We recently had the opportunity to do a long weekend ski getaway. We joined up with our super fun next door neighbors, rented a townhouse and headed for Wisp Ski Resort in Garrett, Maryland. We’ve done this ski trip a number of times before (maybe 6 times?) and I’ve got the packing down to a science! In case you’re wondering how to pack for a ski trip, I’ve got some advice for you.
First off, I always use VRBO.com (vacation rental by owner). I’m pretty sure that we have booked through them 10-12 times now and have never once been disappointed. As a family of six, hotel rooms must don’t cut it. We’ve booked condos in San Diego, a hipster flat in Seattle, townhouses or full houses in western Maryland, a cabin in the Adirondacks, single family homes (with private pools) in Orlando. ..Oh and a cute cottage in Virginia Beach. Check them out!
Ok, let’s get to it…how to pack for a ski trip…
step one…make a list and grab a hamper!
A hamper can be your best friend when it comes to packing. I throw my list in my hamper and go from room to room gathering all of the necessary clothing items. Once I have everything gathering then in come the bins!
step two…pack in bins NOT suitcases
This is super important. In fact I think it’s the single most important thing about packing for a ski trip…use big bins not suitcases. If you try to use a traditional suitcase to pack snow gear you’ll find you are quickly out of room. Those snow jackets and pants are BULKY!
So, how exactly do I use bins to pack everything. One bin gets most of the boots, jackets, hats, gloves and snow pants, while the other is used for all of the clothes, bathroom items and things like hand warmers and base layers. Take a look…
Our kids clothes get placed in gallon size zip bags and ours goes into our packing cubes. When we get where we are going its so easy to just throw the zip bags into whatever room our kids are sleeping in and our packing cubes get unzipped and placed into dresser drawers. Ta-da! “unpacked” and ready to roll. 🙂
step three…check things off as you go
When you are packing for multiple people it’s easy to forget someones favorite ski cap or your gloves. I place check lists on the bin lids so as I place items in, I can simply check them off!
Finally, on the day we leave, we put all of our food items into a large cooler bag. Using bin is such an easy way to corral everything and then easily stack your ski getaway items into the back of your car. What’s even better is when you are on your way home (with your dirty clothes in a laundry bag), your wet boots are safely tucked away in a plastic bin, instead of loose in the back of your car. No more muddy clean up.
Here’s a quick list of ski trip (minus the obvious, like hats and jackets) must haves…
- hand and toe warmers
- base layers (aka long johns) You’ll stay warmer and be less bulky
- laundry bag (you can buy this cute one I have or just use a garbage bag)
- packing cubes (seriously, you won’t know how you lived without these before)
- sunscreen (the snow glare can give you a pretty bad sunburn, ask me how I know…#fairskin #iburneasilyeverywhere)
- chap stick
- wool socks (wool stays dry and is far warmer than any thing else. I used to put two or three pairs of socks on my kids to try and keep their feet warm, but inevitably they would come in with cold wet feet. Wool socks were the answer! Now their feet are always warm and dry)
Now you know how to pack for a ski trip. Have fun!!! 🙂
