Don't Miss a Thing: The Ultimate Ski Trip Packing Checklist for an Epic Adventure!

Planning a ski trip can be exciting, but packing for it can be a daunting task. To simplify your preparations for an Aspen Snowmass ski vacation, this ski trip packing list will help you remember all of the essentials that will keep you warm and comfortable on the slopes. Once we started skiing, we progressively ditched the sunny southern holidays in favour of ski trips. Now that I’ve really nailed our ski packing list and system after eight years of trial and error, I figured it’s time to share! Below, you’ll find the ski trip packing list that I’ve been honing for years as we’ve packed for both local, cross-country and international ski trips.

Whether you're hitting the slopes of Aspen or any other ski destination, this comprehensive guide ensures you have everything you need for a fantastic ski vacation. If you and your family are planning an Aspen Snowmass ski vacation, Stay Aspen Snowmass is your one-stop-shop for creating an all-inclusive Aspen vacation package. Our vacation packages make traveling and visiting easy and enjoyable, and include airfare, ski and snowboard equipment rental, lift tickets and passes, Aspen lodging and more. Need something you forgot to pack? From waterproof ski jackets to non-cotton base layer tops to wool ski socks, our ski trip packing list covers all of the basics for skiing and snowboarding in any weather on any of our four local mountains. Let's dive into the essentials!

As you start to think through all of the elements of your ski trip packing checklist, remember: cotton is your enemy and layering is your best friend. Some of these things will be need-to-haves while others will be nice-to-haves, which are optional depending on both budget and space.

Here’s the printable version of my ultimate ski trip packing checklist - just click and print! This is what it looks like: Here it is! This is what my ski trip packing checklist looks like - I’ve linked the printable PDF version above and below.

Download it here: ski trip packing checklist.

If you’re flying to your destination, or taking a shorter/longer ski trip, some of this will need to be adjusted; you’ll need plane outfits, travel insurance and only the ski gear you prefer not to rent at your resort (for example, I usually fly with my helmet, goggles and boots and rent high-performance skis and poles at my destination). This list is based on a ski road trip, but there’s space here and there to add to the list yourself, along with a space dedicated for those all-important TO DOs leading up to your ski vacation.

Part of the excitement of a trip is the planning of it. You’ve been dreaming about that ski vacation, and now it’s time to start nailing down the details. But where should you begin? There are lots of decisions to make and to-dos to tackle.

VERY IMPORTANT: If you plan to visit Angel Fire Resort during a holiday, early booking is even more important than at other times because lodging does fill up. Start saving for a snowy day. Consider putting some funds away every month to make your family’s resort experience the most memorable.

Ski and Snowboard Clothing

The key to staying comfortable on the slopes is layering. The tip: Remember to pack lots of warm layers, as the weather conditions on the mountains can change quickly and dramatically. Here's a breakdown of essential clothing items:

Ski jacket/shell: A waterproof and windproof jacket is crucial.
Ski pants/bib: Opt for waterproof and insulated pants.
Base layer (short-sleeved and long-sleeved top, bottom): Merino wool or a merino blend is ideal for moisture-wicking and warmth.
Mid-layer top and bottom: Fleece or synthetic insulation provides an extra layer of warmth.
Insulated/heated vest: Provides extra protection for your core without overheating.

The biggest rule? ZERO COTTON. Not on your body and definitely not on your feet.

Read also: Your Big Sky Vacation

At the top of your family ski trip checklist should be anything and everything that keep you and your kiddos warm and dry. Because as soon as one of them gets cold, your ski day is going to get rough.

If you want to add a little personal expression or fashion flare along the way, or extra technical features (like GORE-Tex, RECCO, etc.), that’s where your budget will start to head upwards. Renting skiwear is becoming much more common at resorts, too, so you may not even want to invest in much if you head out on one big ski trip per season.

What to Wear Skiing and Snowboarding || REI

Ski and Snowboard Gear

Having the right gear is essential for a safe and enjoyable ski trip. The tip: Don't want to bring your gear? Learn more about renting ski and snowboard equipment from Four Mountain Sports and how you can save when you package equipment rentals with lodging. Also, bring along different colored goggle lenses.

No ski trip packing checklist is complete without the gear that’s going to get you down the mountain. But that’s not to say you need to buy and own it all! If you only ski once or twice a year, it may make more sense to rent equipment at your destination and let someone else manage the maintenance and storage.

Here's a list of key gear items:

Helmet: The most important piece of gear for safety.
Goggles: Protect your eyes from the sun and snow.
Beanie/helmet liner: For extra warmth inside your helmet.
Goggle cover: Protects your lenses from scratches.
Rubber goggle wiper: Useful for wet snow days.
Hand and toe warmers: Essential for keeping extremities warm.
Ski Key: Helps prevent theft of your gear.
Ski bag or cart: Makes transporting skis and boots easier.
(Heated) boot bag: A luxury but keeps boots warm and dry.
Ski strap + pole carrier: Helps kids carry their own gear.

Your ski trip pack list doesn’t need to include a helmet if you don’t own one, since that can be rented at your resort, but you may want to get your own pair of goggles. If you wear glasses look for the OTG designation, which means your goggles may fit right overtop of your eyeglasses (unless you wear large frames). Other features to consider include lens colours for various conditions and - my personal favourite - photochromic lenses that change in real time according to different lighting.

Most of us can’t afford skis for different conditions, so I love an all-mountain option! This season, I’ll be skiing on Atomic‘s Maven 93 C. This’ll be the first time I’ve used skis designed specifically for women (the Maverick is Atomic’s men’s version), but I really believe for the most part that skis are unisex. The Maven comes in a variety of waist sizes and lengths; I normally ski on an 88mm-waisted ski, so this 93mm waist should provide more stability on powder days. My kids will be on Atomic‘s BENT twin-tip skis in the all-mountain 85- and 90-waists, and I am frankly feeling kinda jealous of their skis’ designs!

