Here in the UK, we might not be the biggest nation of skiers in Europe, however, considering we’ve not exactly got any snowy peaks near us, you might be surprised to know that one in ten of us are skiers. While this figure shirks in comparisons to the likes of Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Austria, where over a third of the population consider skiing a hobby, it’s fair to say we’re a nation that’s passionate about hitting the slopes.
It’s fair to say a ski holiday is one of the more fun trips you can take, indeed anyone who’s been on one will tell you it’s a good time both on and off the slopes. The only downside is there’s plenty of packing to do in the build-up – and forgetting a key piece of gear on a ski holiday is something you definitely don’t want to do.
Here are the ski-specific essentials that should be in everyone’s bag.
Travel essentials
- Ski lift pass
- Insurance
- Ski hire details
On top of the normal items like your passport, money, transfer, and accommodation details, there are a few essential documents you’ll need for your trip. Naturally, if you haven’t got your lift pass or hire details (if you are hiring), you’re not getting on the lifts or hiring your gear, which will make the whole skiing element of the trip a little tough.
Just as important, though, is getting insurance to protect yourself while you’re out there. Snowsports, regardless of whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned veteran, come with inherent risks that you need to be covered against. Don’t chance it.
Equipment essentials
- Snow goggles
- Ski boots/snowboard boots
- Skis/snowboard
- Bag for skis/snowboard
- Poles
- Day rucksack
- Helmet
One of the downsides of your first ski holiday is likely to be the money side, with initial equipment costs for the items above stacking up. This can be a bit of a thorn in your side if you’re busy budgeting carefully for other areas of life, but there are two ways to approach this that makes financial sense.
The first is to hire all your key equipment so you only spend a fraction of the costs of buying. But this only makes sense if you’re planning a one-off holiday or very sporadic trips to the slopes, which brings us to the second option. If you are looking to make skiing a relatively regular part of your life, consider the initial financial outlay for your gear investment for the future. The first trip might be costly, but it gets significantly cheaper in the future once you’ve got all your kit.
Clothing essentials
- Warm hat/beanie
- Sunglasses
- Neck warmer/buff
- Thermal tops
- Thermal bottoms
- Fleeces
- Waterproof ski jacket
- Waterproof ski trousers
- Waterproof gloves or mittens
- Ski socks
The priority here is, unsurprisingly, warmth. Don’t be shy with the number of warm clothes you’re packing – it’s always better to have too many than too few. Like with some of the equipment, purchasing your ski jacket, trousers, and general waterproofs might cost you a small chunk of cash, but they’re another investment for the future.
There you have it, your ski essentials checklist. It’s up to you to remember your underwear, toothbrush, and all the other general bits and pieces you’d take on any holiday – just remember you’ll hear plenty of space for all your gear ahead of your next ski adventure.
