When I first went skiing (to the French Alps on my very first solo trip) I didn’t know what to take, and I made a few mistakes! So you don’t make the same, here is a packing list for first time skiing – all the essentials you don’t want to go without.
I’ll also cover what to wear to travel and what type of luggage to take – as I screwed up on my first skiing trip and I don’t want you to do the same!
Essential packing list for first time skiing
Skiing Jacket
Although you can hire a skiing jacket when you arrive in the mountains, I recommend you buy your own or borrow one before you go. You won’t just wear it for skiing, you’ll wear it literally every time you go outside because it will be really cold! You’ll want it on the way from the airport to the resort – trust me!
You could always wear a down jacket to travel, but if it’s snowing it’s not the best idea. Down jackets can get ruined when they get wet.
Snow boots
Snow boots are pretty essential for any winter trip to the mountains. You need appropriate footwear for every time you go out and aren’t skiing or snowboarding – walking to the shops, walking to the bar, walking to the chalet, etc. You’ll need footwear that is:
- Warm – fur lined (synthetic) is perfect
- Has really good grip – snowboots have thick tread so they don’t tend to slip on ice
- Comfortable with thick socks – you’ll want to be wearing thermal socks so take this into account!
I did take snow boots on my first trip but I took other shoes too, that I just did not wear. So don’t waste your luggage space with anything without decent grip.
Thermal leggings
Thermal leggings are a must for a winter trip to the mountains. You’ll want them as an under layer for skiing or snowboarding, but also when you’re just wearing jeans. Temperatures can be in the minus numbers so jeans can be pretty cold on their own! So you’ll want to take a few pairs in case they get wet skiing. I love Icebreaker thermals, as they are the warmest I’ve ever found. They are more expensive, but wash and wear really well so they last for years.
Thermal tops
You’ll need a couple of good thermal tops as a base layer. Again, these are great for skiing and also just mooching around the chalet. If you get too cold you won’t have fun, so it’s best to layer up!
Sports bra
This one’s for the ladies, obvs! But one that I forgot! Skiing is, of course, a sport. If you’re a beginner you’ll be falling over and getting up a lot so you’ll be glad of a good sports bra. Comfort is key!
Fleece
Once again, it’s all about keeping cosy. Fleeces are great for when you’re out on the mountain because they’re really warm. I recommend taking a couple of fleeces with zip fronts. Sometimes it gets warm when you’re skiing, especially if the sun is out, so it’s good to be able to unzip your jacket and fleece.
Thermal socks
This is key for your packing list for first time skiing. You don’t want cold feet! Also, skiing boots aren’t always that comfy so you’ll be glad of the extra padding that thermal socks provide.
You can wear them over your ordinary socks if you like, so that you don’t need seven pairs for a week of skiing, but I recommend at least two pairs.
Skiing gloves and base layer gloves
You probably already know that you’ll need to take some warm, waterproof skiing gloves. Normally these are fleece lined and seem oh so cosy when you try them on in a shop.
But my hands still always get cold if I just have the one layer of gloves in sub zero temperatures. So I recommend getting some base layer gloves to wear underneath too.
Goggles (not sunglasses)
When I was planning my first skiing trip and googling ‘packing list for first time skiing’ everywhere said to take goggles or sunglasses. I took both, but I was kinda planning on just wearing the sunnies in order to look cool. But I was a beginner and I fell over a lot and the sunnies fell off a lot! So I recommend goggles for skiing and sunnies for walking around.
Hat
It’s said that when it’s chilly you lose most of your body heat through your head, so a good hat is a must have in the snow. Make sure you get one that covers your ears! It can get windy on the mountain and, if you’re anything like me, cold wind around your ears can actually be really painful!
Salopettes or snowboarding trousers
Salopettes or snowboarding trousers are possible to hire when you arrive at the resort, although you can pick up a pair for fairly cheap so if you’re buying everything else I kind of feel like it’s less hassle to add these to your packing list for first time skiing too.
I recommend salopettes, as they have straps to hold them up and you normally have a bit more waterproof material higher up your back. That can be handy because sometimes, when you fall, snow can get down the snowboarding trousers.
Don’t take
So, what shouldn’t be on your packing list for first time skiing?
Shoes without decent grips
I took a few pairs of shoes on my first skiing trip, because I thought I’d want something other than snow boots for going out in the evenings. But I never wore them because it was too cold, it was too slippery, and everyone else was wearing snow boots!
A jacket that isn’t a skiing jacket
I thought I’d want a different jacket for travelling and the times I wasn’t on the mountain but, again, it was just too cold. Half the time it was snowing too, so a warm waterproof jacket was the only option. Only take one coat and make it a good quality skiing jacket.
A wheelie suitcase
Whilst the streets are normally ploughed, it might be snowing when you arrive and it might be snowing when you leave. There might be snow on the ground, and it’s hard to pull a wheelie bag through snow! You could take a backpack or a hold-all, or my personal favourite, a Hybrid bag (which has wheels and backpack straps – I’ve reviewed mine here).
What to wear to travel
Ok. This was my single biggest mistake on my first skiing trip. I travelled wearing jeans, a jumper, a coat that wasn’t a skiing jacket, and cowboy boots with very little grip on the soles. I also had a wheelie suitcase.
On the way to the resort from the airport the bus stopped at the side of a road to offload the people for one resort into a minibus (I was in the minibus). I sat in the minibus for about 30 minutes with the door open waiting for the last person to be found. And I was COLD. I wished I was wearing the skiing jacket.
When I got to the resort the bus stopped a ten minute walk away from my hostel. With two other people I set off to find the hostel, them in their snow boots carrying backpacks, me in my cowboy boots dragging a suitcase. There was an icy slope. I slipped and, weighed down by my suitcase, slid to the bottom of the hill. It would have been hilarious to watch but it was pretty embarrassing! Don’t be like the 23 year old me!!
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