Ultimate Ski List Checklist For Your Family

The most important part of getting ready for a ski trip is having a ski list checklist.

You need to know exactly what are the ski essentials to be able to go skiing. And you need to make sure that you pack it all.

Whether you are a first-time skier or a return skier, a ski list checklist can help you be prepared and not forget to pack the most important items needed for your ski holiday.

I will share with you the essential items that should be on your ski list checklist.

When buying or looking through what you already own, I will share with you items that can be fudged just a little so you don’t have to go out and spend tons of money to be ready to ski for your first trip.

The items listed in the ski list checklist are items you need to ski and some extras that you will love to have for your next ski trip.

Ski Equipment – Ski List Checklist Category

Skis and Ski Poles or Snowboard

These items are easy to rent at the ski resort or in a ski shop in and around the city or ski resort you will be at. The better option is to rent and not buy those if you are a new skier. I’m not a new skier and I still always rent.

Skis can go out of style fast and they do change in shape and size to enhance performance. So, unless you will use them a lot during each ski season I would suggest renting. It can save you money in the long run if you ski really often but you need to be able to afford new ones when your skis are outdated.

Instead of packing your skis for your flight or road trips, it’s easier to just rent them at the ski resort so you don’t have to haul them in your car. You can easily store your skis at the resort and not have to worry about if you have enough room to haul the skis around.

Renting gives you the option of skiing on the newest skis out there if you get the performance package. Of course, it’s a higher price but may be well worth it.

Depending on the mountain and its current status you may need different skis for better performance. Some skis are better for cutting if you want to do moguls. There are skis made to ski better in the deep powder versus skis that are better in harder snow or icy conditions. Depending on what the mountain is like when you are skiing there will differ so having an option of different skis is great.

Ski boots or Snowboard boots

If you are a seasonal skier and will be skiing often I recommend buying your own boots. With that said if you are new to skiing I wouldn’t buy any ski equipment yet – just rent till you know this is a sport you enjoy and will want to do for a long time.

Rental ski boots and ones you would buy are completely different. The ones you rent can and do get worn out and the padding can be minimal if even any padding left since they are worn a lot. Plus finding ones that actually fit your foot well isn’t easy.

Ski boots that are form fitted for your foot can make so much difference in the way you ski. Getting ones that are perfect for your feet are awesome and can enhance your skiing.

Where should you rent skis, boots, and poles? I would recommend renting from the local ski resort that you will be skiing at. Renting at the ski resort can be to your advantage. You might have issues with the size of boots or problems with the length or type of ski. If you rent at the resort you can easily go back and trade out sizes without problems. Believe me, if you or anyone in your family has issues it’s easier to go trade them out then suffer through the day of skiing because you can’t do anything about it. I can’t tell you how many times someone in my family has gone back to trade out skis or boots for another size. So, for that reason we always rent at the ski resort.

Sometimes it can be more expensive to rent at the resort but when it comes to everyone being happy and able to change out equipment to enjoy the day, I’d say it’s worth it.

Helmet

I highly suggest buying or renting a ski helmet to help prevent head injuries.

Can you rent a ski helmet? Most ski resorts have ski helmets as an option to rent. But call and check beforehand to make sure.

Should you use a helmet when skiing? Yes! There is a difference when you fall and hit your head with or without a helmet. A helmet really does offer a lot of protection that you may not realize you need.

My daughter had an event and we were so very thankful that she had a helmet on. She was snowboarding down the mountain. It was very icy, but that’s what we had to deal with that year. She likes to go down the slopes fast with other people. On one slope her board hit a ridge in the ice causing her to somersault over. In that somersault her board hit her head and then her face planted in the ice. She thankfully had on a helmet as that is what saved her life. She ended up being rushed to the hospital with a bad concussion, and a bloody face with cuts and bruises. All of that even with a helmet on with a big gash in it now. She was saved by that helmet. We share that story with all those who go skiing with us. We want to remind them that a helmet can make a huge difference.

