Happy Thursday, friends!
JUST A REMINDER!! You still have this morning and afternoon to register to win this…
…it’s not too late to enter to win! I will pick a random winner tonight and announce it tomorrow. Click HERE to enter and to read my APPLE WATCH 4 REVIEW!
Okay, today, I thought we could chat about what to pack when we’re skiing/snowboarding.
When I recapped our trip to Park City after Christmas, I got a lot of questions about what we packed because I kept singing Andrew’s praises…
…because despite the cold weather (hello 0 degrees!), we were not cold.
Now, I am like the worst equipped person to discuss this with you (because I neither bought nor packed this stuff), but I thought I could at least relay back to you what Andrew said he bought and then all of you ski bunnies out there could share your tips too.
Let’s start from the top.
Andrew goes snowboarding several times a year, so I feel like he has figured out what to pack and how to pack it. Therefore, he has taken on the role of “ski clothes packer” in our family. While I was over there packing up these…
…my beloved packing cubes filled with all of our basics (pjs, undies, socks, jeans, tops, etc), he packed the ski stuff. NOW, let me say that since we’ve used the packing cube system, we have purchased even more and this last time he took Smith snowboarding, he used packing cubes for all of this gear. We didn’t have enough to go around the first time, but now, we do. Because #packingcubes rule.
So, Andrew gathered up everything he thought we would need to use to keep us warm and packed it all in one separate suitcase (as to not mix it up with the other stuff).
Besides the base layers, I’m pretty sure we bought 90% of this stuff at our local ski shop. It’s called Doug & Lynda’s and it’s on the McKinney square and it’s AMAZING. It’s locally owned and they are SUPER knowledgeable!! So, if you’re around here, you need to go check them out!!
Okay, here are my kids all dressed and ready to go…
This is what Andrew brought for everyone (along with brands):
2 Under Armour shirts for a base layer (we wore both every day)
2 pairs of Under Armour leggings for a base layer (we only ended up wearing one pair each day)
1 pair of ski pants (the two little girls each had suits and the big kids wore ski pants with the suspenders and they were Spyder or Obermeyer)
1 Ski jacket (Spyder or Obermeyer)
1 Neck gaiter
3 pairs of nice warm ski socks (we only wore one at a time)
Andrew and I each had two pairs of mittens and the kids each had one pair (we were told that mittens are so much warmer than gloves and they were also Spyder or Obermeyer)
Helmets (Smith and Giro) and goggles (Oakley’s)
A big bag of hand warmers (several of us had mittens with little pockets just for a hand warmer to slip in…BRILLIANT!)
Now, so many of you asked me why they weren’t wearing their ski jackets and such when we were out and about…
…and it was because we were…
…drying out all of the ski stuff. So, while that stuff gets dry (because after a day in the snow, it does get wet), we can get out and about it dry stuff.
We had access to a washer and dryer while we were on vacation, so we would wash and dry the base layers and then clean the outer stuff once we were home. We keep all of this stuff stored in two big plastic bins with lids out in our garage, so that it doesn’t get mixed up or lost with every day things.
I did a post last year called LESSONS LEARNED FROM OUR FIRST SNOWBOARDING TRIP that you might find useful too. You can read it HERE.
So, that’s what we took…but I’d LOVE to hear what you ski/snowboard novices take when you hit the slopes. I am positive I can learn so much from all of you that will help us even more the next time we take a trip like this. Please comment and share!! I would love to know!!!
In the meantime, enter to win that Apple Watch HERE before time runs out 🙂 . See you guys tomorrow! xo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
It’s been years since I’ve skied. Ahh, how I want to try again!
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Erika Slaughter says
I think you should have Madeley Shull wear her ski outfit all the time. She looks so darn cute in it!
Beth Knecht says
I know nothing about skiing or snowboarding, but I wonder if portable shoe dryers would be beneficial? We take ours on trips if we know it is going to rain a lot. They are small enough to fit in our bags but dry your shoes super fast!!
Sheaffer Sims says
I too am obsessed with my packing cubes. I even use them when just going to the ranch! And I agree with Erika, Madeley should wear her ski gear weekly.
