Skiing can be a great family activity, but packing for a ski trip, especially if flying, can feel overwhelming. This will be our 7th year doing a family ski trip over winter break, and we’ve flown for all of them except the one in winter 2020, when we drove.
Start with the ski clothes
I like to break the packing up by category to avoid feeling overwhelmed. I start with the ski clothes, laying everything out to make sure we don’t forget anything.
Tip: Check your gear several weeks before the start of the ski season so you have time to replace anything your kids have grown out of. If you suspect they will grow out of something, the end of the season can also be a great time to pick up the next size at a discount.
What I pack for each kid:
- 2 sets of long underwear
- a mid-layer set (fleece pants, fleece top, vest)
- 3-4 pairs of socks
- ski pants or ski overalls
- gloves or mittens (+ glove liners if needed)
- helmet
- goggles
- helmet cover or muff (I prefer helmet covers)
- jacket
I bring 2 sets of long underwear for the kids so that we can double up on cold days.
We invested in our first helmet cover when we found ourselves on the mountain in below 0°F weather, and we’ve used them ever since. I prefer helmet covers to buffs because they provide extra warmth and are easier to keep up over the face. They also get less wet around the mouth and nose.
When buying ski clothes, aim for the highest-quality gear you can afford. Being warm and dry on the mountain is key to increasing the chances for kids to have a good time.
Good gear has a long shelf-life, so it can be a good investment if you have multiple kids. We have handed down our older son’s gear to his brother, and then, once he’s outgrown the hand-me-downs, we pass them along to other families in our building. Check online marketplaces for used gear, too. Since kids grow out of ski clothing pretty quickly, a used set of ski pants may have been worn for only 1 or 2 seasons. We also buy one size up when buying new gear so we can get an extra season out of it.
Tip: I buy a box of hand and foot warmers ahead of our trip to bring with me, making sure I have enough for one pair per day per kid. These are much cheaper to buy off the mountain.
Buying versus renting skis
We own all of our equipment. While it’s easy to rent, kids’ skis and boots are relatively inexpensive to buy, and the rental costs quickly add up.
If you’re just doing one short ski trip per season, buying may not make sense, but if you plan to ski for more than a week, buying may be worth it.
We have adjustable boots for the kids, so we get several seasons out of them. And as with the clothes, we hand down the gear to our younger son, giving us additional seasons.
The kid skis are small enough that I can fit my skis and both pairs of kid skis in a soft, double-ski travel bag. That helps cut down on bags, but when traveling with skis, you do need to make sure that you have the proper transportation planned.
One year, we arrived in Utah to discover that the rental company had rented all of the ski racks, even though we’d reserved a set. We were able to make it work, but it does add a layer of stress to the travel plans.
Apres ski clothes
I always overpack the non-skiing clothing. After several trips, I’ve learned that the kids don’t need much clothing for the evenings. After skiing, they usually just hang around in their long underwear or pajamas. We eat in most nights and rent a place with a washing machine. This year, I’m really trying to be conservative with the extra clothes.
We have a washing machine in the unit, so for our 10-day trip, I’m packing the following for each kid:
- 2 pairs of pants (1 nicer, 1 sweatpants)
- 2 casual long-sleeved shirts/sweatshirts
- 2 sweaters
- 1 pair of pajamas
- 1 swimsuit (for the hot tub)
- underpants and socks
Entertainment
I don’t pack much entertainment for ski trips. Our rule on ski trips is that the kids can watch cartoons on the TV in the morning before we get up, and then after ski school, we let them have hot tub time, screen time, and family time.
For each kid we bring:
- tablet (Kindle fire) + headphones
- Yoto player + story cards
- a favorite stuffy
- 1-2 books
Getting through the airport
I usually try to avoid checking bags, but for ski trips, I opt to check as much as possible. But it’s still a lot to get the bags to the check-in counter and then from baggage claim to your transportation (see picture above). But, once you get to the mountain, it really is worth it!
If you’re checking skis, give yourself extra time. Oversized luggage can often add time to the check-in process. You’ll also want to pad extra time upon arrival.
Renting a luggage cart can also be a helpful investment, especially if your kids aren’t old enough to help much with the luggage.
Onward to the mountain
What are your go-to tips for a successful ski trip? What gear do you swear by?
Stay tuned for Whistler with Kids.
Have Kids, Will Travel 
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