If you really won’t wear a helmet then you need a warm hat to keep your head warm.

A helmet offers the benefit of keeping your head warm as well. You really do need to keep your body heat in.

Do you need to wear a hat under your helmet? You do not need to wear a hat or beanie under your helmet. The helmet needs to sit snuggly on your head and if you wear a thick beanie or hat it will make it stand off your head and might not fit well.

But if you are wearing a balaclava or head and face mask that is all together in one piece you will end up having that over your head. That does work out fine and is what I wear but make sure that it is thin.

If you are trying to save money and your kids have good bike helmets you can fudge a little and use those if you buy a goggle clip that you attach to the back of the helmet. We did that with our kids for a few years. The ski resorts that we were at had no problem with that. At that time period, I don’t think that the ski resorts we visited had helmet rentals so that worked for us then. We thought that was better than not having one at all. But, if you want to be on the safest side I would invest in a good skiing helmet for yourself and your kids. My family and I have all invested in good ski helmets and they are wonderful to have.

Ski Clothes and Accessories – Ski List Checklist Category

Waterproof Ski Jacket

A ski jacket is a must, at least when it’s very cold and snowing. With that said, you could make do with a basic winter coat or jacket for your outer layer as long as it’s waterproof.

I personally have a good ski jacket and love it. The best type of ski jackets are the ones with the snow skirt inside. Basically, a snow skirt is just a band that fastens inside the jacket around your waist. The purpose of the ski skirt is to keep the snow from getting into your midsection. That nice feature can keep you from getting cold. It’s best to keep your torso warm and dry to keep your body from freezing. Most ski jackets have lots of added pockets which can come in handy.
You could make do for your first time with a really good coat or jacket as long as it’s water resistant. You also have to wear enough layers underneath. The main purpose is to keep your torso very warm. In doing so blood can circulate well to ensure blood flow to the rest of your body.
During the spring on a sunny day, you might get by without a coat or jacket. I’ve seen some in just a sweater and some crazies with no shirt. But I’d definitely be prepared and then can shed off extra layers if needed or wanted if you get too warm.

Ski pants

You definitely need some type of actual ski pants or waterproof pants.

I suggest ski pants if you can afford and find them. You can easily purchase a pair at a local sporting goods place or online. I bought some on Amazon that I really like.
If you can’t buy or find ski pants then some type of waterproof pants would work. As long as you wear proper thermal undergarments to keep you warm.
Make sure the pants aren’t too stiff or tight as you want some flexibility.
Length and width of the pant is important. You want them to be longer and wider than your normal pair. They should come down over your ski boot and not tucked inside.
Is there a difference between snowboarding and ski pants? Yes! Snowboarding pants are usually baggier and maybe even more cushioned. Snowboarders are often on the ground more. Especially since you have to refasten a foot on the board after getting off the lifts.

Ski gloves

Waterproof gloves or mittens are a must-have! If it’s really hot and sunny out you might not think you need them but you do. If you get really sweaty hands you might not keep them on the whole time. But think about it, the snow is still wet and cold so it wouldn’t take much to freeze your hands.

Any water-resistant gloves or mittens would suffice. If you don’t have good quality gloves you may want to have two pairs. If your hands aren’t warm enough it would be great for a trade out. You might have to have a backup pair in your car, locker, or backpack.
If you have a really good quality pair they should keep your hands warm enough throughout the day.
Glove liners are great to have and can give your hands that extra warmth you may need especially if you usually have cold hands like me.
Be sure to dry your gloves or mittens overnight for the next day. See tips on skiing for more helpful tips.

Ski Socks

Everyone really needs some good wool socks that can keep your feet warm throughout the day.

