Essential Packing Guide for a Seamless Mountain Getaway

Weather-appropriate clothing, including:

• Thermal underwear and/or base layer top and bottom
• Waterproof ski pants or bibs
• Waterproof gloves AND mittens (because you’ll want to keep your hands toasty on and off the slopes)
• Waterproof ski or down jacket
• Waterproof boots and/or shoes
• Good, thick ski socks (wool, not cotton)
• Scarf (this simple accessory will keep you surprisingly warm)
• Ski beanie/head gear (see above)
• Fleece layer (we recommend a light sweatshirt or vest)
• Jeans (because you’re visiting a ski town which inevitably means mountain casual and jeans are A-OK most anywhere)

Also, be sure to pack:

• Swimsuit (for year-round pools and hot tubs, nothing better than cozying up in the hot tub as snowflakes fall all around you)
• Slippers (cause you wanna be cozy by the fireside)
• Neck and mouth gaiter (this will be such a lifesaver in blustery, windy conditions)
• Sunglasses
• Hand and feet warmers
• Toiletries, toothbrush, etc.
• Ear plugs
• Reservations (to dinner, for ski school, etc. as it can get crowded up here)

Ski/Snowboard gear:

• Skis/boots/poles
• Snowboard/boots
• Helmet
• Goggles
• Tuning kit

This & that:

• Sunscreen (closer to the sun, easier to get a sunburn—especially as sun bounces off the snow)
• Lip balm, with SPF (see above, and below)
• Lotion and/or hand cream (because it’s D.R.Y. in the mountains)
• Water bottle or Camelbak (you’ll be getting a workout on the slopes and it’s much easier to get dehydrated at elevation)
• Aspirin (dehydration and altitude can sometimes cause headaches, as can drinking too many cocktails—just saying)
• Phone/ electronics chargers

For the car:

• Chains (if not driving a 4WD or AWD)
• Full water bottle and snacks (in case of emergency/freeway shut-down)
• Extra blankets (see above)
• Ice scraper
• Flashlight

For family fun:

• Games (family + games + warm fire = perfection)
• Cards (see above)
• Books or magazines (see above)
• Ice skates (most ski villages have an ice skating rink, so save money and time and BYO)
• S’mores roasting sticks (the quintessential mountain dessert)
• iPod/iPod docking station
• DSLR camera (for an optimal opportunity to capture exquisite Lake shots)
• Snowshoes, sled or snow tube
• Carrot, black buttons, etc. (for the snowman you’re sure to build)