Eryn McNearney says
We keep all our ski stuff in our boot bags, and then we can just grab and go. We do Under Armour base layers and Patagonia on top if it’s really cold. We have added walkie talkies to the mix this year in case anyone gets separated, falls, or cell phones go dead in the cold.
Kristen says
When buying ski gloves or mittens, make sure they have hooks on them so that you can hook them together when packing them or storing them. But most importantly so you can hook them onto your ski jacket when you aren’t skiing (ie lunch, etc) and they won’t get lost!
Mix and Match Mama says
Great tip!!!
Lesley McFarland says
I love skiing we go every year and sometimes multiple times a year. Lucky we have a family condo so our big stuff stays there…but I ALWAYS over pack. I feel like I am in my ski pants 99% of the time. But those packing cubes I think will be a must this year.
Narci says
How cool is this? Bookmarking this for our next skit trip!
Monica D says
Shay, what about yourself? I’m looking for a new snow suit and would love recommendations to check out. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Pants and a jacket from the brands listed! Everything list was for me too!!
Kristine says
We always have a hard time keeping our luggage under 50lbs. I would think that would be even harder when packing ski gear and regular gear
Carrie says
My friend swears by her space bags for their ski clothes. She says she can shrink down coats to nothing
Jennifer says
We are planning a trip in March and I had this idea. So it really works?!?
Annie says
I would add in a good ski mask (neoprene) is somewhat waterproof and great if you are in really cold temps, foot warmers both the stick on kind and if you can afford them electric ski socks. I just purchased them and they saved my ski day. I also bring a hat/shell to wear under my helmet. I always carry a small portable charger (size of a hotdog) for my phone. A vest to wear over your underlayer is nice to keep your core warm. I like the fact that you keep your ski clothes separate in a bin…great idea that I will try this summer!
KG says
Heading to Park City (yay!) on a work trip (boo!) I’m 2 weeks! Your recaps and packing tips have been spot on!
Packing cubes on their way…check!
Warm ski gear….still a work in progress 🙂
Rachel Embery says
We keep everything in one bag, ski gear wise. Boots are in a bag inside the bag so as to not get goopy yuck on the clothes. After your cube post I ordered them and now have one permanently in my ski bag holding my base layers, pants, and hat(for Aprés ski). If you get a bag big enough, everything but the skis should fit. I keep it packed and ready to go since we can be to Breck in less than 2 hours. Actually just double checked last night because we head to Vail and Breckenridge for the the weekend to see the international snow sculpture competition!
Andrea Parker says
Highly recommend a boot bag! You can fit your boots, plus all of your cold weather gear in them plus airlines count that bag plus yours skis/snowboard as 1 item..so it’s like a bonus piece of luggage you can check for free. Also, Costco’s 32 Degree brand base layers are awesome and cost about $8 per piece (they come in men, women, and kids sizes).
Jenn says
Yes, yes, yes! Boot bags are the only way to go! We live in Colorado and I just got these for my family for Christmas and they are incredible! I got my husband the Amazon Basics brand for a mere $40.00 bc the reviews were great and we could not be happier with it! It has multiple rubber grip handles around the bag, really nice padding on the back so the things inside don’t bulge into your back. The bag has SO much space but doesn’t feel too big! He put his boots in the boot compartment and I loaded a helmet plus BOTH of their ski pants, goggles, pullovers, gloves, hats and pretty much everything they needed in the middle section of the bag! It was awesome! He just threw it on his back when we got to the mountain and everything was there! He absolutely LOVES it! I got my girls smaller ones in the High Sierra brand and they are really great too! Fit their ski boots and everything else they needed! The High Sierra are not as fancy as my husband’s bag as they don’t have the rubber grips or the back padding but my girls don’t care at all bc they are pink! So worth the money! You must try these bags!
Rachel Tran says
This post was perfect as I am going on my first ski trip next weekend! What snow boots do you recommend?
Katrina says
I signed up for the Apple Watch giveaway. Hoping is Canadians are eligible… we certainly have Apple stores here. Thanks!
Stewart Summers says
Using vests as base layers is a great way to add warmth but not a ton of bulk under ski jackets. I usually do a long sleeve base layer and a vest and then add a sweater or Patagonia pullover in between for really cold days.
