Imagine you’ve been driving 8 hours-plus to your favorite ski or snowboarding resort, unpacking your car and the bags, and then settling into your hotel room ahead of a big day on the slopes. You go to sit down for a minute and realize you’ve forgotten your phone charger, or maybe it’s your Insta 360 Camera that got left at the front door at home. The feeling of panic is like experiencing your stomach turn inside out – how on earth are you supposed to enjoy your big winter holiday without some of these absolute essentials?!
Forgetting things and leaving them so far behind you can’t get back to them is one of the most frustrating parts of travel – especially when you’ve waited three whole weather seasons to get back to your happy place, the snowy mountain peaks. It takes a lot of preparation and planning to get organized for a ski or snowboarding trip, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful exercise. In fact, we’ve made it easier than ever by compiling this handy guide – Preparing for the Slopes: A Winter Sports Checklist.
From goggles to waterproof and breathable jackets, toiletries to travel insurance, we’ve put together the kind of ski and snowboarding gear list that ticks all of the boxes. If there’s one thing you can trust, it’s that Powster is here to make sure you leave nothing behind during the winter season. So let’s get into it!
Clothing for Your Winter Holiday
No doubt one of the first things you want to consider when packing for your winter sports holiday is what you’re actually going to wear. While you may have seen a lot of content showing people wearing bikinis on the slopes, believe it or not – this amount of clothing is unlikely to suffice. So! Here’s a list of everything you need both on and off the mountain to keep you comfortable, yet steezy, no matter where in the world you are this season.
Winter Clothing for On the Mountain
Making sure you’re locked and loaded for a full day of shredding comes down to having all the right clothing to keep you warm, supported and dry for as long as you can last. Of course, we’re big fans of looking good in your ski and snowboarding outfit, but wearing clothing items that are functional and practical is a must. Check out this list:
- At least one ski jacket
- At least one pair of ski trousers
- Ski gloves or mitts
- Thermal underwear
- Ski socks
- A beanie
- A scarf, neck gaiter, or face mask
- Snow boots
- Several ski tops
Winter Clothing for Off the Mountain
When we’re so focused on getting together everything we need for the snow, it can be easy to forget that we need clothes for when we’re having some downtime or treating ourselves to a classy dinner or night out. The last thing you want is to wear your ski pants and jacket to a civilized meal at the resort or its surrounding restaurants. Think about including some of these clothing items in your luggage for the trip:
- Regular socks
- Comfortable clothes for lounging
- Casual wear for evenings
- A good woolen coat
- Light rain jacket
- A nice outfit for more formal occasions
- Everyday and dressy shoes
- Pyjamas
- Underwear
- Swimwear
- Slippers
What Ski and Snowboarding Gear to Pack
Now this is the big one, the list of all lists. Because let’s face it, you can't be going up the mountain with nothing but a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. In fact, neither of these things should really be on your ski and snowboarding gear list. If they are, let’s just say you’re in for a pretty miserable time on the slopes! Whether you’re in Tyrol or Japan, these places are some of the coldest in the world during the winter season, which is exactly what makes them so perfect for winter sports conditions. But being equipped with the right gear is non-negotiable. So get packing as many of these as you can:
- A down vest or thermal jacket
- A fleece jumper or sweater to wear over your ski top
- Mid layers to lock in the heat
- Ski boots/snowboard boots
- Skis/snowboard (in ski bag)
- Poles
- Day rucksack
- Helmet
- Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Neck warmer/buff
- Thermal tops
- Fleeces
- Waterproof ski jacket
- Waterproof ski trousers
- Waterproof gloves or mittens
- Thermal bottoms
- Ski/snowboard socks
Extra Ski and Snowboarding Equipment
Our next list category is a slightly less crucial one – it tends to be more for the advanced skier or snowboarder and the kind of riders who love to share their adventures with people on their socials. Nevertheless! They can make all the difference if it’s the kind of experience you’re going for:
- Transceiver, shovel, and probe (for off-piste safety)
- Water bottle or Camelbak
- Multitool for repairs or adjustments
- Camera for your helmet or wireless camera
- First aid kit
- Headphones or Ear Pods
Holiday Toiletries
This is where the list of little niggly things you definitely need but are likely to forget comes in. Yes, you can always buy a toothbrush at the resort store when you arrive, but the closer you get to the mountain – the pricier things get. So while they may seem small and insignificant, they really are an important part of your packing list. Don’t forget these items this ski season:
- Sunscreen with a high SPF (at least 30)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Makeup
- Moisturizer
- Muscle rub
- Painkillers
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Shower gel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Medication
- Shaving kit
Travel Essentials
It’s a difficult one to admit, but most people find it incredibly hard to live without their electronic devices. So things like phone chargers, laptop cords, and everything in between should always be double-checked for before you leave. Then there are those slightly more can’t-live-without items like copies of your travel insurance, itinerary, and accommodation booking confirmations. Last but not least, make sure that you’ve got all the essential travel items packed and ready to roll.
- Money (cash and credit/debit cards)
- Passport or identity card
- Chargers for your phone, camera, Sat Nav, etc.
- Prescription glasses or contact lenses and solution
- Books and board games
- Mobile phone for content creation and communication (with the piste emergency number saved)
- Hair dryer
- Detergent for hand washing
- Travel plug adaptor
- Hip flask (for extra warmth, of course)
- Travel insurance documents
- Accommodation booking confirmation
If in Doubt, Pull It All Out!
You may have skimmed this list and been thinking to yourself – “Damn”. But never fear! While this winter sports checklist may have you feeling overwhelmed and like you need to start packing a year in advance, the only way to approach it is by doing one thing at a time. Make your way through the categories, from ski and snowboarding gear, all the way down to travel essentials. And we promise you, you’ll be packed up in no time and rearing to go. There’s nothing worse than being ill-prepared for a ski or snowboarding trip, so check the list once, check it twice, leaving things behind is not nice (or something like that).