Poles [M] - young learners absolutely don’t need poles, so you can skip this if you have little kids. But when I was first learning to ski, I found poles an invaluable source of balance. If you’re just starting out, get the least expensive poles you can find. This is one piece of gear that I wouldn’t upgrade until well into your ski journey. Once you’re ready, though, carbon poles are where it’s at; they’re super light but very rigid. I’m excited to try Atomic‘s AMT Carbon SQS poles, while I’m keeping my kids in a more cost-effective option with Atomic‘s AMT SQS poles

Ski boots [M] - I have awful feet, so a really high-quality, customizable boot is imperative for me. But it may not be for you! If you have relatively normal feet, you can probably get away with a lower- or mid-range boot right out of the box. I’ve had really good luck with Salomon ski boots over the years, and adding an insole was a game-changer. My feet are so bad that I can’t even walk in running shoes for more than a couple of hours at a time, but in great ski boots, I can somehow ski for six to eight hours, no problem. Atomic has a huge range of ski boots for narrow, regular and wide widths; I’ve never had a wide-width ski boot before so it’ll be really interesting to see how my feet do in the HAWX MAGNA 105 S W GW boots this season. When you’re looking for your first pair of boots, your weight will be a consideration but, overall, you’ll want to start with a softer flex than 105 (105 is a medium flex, but I started on 70s) and then move up every few years as you progress. This year, Miss Q will be skiing in Atomic‘s HAWX PRIME 85 W boots; The K Man will be in Atomic‘s HAWX PRIME XTD 100 GW; and Big B finally bought a new pair of boots for the first time in eight years - Atomic‘s HAWX PRIME XTD 130 GW (so versatile, he could even go alpine touring in them!) One of the most important skiing essentials is ski boots! Whether you buy or rent, the key is that they fit the width and length of your foot the right way. If you’re new to skiing, have a professional help you with this because it’s quite different from regular street footwear.

Remember that it can take years (and a hefty investment) to accumulate everything listed here, which is why it’s most important to get or rent the mandatory gear and worry about the rest more gradually over time.

Mountain Casual / Non-Ski Clothing

When you're not on the slopes, you'll need comfortable and versatile clothing for après-ski activities and evenings out. The tip: While both Aspen and Snowmass Village have high-end restaurants where you might want to dress up (a bit), a coat and tie or anything considered "formal" is not necessary.

You might think you need some chic Aspen-ready outfits for your après-ski game on your ski trip packing checklist, but I’m here to tell you that the only place I’ve seen everyone look bougie is in Salt Lake City at one of its poshest resorts. Everywhere else - and I’m talking from our little local hill’s cafeteria to Whistler’s nicest restaurants - is very much come as you are. You’d think at a resort like Whistler Blackcomb, you’d see the fanciest skiwear and apres-ski outfits, but we found there was a little bit of everything. So when you’re thinking about what to bring skiing, think of what you need to stay warm and dry and what will help you ski your best. Don’t worry about “fitting in.”

The key to packing efficiently is mixing and matching, so pack in outfits. Lay things out on your bed that you think you might want to wear and see how many different outfits you can make out of just a few tops and bottoms. When we’re flying, I only allow myself the boots I’ll wear on the plane as footwear; but when you’re driving, you may want a hardcore winter pair and a fun pair, like Moon Boots or Manitobah Mukluks.

Here's a suggested list:

2 pairs of jeans/leggings
1 winter skirt/dress pants
2 T-shirts
2 long-sleeved Ts
2 sweaters
1 Oxford/flannel shirt
1 sweatsuit
6 pairs of underwear
3 bras, if applicable
1 PJ set
1 pair merino hiking socks
Winter coat
Winter boots
Winter hat
Mitts/gloves/scarf

I’m suggesting merino because you only need to bring one pair to go with your casual outfits for your entire trip since they’re antimicrobial and can be worn many times before they need to be washed, but if you only plan to invest in merino for your ski socks, just wear them with your casual outfits, too

Miscellaneous Items

Don't forget these essential items to ensure a smooth and comfortable trip:

Toiletries: Remember sunscreen!

The tip: Aspen Snowmass' lift tickets operate on a radio frequency that automatically opens gates at the lifts when you approach. Because of Colorado's high elevation (and frequent sunshine), sunscreen is an absolute essential.

For A Baby

The tip: For last-minute baby needs, Aspen has a grocery store (City Market) as well as a pharmacy located conveniently right downtown.

Nice To Have

The tip: Worried about finding things to do with the kids off the slopes? You need not worry.

Additional Planning Tips

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable ski trip, consider the following planning tips:

Book lodging: Angel Fire Resort offers several lodging options to relax and get a good night’s rest after a long day in the Moreno Valley and The Enchanted Circle.
Plan transportation: If you’re driving to Angel Fire, make arrangements to get the car serviced.
Consider travel insurance: Cover your trip investment from those unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip.
Check out our packages.
Rent ski gear if you don’t own your own equipment.
Book lessons if necessary: Earlier is always better when booking lessons or ski school.
Assess clothing and gear needs: Make sure to have everyone try on their snow gear.
Take care of things at home.
Service your car: Make sure your vehicle is in good working order if you plan to drive.
Plan your meals: If you have a vacation rental with a kitchen, make a grocery shopping list if you plan to cook.
Plan your fun!: Angel Fire Resort offers so many amenities.
Keep an eye on the weather.
Check road conditions.
Plan your driving route based upon current road conditions.

It’s ski trip time! We hope this timeline has helped you prepare. Once you arrive, all that planning will pay off because the memories of your family’s first resort experience will last forever.

tags: #ski #trip #planner