I agree with the boot bag comments. All of my stuff gets stored in my boot bag year round so I know it is all together and I only have one thing to grab going out the door.
Tammy Williams says
We pack similarly for ski trips and choose properties with washer/dryers too. Clothes/outerwear just get wet and dirty and it’s nice to not only have to overpack but nice to leave with clean gear.
Upon return, we wash everything that didn’t get washed prior to leaving including gloves and liners. We wash gloves inside out and air dry. We keep our ski gear in a trunk in the attic with a per person packing list enclosed (our list includes lotion, chap stick and sunscreen). Many items are stored in ziplocks like silks, socks, glove liners and gloves. Dryer sheets help keep freshness if you only ski once a year. We keep boots in bubble wrap to minimize scuffs and scratches. Much of our gear has also come from Doug & Lynda’s and this is weird but worth mentioning. After having my last kiddo, my feet just changed and my nearly new boots were too tight. The tech at Doug & Lynda’s was awesome. He was able manipulate the mold of the boots by heat shaping. They fit great and I didn’t have replace them!
Meg says
Great tips! I also keep the following on me each time we ski…a suscreen stick/chapstick, tissues and we bring a camelback that is meant for the cold to keep hydrated (it’s super easy for me or my husband to wear on our back and their is a little pocket that I can keep a couple granold bars too).
Ann Mislang says
Glove liners! I ski often and use mittens but between the snow, moisture and sweat, they get damp, which is uncomfortable. Glove liners prevent this and keep your mittens dry! I also buy the cell phone friendly kind so that way when I take my hands out of my mittens to do something (especially take pictures with my cell phone) I am able to touch my screen easily. Plus then my hands still have a barrier from the cold and don’t freeze! These aren’t the exact ones I use but same idea. If for some reason they did get wet, they are thinner so they dry way faster than mittens or gloves.
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/carhartt-c-touch-glove-liner-15cttmctchxxxxxxxapa/15cttmctchxxxxxxxapa
Meg says
My biggest tip is the neck gaiter – not sure which kind you have, but there’s a kind that comes with a little black liner hood attached to the top, almost like a balaclava. I cannot ski without one! IT keeps my head extra warm under my helmet, and it’s great for keeping the wind off of the back of your neck.
H.S. says
We love the Smartwool brand. So warm, even when wet. Socks and gators for the kids. My husband and I also wear the base layers and vests. The kids wear an underarmour base layer and northface fleece quarter zip under their coats. Sometimes a lightweight down vest. The girls like the Smartwool ear bands under their helmets and the boys a skull cap. Mittens are the best! Too many layers on the bottom and they complain about “bunches” in their boots.
Ann Lee says
If our lodging has a washer/dryer we dry out our wet ski gear in the dryer at the end of the day so we can wear them the next.
Felicia Nguyen says
I would have some peppermint candies in my pocket .. bc my mouth would be dry from skiing. I also like to wear a turtle neck shirt and pull up the neck high up to cover my nose sometimes lol because I don’t like to wear a ski mask.
Liz Besecker says
All of you are adorable in your ski attire! Your recommendations on packing cubes are spot on! Love them..
Amie P says
I am always freezing so a nice pair of ski socks sounds like something I could use on a regular basis!! ha
Tess Marcroft says
We love skiing!!! This is our third year and i can’t believe our kids can do the blue level mountain. I did it too but I’m not good at it and I panicked a couple of times. Definitely skiing classes is a must!!! The kids enjoy the adventure and Breckenridge is now our favorite place to do it.
Ralinn says
I need to just buy packing cubes and be done with it. I think about it and that’s i
It sounds like you had fun and stayed warm enough.
Emily Winchester says
I was shocked at how much warmer the mittens versus gloves were for our boys…they were miserable with the gloves- popped into North agave conveniently located at the base of the mount and they were happy again!
Maggie says
A big tip that we just learned from friends who have skied for years as a family is to buy matching really bright color helmets so you can spot each other more easily on the mountain. As the kids are older and can ski with us more, this is immensely helpful.
Michelle says
I was wondering with traveling so much, so you have a set of “travel makeup/ hair” stuff or do you pack all your daily stuff each time you travel?
Mix and Match Mama says
I pack my normal stuff for traveling. I like to use samples and smaller travel sized stuff too.