20+ things to pack for a family skiing trip
Yes, it's the end of July and I'm writing about a skiing trip. That's because it's been 100 degrees or higher for 31 of the last 40 days. I know these numbers because I'm a meteorologist. But I also know these numbers because I'm a big baby when it comes to the heat and I'm counting down the months to our upcoming ski trip... even though it's not coming until next year.
My husband and I always take our annual vacation with our best friends to a different ski resort every March, trying our best to avoid the Spring Break crowds. Now with a Little one in tow, we have found that our packing list doubles when we road trip and it actually triples when we add on our list of snow gear stuff to take. So to be sure you don't forget anything, here's my packing list for 20+ things to take on a family skiing trip:
Assuming you're driving, of course you need to pack all the usual stuff, which you can find here on my list of 30+ things to pack for a road trip with a Little. But since you're heading to the snow, here's what you need to add to that list:
Snow brush/scraper.
Even if it doesn't snow on your trip, you're going to wake up to a frozen windshield. Be prepared to scrape it while the car warms up to defrost. You can also use a solution of rubbing alcohol and water to help speed up the process, but I'm always a bit concerned it might affect the paint so I don't use that trick. Never leave a running car unattended, as thieves in mountain communities know they are an easy target and they often get stolen.
Extra towels.
We always go through all the towels. From taking showers or visiting the hot tub, to laying a towel down on the ground to protect our wet boots from the carpet to needing a towel to mop up snow melt that gets dragged all over the floor, there never seem to be enough towels. Pack a couple extra and make sure there's one in the car too because snow will get shaken all over the place and then melt.
Rock salt.
You can pick this up at any hardware store or likely any gas station in a mountain town. You'll need some if there are any steps leading to or from the front door and you should use some where you park your vehicle as well. There will still be patches of black ice, so take it easy, but the salt will help melt a lot of it.
Winter formula windshield washer fluid.
If you don't need it in your hometown, you should add some for your snow vacation. It's less than $10 to get a big bottle of winter formula windshield fluid that helps melt snow and ice. This is huge for your visibility if it's snowing while you drive, but it also helps the defrosting process in the mornings.
Local firewood.
If you're staying at a lodge or cabin with a working fireplace then buy some firewood to enjoy it! Keep in mind that you should always buy local firewood. Transporting firewood from other regions is dangerous because it can spread damaging bugs and potential tree disease. Learn more here. There are plenty of places to find local firewood in mountain communities, including most hardware stores and grocery stores and often at gas stations too.
Chapstick, hand cream & tissues.
These are a must have! It's so dry that my lips always get painfully chapped. I take medicated Chapstick and carry it in my pocket 24/7 when we're visiting the snow. We also get very dry patches where skin is exposed so I carry around a small bottle of healing hand cream. And always be sure to have a pack of tissues, as cold weather leads to lots of runny noses.
Sunscreen & night cream.
The white snow reflects the suns rays and makes it like you're getting a double dose of exposure, so take lots of sunscreen and remember to reapply often. Dermatologists recommended SPF 50 or higher. We use spray sunscreen all over (including the part in your hair!) but make sure to use the lotion to coat our ears and other sensitive places that often get overlooked. Also, I'm the only one in the family who uses night cream on a regular basis, but on winter vacation I'll put some on everyone's face at night to keep their precious skin hydrated.
Warm jammies & extra socks.
As a kid I remember always being incredibly cold at night on our ski trips. Make sure your Littles have warm jammies and even a beanie to sleep in if needed. Also be sure that they change their socks. Even if their socks didn't get wet during the day, their little feet got sweaty in their warm boots which means they are damp and that causes very cold little toes all night! Have them change into a fresh pair of dry socks right before bed.
Sweatshirts & slippers.
Our snow clothes are usually pretty wet at the end of the day, but dry out just fine overnight. It's nice to have dry warm sweatshirts for us to change into, whether we're heading back to the cabin or going out to dinner. Likewise it's fantastic to have slippers, especially for those late night runs to the bathroom or when you're up early cooking breakfast and waiting for the coffee to brew.
Change of clothes.
Everyone will need at least one extra change of clothes per day, but Littles get so messy and wet on snow vacations that we find it's best to have two for them.
Lots and lots of snacks.
