7 min read

What to pack for a family ski vacation

Layers, spare mittens, and the stuff the packing-list generator will also tell you — plus the notes we learned the wet way.

Use the generator, then add your chaos

The packing-list tool on this site builds quantities from ages, nights, and fly vs. drive. What it cannot know: your child will lose one mitten on day one. Pack two pairs. Pack the helmets you own. Pack snacks that still work frozen.

Rent vs. bring

First-timers: rent skis and boots on the mountain (fit matters; owning a too-small boot is how they hate this). Helmets: own them if you can — fit and smell. Clothing: own it, the rental jacket industrial complex is real. If you fly and you own gear, we ship it. There is a page for that.

The drying rack is lodging

A condo with a boot dryer or at least a dedicated corner beats a hotel room with one chair. Wet gloves overnight is the silent trip-killer. Bring cheap backups anyway.

Open the packing-list generator →