You don’t have to have actual ski socks if you can’t find or buy any. But I would suggest having a pair. Good ski socks are made of wool, the higher the percentage of wool the better.
Ski socks are longer than normal socks with extra padding or cushioning on some parts of the foot. If you prefer not to buy ski socks then make sure the socks you use are wool. They also need to be long so they can come up as high as the ski boot.
I do know a person that always wears a thin long pair of dress socks that are moisture wicking. He says that his feet sweat a lot and that he only needs a thin pair. So basically it’s seeing what works best for you. I would suggest a warm pair to start with.
Should you wear 1 or 2 pairs of socks to ski in? This I can tell you for sure is to only wear one pair of socks. I’ve tried 2 pairs before when I was young and stubborn and thought it would keep my feet warmer. I was wrong. It actually was uncomfortable because it made the ski boot too tight which caused me to wear a size bigger to fit my now fat foot. Sizing up made it harder to ski. I ended up wearing a very snug boot that was uncomfortable. I regretted that decision for a few reasons. My feet, especially toes were cramped so my toes kept pushing into the end of the boot causing my long toenails to cut into my other toes (extra tip- always cut your toenails before skiing). The whole reason why I wore the two pairs actually did the opposite as my feet were too warm and couldn’t wick the moisture which caused my feet to sweat and be cold.
It is a great plan to have a pair of socks for each day. If you have only one really good pair of ski socks and can wash them each night or are fine with wearing them repeatedly then that would work as long as they are dry.
Having an extra pair of socks in your backpack, car, or locker is great! If your feet sweat a lot then you can change out the pair midday and be more comfortable.

Thermal undergarments

Thermal underwear or long johns is another biggie for skiers. If you wear enough layers to keep your body warm that may allow you to stay out in the cold longer.

Usually, the biggest time when you are the coldest is when you are on the ski lifts, especially in snowy and blizzard-like conditions. When you are riding the lifts you are stuck sitting there high up in the wind and snow. On the lift, you can’t move around to keep your body warm. This is when having good thermals underneath for your base layer can really help with keeping your body heat in.
The best thermals are ones that can keep your body heat in but also be moisture-wicking so that you do not stay wet if you sweat.
How many thermal pants and tops should you have for skiing? I’d suggest one thermal top for each day of skiing unless you can wash them. Depends on your preference and how much you perspire. Pants are up to you as well on how many.
I personally like the soft smooth ones compared to the ones most people have in their mind of long johns.
Can you wear good exercise/yoga pants or leggings? Yes if you would like to wear leggings as your inner layer make sure they will keep you warm and wick moisture. I actually prefer a good pair of exercise leggings that are capri length or 3/4th length down on the leg. Pants should not be tucked into your boot so having leggings already shorter helps to not have them in your boot.
How many layers should I wear skiing? I suggest wearing 3 layers on top and 2 layers on bottom. The first layer outside going in would be a Jacket, then a sweatshirt/fleece top or sweater then a thermal top. For ladies, I guess you can say 4 layers on top when adding in a sports bra. I will even add in a 5th layer when I put on a tank top over the sports bra. I stay cold and when I can keep my torso extra warm I always go that route. Two layers on the bottom outside going in would be ski pants and then thermal pants. Normal underwear to me is a given, basically three layers then, but if you like to go commando then that is up to you.

Goggles

Goggles are definitely great to have and some type of eye protection is needed.

I personally have goggles. Regardless of whether you use goggles or sunglasses you seriously need one or the other to help keep the brightness of the sun out of your eyes.
Goggles can really help you when skiing as it keeps the snow off and out of your eyes. The sun can be very blinding as the rays bounce off the snow so that is another factor needing some sort of eye protection.
Can you ski with just sunglasses? Yes! I do have a brother-in-law who likes using his sunglasses. If you go that route you need a band to attach to the sunglasses to keep them from falling off into the snow where you can’t find them.
If it is blizzard-like conditions or will be skiing when it’s likely to snow you’d want goggles. During situations like that, you really want to see as good as you can and avoid getting hurt. Goggles seem to fog up less than regular sunglasses. Plus goggles can help keep your face warm and snow and cold air off your eyes.
Another great thing about goggles is that you can buy a pair that has changeable lenses so that you can see the best in different lighting situations.

