What to Put in Ski Backpack Checklist (Pro Tips | Best Guide)

A ski backpack can make a world of difference in whether your days on the slopes are fun or frustrating. Having a bag that is comfortable to carry will mean you won’t be fighting it all day and will ensure that you’ll have enough space for everything you need. Read on to find out what to put in ski backpack this season.

Your Skis and Poles

The most important things to have in your ski backpack when heading out to the slopes are your skis, and poles if you’re a skier. If you don’t have them, it’s hard to do anything else! Before packing away your gear for the season, check that everything is in working order. Get your skis tuned and your poles re-gripped if necessary. When packing them away for storage, it is worth covering the top of each ski in bubble wrap or something similar and then placing them back in the bag they came in (as long as it’s strong enough to keep everything together).

Poles

Snowboarding or skiing with poles is actually very useful as it can help you stop as well as providing extra stability. If you plan on doing a lot of standing around and chatting with friends, then consider choosing poles that are easy to fold away and stow in your backpack.

Ski Clothes

You’ll need a base layer, a mid-layer, and an outer shell for skiing. The base layer should be wicking which is great at drawing moisture away from the body to stop you from getting too cold; it doesn’t necessarily need to be made of wool as long as it has these properties.

Your second clothing layer should consist of something warm that will keep you snug if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Ideally, it should be windproof as well as warm; any gaps in your clothing layers will allow cold air to make you colder, so make sure you are well covered up! A third layer is often useful, but this can depend on how cold it actually gets. If there’s a chance of snow, then you might want to pack your waterproof jacket as well. Alternatively, if it’s a sunny trip and you’re not expecting the weather to change dramatically you can skip this layer too.

Ski Boots

As with clothing, the type of boot that is best for you depends on what sort of skier or boarder you are. If you are planning on doing lots of walking, then you might consider ski boots with a built-in or removable gaiter. Alternatively, if you don’t plan to do much walking around the resort, but want something easy to slip your foot into and out of while still staying warm and dry, then look for a pair of high-tech shoes with gaiters.

Finally, if you’re a snowboarder and don’t plan on doing much walking either, then consider a set of soft boots that will allow you to easily shuffle around the slopes, while still keeping your feet snug and warm.

Sunscreen and Sunglasses

Protecting your skin from burning is important, as well as wearing sunglasses to prevent snow blindness (which can easily happen in the strong sun).

Sunglasses

Specially designed ski sunglasses with UV protection are worth packing to protect your eyes from the strong glare of snow.

Sunscreen

While skiing can be fun, it is also very intense and can cause windswept by just walking around. Be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen as the snow reflects light making sun exposure even worse.

Food and drink

If you’re out for the day, you’ll need to eat lunch or a snack at some point, so make sure you take enough to keep your energy up!

Waterproof jacket

You never know when the weather may change, so be prepared with an extra layer in case it goes from a nice sunny day to a blizzard!

Other Necessary Items to Put in Ski Backpack

There are various accessories that you may want to pack too; for example, an extra hat or gloves if it’s cold or rain is in the forecast, sunglasses if the sun is bright, or an extra pair of socks with a thin layer over the top to keep your feet warm even when they get wet.

These are some other items that you might want to consider packing:

Ski map

You should be aware of where marked slopes are to avoid getting lost.

Gloves

If it’s cold outside, you may want gloves to wear over your normal mittens or gloves in case of any unexpected change in the weather.

Cell phone

It’s not always possible to stay in touch where you’re skiing, so make sure you take your cell phone along just in case. Some resorts offer free wifi too.

Camera

If you want to take some pictures of your ski trip, then it’s worth taking a small digital camera along for the ride. Keep it somewhere safe in your backpack so you don’t forget about it! Some resorts even offer free photo printing as a perk for staying with them.

Money

You might want to take some cash along in case you want to buy a drink at the bar or need to use an ATM.

In addition to these, it’s also a good idea to carry basic first aid supplies and some kind of hand warmer. You can even get heated insoles for your shoes if you want something that will last a long time in case they run low on charge. These tend to be small so are easy to pack into any ski boots or snowboard boots.

Conclusion

We hope this article has given you some ideas about what to pack in your ski backpack. Whether it’s the first time on snow or a seasoned veteran, we know that getting prepared for winter sports can be overwhelming! One of our most popular blog posts is 6 Tips To Make Your Ski Trip Better Than Ever This Season so if you need more help packing your bag check that out too. What are your favorite things to include when packing? Share them with us below and tell us how they make life easier for you!

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