The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List: What to Bring (+ PDF Checklist)
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Getting ready to pack for a ski trip to Europe?
Curious about what to bring on a ski trip?
WONDERING HOW TO DRESS FOR SKIING?
First of all, congrats!
Skiing in Europe is such an amazing experience, regardless of whether you’re just learning how to ski or if you’re an experienced skier already.
But packing for a ski trip abroad can be a bit daunting.
BETWEEN SKI CLOTHING AND GEAR, AND SEPARATE APRÈS SKI OUTFITS, IT CAN BE EASY TO OVERPACK.
Read on for the ski gear list and clothing, après ski outfits, and winter skin care products to stash in your suitcase.
Plus, download my printable ski trip packing list to ensure that you don’t forget anything when it comes time to pack.
The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing List: What to Bring (+ PDF Checklist)
Don't let packing stress ruin your ski trip!
Grab this complimentary ⬇️ Ski Trip Packing List PDF ⬇️ and stay organized with ease.
This ski vacation packing checklist makes packing simple with an easy-to-follow format you can check off as you go.
Ski and Snowboard Gear
Skis with bindings + ski poles, or Snowboard with bindings**
Ski boots or Snowboard boots**
Helmet**
Goggles
Sunglasses
You can’t ski without proper skis, and the same goes for snowboarding without a board.
Any good skiing gear list begins with these key pieces of equipment.
** MOST FOLKS WILL RENT SKIS, BOOTS, AND HELMETS FROM SKI RENTAL SHOPS AT THEIR DESTINATION.
I’d strongly recommend that you buy ski goggles before your trip.
I’ve seen some ski shops rent goggles, but it’s more hygienic to buy your own.
They’re one of those items that gets slapped with a heavy price mark-up if you wait to purchase them at a ski resort, plus you’ll find a more limited selection at a resort.
Buy a pair online before you leave home, and you’ll be more likely to secure the style and color you prefer.
I really like this pair from SMITH Optics - they’re affordable for beginner skiers and come in a wide array of frame and lens colors.
As for sunglasses, they might seem redundant since you’ll be wearing goggles for most of the day, but there’s nothing worse than wincing through a chic slopeside lunch because you forgot your sunnies.
Ski and Snowboard Clothing
Base layer tops
Base layer bottoms
Mid-layer for added insulation, like a fleece vest or sweater
Waterproof ski jacket
Waterproof ski pants
Ski socks
Balaclava or neck gaiter
Knitted beanie hat
Waterproof gloves
Glove liners
Of all the things to take on a ski trip, solid base layers to insulate your body are a must.
Merino wool is one of my favorite materials for base layers.
It has the ability to keep you warm in cold temperatures, but also allows for breathability on warmer days.
These pieces by Smartwool are a great choice - the base layer crew is a simple, long sleeve top and the base layer bottom is a mid-rise pant that will fit snugly under your ski pants.
SKI SOCKS ARE ANOTHER ESSENTIAL FOR A GOOD SKI OUTFIT.
They should also be made out of a durable yet soft material that will cushion your feet, ankles, and shins during multiple days in rigid ski boots.
YOU ALSO WANT A PAIR OF SOCKS THAT IS GOING TO KEEP YOUR FEET DRY ALL DAY.
On top of my base layer, I wear a Merino wool sweater, and usually an slim-fit, insulated down jacket for added warmth.
On top of my base layer, I always wear a Merino wool sweater, too.
And on extra-cold days, I’ll add an insulated down jacket, like Lululemon’s Down for It All jacket.
IN TERMS OF OUTERWEAR, YOU WILL NEED WATERPROOF SKI PANTS AND A WATERPROOF SKI JACKET.
I will always recommend Bogner‘s Stirrup Ski Pants - they’re an iconic pair of slim-fit ski pants that easily transition from the slopes to après ski, and a great alternative to the puffy ski pants you find most places.
Bogner’s Stirrup Ski Pants are made out of a stretchy, waterproof fabric that keeps you dry and warm on the slopes, and their stirrup bottoms keep everything in place while you’re cruising down the pistes.
The pleating down the center of the leg adds a chic detail to their slim fit.
I ALWAYS FEEL LIKE I’VE JUST STEPPED OUT OF A SLIM AARONS PHOTO WHENEVER I’M WEARING THEM.
Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor wore them after the style caught on in the 1950s.
I’ve also been known to wear my Bogner Stirrup Ski Pants in Frankfurt on very, very cold winter days - it’s that versatility that I love.
Please accept this elevator selfie as proof that I enjoy wearing my Bogner ski pants in the city, too.
My ski jacket is also from Bogner - can you tell I love this brand? - and it has the two features that I think every ski jacket should have: a snow skirt, and a sleeve pocket.
The snow skirt is an extra bit of water-resistant fabric at hip-height on the interior of the jacket.
When I snap it shut, it prevents snow from flying up my back during a fall, and leaving me wet for the rest of the day.
Some brands also call this feature a powder skirt.
THE SECOND FEATURE, A SLEEVE POCKET, SITS HIGH ON THE LEFT SLEEVE OF MY JACKET AND IS A DISCRETE ZIPPERED POCKET WHERE I CAN STORE MY SKI PASS.
At each ski lift, I can simply lean my arm towards the automated sensor, it reads my ski pass, and opens the ski lift to me.
The brand of your ski jacket doesn’t matter that much, but these are two features to look for on any jacket you consider purchasing.
