It’s snowing! That means it’s time to dust off the skis to head to the mountains. But before you go rushing out the door, you need to rustle up all your gear. You don’t want to forget some essential piece of clothing or equipment. So, do what seasoned skiers do: rely on a ski trip packing list.
Even those of us at The Adventure Junkies, who have skied for decades, rely on ski trip packing lists. Some of us who use our cars as drive-able ski lockers every winter still glance through a checklist before running out the door in the morning to nab first tracks. Forgetting boots on a powder day will convert anyone to relying on a packing list.
HOW TO USE THIS PACKING LIST
Before we leap into a pile of snow gear for the packing list, let’s take a quick look at how to get the most from this inventory. Each piece of equipment or item of clothing on the list has categories. Here’s what they mean:
PURPOSE: Why you need the item and what you use it for
ESSENTIAL ITEM? “Yes” means you definitely need to bring the item. “No” means that the item is nice to have along, but perhaps not essential.
PRICE RANGE: This price range lets you budget for purchasing necessary gear and clothing for skiing.
LOOK FOR: A tip on what the gear or clothing should include.
OUR PICK: A good choice for purchasing. For some items, men’s and women’s options are specified.
LEARN MORE: Additional resources for more information.
GEAR BAGS
SKI BAG
PURPOSE: To protect skis from grime, dings, and scrapes during travel
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No, but will protect the life of your skis.
PRICE RANGE: $30-300
LOOK FOR: Hard-side ski bags or padded soft-side bags.
OUR PICK: Sportube Series 2
LEARN MORE: Ski Bags 101
BOOT BAG
PURPOSE: To carry ski boots and accessories.
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No, but protects boots during travel.
PRICE RANGE: $60-200
LOOK FOR: Padded bag with padded shoulder strap.
OUR PICK: Transpack TRV Pro
LEARN MORE: Ski Boot Bags 101
SKI BACKPACK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: To carry water and backcountry safety gear
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $90-1,300
LOOK FOR: Hydration system and airbag system included.
OUR PICK: Black Diamond Dawn Patrol
LEARN MORE: Ski Backpacks 101
HARD GEAR
SKIS
PURPOSE: To ski all-mountain terrain
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $400-1,100
LOOK FOR: Tip and tail rocker, extended sidecut
OUR PICK: Rossignol Experience 88 HD
LEARN MORE: Downhill Skis 101
SKI BINDINGS
PURPOSE: To attach boots to skis
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $100-400
LOOK FOR: Width to fit your ski width and ski brakes
OUR PICK: Marker Griffon ID
LEARN MORE: Ski Bindings 101
SKI POLES
PURPOSE: To initiate turns.
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $30-300
LOOK FOR: Adjustable poles with comfortable grips
OUR PICK: Black Diamond Razor Carbon Pro
LEARN MORE: Ski Poles 101
SKI BOOTS
PURPOSE: To keep feet warm and dry while steering skis
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $200-1,000
LOOK FOR: Thermoformable or moldable liners, four buckles, and power straps
OUR PICK FOR MEN: Rossignol All Track Pro
OUR PICK FOR WOMEN: Rossignol All Track Pro 80
LEARN MORE: Ski Boots 101
OUTERWEAR
SKI JACKET
PURPOSE: To keep you warm and dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, or use a shell instead.
PRICE RANGE: $100-900
LOOK FOR: Insulated with down or polyfill, waterproof outer layer, and 3-in-1 flexibility
OUR PICK FOR MEN: The North Face ThermoBall Snow Triclimate 3-in-1
OUR PICK FOR WOMEN: Patagonia Snowbelle 3-in-1
LEARN MORE: Snow Jackets 101
SHELL
PURPOSE: To keep you dry and protect from wind
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, or use a ski jacket instead.
PRICE RANGE: $100-675
LOOK FOR: Waterproof, windproof, and roomy enough to add in under layers for warmth
OUR PICK: Arc’teryx Tantalus Shell
SKI PANTS
Check out the latest price on:
REI
PURPOSE: To keep legs warm and dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $100-600
LOOK FOR: Waterproof outer layer, powder cuffs
OUR PICK FOR MEN: Patagonia Untracked Snow Pants
OUR PICK FOR WOMEN: Patagonia Untracked Snow Pants
LEARN MORE: Snow Pants 101
UNDERLAYERS
SKI SOCKS
PURPOSE: To keep feet warm and dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $15-38
LOOK FOR: Moisture-wicking and Merino wool
OUR PICK FOR MEN: Smartwool PHD
OUR PICK FOR WOMEN: Smartwool PHD
LEARN MORE: Snow Socks 101
LONG UNDERWEAR TOP
PURPOSE: To provide warmth and keep you dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $20-140
LOOK FOR: Moisture wicking and warmth
OUR PICK FOR MEN: Icebreaker Zone Half-zip
OUR PICK FOR WOMEN: Icebreaker Vertex Half-zip Flurry
LEARN MORE: Snow Underwear 101
LONG UNDERWEAR BOTTOM
PURPOSE: To keep legs warm and wick sweat from skin
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $28-120
LOOK FOR: Moisture wicking and warm
OUR PICK FOR MEN: Icebreaker Winter Zone Leggings
OUR PICK FOR WOMEN: Icebreaker Vertex Flurry
MID-LAYER TOP
PURPOSE: To add warm layers for colder days
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No, but nice for colder days.
