Ski trip packing
Pack for the slopes: layered gear, insurance that actually covers skiing, lift passes and rentals booked ahead. Tell us if kids are coming.

[ ] Insurance that covers skiing
    Standard travel insurance does NOT cover the slopes. You need the ski/snowboard option — otherwise the rescue snowmobile ride is on you.
[ ] Buy lift passes online in advance
    Online passes are cheaper than the ticket window, and in high season you skip the queue too.
[ ] Book rentals and an instructor ahead
    In season, decent boots in your size and good instructors are gone weeks ahead.
[ ] Thermal base layers — two sets
    One dries after washing, one's on you. Synthetic or merino wool, never cotton.
[ ] Layers: fleece plus a shell jacket and pants
    Three layers beat one thick jacket: lifts are freezing, runs are sweaty.
[ ] Ski socks — several pairs
    Proper tall ski socks, not cotton: cotton soaks and freezes your feet. One pair per day.
[ ] Gloves plus a spare pair
    Soaked gloves end your ski day. A spare pair in the backpack fixes that.
[ ] Ski goggles
    In snowfall and fog you can't read the terrain without goggles. If you have a spare lens, bring both.
[ ] Helmet
    Yours or rented — but non-negotiable. Many resorts won't let you into parks without one.
[ ] SPF 50 and lip balm
    Mountain sun plus snow glare burns your face even in freezing, cloudy weather.
[ ] Neck gaiter or balaclava
    Covers your face on windy lifts — the one place you genuinely freeze.
[ ] Swimsuit for the spa or sauna
    Nearly every ski resort has thermal baths, pools or saunas — a shame to miss.
[ ] Power bank and a warm pocket for your phone
    Cold kills the battery in a couple of hours. Keep the phone in an inner pocket and a power bank in the pack.
[ ] First aid kit with an elastic bandage
    Plus painkillers and blister plasters — new boots rub on day one.
[ ] Casual clothes and shoes for evenings
    Warm non-slip shoes for the village: the streets turn into an ice rink at night.
[ ] A kids' helmet — mandatory
    Most resorts require helmets for kids. Check the fit ahead — rental ones can be worn out.
[ ] Book ski school for the kid in advance
    Kids' groups in your language fill up weeks ahead in season. Half a day of ski school is half a day of free skiing for you.
[ ] Layers and spare mittens for the kid
    Kids get soaked faster than adults. Spare mittens and a dry base layer after lunch are standard.
[ ] Kids' SPF 50 and cheek protection
    Kids' cheeks burn and windchap first — cream in the morning and again after lunch.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/ski-trip