Updated on February 7, 2020

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

 

 

Check out the latest price on: 
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on: 
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on: 
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on: 
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on: 
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on: 
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on: 
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on: 
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

 

 

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

 

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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

 

Check out the latest price on:
Amazon

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

Check out the latest price on:
AmazonREI

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:

Downhill Skis

Ski Boots

Ski Bindings

Ski Poles

Ski Pants

Ski Jackets

Ski Goggles

Ski Helmets