What to pack for your first ski holiday

It can be difficult to know what to expect if you’ve never been skiing before. I recently went skiing in Switzerland for the first time ever and had no clue about what to take with me. Some of my friends who had been skiing before, and a lot of Googling, really helped me out with my packing.

I’ve put together this packing list for your first ski trip, so you know what to bring with you and what to leave behind.

| Some items were gifted for inclusion in this post |

Do I need to book a case for my first ski trip?

I’m all about saving money on flights, so I usually travel as light as possible. However, for my first skiing trip, I did book a hold luggage case and filled it. You can, however, travel slightly lighter. Some people on my ski trip just brought a hand luggage case with them.

Check if your accommodation has a washing machine or laundry facilities. Laundry facilities can help you travel lighter as you can wash your clothes if needed.

What to wear on the plane for skiing

When I booked my ski trip, one of my first questions was, what do I wear on the plane? You’ll know the flights going to ski resorts as you’ll see plenty of people wearing ski stuff!

If you’re looking to save space in your case, then wear your ski coat, an extra layer, and snow boots on the plane. Otherwise, you can just go casual, like you would for any other trip. You’ll usually be making your way straight to your accommodation from the airport, so you won’t need to be too wrapped up, but it is cold, so you’ll need a coat.

What to pack for skiing

When hitting the slopes, you’ll need some specialist ski gear to keep you warm and dry. Especially if, like me, you spend most of the first day falling over!

I also found I was really warm when I was skiing, so you may or may not need a fleece layer, depending on how cold it is. Better to have it with you than not have the option. Use the first day to judge how you’ll feel for the rest of the week.

– Ski coat
– Salopettes. Unless you want more, you’ll only need one ski coat and one pair of salopettes for a week of skiing. I loved my salopettes from Tog24, they’re so flattering, and they do a shorter length too, perfect if you’re petite.
– Ski gloves
– Ski goggles (my ski goggles from Tog24)
– Base layers. You may need a few of these as you can get a bit sweaty when you’re skiing. I took three sets for a week. My favourite base layers are these ACAI thermal base layers which you can wear for walking too.
– Fleece
– Long-sleeved t-shirts. I like these Passenger long-sleeved tees.
– Ski socks. Again, you’ll need a few pairs of these. Those rented ski boots don’t smell the best! I got a three pack of ski socks from Tog24.
– Buff
– Mountain suncream (I like the factor 50 one from Piz Buin)
– Hair bobbles

What to pack for the lodge

When you’re back after a day of skiing, it’s time to get comfy! Time in your accommodation is all about chilling out and spending time with your friends and family, so you’ll need lots of comfy clothes made for relaxing.

– Warm, comfortable clothing – lots of jumpers and leggings
– Slippers
– PJs

What to pack for après ski

Don’t worry too much about your packing for après ski. Most people just hit the bars straight from the slopes, so they go partying in their ski stuff. If you get a chance to change first, it’s super casual – just jeans, a jumper, and your snow boots will be perfect.

What to pack for other activities during your ski trip

It’s not just the skiing you’ll enjoy while you’re away. You might also get to do some hiking or visit a spa or swimming pool.

– Swimwear. Hopefully, you’ll jump in a hot tub, relax in a sauna or visit a spa during your trip.
– Waterproof walking boots or snow boots
– Hat, gloves, and scarf
– Sunglasses – you’ll need these for sunny days when the sun reflects off the snow. You should also take these to the slopes with you to swap for your goggles once you hit the bar.

If you’re still looking to book your ski trip, then have a look at my recommendations for a budget ski holiday.