13 Essentials You Need to Pack for a Ski Trip

What to pack for a ski trip can seem like an impossible task. What to wear skiing is so bulky and your bag fills with just a few items. You certainly don’t want to forget something or opt to leave important gear at home. Because let’s face it. Skiing requires you to be comfortable and anything less will have you racing toward the lodge.

Your only remaining option will be to purchase overpriced gear on the mountain or squander an entire trip. Whether you’re skiing in the Swiss Alps, Canada’s Mont Tremblant, or a ski resort close to home you need to be warm and comfortable in your gear.

I’m a light and practical traveler who has worked and reworked how to get the most out of my bag’s space and the gear I bring. So, I focus on only the ski essentials and I thought it would be helpful to share my travel-tested ski trip packing list with you, as well!

13 Essentials You Need to Pack for a Ski Trip

1. Base Layers 

Effective base layers are total workhorses. Base layers are the first thing you put on and your last line of defense against the cold. They are the key to every warm ski ensemble and should be at the very top of your ski packing list.  

Layer up with soft merino wool Icebreakers or Omni-Heat tops and bottoms. These base layers are so warm and comfy you won’t want to take them off! They can be rolled up and squeezed into the tightest crevices in your bag or compressed into my favorite packing cubes.

Depending on the length of your ski vacation, 1-2 base layer sets should suffice. Also, consider the temperatures you’ll be skiing in. The difference between lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight baselayers is significant, and choosing the wrong one can leave you feeling too hot or too cold.

If it’s your first time skiing and the weather will generally be in the low 30sF with mostly sunny skies, go for midweight base layer leggings and tops to ensure a cozy warm body temperature without getting overheated and sweaty.

2. Ski Jacket

The Patagonia Insulated Powder Town Jacket is a high-performance, two-layer shell for ultimate warmth and wind protection. And, when you’re figuring out what to pack for skiing and other snow fun, a rock-solid jacket is a must.

This cozy Patagonia jacket is a waterproof ski jacket to not only keep you dry but also wrap you in a shell of impermeable heat. You’ll feel absolutely no cold when you have this coat on together with your other ski layers.

Best of all, you can move in this coat! Good ski gear shouldn’t make you feel like you’re weighed down in layers unable to sport your snow carving skills! So even if you opt for a down jacket, it should be thin and allow your body to movefreely.

The bonus is there’s no need to pack multiple outer layers because you’ll be able to manage with just this coat for skiing and après-ski. So, you’ll be checking off 2 items on your ski trip packing list and saving space in your bag. Win-win 🙂

3. Ski Mittens (Not Ski Gloves!)

Be sure your ski trip checklist includes waterproof and warm women’s ski mittens and a flexible pair of glove liners. Your hands and fingers won’t even know they’re being pelted with cold air as you ski downhill.

I love how good ski mittens maximize my own body heat by keeping my fingers together while the glove liners offer protection against the elements when I take off my mittens and tap away at my touchscreen! With this combo, I’ve never felt the need for additional hand warmers.

And if it’s your first ski trip and you’re thinking why not skip the liners and just go with a pair of ski gloves, let me spare you the cold hands. Gloves aren’t as warm as mittens because your fingers aren’t together to share warmth. Plus, gloves let more heat escape than mittens.

4. Ski Pants

Columbia’s Bugaboo ski pants are stylish and perfect for cold weather conditions, not to mention the solid colors go with many different color fleece tops. During ski breaks, I like taking my coat off in the lodge and wearing ski clothes that actually match, contrary to the many other loud and colorful items of ski clothing.

Thinking about what to take skiing, I’m always tempted to pack more ski pants than I need. But, limit yourself to 2 pairs, even though that 3rd pair is literally screaming your name as you zip (and lock) your bag.

And because there is crossover between skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking when it comes to essential winter travel gear, check out this guide with more details about women’s winter outdoor pants.

5. Fleeces

By now, you’ve probably realized how much of a winter gear geek I am! But I’m serious about warmth and comfort to maximize the fun on the slopes.

Fleeces make packing for a ski trip so easy because of their versatility. Wear them over a base layer for a day on the slopes. Layer them on their own as a jacket for a warmer ski day. After a day on the slopes, lounge by the fire wearing a fleece and yoga pants or match them with your favorite leggings (or even better favorite fleece-lined leggings!) for a casual après ski hang.