We are always extra hungry after a long day of activity, so I make a protein packed breakfast, pack a full picnic and snacks for the mountain and plan for a hearty and hot dinner at the end of the day. But the Littles (and my husband) are always extra hungry. Pack lots and lots of snacks.
Water bottles.
Don't forget water bottles! It's important to stay hydrated as cold mountain weather is very dry. Most tap water in mountain towns is the best tasting water because it's direct snowmelt runoff into the streams and can be enjoyed straight from the faucet. Bring water bottles and keep them full.
Swimsuits & sandals.
Pack these if you know you'll have access to a hot tub. It's so great after a long cold day on the mountain! I never remember my flip flops so I always end up walking back in my swimsuit and snow boots, which is a fabulous look let me tell you, but throw your sandals in to make life a little easier!
Movies & games.
Winter vacations lead to spending a lot of time indoors. We're usually so exhausted after a day on the mountain that we just want to come home and take warm showers and relax. I make easy dinners in a crock pot if we have one and we grill a lot. Note to self, I'll soon write a list of all the easy recipes and attach my grocery list that we use on our skiing vacations to help save you some time and money. But Little ones get bored just sitting around, so we bring lots of games and some movies. Keep in mind that in snowstorms the power may go out, so make sure you have some good old fashioned non-technology based entertainment like a stack of cards and a good memory for old games like Spades.
Laundry pods.
Kids are messy, as you know. I always end up having to do a load of laundry on vacation. I carry a little baggie of laundry pods which are so easy to cart around, but sometimes we don't have access to a washer/dryer and I refuse to spend vacation time at a laundromat. So I also have a pack of these sink packets that I carry around in case I need to scrub stains out of a garment or two.
And of course, here's all the usual stuff you probably already know to pack, but I added them here for good measure:
Skis and snowboards.
If you're taking your own gear, make sure you have the snowboards, skis, poles, boots and bindings. If needed, bring wax. We like to put our stuff in protective bags and strap them to the roof so there's more room inside for car seats and bags (and the doggies if they're tagging along).
Helmets.
It's up to you if the adults choose to wear helmets, but all Littles should always wear a helmet. It doesn't matter how talented they are at skiing or snowboarding (or both!), it's the crazy people on the hill cause crashes. Your Little may be doing everything right and still get hurt. My friend's front teeth were broken in a crash caused by someone inexperienced crashing into her. I tore my knee in a crash caused by someone who was showing off, lost control and hit me from behind. A friend in high school suffered major brain damage after sliding into an unseen rock while sledding. Protect your Little's precious head and always make them wear a helmet!
Goggles & sunglasses.
Get a good pair of goggles for each person to protect their eyes from the wind, snow and bright reflections. Likewise make sure everyone has a pair of sunglasses for the rest of the trip.
Snow clothes.
All the usual stuff needs to be stuffed into a duffle bag and strapped to your roof. Don't forget snow pants and jackets for the adults and ski bibs for the Littles. (I suggest bibs instead of snow pants because they're going to spend a lot of time on their bums those first few years and bibs keep the snow out. There's nothing worse than being cold and wet and your mom makes you go back to the lodge for the day because she's scared you're going to get sick. I'll now admit though that a sick Little on vacation is the worst!)
Warm underclothes.
For each person make sure you have top and bottom thermals, a long sleeve shirt if it's below freezing on the mountain and warm snow socks.
Beanies & gloves.
You'll need a beanie and waterproof gloves for each person on the mountain. The rest of the vacation it's good to have another pair of cotton gloves that aren't as bulky, a second beanie because the first will be damp from sweat and snow. For fashion I like to add a scarf to my off mountain ensemble, and I can hand off it to the Little if she gets cold.
Regular snow boots.
My husband doesn't mind walking everywhere in his snowboard boots but I only wear my ski boots as long as I absolutely have to on the mountain. Bring along a pair of soft sided snow boots to give your feet a break. You'll need these for your entire vacation when you take out the trash, build snowmen, clear snow from the truck, etc.
Small backpack.
I have a hiking daypack like this that my husband or I will wear so we always have access to our phones, sunscreen, water and protein bars on the hill. You could also wear a fanny pack, and if you do please send me a picture!
And on this ski trip, whether you're staying at a lodge, cabin, vacation home or hotel, I think this list will help you: Top 10 hacks to make a hotel room feel more like home.
