What to Pack for a Ski Season?

You’ve got your job. You know which resort you’re heading to. You can almost taste the mountains… but now just the minor task of packing…

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!

Well maybe not fail, but when you have a down day in the mountains (admittedly very rare) the favourite pjs, or your hard drive with 5 seasons of Breaking Bad could make all the difference. You will have luggage restrictions so remember it’s all about quality over quantity- and packing skilfully...

The Essentials:

Mountain

• Board/Ski’s. Skiworld provide hire for the season, but if you have your own it’s always a good idea to bring them

• Ski jacket / Soft shell jacket (for the warmer months)

• Salopettes

• Ski helmet

• Ski gloves and general gloves / beanies to wear around resort

• Goggles

• Buff/Snood – This is a life saver to cover your face (but still be able to breath) on those chilly days

• Thermals

• Off-Piste Avalanche Kit (if you are a Powder Hound)

Resort

• Going out attire (leave the stilettos at home)

• Day to day attire

• Trainers- (especially useful towards the 2nd half of the season)

• Snowboots/walking boots- it’s all about the grip when you’re living in a ski resort!

• Any work uniform you are required to bring

• Towel

• Sun cream

• Toiletries • Sunglasses

• Chargers (phone, camera, laptop etc)

You may not have thought of:

• An old (working) phone – It’s cheaper and useful to have a european sim card and an old phone to take with you skiing – Look around for the best tariffs if you are planning to continue using a phone contract.

• Plug adapter/extension lead.

• Mini sewing kit/ Wonder tape.

• Bank charges- Check the rates that your bank will have. Good alternatives can be the Post Office or Fair Fx cards.

• Rucksack (to pack your mountain lunch and other essentials- save €€€)

• Laptop and external hard drive – fill it with every film and TV series you can, and not only will you be kept entertained - you’ll be the most popular person in resort.

You’ll thank us later…

• Yorkshire Tea / Dairy Milk / Marmite (if you love it).

• Photos of friends and family and Posters (decorate your room).

• Berroca/Lemsip/Painkillers.

• Fancy Dress (you may be able to acquire this out there but it’s worth packing something).

• Onesie.

• Hand cream.

• Hot water bottle/Hand warmers.

• Hip Flask.

• Playing cards.

The art of packing

- Try rolling things into cylinders rather than folding them flat (sounds strange but works!)

- Pack things into other items- eg fill your ski helmet with items

- If you are taking a board or skis, pack as much extra as you can fit into that bag too.

- Pack individual items into sandwich bags, squash the air out of them – repeat!

- Wear your ski jacket on the coach/plane

For tips on getting the best gear check this out: https://www.ellis-brigham.com/advice-inspiration/guides-and-advice/buying-guides/ski-clothing-buying-guide

Although there are often plenty of shops to buy gear in resort it will generally be cheaper to buy it online prior to you leaving - make sure you shop around.

Have an amazing season – work hard, play hard, oh and don’t forget to call you mum occasionally. See you in the mountains!