Ski Trip Packing: What I Packed vs. What I Actually Used

Ski Trip Packing: What I Packed vs. What I Actually Used

After six months teaching kids to ski in Courchevel without a single injury, I thought I'd made it through the season unscathed. The mountains hadn't beaten me. The icy slopes hadn't caught me out. Not even the most chaotic ski-school days had taken me down.

Then came Gatwick Airport at 4 am.

Exhausted from a 24-hour coach journey and hauling two suitcases plus a loaded hiking backpack, I tripped because of a caught shoelace, and I couldn't break my fall. My left knee slammed into the concrete. Three hours later, an X-ray confirmed I'd chipped a bone—not on a black run or in a whiteout, but in an airport car park because I'd overpacked.

That injury taught I overpacked. After unpacking from my latest trip, I wanted to share the honest truth about what I used versus what just took up space. Spoiler: the 80/20 rule applies to ski packing too.

My Luggage Setup

1x 23kg checked bag
1x small rucksack (carry-on)

Simple. Everything fit in these two bags.

What I Packed (And Actually Used)

The Essential Layers

Base Layer

  • 2x thermals
  • 1x thermal bottoms
  • 1x loose thermal top (crew neck, sweatshirt fit—more comfortable than a fleece)

The layering system worked perfectly. Two thermal tops meant I could rotate without feeling gross, and that heavyweight thermal was brilliant on particularly cold days.

Mid Layer

  • 1x lightweight fleece
  • 1x sweatshirt

Outerwear

  • 1x ski jacket
  • 1x ski trousers
  • 1x helmet
  • 1x goggles
  • 1x waterproof gloves
  • 1x buff
  • 1x beanie
  • 2x ski socks

Everything here was essential especially the buff—such a small item, but invaluable for protecting your face from windburn.

Après-Ski Essentials

Clothing

  • 1x jeans
  • 2-3x evening tops
  • 1x après jacket
  • 1x snow boots or waterproof shoes with Vibram soles
  • 1x swimsuit
  • 3x t-shirts
  • 1x cap
  • 1x sunglasses
  • 6x underwear
  • 4x everyday socks

The key here was versatility. One pair of jeans worked for every evening, paired with different tops. The snow boots were perfect for navigating icy cobbled streets.

Tech & Extras

  • MP3 player and wired headphones
  • Electrolytes
  • GoPro
  • All chargers and cables 
  • A Portable charger
  • EU plug
  • Lip balm (sun, wind, and cold air destroy your lips)
  • Sunglasses
  • Hip flask

What I Didn't Need

Here's what stayed in my bag the entire trip:

1. Nike Leggings
I thought I'd wear them as an extra layer under my salopettes, but they weren't thermal. On the slopes, regular athletic leggings don't cut it—you need proper thermals. And at night? Too hot under jeans in normal bars. Save the space.

2. Yoga/Gym Jacket
Too restrictive for layering, not warm enough for the mountain. Stick with proper ski mid-layers designed for the job.

3. Three Hoodies
Rookie error. I wore sweatshirts almost exclusively because hoodies had bulky hoods that bunched up and pushed against my neck under my ski jacket. Sweatshirts with simple crew necks were far more comfortable. One would have been plenty.

4. Long Sleeve Microfibre Tops
Lightweight and quick-drying, but simply not warm. In sub-zero temperatures, you need proper thermal tops, not style over substance. These just took up valuable space.

What I Wish I'd Brought

1. Easy Slip-On Shoes for the Hotel
I only took snow boots, but what I really needed were sliders, mules,c rocs, or slip-on trainers. You're constantly putting on and taking off shoes in the hotel. Fiddling with laces when you're tired? No thanks. Wearing snow boots to dinner? Is not ideal.

2. Playing Cards/Games
Cards take up almost no space but provide endless entertainment while waiting for afternoon tea or dinner.

3. Good Moisturiser
I only took suncream. The combination of cold air, wind, and central heating absolutely destroys your skin. My face felt like the Sahara by day three. Invest in a proper moisturiser.

4. Muscle Spray
A muscle relief spray would have been a game-changer for those achy quads after a full day skiing.

5. Makeup Setting Spray
Between the helmet, goggles, wind, and temperature changes, makeup slides right off. A good setting spray keeps everything in place much longer.

6. Topped-Up Money Cards (And the PIN!)
Make sure your travel money cards are loaded before you leave and know your PIN. There's nothing worse than buying an expensive lift pass whilst trying to remember which four digits you set six months ago.

How to Maximise Space

Roll, Don't Fold
Rolling saves space and prevents creases. I rolled everything—thermals, t-shirts, jeans, the lot.

Use Empty Space Inside Ski Boots
Ski boots are bulky but hollow. Stuff socks, underwear, or chargers inside them. Just pack them in a bag first so they don't get dirty.

Two Pairs of Ski Socks Are Enough
Rotate them throughout the week and wash one pair mid-week if needed. They dry quickly overnight.

Don't Overpack Evening Clothes
One pair of jeans and 2-3 tops is plenty. You're tired in the evenings, not walking a runway. Everyone wears the same thing multiple times on ski trips—it's completely normal.

Be Ruthless with "Maybe" Items
That item you think "I might use this" about? You won't. If you're not 100% certain you'll wear something, leave it at home. Those three hoodies and Nike leggings were just dead weight.

Another Lesson: The Alpe d'Huez Sprint

In 2022, my friend and I went to the wrong Ben's Bus pickup location in Alpe d'Huez and ended up sprinting uphill across the entire resort with overpacked suitcases to catch our transfer. We finally arrived, out of breath and flustered… only to find a small minibus with about ten people calmly waiting. And the driver said, if you had called, I could have picked you up a great service but albiet a bit too late for us that time. Pack light: your future self sprinting uphill at altitude will thank you!

My Top Packing Tips

  • The buff is non-negotiable—small, light, and incredibly useful
  • Bring spare gloves and goggles if you can—easy to lose on the mountain
  • Double-check your chargers—nothing worse than a dead phone on the slopes

Final Thoughts

Packing light isn't just about saving space. It's about saving energy. Less time wrestling heavy bags, less stress during transfers, and more energy for what you're actually there to do—ski.

Trust your thermal gear and leave the regular athletic wear at home. You need proper technical layers designed for cold, snow, and long days outside—not your favourite joggers and a stack of hoodies.

And that annoying collar-bunching problem? Completely avoidable. Once I stopped doubling up on bulky layers, everything fit better, felt lighter, and actually kept me warmer.

Your tired, future self will thank you for packing smart. Trust me—accidents happen when you least expect them, especially when you're carrying half the mountain home with you.

Ready to pack lighter? Click here for my ultimate ski packing checklist

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