What to pack for a ski/snowboard holiday

One of the most common questions I was asked last year by YT / FB viewers and visitors out here was what they should pack for a ski or snowboard holiday. Although we’re all different – and some people clearly think they need more than others – truth is, you really don’t need a lot on a winter holiday. You definitely realise this more and more if you start doing seasons – and you soon learn to economise appropriately. There’s nothing worse than lugging round ridiculously heavy bags filled with stuff you’ll probably not even get round to wearing. Below is the ultimate winter holiday packing guide detailing What to pack for a ski/snowboard holiday.

Click here for our other winter guides.

Before we begin, when you’re packing, don’t fold your clothes – roll them. Lay them out on the floor (or another flat surface) and layer them one above the other. So, for example, layer your t-shirts on top of each other – clothes of a similar shape work best. Once you’re done, roll them from the bottom so they make a tube. Rolled clothes take up *way* less space than folded clothes.

So, in reply to the question, “What should you pack”, we compiled the following list of (what we consider to be), a fairly exhaustive list for the majority of people. In most cases, the really important stuff is your ski or snowboard gear – you pretty much can’t live without that. Everything else is just an optional extra.

A word to the wise: This was mentioned in a video last year but, really, you wear your salopettes *a lot* on a winter trip – so much so that, really, you probably only need a couple of pairs of trousers. Also, in terms of shoes – seriously – don’t pack your best trainers or (for women), heels etc. Ski resorts (somewhat obviously), exist because they have snow. And, even when there isn’t much snow around, what’s there will tend to melt and just wreck whatever’s on your feet. Pack a decent pair of boots – some may refer to these as ‘weather boots’ :)) – they’re all you need. See below for some indispensable ‘wisdom’ from last season.

Also, the stuff you wear during the day will see you through the night in most cases. So, jackets, fleeces, hoodies etc are all a good call for the lower temperatures at night. In all honestly, all you really need is enough underwear, your ski/snowboard kit, a few base layer items and maybe the occasional change of clothes for night-time. Despite this, the lists below should pretty much cover any and all weird things you might forget. There are also download links to PDF’s if you want to print them out. Scroll down for the lists.

Snowboard holidays

Ski holidays

Check out the iRide guide to doing a winter season