Checklist for Skiing

Experiencing all that the snowy slopes has to offer can come in many forms. For skiers, taking to the slopes has never been easier. Some may opt to utilize a resort with safely-guarded and marked paths for downhill or cross-country skiing while others may opt for a bit more adventure with backcountry skiing. The latter of these options is best saved for veteran skiers who have a thorough knowledge of the area and feel comfortable skiing in unfamiliar territories.

Either way, ensuring that you’re prepared for your skiing trip is essential, and reviewing our checklist can help to ensure that you’ve packed your items accordingly. Keep in mind that those who are packing their skis along as a side-excursion to their camping or hiking trip will also want to review those appropriate checklists as well to ensure they’ve stocked the essential gear for all aspects of their journey.

Click here  to download a printable PDF shopping list.

Skiing Essentials

Whether you’re opting for a casual day on the slopes or gearing up for a multi-day tour of adventure on uncharted mountainsides, you’ll need to ensure that you’ve packed these essentials for your skiing trip. Remember to review our guides on specific types of equipment to ensure that you’ve packed the right essentials for your needs, experience level, and plans. Remember to always check the integrity of your gear before hitting the slopes to save for unnecessary accidents and annoying malfunctions.

Basic Skiing Gear

In addition to the bare minimum, many of these accessories are also necessary for a safe and enjoyable skiing excursion. Depending on which type of skiing scenario you’re getting into, you may need to pack more or less of any of these items for your trip. Your choice in gear can drastically impact your comfort and safety while out on the slopes, so review this checklist and pack accordingly.

Clothing

The attire you choose to wear for your skiing trip can make or break your experience altogether. Nowadays, many pieces of winter sports clothing and accessories are designed with user comfort and safety in mind, making for a more enjoyable experience overall. In fact, opting to forego many of the basics is simply not an option if you truly want to spend some time out on the slopes without getting frostbite or suffering other ailments.

First Aid/Emergency Gear

As with any outdoor activity, you’ll want to ensure that you always bring your first aid essentials along for the trip. For activities on the slopes, you’ll also want to stock appropriate emergency gear in case of accidents such as avalanches and falls, as one can become isolated on the slopes very easily (especially for those opting for some backcountry skiing). Be sure to always inform others of where you’re headed and how long you plan to be out. Those who are simply utilizing resort slopes and other well-guarded areas can likely forego many of these first aid essentials on their persons, as they’ll have quick access to professional assistance should the need arise.