Neck Gaiter – Balaclava – Ski mask

Keeping your face and neck warm by using a neck gaiter, balaclava or ski mask is a great benefit and needed especially on cold days.

One year my husband and I didn’t have these items and it was a cold and blizzard day. The ski resort wouldn’t let anyone go on the lift if they didn’t have something covering their head and neck. We had to go into the shop and buy the needed items to continue to ski. Just a heads up, buying items at the ski resort can be quite pricey.
My family and I ski with neck and face coverings for sure. If it gets warm and sunny we might end up shedding it all off.
I suggest coming prepared so you can always shed if too warm but still have it if you need it.
I personally wear a neck wrap that goes over my head and is adjustable. I can take it off my head if wanted and then it’s only around my neck. Sometimes I add an additional thicker neck wrap as I don’t like my neck being cold.
What kind of face or neck wrap should I get for skiing? It really depends on your preference on what you want covered and the type of material. I suggest going to a store and physically touching them if you have that availability. Some like to have the balaclava that goes covers your head, ears and neck keeping your face open. One that is made for just your neck might be pulled up to cover your nose and ears. My son wears a ski mask that keeps all his face completely covered with holes to breathe (check out the picture at the top).

Snow Boots Or Hiking Boots

Snow boots or hiking boots – You need some type of shoe that you can walk to and from the ski resort in.

A lot of times the parking lot or areas around the ski resort will be icy and hard to walk on with inappropriate shoes.
My son just wears tennis shoes but sometimes that doesn’t work out so well for him. If you step in deep snow you are bound to get wet feet unless wearing waterproof shoes.
I prefer my snow boots or hiking boots to help keep my feet dry before getting my ski boots on. It’s important to have dry feet to start off skiing.

Hydration pack or small backpack

Hydration pack or small backpack is something you don’t have to have but could come in handy for sure.

I wear a hydration pack so I can keep hydrated and not to have to stop skiing except for lunch. As a tip for lunch or snacks read my blog on ski trip planning tips. I either put water or some type of sports drink in my hydration pack. You can easily add in a liquid hydration packet to your water if needed.
You do use up a lot of energy skiing and on sunny days might even get a little dehydrated and sunburned (tip- bring and use sunscreen on your face. Also have a good lip balm as your lips will dry out).
If you use a small backpack instead of a hydration pack you could always put in a small water bottle and packet of liquid hydration and snacks if wanted.
I use a great hydration pack that has extra room and an extra pocket for snacks, Kleenex, lip balm, sunscreen and any other extras you might need.

As I listed above those are the main items needed to go skiing. If you have the chance to purchase ahead of time that could save you money.

I briefly mentioned a few other items that you might need on your ski trip. Some of those items could always be picked up at a store near you if needed. I will list those down below.

Additional 15 ski checklist items you may want to take on your ski trip.

Sunscreen – Even on cloudy days you still can get those sun rays.
- Your nose and any other facial area that doesn’t get covered up can get sunburned so it’s best to have sunscreen.
- A small bottle or stick of sun cream is best so you can carry it in a pocket or small backpack.