Because of their multi-uses, I’d pack 2-3 fleeces depending on the length of your trip. This way, you can have 1-2 for skiing, but an extra for après ski to go along with some cozy sweaters for lounging and dinners out.

6. Ski Goggles

Anon’s Women Snow Goggles are one of the best investments I’ve ever made in my ski gear.

I love the interchangeable, anti-fog lenses for different lighting conditions. They have a great fit and sometimes I almost forget I have them on!

If you’re wondering whether these are skiing essentials for beginners or you’re simply an occasional skier who needs a casual price point to match how many times you’ll wear a pair of ski goggles, these OTG goggles are best-sellers. I’ve bought several pairs as gifts for growing kids and first time skiers and they’ve worked like a charm!

ProTip: It’s always better to ski with goggles instead of sun glasses, especially if you wear contact lenses like me. Sun glasses are great to have back at the lodge or while taking a break at a mountainside cafe, but they can fly off while you’re skiing. Not to mention the air hitting your eyes can dry out your eyes and contacts.

7. Neck Gaiter

Scarves are so cozy for an après ski hangout but an absolute no-no when skiing. They can be a hazard should they flap around in the wind and often shift, opening up spaces where cold air can slip through to your skin.

A neck gaiter slides over your neck and the fleece insulates against the wind, cold, and any wetness, be it from sweat or precipitation. It’s a definite when deciding what to bring on a ski trip.

8. Ski Socks

What to bring skiing must include the right socks! Uncomfortable and cold feet mean less time on the slopes and more time in the lodge.

Made from soft merino wool, these women’s ski socks will cushion your feet inside of your ski boots and keep your toes toasty and dry by wicking away sweat. Your ski holiday packing list doesn’t have to include foot warmers with the right socks. Bring 2-4 pairs depending on how many days you’ll be skiing.

9. Hydration Pack 

Essential ski gear isn’t only about the right clothing. You need to hydrate but you can’t exactly carry a water bottle while you’re skiing

Instead, stay hydrated with a sleek Camelbak Women’s Hydration Pack. It’s compact and holds 1.5 liters of fluids. It’s also functional, storing small items like keys and money. The hydration chamber inside is replaceable, but the pack itself comes with a lifetime guarantee.

The hydration pack is also useful for other outdoor activities, like hiking and biking so you can really get your money’s worth!

10. Ear Warmer Headband

Hopefully, you always ski with a helmet. I never pack mine for ski trips where I’m flying to the mountain. It’s easy enough to rent one from the mountain rental shop where you’ll be skiing and save space in your bag.

But while your helmet keeps your head warm, it’s important to cover your ears and forehead, too. That’s where the Hot Headz Fleece Ear Warmer comes in.

Ladies, it actually works with your ponytail, rather than do everything possible to slide the elastic band out of place and thus cause hair havoc. The fleece is cozy around your head and face and thin enough to comfortably fit under a helmet.

11. Kleenex & Other Important Toiletries

Dare I state the obvious? It’s cold. Your nose is runny as you carve your way down the piste. This doesn’t feel good, nor is it a good look. Be sure to keep some Kleenex Go Packs in your coat pockets.

In addition, you’ll want to make sure you have sun protection. You don’t want to end the day feeling good only to realize you’ve got ski goggle tan lines! Lip balm is also a must for your ski bag. One lick leads to another and another until you’ve got red, irritated chapped lips from the cold.

12. Winter Boots

 Sorel Women’s Caribou Boots are the perfect solution to already crowded suitcases. You can wear these boots on your way to the slopes and while out and about after a day on the mountain.

They’re snow boots, so they keep your feet dry and warm and have solid traction on the snow. They work perfectly with your favorite pair of jeans or leggings when the day is done. When deciding what to pack for a ski holiday, these are really the only shoes you’ll need.

I also love these Columbia boots! They are beyond warm, look great, and are a favorite winter boot to wear for a ski trip or even a packing essential for a city winter trip.

13. Winter Hat

Remember to pack a warm winter hat. You won’t always be wearing your helmet and you’ll surely want to let your hair down from that ponytail. I’m biased because I just love a cute warm hat that I can wear after a day on the mountain but it always baffles me when I see red-eared people walking around in the winter without one.

Here you have your ski trip packing list with only the absolute ski essentials and nothing else! What to wear to go skiing shouldn’t be overwhelming or time-consuming. Better to keep your suitcase light and save your energy for the slopes. Don’t you agree?! 🙂

Did I miss anything? What essentials do you pack for a ski trip?

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