The Ski Trip Packing List You’ll Thank Yourself For Later

Packing for a ski trip is just a completely different beast. You are not just throwing three bikinis and a sundress into a carry-on and calling it a day. You have to pack for extreme sports, freezing temperatures, and then somehow also look incredibly chic drinking overpriced cocktails by a fire pit later that afternoon. It is exhausting just thinking about it.

I am deadass so passionate about this because I used to be the worst packer in the world when it came to the snow. Three years ago, I went on my first real mountain trip with a bunch of friends. I thought I knew what I was doing. I literally packed my regular cotton gym leggings to wear under my snow pants. Girl, I have never been in so much physical pain in my life. I was sweating from skiing, the cotton absorbed all the sweat, and then it literally froze to my legs while we were on the ski lift. I was a walking icicle.

I spent the rest of that trip hiding in the lodge drinking hot cider because I was too frozen to function. I learned my lesson the hard way so that you never have to.

1. The Base Layers (Please, No Cotton!)

Okay, we have to start with the foundation. The biggest mistake you can make – like I did – is wearing the wrong fabrics against your skin. You need materials that actually pull moisture away from your body. Because believe it or not, skiing is a heavy workout and you are going to sweat.

You absolutely need to invest in Merino wool. It is the holy grail of winter sports. It is super thin, incredibly soft, and it regulates your body temperature like magic. If you are allergic to wool, look for high-quality synthetic thermal blends. But please, leave the cotton t-shirts and normal gym leggings at home.

I usually pack two complete sets of base layers for a four-day trip. One top and bottom set to wear, and one to let air out. You want them to fit pretty tight against your skin, like a second skin. That way, they trap your natural body heat right where it belongs.

Your Base Layer Checklist:

• Merino Wool Tops: Long sleeve, fitted, and breathable.
• Thermal Leggings: Again, no cotton. You want that sweat-wicking magic.
• The Right Socks: This is huge. Do not wear three pairs of socks! Just buy one pair of actual, padded ski socks. If you wear too many socks, you cut off the circulation to your toes and they will freeze even faster.

2. Outerwear and the “Don’t Be a Ninja” Rule

Now let’s talk about the stuff everyone actually sees. Your jacket and your pants. The absolute most important word here is “waterproof.” Not water-resistant, babe. Waterproof.

If you fall in the snow – and we are both going to fall in the snow, let’s be real – water-resistant gear will eventually soak all the way through to your underwear. You want gear with a good waterproof rating. Look at the tags when you are shopping. Anything rated 10k or higher is usually safe for a normal day on the slopes.

But here is my favorite piece of advice. Stop buying all-black snowsuits! I call this the Ninja trap. I know black is slimming and chic, but on a mountain, it is actually super dangerous. Last winter, my cousin wore a matte black jacket and black pants. It started snowing really heavily around 3 PM, and the visibility dropped to zero. We literally lost her on the mountain for almost two hours. We could not see her against the trees and the dark shadows of the snow.

It was terrifying. Since then, I always wear a bright pop of color. Right now I am rocking a bright, neon coral jacket with fitted navy blue ski pants. It looks so retro and cool, but more importantly, my friends can spot me from a mile away when I inevitably wipe out near the trees.

Outerwear Essentials:

• Waterproof Shell Jacket: Bright colors or fun patterns are the best.
• Insulated Snow Pants: Make sure they have a little flare at the bottom to fit over your giant ski boots.
• A Good Helmet: Brain injuries are not trendy. Rent one or buy one, but wear it every single time.

3. The “Save Your Life” Accessories

These are the tiny things that take up almost zero room in your suitcase but will literally make or break your entire vacation. It is all about the little comforts when you are dealing with freezing wind and high altitudes.

First of all, hand warmers. You know those little packets you shake up and they get hot? Buy a massive box of them. I put them in my mittens, I put them in my boots before I put them on in the morning, and I even keep one in my chest pocket. It is pure luxury for like, two dollars.