Lip balm – The sun and cold air will really dry your lips out so have lip balm handy.
- You can easily carry lip balm in your pocket.
Toenail clippers – Clip your toenails before skiing so they don’t cut into your other toes.
- I know that might sound silly but it can happen. I’ve definitely experienced it.
Kleenex – Being cold can really make your nose run.
- Carry at least a few Kleenexes in your pocket.
Snacks – It’s handy to have snacks in your pocket or small backpack while skiing.
- You may get hungry with all that exercise.
- Trail mix, small candy bars, beef jerky, granola or protein bars, and skittles seem to be our favorite ski snacks.
Go Pro or small camera – You don’t have to take either of these items but if you are like me and want pictures and videos it might be important to take them.
Cell phone – This is pretty much a given since almost everyone carries around a mobile phone.
- Instead of bringing a camera, you can just use your phone to take pictures.
- But a phone is also great to get in contact with others in your group who have been separated.
Battery pack/power bank – An external battery pack is useful if you will be using your phone a lot to take pictures and keep in contact with other skiers.
Tylenol or medication – for headaches or other body aches.
Driver’s license, credit card, cash, and quarters – for rentals, buying items at the resort, food, or using lockers.
- Most lockers now use credit cards or you may need cash to buy tokens.
- But, if the lockers are old school you may need quarters.
Health Insurance card – Carry it with you while skiing.
- You never know when you may need it.
- The one time we really needed it was the one time I forgot to carry it with us.
Ski pass ticket – Of course, you won’t want to forget this.
- Some resorts have ski tickets that you connect and wear on your ski jacket.
- Others have a card that you have to carry and keep in a pocket.
Knee or other brace – If you seem to have issues with a knee or need a brace for support then don’t forget to bring them.
- I don’t normally have knee issues but seem to use a knee brace for support on one of my knees when I ski.
Sled for a sledding hill – If you or someone in your family likes to sled you may be able to find a sledding hill nearby to have some fun on.
Swimsuit for hot tub – If you are lucky to be staying somewhere with a hot tub you won’t want to miss out.
- Sitting in a hot tub after a long day of skiing is amazing and can help loosen up your muscles, aid in comfort to bruises and soreness, or get you completely warm.
- Don’t forget flip-flops to help get you to and from the hot tub.

A first aid kit is something that I usually pack for the trip but not something that I take when skiing. At the most, I might throw in a band-aid or two in a pocket or backpack.

I also do not usually take or pack hand or feet warmers. I have in the past and hand warmers can help unfreeze hands but, I am not a fan of putting them in your gloves skiing or in your boots. If your hands or feet get too warm they can start to sweat. If they do sweat then that moisture will then cause your feet or hands to get cold.

Okay, first-time and return skiers as I have listed above that is the ultimate ski trip packing list and my recommendations for you to prepare for your ski trip.

I am by no means an expert but have been skiing for 30 plus years. I have experienced a lot of different weather conditions and being prepared is always the best and cheapest.

Ski clothing and gear can be quite costly. I’d suggest buying a little at a time and investing in higher-quality items when you can afford them.

If you know a year ahead that you will be going skiing, I’d suggest that you look during the summer for ski items.

Most ski stores have their last year’s apparel, equipment, and accessories on sale then. At that time they try to make room for their upcoming winter gear. I buy a lot of my ski gear this way.

Check prices around you at local winter sports stores, sporting goods stores, and online.

Look at second-hand stores you never know what you might find. Sometimes you may hit it right and get lucky.

I was extremely lucky one year to find a new, only worn one-time, ski jacket at a garage sale. I only paid $20 for a ski jacket worth over $200 in a store. The lady who bought it went skiing one time and didn’t go back. I had a lucky find on her loss. That’s why I say don’t spend a lot on brand-new items for your first time.

Check out Facebook groups or other online groups that sell used items.

If this is your first time skiing then realize that you can’t return used ski equipment, apparel, and accessories.

And If you resell them you won’t get back anything close to what you paid for.

So, for your first-time skiing just rent all that you can or make use of the clothing you have. Don’t spend a lot on your first ski trip.

After you make your first ski trip and enjoy it, then definitely go out and make some good purchases that will last you a long time.

You don’t have to have the most expensive ski wear to be able to go skiing and have fun.

Skiing is an awesome sport and a fun way to spend time with your family, friends, and loved ones. Just be sure that each family member has the most important things on the ski trip checklist and go have some fun skiing and making wonderful memories.

If you are trying to find the best ski resorts for families in New Mexico be sure to check out that post.

I have been skiing with my family for a long time and enjoy every minute of it.

So, use the ski packing list to make sure that you are ready for your family ski trip.

Go and have a great ski vacation this winter season. I’d love to hear about your trip if you want to share.