I recommend a ski jacket that has a sleeve pocket - it’s a convenient place to store ski passes and makes for quick access to automated lifts.
Gloves are another accessory that you should purchase before you leave home.
You’ll find a much wider selection at more competitive prices if you shop for gloves away from a ski resort.
There are two designs that skiers use, regular gloves, and the mitten design.
Personally, I’ve used both, and I don’t find the mitten design to be as constricting as it may seem.
Either way, gloves or mittens should be insulated, snug on the wrist and not too bulky.
It’s also a good idea to invest in a pair of glove liners, like these - they help to keep your hands dry from sweat or clamminess.
Put it all together, and you’ll have a ski outfit that keeps you warm and dry over multiple days on the slopes.
FINALLY, A LOT OF FOLKS WILL RECOMMEND A NECK GAITER TO PROTECT YOUR NECK FROM ELEMENTS LIKE SUN AND WIND WHILE YOU’RE SKIING.
I personally use something that’s halfway between a neck gaiter and a balaclava, with a headpiece that protects my hair from the “ick” of a rental helmet.
I just pull the face cover part down below my chin.
I like this construction better because the headpiece keeps the neck portion in place and I don’t have to worry about a regular neck gaiter falling down to my shoulder.
Après Ski Clothing
Warm jacket
Jeans, corduroys, or other pants
Wool and cashmere sweaters
Athleisure for relaxing, like leggings and a sweatshirt
Winter hats
Gloves or mittens
Waterproof boots
Warm socks
Undergarments
Sleepwear
Swimsuit
In the United States, après ski outfits tend to be more casual and comfort focused: think cozy flannel shirts, fleece pullovers, and comfortable jeans or leggings.
In Europe, especially at Alpine ski resorts in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, après-ski fashion leans towards a more sophisticated and stylish look: think tailored ski pants, turtleneck sweaters, and formal outerwear.
RATHER THAN A SPORTY INFLUENCE, THE VIBE LEANS MORE TOWARDS LUXURY BRANDS AND ELEVATED FABRICS.
Cashmere and fur-trimmed accessories are popular.
Designer sunglasses and intricate après-ski boots with fur details are also common.
European ski resorts are the perfect excuse to pack faux fur vests, Moon Boots, and flashy accessories.
I TYPICALLY OPT FOR COLORFUL SWEATERS AND SLIM FIT BLACK PANTS FOR APRÈS-SKI, ALONG WITH PLAIN BLACK SNOW BOOTS.
( 📸 One trick that I like to do when I’m visiting a new ski resort for the first time is something I call the Instagram vibe check.
I’ll check the tagged location of a restaurant or bar that I plan to visit, and observe what people are wearing in the photos tagged with that location.
It’s a quick and easy way to get a feel for what people are already wearing at the destination. 📸)
SHOP THIS POST
Winter Skincare Products
High SPF Sunscreen
SPF Lip Balm
Hydrating facial moisturizer
Nourishing hand cream
Hairbrush
Makeup
Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap
Eyecare toiletries, glasses, contacts, contact solution, contact case
Dental toiletries, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, tongue scraper
Shaving toiletries, razor, shaving foam
Nail kit with tweezers
PACKING THE PROPER SKINCARE FOR A SKI TRIP IS CRUCIAL.
Sun reflects off the snow and increases the likelihood of sunburn, while cold, dry mountain winds strip moisture from the skin, leaving it dry, flaking and irritated.
The sun beating down, and reflecting its UV rays, on the slopes in Kitzbühel, Austria.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?
First, be sure to pack a rich, hydrating facial moisturizer to protect against dryness and windburn.
Second, don’t forget a broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF to guard against UV rays, which can be intense at high altitudes and in snow.
IN THAT SAME VEIN, A MOISTURIZING LIP BALM WITH SPF WILL PREVENT CHAPPED LIPS AND SUN DAMAGE.
A nourishing hand cream is also a saving grace, as it will keep hands from getting dry and cracked in cold, harsh conditions.
I also like to pack a hydrating face mist to refresh and soothe my skin after getting off the slopes for the day.
International Travel Essentials
Phone battery backup powerbank
EU converter plugs
Passport
Camera, charger, and memory card
Medications
ON TOP OF THE EXPANDED WARDROBE OPTIONS, THERE ARE ALSO THE ESSENTIAL ITEMS REQUIRED FOR TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY.
Things like passports, plug converters, and eSIM cards will need to be added to your packing list if you’re heading to Switzerland, but not Colorado.
Luckily, I have an entire explainer post about these items that MUST be packed for any trip to Europe, which you can read here.
And finally, one item you should not forget to arrange before your departure is trip insurance with explicit protection for adventure sports like skiing and snowboarding.
SAFETYWING IS A POPULAR CHOICE FOR TRIP INSURANCE, AND HAS AN ADVENTURE SPORTS ADD-ON THAT COVERS MOST WINTER MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES.
Photographic evidence that I’ve been able to pack for ski trips using just a carry-on - an amazing travel hack, if you can swing it.
Conclusion
I HOPE THIS SKI TRIP PACKING GUIDE HELPS YOU FEEL MORE PREPARED AND READY FOR YOUR TRIP!
With the right gear, accessories, and personal care items packed, you’ll be ready to hit the slopes and enjoy everything European ski resorts have to offer.
Now you can focus on what truly matters: soaking up those breathtaking alpine views, carving down pristine slopes, and, of course, indulging in après-ski culture.
Safe travels, and have an unforgettable time on the mountain!
Until next time,
Angela ⛷️