We all know someone who has been nicknamed “the last minute guy”. It’s just one of those things – sometimes you get really organised people, and others could do with a little bit of work on their time management skills.
If you’re reading this and starting to feel like it’s a bit of a personal attack, now’s the time to get sorted. But we don’t expect you to do it all on your own! If you’re heading to the slopes for the season, whether you’re skiing or snowboarding, there’s a whole list of essentials you’re going to need to throw into that suitcase. We’re here to help you do just that – get your summer ski packing ticked off the list.
Even in the Summer, look out for the best snow helmet on the powster website before you pack your bag for your summer snow adventure.
Ski and Snowboarding Clothing
There is nothing worse than getting up the mountain and being ill-prepared. While you may have come across one of those videos on social media of people gliding through the snow in nothing but a string bikini or tiny shorts, the reality is, there’s no way you’re going to last very long in that kind of climate if you’re lacking appropriate clothing – and plenty of it.
Step one is making sure you have enough snuggly layers underneath. We recommend packing 1-4 non-cotton base layer tops and 1-4 non-cotton base layer bottoms. You can alternate between them and then chuck them in the wash if you’re running out of clean options, especially when spending long periods on the slopes. The next thing to pack is quality material sweaters and anything else that will add a bit of extra warmth, like fleece, down or another thermal.
You can’t go amiss with a snowsuit, not only are they super warm and waterproof but if you’re style-conscious, there are some pretty funky options out there if you’re looking to add a bit of flair to your mountain get-up. Then there’s the option of waterproof layers. It’s inevitable that you’re going to get wet, or at least damp, so having waterproof pants and a waterproof jacket is a total no-brainer. And we can’t forget all the small yet mighty additions – gloves, a beanie, wool socks and a neck gaiter (non-cotton balaclava or ski mask) definitely need to be packed for making sure you’re keeping the heat in and the cold out.
Ski and Snowboarding Gear
If you’re an avid shredder, you’ll most likely already have a lot of the gear that you’re going to need up on the mountain – once you’ve got a taste for the sport, it doesn’t take long before that list of equipment starts filling up. Or maybe it’s your first time and you’re genuinely lost when it comes to knowing what kind of tools of the trade you’ll be needing during your very first lesson. In many cases, new riders will often hire gear from the ski resort they’re visiting.
Most places offer this service, so it’s important to find out well in advance of your trip whether or not you’re going to be able to rent out everything you need to have an awesome experience. Whether you’ve got the gear or not, you either need to remember to pack it or prepare to pay for it.
Number one is one of the biggest items of the lot – what you’re riding. If you’re planning on skiing, the last thing you want to forget about is your ski poles and skis. Let’s just say it wouldn’t be much fun skiing without them. And if you’re more into snowboarding, you will obviously need the board to glide through those unbelievable landscapes. While it’s not compulsory, we do recommend that you pack a helmet. No matter how experienced you are, accidents are bound to happen in adventure sports, so protecting yourself is the smartest thing you can do.
And of course, we can’t forget about goggles. As well as protecting and shielding your eyes from things like airborne snow, debris, and things like tree branches, goggles are also a great alternative to sunglasses if you really want to make sure you’re wearing something that stays on. If you’re not a goggles fan, glasses designed for the snow are always a good option. Last but not least – hand and toe warmers. Trust us, you won’t regret adding these to your luggage.
Packing the Extra Essentials
So you’ve gone through your clothing and gear checklist, everything has pretty much made its way to the suitcase, and you’re ready to rock ‘n roll. Pause a moment. We haven’t quite finished yet. Too often it’s those niggly little items that seem to evade the packing and aren’t released until it’s too late. Things like sunscreen are especially important to have on hand, even when you think there’s no chance of those rays sneaking through the clouds, you can get to the end of the day and find out you were horribly wrong. And if you did forget, we’d hope you’d at least have your Aloe Vera close by so you can do your best to repair the damage that’s already done. Lip balm – it’s one of those things you might not think of if you don’t use it on a regular basis, but let us tell you, there’s nothing worse than dry lips after skiing in windy, cold and dry conditions for hours on end.
You’ve got everything laid out, you’ve ticked each item off the list and you’re ready to zip up your bag – great work. We get it, summer ski packing involves a fair bit of brain power and effort, but if you think warm, you’ll be well on your way to being one of the most organised people in the group. Just don’t forget to do a double-check!
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