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What to pack for a family ski holiday
Heading to the slopes for the first time this year? Find out what seasoned skiers take with them – and where to find top kit for all the family.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Feb 5, 2024
There are some things you will definitely need, no matter where you're going or how long for. As with every holiday, start with travel documents, medication and travel adaptors, and then at least you'll have all the essentials. It's also important to think worst case scenarios, and be prepared in case any of your crowd hurt themselves – first aid kits and EHIC cards will be essential for this, as well as the telephone number of your insurance company.
Ski holiday essentials:
Passports
EHIC Cards
The right currency
Phone chargers
Plug adapters
First Aid
Medication
Camera
Contact details for your insurance company
We recommend:
Lifesystems Winter First Aid Kit, £16.38
UK to EU Adapter, £6.99
30cm Multi Charging Cable, £9.99
What kit will you need for the slopes?
First things first – you don't need to buy your own skis and helmets, as you can hire these out when you get there. With everything else, what you pack and how many layers you need will depend on where you're going skiing and when – Whistler in Canada in early January is a totally different experience to the French Alps in March. Plus, Mumsnetters all have different advice for how many of everything you should take, but bear in mind that you will be able to hand wash and air out anything which gets too sweaty on alternating days, so you don't need to pack fresh for every single day. Consider lots of thinner layers as this will give the whole family ultimate versatility.
A warm base layer – merino wool is great as it keeps you warm even when wet
A fleecy/woollen mid-layer
A proper waterproof ski jacket
Thermal leggings for under ski trousers
Salopettes or ski trousers
Ski socks – take lots of thicknesses so you can choose the most comfortable for each day
Waterproof gloves (we recommend thin mittens rather than gloves, and definitely take a spare for the kids as they can get soaked)
Thin inner gloves (silk is ideal for warmth)
Snow boots
Sunglasses (on cords so they hang around your neck) and/or goggles (for when it's very cold)
Neck buff or balaclava for under helmet if particularly cold
Sun cream
What Mumsnetters say:
“Your layers on the top half don't need to be fancy, you can just layer up what you already have. It's handy to have a zip to undo if you get hot, but a regular jumper underneath will be fine, there is no real need to buy sporty extras. I just wear a vest top from H&M, a long-sleeved top, and a woolly jumper, usually.”
“We tie the DC's gloves on elastic which runs through their coats so they can't drop them.”
“Consider taking a second pair of salopettes for the kids depending on their age, as my two had form for weeing in theirs when they were small.”
To get you started:
Mountain Warehouse Merino Thermal Baselayer, from £24.99
Snowflake Fleece Neck Warmer, £9.99
What should you pack for the après ski?
Make sure to pack suitable bits and pieces for evenings and days away from the slope, as trust us, you won't want to be hanging around in your ski gear for any longer than you have to. You won't need a fresh outfit for each evening, as each will only get a couple of hours' wear, so pack smart to minimise the space taken up in your cases. Also have a think about how much of everything you will need when if your kids decide they need to build a snowman/have a snowball fight/roll down a snowdrift – make sure you have spares for them to wear while everything is drying out.
Woolly hat
Another pair of gloves to wear around the resort
Snow-proof boots
Thick socks
A few changes of outfit
What Mumsnetters say:
“You really only need one or two changes of normal clothes, as you'll only really wear them in the later afternoon and evening. If you're staying in a hotel, a lot of kids will wear comfy pyjama-style stuff in the evenings.”
“I made a note last year to take more light shirts etc for dinnertime and light PJs as the hotel or chalet is often boiling.”
We recommend:
Sorel Snow Boots, from £58.88
Barts' Snow Accessories, from £6.55
For perfect cosy evenings in the chalet
Evenings spent cosied up in the chalet are as much a part of a ski holiday as time spent on the slopes. We're thinking hot chocolate, board games and onesies (if they're your thing) in front of a log fire – bliss. A word of warning from Mumsnetters, though: hotels and chalets are often very warm, so think in layers and don't bundle everyone up too warm for bed, as you're likely to overheat.
Slippers
Slipper socks
DVDs or your iPad for some TV in the evening
Board games
A good, wintry book
Some lounge clothes for playing board games
What Mumsnetters say:
“Games – regardless of whether there are two of us or eight of us, they feature every evening.”
We recommend:
Children's Onesies, from £11
Bananagrams £12.95
Related: here are some more family-friendly board games to fall out over take with you
If you're taking a baby or toddler
As you are well aware by now, taking babies and toddlers anywhere raises a whole host of problems you never knew existed. For actual skiwear, think similar to the list above, but consider opting for a snowsuit onepiece – the pros are that they are much warmer, but be prepared for the faff of getting it off and on when they need to wee all. the. time. Here are a couple of extras you should definitely pack if travelling with anyone under the age of five.
A snowsuit
Plastic bags
Baby sunglasses with a strap
Spare gloves – they will all get soggy
What Mumsnetters say:
“Kids grow out of this stuff so quickly that there's always tonnes of secondhand stuff flying around – mention that you're looking for ski gear to all your friends, and I bet you'll have an offer of something.”
We recommend:
Baby Banz Baby Retro Sunglasses, £14.99
Wedze Baby Ski Suit, £24.99
Barts Toddler Unicorn Ski Mitts, £22.99
Non-essential items that will make life easier
There are some things which – while not necessary – will definitely make life a lot easier once you get to the resort. It's worth taking a read whether you're a newbie or a seasoned skier, as we've compiled this entire list from Mumsnetter advice of things they wish they'd known beforehand.
Bum bags for tissues, keys, wallet and phone
Reusable water bottles
Ski ties
Moisturiser
Some sugar-loaded snacks for an energy boost on the slopes
Packets of tissues – runny noses are inevitable
Painkillers
Factor 50+ sunscreen, plus an SPF lip balm
Hand/foot warmers
If you're self-catered: tea, coffee, ketchup, etc
An extension cable with four sockets (added bonus: you'll need less adapters)
Knee supports
A helmet cover to help you spot everyone
Mumsnetters say:
“We take plenty of those hand warmers which you take out of their packet, shake up and put into your gloves. They stay warm for many hours.”
“A four-socket UK extension cable so that you don't have to fight over adapters to get everything charged up overnight.”
“Ibuprofen gel. Lots of it (for mysterious new aches and pains).”
“Have a decent quantity of painkillers around, ski boots are bastards, particularly when you're learning, and will leave painful dents in you.”
“Plenty of moisturiser – cold air dries your skin, and it's nice to have something to rub in to your aching calves at the end of the day.”
We recommend:
Foot Warmers, £7.98
Coolcasc Novelty Helmet Covers, from £22.45
Eurosonic 4 Way Extension, £4.25
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