Packing List for a Family Ski Vacation

My family has been skiing together for years. It’s still one of the best winter vacations for families, especially with older teens and college students. The kids might be different ages though preparation is still key to a successful trip. Now my kids get to explore on their own during the day. They might be older, but they still dig into my snack bag and know I will have extra gloves if they drop one at the resort. If it is your first family ski trip, I have some tips to share. When is the ideal time to get your family on the snow? After three kids, I say, when you can do it. My kids learned at different ages, and they each caught on great. Planning a ski trip is a bit of work for parents, especially Mom. Here is a Packing List for a Family Ski Vacation.

Packing List for a Family Ski Vacation

Clothes For Kids

Before buying new stuff, I dig out what I have. It’s amazing how much you have already.

Winter coats with Hoods–Wash them and spray them down with water repellent.

Base layer–A lot of kids use a polyester layer for sports; pack those. The old-school waffle-weave long underwear is itchy.

Fleece layer–Another item most kids own.

Wool or Cashmere Sweaters--Natural fibers are best so I pack my nice sweaters. But not something that most kids own.

Socks–Pack some hiking or wool-blended socks.

Scarves–Instead of scarves, my kids wear neck gaiters so there isn’t any dangling clothing while using ski lifts.

Ski gloves–I buy inexpensive gloves for the kids. One will get lost, every single time. Spray those down with the water repellent too.

Snow Bibs or Pants–Bibs for the little kids since the ski pants are hard to fit around little waists. Pants for teens and adults. Spray the bibs and pants down with water repellent, especially the seats of the pants.

Snow boots–Inexpensive boots if you live in a warm climate. Spray down with water repellent.

Hand and Foot Warmers–Buy these before heading to the ski resort, they are expensive in the resort’s shop.

Hotel Room vs. Rental Property 

Over the years, I realized renting a condo works out better than staying in a standard hotel room, especially for families. Here’s what I need in a rental property or condo for a family ski trip.

• Fully Equipped Kitchen + Dishwasher and Microwave
• Washing Machine and Dryer–a must for wet clothes
• Dining table with chairs for everyone

To save money, I cook so I pack my Crock Pot. I make breakfast and dinner then we eat out for lunch. After a long day of skiing, I don’t want to wait for a table at a restaurant.

I pack a few extras to make a rental feel like home.

• Cozy blankets–snuggle in the car on the way and at the rental.
• Scented candles or plug-in air freshener
• A bouquet of flowers–I grab some at the local grocery store.
• Bag of Marshmallows and Roasting Sticks–Most resorts feature fire pits so grab the sticks and a bag of marshmallows.
• Fondue Pot–So much fun for a ski trip and easy too. Check out this Fondue Set.

Lake Tahoe Winter Guide for Families

Snow Play Fun

Sure, the kids would love to ski every day, but I can’t. So after a couple of days at the resort, I plan a snow play day.

Sled–My kids are older and harder on the equipment, so I take a heavy-duty sled.

Snoballer–A Snowballer is another must for snow day fun. The snowballs are super smooth and aerodynamic. Old-school outdoor winter fun.

Snacks for Ski Trips

Most family-friendly resorts allow you to picnic at their outdoor tables. Some resorts even have indoor lunch rooms they allow picnickers to use. Though respect the rules of the resort.

I find the lunch line at the ski resort’s snack bar daunting during the school holidays. With my snack bag, my kids grab a quick bite, especially my boy who wants to snowboard all day.

I pack:

• Refillable water bottles

• Gatorade or flavor packets

• Hot water in a thermos

• Instant hot cider or cocoa packets and tea bags

• Instant Cup-of-Soup

• Granola bars and Protein bars

• Jerky

• Dried fruit or fruit leather

• Freeze-dried fruit

• Nuts

• Cookies

• Marshmallows and roasting sticks

• Mandarin oranges

• Reusable coffee cups

Other Must-Haves

I pack another bag for the non-food stuff.

• First aid kit with lots of bandages
• Lip balm
• Sunscreen for faces
• Wipes and tissues
• Extra gloves–A glove will go missing every single time.
• Ski goggles–My kids prefer to use sunglasses on sunny days.
• Sunglasses–Goggles are best for blustery or snowy days.
• Giant blue IKEA bag–Some families change into ski boots in the car, but I find kids slip and fall. I can fit all the boots and helmets and haul them to the ski lodge.

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