Family Ski Trip: The Complete List of Essentials to Pack -

If you’re excited to be taking the family on a ski trip for the very first time, you’ll want to be sure everything goes according to plan – from travel arrangements and accommodation to pre-organized skiing lessons and making sure you’ve packed the right gear. Here are a few tips to help you with selecting some of the essential items you’ll need.

Clothing

Family members will need appropriate clothing for the slopes, so when packing, make sure everyone has sufficient space to include the following:

A jacket suitable for skiing or snowboarding – this should be waterproof and of good quality, preferably with taped seams. Choose a breathable fabric, as you can build up quite a sweat when skiing.

Salopettes – trousers suitable for winter sports – should also be of high quality. Look for inner gaiters to prevent snow from getting in. Toddlers and smaller children may benefit from all-in-one snowsuits and a bit of extra padding on the bottom and knees in case of tumbles. Ideally, pack two outfits per family member, and remember it may be better to borrow from friends for your children, as they are likely to outgrow clothing before you organize a second trip.

Pack several pairs of gloves per person that are warm, waterproof and padded. Look for good grip and plenty of insulation against the cold. Ski socks should be warm and comfortable – again, a minimum of two pairs will be needed. Hats should fit snugly and cover the ears, and recommendations are to make sure toddlers wear ski helmets for protection. Many resorts rent these out to visitors, together with other equipment such as skis, poles, boards and boots.

It’s important that your ski boots fit really well, and you might want to seek out a cool ski boot fit wizard to check correct sizes for everyone before you go, particularly if you plan to purchase boots in advance.

Underneath your outdoor clothes, you should wear plenty of comfortable coverings. Thermals are often worn in several thin layers, which you can alter if there are changes in the weather. Choose wicking fabric to keep moisture away from the body and keep family members dry and warm.

Thin fleeces are generally worn over thermals outdoors – if children are spending time indoors in a crèche, they may get very warm, so remind staff to strip off a layer or two if needed.

Glasses and goggles will help keep ultraviolet rays at bay and reduce the glare of the sun. Also essential is sunscreen and lip balm, so don’t forget to pack them.

In extremely cold weather, a scarf or neck warmer will keep you snug. Wool can scratch a little, so look for silk or fleece varieties.

Paperwork

Finally, don’t forget the all-essential paperwork you will need for travelling – passports if applicable, tickets, insurance documents (that are good for winter sports cover) and sufficient funds for your trip, either in cash or using credit cards.

It may sound like a lot, but following these guidelines and preparing for your family ski trip well in advance will make the whole affair much smoother. After all, this family outing is about having fun and enjoying your time together.