You’ve been counting down to your ski holiday for months and now the time has finally arrived to start packing. Here is a handy list of things to pack or sort at home to help you through your excitement and to make sure you don’t forget those all-important ski essentials.
Hand luggage:
- Passports
- Travel documents
- Insurance documents
- EHIC card
- Currency
- Wallet - don’t forget to tell your bank if you are travelling abroad
- Snacks for the journey - your journey to your ski resort can be long and tiring, especially if you have been up since the early hours of the morning. Taking some sandwiches or snack bars in your hand luggage could be a savior if you are delayed on the plane or on the coach into resort, particularly if you are traveling with small children
- Magazines, games, iPads, etc for entertainment on your journey. Similar for the need for snacks, this can be a long journey so be prepared to need some fun if you get bored easily. Don’t forget external battery packs to recharge phones while travelling
Read about the importance of insurance here >
Ski Gear
- Ski jacket - to wear skiing and if you go out in the evening
- Ski trousers (salopettes/ski pants)
- Several pairs of ski socks
- Ski gloves
- Hat, gloves and scarf
- If it is very snowy you may want a neck warmer/balaclava to protect your face when skiing
- Extra layers for skiing if you get cold easily, such as long sleeve t-shirts or jumpers
- Goggles - normally you cannot rent these in resort, so we recommend you buy in advance to avoid the high prices in resort. Changeable lenses for sunshine and low visibility are advised
- Sunglasses -when you stop for breaks and are not wearing your goggles, sunglasses are great to help protect your eyes from the brightness of the sun reflecting off the snow
- Helmet - you can hire these in most ski shops in resort if you don't have your own
- Thermal trousers and top if it is really cold
- Ski or snowboard bag (with wheels are easier) and boots bag if you are taking your own equipment. For your first trip we would advise that you hire your equipment
What to wear when skiing >
Basics
- Jeans or trousers for when you aren't skiing
- Tops and jumpers for when you aren't skiing
- A pair of comfortable walking/outdoor shoes
- Slippers are useful if you are staying in a chalet
- Underwear and socks
- Sleepwear
- Hat, scarf and gloves if you are planning on going out in the evenings
- Swimwear for hot tubs, sauna, or swimming pool
- Travel adaptors
- Travel speakers
- GoPro or camera
- Travel pillow if you like to sleep on flights or the coach transfer
- Cards or games for a quiet night in
- A small back pack for taking up the mountain - useful for carrying emergency supplies including tissues, sun cream, spare goggles/ sunglasses, water, hip flask and of course chocolate for those long chair lifts
- If you can’t go without any of your home favourites for a week, you may want to pack Ketchup, Marmite, Cadburys chocolate or branded tea bags as it’s unlikely these will be available in resort
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hairbrush, hair ties, etc
- Deodorant
- Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
- Hair products
- Shaving kit
- Wipes
- Face wash
- Hand sanitiser
- Sun cream and lip block is essential. The sun is very strong in the mountains as it bounces off the snow so a high factor is recommended
- Small first aid kit - you may need treatment for aching muscles, bruises and blisters
- Prescription medication