PRICE RANGE: $28-130
LOOK FOR: Warmth, moisture-wicking
OUR PICK: Smartwool NTS Mid 250 Zip-T
ACCESSORIES
GLOVES
PURPOSE: To keep hands dry and warm
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, unless you want mittens instead
PRICE RANGE: $35-350
LOOK FOR: Waterproof outer layer, insulation
OUR PICK: Marmot BTU Insulated Gloves
LEARN MORE: Snow Gloves 101
MITTENS
PURPOSE: To keep hands warm and dry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, for ultra cold days
PRICE RANGE: $30-360
LOOK FOR: Waterproof outer layer, insulation
OUR PICK: Marmot Expedition Mittens
GLOVE LINERS
PURPOSE: To add more warmth for hands
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No, but nice for ultra cold days
PRICE RANGE: $18-52
LOOK FOR: Moisture-wicking, fits well under your gloves or mittens
OUR PICK: Smartwool Liner Gloves
LEARN MORE: Snow Glove Liners 101
GOGGLES
PURPOSE: To protect eyes and enhance visibility
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $30-650
LOOK FOR: Fog-free and wide field of view
OUR PICK: Smith I/O
LEARN MORE: Snow Goggles 101
SUNGLASSES
PURPOSE: To protect eyes and prevent snow blindness
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, if not wearing goggles
PRICE RANGE: $20-400
LOOK FOR: Polarized, dark lenses, wrap to cover full eye area
OUR PICK: Smith Guides Choice
HELMET
PURPOSE: To protect head from injury
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes
PRICE RANGE: $35-260
LOOK FOR: Certified for impact protection
OUR PICK FOR MEN: Smith Maze MIPS
OUR PICK FOR WOMEN: Smith Vantage MIPS
LEARN MORE: Ski Helmets 101
HAT
PURPOSE: To keep your head warm
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No, but adds warmth under helmet for ultra cold days
PRICE RANGE: $20-50
LOOK FOR: Moisture-wicking, non-itch lining, fits under helmet
OUR PICK: The North Face Bones Beanie
LEARN MORE: Snow Hats 101
NECK GAITER
PURPOSE: To keep your neck warm and prevent snow from entering the neck area
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No, but adds warmth
PRICE RANGE: $12-45
LOOK FOR: Moisture-wicking, non-itch fabric
OUR PICK: Turtle Fur MFS Tube
BACKCOUNTRY GEAR
SHOVEL
PURPOSE: To dig through avalanche debris in search of a skier
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, but only for backcountry skiing
PRICE RANGE: $20-80
LOOK FOR: Lightweight, extendable handle
OUR PICK: Backcountry Access B-1 EXT Bomber
LEARN MORE: Avalanche Shovels 101
BEACON
PURPOSE: For locating a skier buried in an avalanche or sending out a signal of where you are
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, but only for backcountry skiing
PRICE RANGE: $210-490
LOOK FOR: Multi-burial searching, ease of use
OUR PICK: Backcountry Access Tracker 3
LEARN MORE: Avalanche Beacons 101
PROBE
PURPOSE: To probe for skiers in avalanches
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, but only for backcountry
PRICE RANGE: $48-100
LOOK FOR: Lightweight, quick assembly
OUR PICK: Black Diamond Quick Draw Carbon
LEARN MORE: Avalanche Probes 101
CLIMBING SKINS
PURPOSE: To climb uphill in the backcountry
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: Yes, but only for backcountry
PRICE RANGE: $158-195
LOOK FOR: Width to match skis, tip and tail attachments
OUR PICK: Alpinist G3
PHOTO GEAR
POCKET CAMERA
PURPOSE: To photograph ski buddies
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $88-1,000
LOOK FOR: Lightweight, compact to fit in pocket
OUR PICK: Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
LEARN MORE: Ski Cameras 101
HELMET CAMERA
PURPOSE: To video your runs and friends skiing while you are moving
ESSENTIAL ITEM?: No
PRICE RANGE: $400-800
LOOK FOR: Hands-free controls, waterproof
OUR PICK: GoPro Hero5
LEARN MORE: Ski Cameras 101
POCKET ESSENTIALS
- Sunscreen
- Lip Protector
- Goggle Wipe Cloth
- Goggle Squeegee
- Energy Bar
- Hand Warmers
READ MORE
For more of our top skiing gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides: