You’ll Want This Complete Family Snow Trip Packing List
Winter is here, and it’s cold outside! So are you ready for your winter ski trip? After just returning from a family winter vacation to Breckenridge, Colorado, I’ve made this helpful family snow trip packing list that will give you tips on what to bring on your next winter adventure.
We just returned from a week-long winter vacation to one of Colorado’s best ski resorts. Our entire family rented a house in the mountains for some family fun.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had to think of packing for anyone other than myself.
Even though the boys are grown and have families, I felt compelled to help everyone pack what they needed.
From past experience, I knew a family ski trip packing list must include many things. I definitely didn’t want anyone to miss out on the fun by not having the right gear.
Nothing is worse than being cold and miserable when you should be having fun.
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How to Dress for the Snow
Adults can easily adjust when dressing for the snow, but when traveling with kids, you need to protect them from the cold by dressing them appropriately.
I’ve learned from our cruise to Alaska it’s essential to wear layers. This makes it easier to adapt your clothing as the temperature changes throughout your day.
Add a ski jacket or vest to your base layer, and wear insulated or snow pants to stay warm.
I also recommend a hat or scarf because it can help keep the heat in while protecting your head from extreme conditions.
Gloves or mittens and winter boots will round out your complete winter wardrobe.
For a complete ski packing list printable checklist, click below.
Base Layer
Layers are a crucial part of dressing for winter. The layers give you more options to adjust your clothing as needed.
You should wear a base layer, such as long underwear or tights, under your other clothing. This will help keep you warm and dry by trapping body heat next to your skin and wicking moisture away from it.
Base layers should be lightweight and loose fitting so they don’t restrict movement, but they should also be made from materials that retain warmth even when wet.
The best place I have found to buy super-affordable base layers is at 32 Degrees.
I bought these base-layer tops and base-layer leggings for the whole family from 32 Degrees. The clothes wash well and are so soft and warm to wear.
The second layer should be an insulation layer. This layer traps air close to your body to retain heat while keeping the wind out. This will help keep you warm when temperatures drop below freezing outside.
Fleece jackets from Lands’ End provide excellent warmth without being too bulky under other outerwear, such as parkas or snowsuits.
Add Winter Jackets to your Family Snow Trip Packing List
You want a winter jacket that is waterproof and breathable and includes a hood.
A jacket with a hood will help keep the wind out of your face and keep you warm even if it is snowing outside.
If your winter trip is a ski vacation, make sure that whatever coat you take has wrist gaiters or elastic cuffs so that snow doesn’t get inside your sleeves.
Choose a coat that isn’t too bulky; that way, if you need more room in your bag (or want extra space), taking off an outer layer won’t be too difficult.
This affordable jacket from Amazon is perfect for a few days on the mountain. It comes in all sizes and colors and has styles for women and men.
Pack your Swimsuit
You might think I made a mistake when you see a swimsuit on your family snow trip packing list, but it will be the one item you won’t want to forget. One of the best parts of a winter vacation is soaking in the hot tub after a long day on the slopes.
Warm Ski Socks, Boots, and Winter Shoes
Who knew socks were so important?
The most important part of staying warm on a snow trip is keeping your feet dry and warm with appropriate ski socks and ski boots or winter shoes.
Socks should be wool because they wick away moisture better than cotton and keep your feet dry.
Wool socks are especially good at this because they’re naturally insulating and don’t retain heat when wet like synthetics do.
I bought the short socks below for walking around town. The longer socks are great to wear with ski boots. The last set is the socks I bought for my grandson. All of these work great to keep your feet warm.
Pack Winter Boots or Shoes
The boots you pack should be waterproof, have good traction in snow or ice, have insulated linings, and be comfortable enough to wear all day long without causing blisters or sore spots on your feet.
If you don’t have boots, waterproof tennis shoes with a similar construction can work when you are walking around town.
The main thing you want to look for is that your shoes have good traction, so you won’t slip on icy sidewalks or slippery steps.
Kevin didn’t trust me on this, and he wore his cowboy boots. The poor guy fell twice on the ice, which may or may not have contributed to his knee surgery when we returned home. Why don’t they ever listen?
When you know you will walk in the snow, winter boots are much better than sneakers. Sneakers just can’t hold up in the snow, leaving you with wet feet. And, believe it or not, winter boots aren’t that expensive, let’s say, when compared to knee surgery.
Here are three affordable options from Amazon for men, women, and kids.
Gloves and Mittens
Gloves and mittens are the most basic but often overlooked winter clothing items.
They are both great for keeping your hands warm but have some differences.
Gloves typically have a spot for each finger, while mittens have one part for the thumb and one part for the other four fingers.
Mittens can be warmer than ski gloves because they cover more of your hand, while gloves are better for tasks requiring your fingers, such as texting. I prefer to wear mittens when snow skiing or playing in the snow, but gloves for running around town.
For small kids, mittens are much easier to put on their little hands.
No matter which you choose, you will want to make sure they are waterproof to keep your hands dry and warm. Here are some of my favorites for the family.
Hat or Beanie
If you will be out in the cold, you need a warm winter hat or beanie. These hats or beanies also keep your ears warm.
I like to wear my hair in a ponytail in the winter because of static cling.
This pack of two beanies is perfect because each has a hole for a ponytail or messy bun.
Scarf or Neck Gaiter
Scarves are a great addition to your snow trip packing list because they add layers and keep you warm. They are multi-purpose in that you can use them as a blanket or as a headband. They can also be used to cover your face or even to cover your nose and ears if needed.
For any winter activity, you should consider packing a neck gaiter. A neck gaiter is a neck warmer usually made of fleece that you slip over your head.
For kids, it’s much better than a scarf for winter activities since it can’t slip off easily and will keep them super warm.
Hand Warmers
Hand warmers keep your fingers or toes toasty.
You can purchase one-time-use Hot Hands hand warmers, which are small packets that you place in your gloves or pockets to warm up the air around them. They’re quick and easy to use and last up to ten hours.
These are great for kids, particularly because they are disposable.
A more environmentally friendly option is to buy rechargeable hand warmers. After charging them with the included cable, they can keep your hands warm for up to twelve hours.
When you are finished for the day, recharge them for the next. They are small, computer mouse-looking warmers with three heat settings.
No matter which ones you prefer, there’s an option that’s sure to fit the kind of activity level you need them for during your wintertime activities.
Family Ski Trip Packing List Essentials
Having the right snow clothes for snow time is essential.
Besides ski goggles and ski gloves, don’t worry about packing actual ski equipment since you can rent all your gear in most town shops.
Whether skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or just building snowmen in the snow, you will need snow pants. Snow pants are lined waterproof pants that slip over your base layers and keep you warm and dry in snowy weather conditions.
As an adult, I prefer snow pants, but snow bibs or overalls are much better at keeping the snow away from the kids’ bodies.
I also recommend these waterproof id pouches if your kids plan to go to ski school. You can slip your contact information inside and tuck it away inside their snow bib if you need to be contacted throughout the day.
Ski wear can be expensive, though. Some companies, like Kit Lender, are now offering ski-wear rental packages. You can rent ski jackets and ski pants for the entire family.
Simply go online and choose a ski gear package that works for you. They will ship the gear to you for the number of days you need to rent it. When your vacation is over, pop it back into the mail. They will take care of cleaning it.
This is especially great for families like mine who live in a warm climate and have little need to purchase expensive clothing that will only be worn once.
Believe it or not, you should check out your local thrift stores for kids’ ski clothes. I found complete snowsuits for the kids at a second-hand store for less than $20. Kids grow so quickly that the suits are barely worn.
Toiletries for your Family Snow Trip Packing List
You can never be too prepared for winter adventures! Here are my favorite snow trip toiletries essentials to add to your ski/snowboard travel bag.
Medications:
Your health insurance cards are the first thing you should stick in your bag. We all hope no one will get sick or injured, but you must be prepared.
You need to pack pain relievers – you can’t imagine how sore your muscles will be after a day out in the winter weather.
You should pack cough drops and sinus relief tablets, especially if you are unfamiliar with the dry air.
Although not a medication, we added the Acli-Mate energy powder to our water to help prevent altitude sickness, and none of us got sick.
If you take medication regularly, make sure to bring enough of your medications for more days than you have planned to be gone. You never know what might happen.
Finally, a small first aid kit is a good idea. Band-aids are a must for snow trips since blisters are common.
Sunscreen and lip balm: Even though it’s cold outside, UV rays can still damage your skin. You’ll want to protect yourself from sun exposure by wearing sunscreen and lip balm during your winter vacation. You will not believe how quickly your lips can chap.
Sunglasses/goggles: You’ll also want to bring sunglasses or goggles. Even if you just admire the view from atop the mountain, the sun can reflect off the snow, so a good pair of ski goggles or sunglasses will also help protect your eyes from the sun’s glare.
Daypack/backpack: When you hit the slopes, you’ll want to bring a backpack or daypack with you. It will store all your gear, including sunscreen, lip balm, snacks, and a water bottle, so you don’t have to carry everything in your pockets.
Water and snacks: Bringing a refillable water bottle is always a good idea. You’ll also want to bring healthy snacks like trail mix or fruit bars to help sustain energy levels throughout the day; just make sure not all of these are sugary.
Packed and Ready
Packing for a family snow trip may seem overwhelming initially, but with some help, you will have everything you need.
I love that I can share the ski trip checklist I made to prepare for our trip to Breckenridge Ski Resort. It’s also helpful if you aren’t skiing but enjoying winter activities, like seeing the Northern Lights in Fairbanks or hiking in Banff.
It is so helpful in making sure we pack everything we need.
Whether you want to travel near or far, I hope this winter family snow trip packing list helps you prepare for your winter trip!
