s necessary to spend loads on these, check out TKMaxx, Mountain Warehouse and other sports shops for them.  

Once you have your thermal layer on, you need to consider a second layer depending on how cold it is and how easily you feel the cold. This second layer could be a midweight top like the ones runners and cyclists wear, or a thin fleece. Bring a few of these so you can rotate them.

Except when on your feet –

One area you don’t want to have layers is on your feet. Having more than one layer can often result in them rubbing against each other in your ski/snowboard boot and could cause issues with blisters and will just feel uncomfortable. More than one layer could also mean you get circulation issues, which is exactly what you don’t want when standing on the snow.

Proper ski/board socks should be high enough to come out of the top of the boot. You don’t want any ankle socks which could rub awkwardly in the boots. They will also have padded areas to help give you more support where you need it.  

Bring at least three pairs of socks. One to wear, one on the dryer and one spare.

If this is the first time going skiing or snowboarding, I would suggest bringing a selection of socks of a varying thickness as you don’t yet know how your boot will fit you.

Ski outfit –

Don’t think you can go skiing in your standard ASOS parka. This just won’t cut it on the slopes.

A good ski jacket will be waterproof, windproof, insulated and moisture wicking. They also usually have lots of pockets, a high collar with a fleece type lining and thumb holes which stop snow getting up your arms.

You don’t need to spend loads of money to get a good quality ski outfit anymore. Lidl and Aldi tend to bring out ski ranges a few times year. Decathalon and TK Maxx are also good places to go.

Gone are the days where all ski trousers had braces on them, although if you are new and trying snowboarding you may want the extra protection a high back give you. If you are going for a normal pair of trousers, the majority of them are highwaisted to minimise the chances of snow getting down your back.

Make sure you are able to move around unrestricted. Try doing some squats or lunges in your trousers to make sure there are no tight spots.

Snood –

Wind chill in the mountains is serious! One thing I hate when snowboarding or riding my motorbike is a cold neck.

Bring a few snoods to wear on your neck and you can help bridge the gap between the top of your coat and the bottom of your hat / helmet to keep you as warm as possible.

If it is really cold, go one step further and add a balaclava.

Hat / Helmet –

Helmets are not compulsory in most resorts (although you should check before you go) but it is a lot more common to see people wearing them now than it was 10/15 years ago. I think they should be compulsory and wouldn’t board without one. Even as a beginner, I would suggest wearing one as head injuries can happen even at slow speeds. Although you can rent these in resort, it it always nicer to have your own if you can.

A hat can be worn underneath the helmet, or on its own to keep you and your ears warm on the slopes.

Gloves / mittens –

Many people are in one camp or the other when it comes to gloves and mittens. Mittens are warmer, but you get more freedom of movement when you wear gloves. Both types often have thick padding and a waterproof and windproof exterior. For really cold temperatures, you may find that wearing a thinner, inner glove adds that little bit of extra warmth

Goggles / sunglasses –

Hopefully you will be blessed with great sunshine when you are on the mountains. So sunglasses will help you when skiing/boarding or while you are having lunch on the mountain.

If you end up on the mountain during heavy winds or a blizzard, sunglasses won’t cut it so you’ll need the extra protection that googles provide. Skiing or boarding at speed when it is snowing can be a bit painful if you have no eye or face protection. Try and bring two different lenses for your goggles, one for bright light and one for low light. Also, get big goggles that cover a lot of your face so there is the minimum surface area exposed. Having wind bashed cheeks on the chairlift isn’t fun.

Backpack –

Even though your ski outfit will have lots of pockets, it’s best not to weigh these down too much by carrying things in your pockets. I find full pockets uncomfortable and depending on what is in the pockets, it could be a safety risk if you take a bad fall.

A small backpack can be used to carry extra layers, heat holders, snacks and water. I also carry my action camera and harness, a snowboard tool, my inhaler and my cards / cash.

Ski / Snowboard equipment –

I have my own snowboard, snowboard boots and bindings although you can rent these in resort.

Protection –

If you are learning to snowboard, renting or buying some wrist, knee and /or elbow guards as well as some padded snowboard pants can be a godsend!  

OFF THE SLOPES

Apres clothes –  

If you want to go out in the evening, a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and jumper/cardigan should be enough. How many you bring depends on how often you plan on going out. Two pairs of jeans should be fine and one will often be worn on the way to the airport.

Restaurants and bars are usually very warm so you probably won’t need a jumper when inside but walking to and from the bar and hotel you will need something thick underneath your coat. If you want to keep your packing to a minimum, just make your jacket also double up as an apres jacket. If you do this, then you need to make sure you don’t lose your jacket as this could mean having to fork out for a new one just so you can go on the slopes the next day.

Boots / Trainers –

Leave the heels at home! A pair of good waterproof boots which will keep you warm are the best things to wear to walk around town. I recently bought a pair of Vans MTE which claim to be waterproof and better to wear in bad weather conditions. I’ve tried them and while they are better than my other Vans, I’ve not yet tested them in extreme conditions.

Bumbag / small handbag –

You’ll need something to keep your essentials in when you get into the restaurant or bar. Keeping everything in your coat can be risky as you may need to put it in a cloakroom.

DON’T FORGET

Swimwear –

Most of the chalet’s I’ve stayed in have either a sauna, steam room, a hot tub or some combination of all three. Make the most of any kind of treatment room you have in the alps, you’ll need it!

AND THE USUAL SUSPECTS

Toiletries –

In addition to your normal tolietires and make up, there are a few things that you should definitely bring with you on a ski trip.

• Suncream – if you have a week filled with sunshine and clear skies (the dream) then suncream is a must to stop your face (nose especially) from burning
• Paracetamol – I always bring this on holiday for minor aches and pains
• Deep heat – this can be good for muscle aches
• Lip balm – I hate having dry lips!

Hand luggage –

I touched on this in my Snowbombing post but generally whenever I go on holiday I pack the same things in my hand luggage. I want as much of my tech with me as possible to keep me entertained during flights and anything which can make my time travelling more comfortable.

• Headphones
• Nausea bands
• Travel pillow
• Slides for the coach journey / the chalet
• Laptop
• Tech chargers / powerbanks
• Kindle
• Water
• Snacks
• Action camera and accessories
• Flight socks

Holiday essentials –

I never go on holiday without

• A water bottle – this is the best way for me to ensure I get my 2 litres a day. I hate the small glasses you get to accompany drinks at dinner and don’t like waking up thirsty either. I’ll take this with me on the mountain too.
• An extension lead – this allows you to charge multiple gadgets with just one adaptor.
• A coin purse – I don’t need to bring a purse as big as the one I carry at home. My coin purse will have my essentials like my ID, my EHIC (link) and my Starling card.
• Green tea – This is the only tea I drink and I can’t always guarantee the chalet or hotel will have it so I like to bring my own.
• Contact lenses
• Pyjamas

So that’s it…I hope this helps you to pack ready for your own ski trip. What are your snowboard holiday packing essentials?

Disclaimer: all the photos in this post were taken with the Google Pixel 3, which Three kindly lent me to test. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.