What would you add to this list? Find me on Facebook and let me know!
www.Facebook.com/ListsForLittles
My husband and I always take our annual vacation with our best friends to a different ski resort every March, trying our best to avoid the Spring Break crowds. Now with a Little one in tow, we have found that our packing list doubles when we road trip and it actually triples when we add on our list of snow gear stuff to take. So to be sure you don't forget anything, here's my packing list for 20+ things to take on a family skiing trip:
Assuming you're driving, of course you need to pack all the usual stuff, which you can find here on my list of 30+ things to pack for a road trip with a Little. But since you're heading to the snow, here's what you need to add to that list:
Snow brush/scraper.
Even if it doesn't snow on your trip, you're going to wake up to a frozen windshield. Be prepared to scrape it while the car warms up to defrost. You can also use a solution of rubbing alcohol and water to help speed up the process, but I'm always a bit concerned it might affect the paint so I don't use that trick. Never leave a running car unattended, as thieves in mountain communities know they are an easy target and they often get stolen.
Extra towels.
We always go through all the towels. From taking showers or visiting the hot tub, to laying a towel down on the ground to protect our wet boots from the carpet to needing a towel to mop up snow melt that gets dragged all over the floor, there never seem to be enough towels. Pack a couple extra and make sure there's one in the car too because snow will get shaken all over the place and then melt.
Rock salt.
You can pick this up at any hardware store or likely any gas station in a mountain town. You'll need some if there are any steps leading to or from the front door and you should use some where you park your vehicle as well. There will still be patches of black ice, so take it easy, but the salt will help melt a lot of it.
Winter formula windshield washer fluid.
If you don't need it in your hometown, you should add some for your snow vacation. It's less than $10 to get a big bottle of winter formula windshield fluid that helps melt snow and ice. This is huge for your visibility if it's snowing while you drive, but it also helps the defrosting process in the mornings.
Local firewood.
If you're staying at a lodge or cabin with a working fireplace then buy some firewood to enjoy it! Keep in mind that you should always buy local firewood. Transporting firewood from other regions is dangerous because it can spread damaging bugs and potential tree disease. Learn more here. There are plenty of places to find local firewood in mountain communities, including most hardware stores and grocery stores and often at gas stations too.
Chapstick, hand cream & tissues.
These are a must have! It's so dry that my lips always get painfully chapped. I take medicated Chapstick and carry it in my pocket 24/7 when we're visiting the snow. We also get very dry patches where skin is exposed so I carry around a small bottle of healing hand cream. And always be sure to have a pack of tissues, as cold weather leads to lots of runny noses.
Sunscreen & night cream.
The white snow reflects the suns rays and makes it like you're getting a double dose of exposure, so take lots of sunscreen and remember to reapply often. Dermatologists recommended SPF 50 or higher. We use spray sunscreen all over (including the part in your hair!) but make sure to use the lotion to coat our ears and other sensitive places that often get overlooked. Also, I'm the only one in the family who uses night cream on a regular basis, but on winter vacation I'll put some on everyone's face at night to keep their precious skin hydrated.
Warm jammies & extra socks.
As a kid I remember always being incredibly cold at night on our ski trips. Make sure your Littles have warm jammies and even a beanie to sleep in if needed. Also be sure that they change their socks. Even if their socks didn't get wet during the day, their little feet got sweaty in their warm boots which means they are damp and that causes very cold little toes all night! Have them change into a fresh pair of dry socks right before bed.
Sweatshirts & slippers.
Our snow clothes are usually pretty wet at the end of the day, but dry out just fine overnight. It's nice to have dry warm sweatshirts for us to change into, whether we're heading back to the cabin or going out to dinner. Likewise it's fantastic to have slippers, especially for those late night runs to the bathroom or when you're up early cooking breakfast and waiting for the coffee to brew.
Change of clothes.
Everyone will need at least one extra change of clothes per day, but Littles get so messy and wet on snow vacations that we find it's best to have two for them.
Lots and lots of snacks.
We are always extra hungry after a long day of activity, so I make a protein packed breakfast, pack a full picnic and snacks for the mountain and plan for a hearty and hot dinner at the end of the day. But the Littles (and my husband) are always extra hungry. Pack lots and lots of snacks.
