Traveling to Breckenridge for the first time is a dream. With the mountains in your view and adventures at your fingertips, you’ll never be bored or downtrodden when you take a trip to this incredible place. To make the most of your ski trip to Colorado, proper outdoor clothing should be the first thing on your packing list. Here's a comprehensive guide to packing for a Breckenridge vacation, ensuring you stay warm, comfortable, and stylish on and off the slopes.
Understanding the Layering System
Every ski layers diagram you find will show you that layering for skiing is an art. When you’re taking a trip out to the mountains, you’re juggling a lot and what often gets thrown to the wayside is the ski clothing layers, which is your protection against the winter weather and the snow. Ski layers help keep your body warm and dry.
The #1 rule in winter layering is to avoid cotton base layers. Don’t wear cotton - as it is a natural fiber, cotton gets very cold when wet and won’t help keep you warm. Don’t wear wet clothes if you can avoid it. Don’t wear more than three layers when skiing - it can make you sweat more and trap the moisture (actually making you colder!).
Base Layers: The Foundation of Warmth
What makes a good base layer? It should be comfortable, functional, and maybe even fashionable. Instead, look for items made from polyesters and of course, wool. These pieces will be form fitting and can either be worn under your ski pants, jeans or by themselves out on the town. Base layers come in not just bottoms, but tops as well. They should always be worn as the first layer right against the skin. They will be moisture wicking, meaning they will keep you dry while you’re active, therefore keeping you warmer.
These days there’s no reason to compromise style for function, with options to that will not only keep you warm on the slopes but look cute enough to wear to après as well!
Read also: Luxurious Stay in Breckenridge
Mid-Layers: Insulation is Key
What’s a mid-layer? A jacket, vest, or sweater that’s main purpose is insulation. In Breckenridge, you’ll wear your jacket on the slopes, around town, and on pretty much any adventure you encounter.
Outerwear: Protection from the Elements
Now onto the fun stuff: the outer layer. When you’re layering for skiing, the most important aspect to selecting a shell is water resistance. Material choice plays a very important role in selecting outerwear (and is what most ski gear enthusiasts like to geek out on). Again, there are lots of different coatings to pick from.
Essential Clothing Items for Breckenridge
Jackets
Make sure to bring your warmest snow jacket and ski pants if you’re coming in peak winter. Choose water-resistant attire that leaves room for layering, no matter the season. Personally, we lean towards a longer parka of high quality.
Pants
Baggy Jeans- While skinny jeans might be your thing, we tend to layer base layer leggings on the extra cold nights under a pair of denim.
Socks
Along the same lines as long underwear, keeping your feet warm is crucial. Choose thickness based on your boots. Avoid thick socks made of cotton. Instead, shop for socks made from the materials listed above that will be moisture wicking. Consider choosing a style designed specifically for the activity you’ll be wearing them for. If you forget a pair or need extra comfort, visit Joy of Socks on Main Street. Pro tip: Never wear two pairs at once. Your socks affect how long you can stay on the mountain.
Hats, Gloves, and Neck Warmers
Keep your head and ears properly covered with a winter hat. If you don’t have one, nearly every store in Breckenridge offers a stylish selection. Knitted mittens might work in California, but think about waterproof fabrics and insulation when you pack for Breckenridge. Hat, Gloves & Neck Warmer- Keep these in your carry-on, as you will need them when getting off the plane. Allow the season to dictate the level of warmth, but always make sure your gloves are very waterproof! We suggest bringing spare gloves, in case you lose one, or they haven’t fully dried from the day before.
Goggles and Sunglasses
When it’s dumping snow on the slopes, sunglasses just don’t cut it. Use goggles for the snow and wind. Goggles- Clear visibility is key. Choose goggles with minimal scratches and multiple lens options, yellow or orange for cloudy days and darker tints for bluebird skies. Keep a soft cloth handy and avoid water on the lenses to protect the anti-fog coating. Truth be told, we have more days of sunshine than San Diego and we are closer to the sun. Bring both sunglasses and sunscreen or buy them in Breckenridge.
Winter Boots
A good pair of winter boots will keep your feet warm both around town and while hitting the trails with your furry friends. Bring something with good traction so you won’t slip and slide around town. Don’t have the best boots?
Helmets
What Are The Benefits Of Ski Helmets? - The Winter Sport Xpert
If you’re going to be sliding on the snow, a helmet is a must, especially for the kids. You may see pro snowboarders on TV wearing hats, but if a giant half pipe is out of your skill range - you need to be wearing a helmet. While they are not mandatory for skiing by yourself or with friends, helmets are strongly recommended. A helmet will help protect your head if you fall and keep your head and ears warm and dry.
Other Essential Items
- Sunscreen: We recommend SPF 50 to avoid a sunburn in any season.
- ChapStick: Cold air and altitude can dry out your skin quickly.
- Bathing Suit: Whether you’ve spent the day skiing, snowboarding or shopping, the sport of hot-tubbing is a welcome addition to any vacation. Make sure you bring a bathing suit for a hot tub at your condo or vacation home.
- Hydration: In high alpine environments like Breck, the elements can take a toll on your body. Drink plenty of water, take multivitamins and limit alcohol consumption (or increase water if that just isn’t an option). Gatorade Hydrates Better Than Water. You might feel less thirsty in cold weather, but you still dehydrate, especially at altitude. Drink electrolytes to stay hydrated on the slopes.
- GoPro: Bring your GoPro and all of its accessories. Filming yourself slashing knee-deep powder or hitting jumps on your skis or board creates some impressive footage.
- Cell Phone: 8. While not something you technically 'wear', a cellphone is an essential item to bring with you on your first day of skiing. Plus, it's easy to get separated from your friends on the mountain, so your cellphone will also allow you to find your friends so you can get back to enjoying the slopes together.
Additional Tips for Packing
- Dress Code: Breckenridge is a laid-back mountain community, which means you can save space and leave your fancy clothes (and your stilettos) at home. For the ladies, a nice scarf, a little lip gloss, and jewelry go a long way.
- Gear Servicing: 7. Before you leave for your ski trip, make sure your skis and boots fit you correctly. You don't want to go on a ski trip and realize your boots don't fit anymore, or your skis aren't sharp and waxed. So before you head to the slopes, ensure your gear is serviced and fitted by a professional.
- Travel Documents: While it may seem like a no-brainer on what to pack for a ski trip to Colorado, travel documents are one of the most important and sometimes forgotten items! Make sure your ski trip checklist includes all travel documents and other essentials, such as your driver’s license, health insurance cards, travel insurance cards, extra charging cords, and all resort documents. And in case you need to find these items quickly, consider bringing a document-style wallet or accordion folder for storage.
- Fitness Watch: Record your progress.
Where to Find Gear in Breckenridge
Missing a winter layering essential? Take a stroll down Breckenridge Main Street and check out the many shops specializing in winter gear. Carvers Ski+Bike is Breckenridge’s local ski experts. Breck offers rentals pick up at its locations and rental equipment delivery right to your door if you stay at one of our resort properties. This is the perfect option if you want to hit the slopes immediately after you arrive.
Enjoy Your Trip!
Now that you’re packed and prepared for anything Breckenridge throws your way, it’s time to hit the mountain. Be safe, have fun, and don’t forget to share your memories with us. If you came to Breckenridge and didn’t have one of the best times of your life, we would be shocked. So, document the fun you’re having. Share your stories, photos, blogs, and videos with us (we LOVE hearing about it).
tags: #breckenridge #ski #clothing