What to pack for a ski trip

Ski wear

Waterproof, breathable ski gear is an absolute must for any ski holiday. Always bring a good pair of ski/snowboard trousers or salopettes, a ski jacket, waterproof ski/snowboard gloves, base layers, goggles, thick ski socks and a snood. However, the weather may also play a factor in your choice of gear. As we move into the spring, it’s likely that you’ll be blessed with stunning blue skies and radiant sunshine. On these days, the thick winter jacket might feel a bit overkill, so if you’re planning a spring skiing holiday, we recommend bringing a lighter jacket and salopettes, and a thin base layer for wearing underneath. Make sure your spring gear is designed for the slopes though, as you’ll still need it to be waterproof.

The weather can also affect visibility. Cloudy days can result in low or flat light, whilst sunny bluebird days can cause glare which can get annoying. It’s not vital but it could be worth bringing both low and bright lenses for your goggles, so you’ll be unstoppable on the slopes whatever the weather!

For those of you still getting to grips with skiing or snowboarding, it’s worth packing some safety gear to protect you from those inevitable falls. Impact shorts are a top recommendation, and wrist guards can be useful for snowboarders.

There’s no need to buy all new ski gear, try the eco-friendly option and hire top performance ski wear from Eco Ski. With a huge range of brands, styles and sizes, they have everything you need and more!

Ski equipment

By far the best ski equipment to pack is… none. That is, why pay to lug ski gear with you when you can have it delivered and fitted on the doorstep of your chalet! Our partners Ski Mobile have years of experience in delivering fantastic ski gear, directly to your chalet. Simply order it online and they’ll come to you on your arrival day to fit them, answer any questions, and generally take the hassle out of it all!

However, if you do want to bring your own gear, don’t forget:

• Skis and ski poles
• Snowboard and bindings
• Snowboard / ski boots
• Helmet

Apres ski clothes

For wear after skiing we recommend you bring a pair of snow boots that are waterproof, easy to get on and have good grip, as ski resort pavements can be slippery. You’ll also need extra gloves, warm socks and snood or scarf. It’s common to hit the bars in your ski gear, but after a long day on the slopes, it’s better to head back to your chalet and slip into something more comfy. This is also a fantastic time to make the most of saunas and hot tubs, so swimwear is a must!

If you’re hitting the town after your shower, our top fashion tip is layers. The bars and restaurants of Morzine are generally warm inside, but you’ll still want to keep out the chill. Base layers are a fantastic way of keeping the heat in whilst allowing you to show off that trendy apres gear you’ve been wanting to wear all summer! Don’t forget to pair it with some warm winter boots. You won’t be in good spirits if those toes are frozen!

If skiing isn’t your thing, there are loads of fantastic non-skiing activities to enjoy in the valley. From swimming to snow-shoeing, yoga to fun day trips, you’ll want to pack for a few of these.

Toiletries

Whilst you can buy most toiletries in resort if you need to – it’s a faff and can be expensive, so it’s worth bringing the essentials. See below for our full list, but the key players are the usual suspects (shampoo, toothbrush/paste), then extras such as lip balm, sunscreen and painkillers, just in case. For people with long hair, we recommend you bring hair ties and some bobby pins. There’s nothing worse when you’re shredding on the mountain than a mouthful of hair! You also do not need to bring a hairdryer if staying with AliKats, as we provide these in every room. We also have REN hand-wash, hand-cream and body-wash in each room in our self catered chalets, plus shampoo and conditioner in our catered chalets

Travelling

Travelling as a family is fun and exciting, but can also feel long and sometimes boring if you have little ones. Stock up with games and drawing books, and it’s worth downloading films or an audiobook to keep them entertained whilst you read a book (remember to bring a charger for the device!). Snacks are also essential, and make sure to keep hydrated with lots of water. Make sure to keep a warm coat ready for when you arrive in the mountains.

So there you have it, our one-stop guide to what to bring with you on your next family ski holiday. Don’t worry if you forget something, Morzine is well-equipped to cover any last-minute mishaps or outfit faux pas. But hopefully this guide has given you a good idea of what you need, and inspired you to get packing! Save the complete packing list below, so you can check of all the essentials before you go.

Complete Ski Trip Packing List

Click here to download the full packing list

Ski Gear

• Ski jacket
• Ski/board trousers or salopettes
• Waterproof ski/snowboard gloves
• Base layers
• Goggles (with high and low light lenses)
• Ski socks
• Snood
• Safety gear such as impact shorts, wrist guards or knee pads
• Day backpack for water, snacks and extra layers

Ski Equipment

• Skis and ski poles
• Snowboard and bindings
• Snowboard / ski boots
• Helmet

Apres and other clothes

• Warm, easy to put on waterproof snow boots
• Warm gloves
• Woolly hat
• Snood/scarf
• Swimwear
• Swimming goggles
• Snuggly jumpers
• Warm trousers/jeans
• Sunglasses
• Yoga/pilates gear if you intend to use
• Underwear
• PJs

Toiletries

• Factor 50+ Suncream
• Mini first aid kit, including painkillers, calpol, any family medication, thermometer, band aids
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Face and body moisturiser
• Hair ties & bobby pins
• Lip balm with sun protection
• Deodorant
• *Shampoo – shampoo bars are great as they reduce plastic and save weight!
• *Conditioner
• *Hand and body wash

* supplied in AliKats catered chalets

Travelling

• Passports and travel documents
• Travel insurance
• Travel itinerary, tickets/boarding pass
• Transfer information and booking details
• Accommodation reservation details
• Games and drawing books
• Devices and headphones for audiobooks, films & music
• Charges for phones and devices
• Snacks
• Water (in reusable bottles)
• Books/entertainment for the adults