Water bottles.
Don't forget water bottles! It's important to stay hydrated as cold mountain weather is very dry. Most tap water in mountain towns is the best tasting water because it's direct snowmelt runoff into the streams and can be enjoyed straight from the faucet. Bring water bottles and keep them full.
Swimsuits & sandals.
Pack these if you know you'll have access to a hot tub. It's so great after a long cold day on the mountain! I never remember my flip flops so I always end up walking back in my swimsuit and snow boots, which is a fabulous look let me tell you, but throw your sandals in to make life a little easier!
Movies & games.
Winter vacations lead to spending a lot of time indoors. We're usually so exhausted after a day on the mountain that we just want to come home and take warm showers and relax. I make easy dinners in a crock pot if we have one and we grill a lot. Note to self, I'll soon write a list of all the easy recipes and attach my grocery list that we use on our skiing vacations to help save you some time and money. But Little ones get bored just sitting around, so we bring lots of games and some movies. Keep in mind that in snowstorms the power may go out, so make sure you have some good old fashioned non-technology based entertainment like a stack of cards and a good memory for old games like Spades.
Laundry pods.
Kids are messy, as you know. I always end up having to do a load of laundry on vacation. I carry a little baggie of laundry pods which are so easy to cart around, but sometimes we don't have access to a washer/dryer and I refuse to spend vacation time at a laundromat. So I also have a pack of these sink packets that I carry around in case I need to scrub stains out of a garment or two.
And of course, here's all the usual stuff you probably already know to pack, but I added them here for good measure:
Skis and snowboards.
If you're taking your own gear, make sure you have the snowboards, skis, poles, boots and bindings. If needed, bring wax. We like to put our stuff in protective bags and strap them to the roof so there's more room inside for car seats and bags (and the doggies if they're tagging along).
Helmets.
It's up to you if the adults choose to wear helmets, but all Littles should always wear a helmet. It doesn't matter how talented they are at skiing or snowboarding (or both!), it's the crazy people on the hill cause crashes. Your Little may be doing everything right and still get hurt. My friend's front teeth were broken in a crash caused by someone inexperienced crashing into her. I tore my knee in a crash caused by someone who was showing off, lost control and hit me from behind. A friend in high school suffered major brain damage after sliding into an unseen rock while sledding. Protect your Little's precious head and always make them wear a helmet!
Goggles & sunglasses.
Get a good pair of goggles for each person to protect their eyes from the wind, snow and bright reflections. Likewise make sure everyone has a pair of sunglasses for the rest of the trip.
Snow clothes.
All the usual stuff needs to be stuffed into a duffle bag and strapped to your roof. Don't forget snow pants and jackets for the adults and ski bibs for the Littles. (I suggest bibs instead of snow pants because they're going to spend a lot of time on their bums those first few years and bibs keep the snow out. There's nothing worse than being cold and wet and your mom makes you go back to the lodge for the day because she's scared you're going to get sick. I'll now admit though that a sick Little on vacation is the worst!)
Warm underclothes.
For each person make sure you have top and bottom thermals, a long sleeve shirt if it's below freezing on the mountain and warm snow socks.
Beanies & gloves.
You'll need a beanie and waterproof gloves for each person on the mountain. The rest of the vacation it's good to have another pair of cotton gloves that aren't as bulky, a second beanie because the first will be damp from sweat and snow. For fashion I like to add a scarf to my off mountain ensemble, and I can hand off it to the Little if she gets cold.
Regular snow boots.
My husband doesn't mind walking everywhere in his snowboard boots but I only wear my ski boots as long as I absolutely have to on the mountain. Bring along a pair of soft sided snow boots to give your feet a break. You'll need these for your entire vacation when you take out the trash, build snowmen, clear snow from the truck, etc.
Small backpack.
I have a hiking daypack like this that my husband or I will wear so we always have access to our phones, sunscreen, water and protein bars on the hill. You could also wear a fanny pack, and if you do please send me a picture!
And on this ski trip, whether you're staying at a lodge, cabin, vacation home or hotel, I think this list will help you: Top 10 hacks to make a hotel room feel more like home.
What would you add to this list? Find me on Facebook and let me know!
www.Facebook.com/ListsForLittles
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