Also, you absolutely need to bring a portable phone charger. I did not know this until a local told me, but the extreme cold literally drains your phone battery in like twenty minutes. I was trying to film this amazing view from the top of the gondola last year, and my phone went from 80 percent to dead in the blink of an eye. Now, I keep a small power bank in an inside pocket close to my body heat, plugged into my phone.

Do not forget these:

• A Neck Gaiter: Scarves are dangerous because they can get caught in the chairlift. Use a tight fleece neck tube instead.
• Goggles with interchangeable lenses: You need dark lenses for sunny days and yellow or clear lenses for cloudy days. The glare from the snow is blinding.
• Waterproof Mittens: Mittens are actually way warmer than gloves because your fingers share body heat.

4. Après-Ski: The Actual Best Part of the Trip

Let’s be incredibly honest for a second. Half the reason we even go on these trips is for the Après-ski. There is nothing better than taking off those heavy, awful plastic boots, putting on something cozy, and eating your body weight in melted cheese while holding a drink.

But you do not want to pack a whole separate fancy wardrobe for this. The mountain vibe is very casual luxury. You want to look rich, but like you just rolled out of bed. The secret here is chunky, beautiful knitwear.

I always pack this massive, heavy wool cardigan that my auntie made for me. It has these beautiful traditional Native geometric patterns on it. I just throw it over a simple black turtleneck and my favorite vintage Levi’s. It looks so intentional and unique, and it keeps me insanely warm when we are sitting outside by the fire pits.

You also need a solid pair of snow boots for walking around the village. Do not try to be a hero and wear heels or slick leather booties. You will slip on a patch of black ice in front of everyone. I have seen it happen, and it is tragic. Get some cute, fuzzy snow boots with a serious rubber grip on the bottom.

5. The Extreme Skincare Survival Kit

We really need to talk about what the mountain air does to your face. Because it is aggressive. The air at high altitudes is incredibly thin and dry, and the wind whipping against your cheeks all day will strip your skin of every ounce of moisture.

If you just bring your normal, lightweight daily lotion, you are going to wake up on day two with skin that feels like sandpaper. You need to bring out the heavy hitters. I am talking about thick, barrier-repair creams. I basically slug my face with a heavy ceramide ointment every single night before I go to sleep on a ski trip.

And sunscreen! Oh my gosh, do not forget the sunscreen. Just because it is freezing does not mean the sun isn’t there. In fact, the bright white snow reflects the UV rays straight back up into your face. You can actually get sunburned under your chin and inside your nose. It is horrible.

I always keep a tiny stick of mineral sunscreen in my jacket pocket, along with a heavy-duty lip balm. Reapply every time you get on the ski lift. Your future self will thank you when you don’t come home with peeling, red skin.

The Beauty Non-Negotiables:

• SPF 50 Face Sunscreen: Reapply every two hours, seriously.
• A Heavy Ointment: For your lips, your cuticles, and wind-chapped cheeks.
• Hydrating Hair Mask: The cold air makes your hair super brittle. Pack a travel-size deep conditioner to use in the hotel shower.

6. How to Actually Fit It All in Your Bag

So, looking at this list, you are probably wondering how the heck you are supposed to fit bulky sweaters, giant ski pants, and boots into a suitcase. It is the ultimate puzzle.

Vacuum seal bags are your absolute best friend here. I bought a cheap pack online before my last trip. You put all your puffy jackets and thick sweaters in them, roll the air out, and they shrink down to literally nothing. It is so satisfying to watch.

Also, wear your bulkiest items on the plane. Yes, you might look a little crazy walking through the airport in your massive winter boots and your heaviest coat, but it frees up half your suitcase. Plus, airplanes are always freezing anyway, so you will actually be super comfortable.

If you are renting gear like skis, poles, and helmets at the resort, do not stress about packing them. But if you are bringing your own boots, buy a proper boot bag that counts as a carry-on. Never check your ski boots! If the airline loses your luggage, you can rent skis, but renting boots that don’t fit your feet properly will ruin your entire trip.