Ski Trip Checklist

The Only Ski Trip Checklist You Need

Planning a ski trip should feel exciting, not stressful. But we’ve all been there: borrowing sunscreen from strangers, wearing the same questionable baselayer for days, or attempting a last-minute tune with a hotel iron.

So here it is: the only ski trip checklist you need. Not the obvious stuff. Not the “don’t forget your skis and jacket” list. Just the things that keep small mistakes from turning into big distractions. Because the best ski trips aren’t the perfectly planned ones—they’re the ones where you show up prepared and ski without thinking about anything else. We only wish we could help bring the snow… 

 

Photo by Brett Schreckengost

 

Check More Than the Snow Report 

Yes, check the snow report, but also check:

• Wind speeds 
• Temperature swings
• Sun exposure
• The extended forecast for your entire stay

If it’s going to be 50 and sunny two days into your trip, you’ll want different gear than if it stays cold and nuking. Plan your ski days accordingly—chase powder on day one, scope that ridge mission for day three when things firm up.

 

Handle Logistics

Scout your lodging situation. A hot tub’s nice, but does your hotel have a shuttle or bus stop nearby so you won’t be dealing with parking at the resort? Is there a ski valet that will have a long queue on powder mornings? These aren’t sexy details, but they matter. If you're booking:

• Lift tickets 
• Dinner reservations
• Shuttles
• Hot springs passes
• Cat skiing or heli days
• Uphill access passes

Do it all before you leave. Nothing kills post-powder stoke like sitting on your phone during après managing logistics.

 

Download Everything You’ll Need

Cell service on the mountain is unreliable at best. Download offline trail maps, apps, and anything else you'll need. Screenshot your lodging address and confirmation numbers. Redundancy beats frustration.

 

 

Prep Your Gear

This matters more than people think: tune your skis. A fresh tune can completely change how your skis perform, especially in mixed conditions. Make sure your bindings are adjusted to the boots you’re bringing.

 

Carry Your Boots on the Plane

Never, we repeat, never check your ski boots. They’re the most important piece of gear you own, and the only things that you can’t easily replace if the airlines lose your luggage.

 

Rent vs Travel with Skis

It’s one of the most common ski travel questions: do you bring your own gear or rent when you arrive? If you’ve invested time dialing in your setup, bringing your own skis almost always makes sense. Familiar equipment removes variables and when your skis respond the way you expect them to, and that confidence lets you ski better. Renting, on the other hand, can make sense for shorter trips or more casual travel. There’s no universal answer. It depends on how you ski—and how much performance matters to you.

If you have a new pair of Wagner Skis finishing production just before your trip, we can ship your skis anywhere in the world so they arrive at your destination in time for your ski vacation—whether that’s a storm cycle in Jackson, midwinter in Japan, or a spring trip to the Alps.

 

Photo by Brett Schreckengost

 

When to Start Planning a Ski Trip

• 6+ weeks out: Book lodging, lift tickets, rentals, dining reservations 
• 2 weeks out: Tune skis, check gear, monitor extended forecast 
• 3–5 days out: Confirm reservations, download maps, check conditions
• Day before travel: Pack boots in carry-on, charge electronics

 

Prepare Your Body

Ski trips are demanding—especially if you’re traveling from sea level to altitude. Hydrate early, not just when you arrive. Get some leg strength work in before your trip. And plan your first day accordingly if you’re adjusting to elevation. Nothing ruins a ski vacation faster than being exhausted on day one.

 

What To Pack for a Ski Trip

Here’s our streamlined ski vacation packing list, what goes in your checked bag.

Ski Clothing Essentials:

• At least two sets of base layers (more depending on the length of your trip)
• At least two pairs of ski socks (more depending on the length of your trip)
Pro tip: if you have enough ski socks for the amount of ski days, pack a fresh pair for each day 
• A breathable midlayer (fleece or light puffy)
• A weatherproof shell (storm-ready but breathable)
• A heavy puffy for town
• Ski jacket and ski pants
• Helmet
• Gloves (plus a backup pair if you run cold)
Hand warmers depending on the weather
• Buff / neck gaiter
• Beanie

Eye + Sun Protection:

• Goggles for low light
• Goggles or lenses for bright sun
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen (high SPF)
• Lip balm with SPF

Small But Important Items

• Ibuprofen
• Travel boot dryer unless the hotel has a boot drying system
• Blister care (just in case)
• Ski pass
• Water bottle

Ski Gear

• Ski boots (carry them on the plane) 
• Skis
• Ski poles
Pro tip: If you have a ski bag, pack it with your helmet, outerwear, snow boots, etc

Preparation creates flexibility. When your gear works, your logistics are handled, and you packed intentionally, you get to focus on what matters: skiing better, staying out longer, and enjoying the experience.

The best ski trips are the ones where you show up ready, stay flexible, and spend more time skiing than stressing. So the more prepared you are before you go, the more time you’ll have to just relax and enjoy it.

 

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Article by Kimberly Beekman

Kimberly Beekman is the former editor-in-chief of the late, great Skiing Magazine (RIP), and a longtime editor of SKI Magazine before that. She currently uses the title of “freelancer” as a beard to ski powder all over the world. She lives in Steamboat, Colorado, with her wonderful daughter and terrible cat.