Advertiser disclosure
Contact
Reading Time: 5 minDespite my personal preference for warm weather, my family is a ski family. Living in New England means that every weekend, we set off to a mountain — whether its our local resort, a a car ride to Vermont, or a trip out west.
And while this might sound stressful for those that only ski here or there, once you have the right gear, it's actually quite easy. So if you're looking to head to the mountains for a ski vacation and have no idea where to start, here's everything you need for a successful trip.
When flying to the mountains to hit the slopes, a ski bag is a must have. There's no better way to pack your skis or snowboard, your boots, ski poles, and a good amount of gear all together. And of course, a quality ski bag will also keep everything safe when its being thrown around by airport baggage handlers.
The Element Equipment Wheeled Padded Ultimate Double Ski Bag is one of the best moderately-priced ski bags at only $179. The bag comes in three different lengths, so you can pick a bag that works best for your skis or board.
With the option to fit two skis or two snowboards (with one set of bindings removed), this is the perfect bag for an individual or a couple. The wheeled bag offers extra padding, exterior and interior compression straps, storage pockets, and grab handles. Additionally, there's an included boot bag to keep your boots contained while in the ski bag.
During a recent trip to Colorado, I was able to fit two pairs of skis, two sets of poles, a pair of adult ski boots, a pair of kids ski boots, a regular pair of snow boots, and two winter jackets into this bag.
In addition to a ski bag, a boot bag is also a necessity. While many skiers and boarders pack their boots in their ski bag, I personally always carry my boots on the plane while flying to avoid issues with lost luggage.
A boot bag also comes in handy for car trips to the mountain. Along with my boots, I pack my snow pants, helmet, goggles, gloves, and balaclava in my boot bag.
Personally, I love the Kulkea Speed Pack Boot Bag, while my kids sport the junior version, the Kulkea Speed Star Kid’s Boot Bag. The bag offers a front load opening so you can get to your apparel quickly and easily. And with interior and exterior pockets, you can pack your smaller items without them getting lost in the rest of your stuff.
One of my favorite features of this bag is that it's incredibly lightweight while also being comfortable. And I've had my bag for a few years, which means it's held up for 50+ days on the mountain at this point.
I tried on many helmets a few years back to find one that fit my head, and was very pleased with the Giro Range MIPS Helmet. With MIPS technology, which is a must have when it comes to ski helmets, your cranium will be well protected in case of a fall.
This helmet will also keep your head incredibly warm, but it also features adjustable vents on top to allow airflow when needed. It's extremely easy to adjust, and the vents in the front help ensure your goggles won't fog either.
Typically, it's best practice to get the same brand of goggles as your helmet. This ensures there's no gap between the two (known as a gaper gap) so that you stay warmer on the mountain.
The Giro Method Ski Goggles are offered in more than 40 colors, which means you can pick an option that truly fits your personality. These fun goggles give every skier some style on the mountain, with vents to minimize the chance of fogging.
The goggle lenses also include VIVID Lens Technology, which enhances blue light and blocks harmful UV rays. And with the interchange system, you can easily swap out your lenses for different types depending on the lighting.
I started wearing heated mittens last season, and they've been a true game changer. I've tested multiple pairs and the Snow Deer Heated Mittens are by far the best, and come at a reasonable price.
Even on the lowest setting, my hands stay nice and toasty for up to 8 hours of battery life. In fact, these gloves are used not only by myself, but my two kids as well.
The gloves offer finger slots, touchscreen capability, a cuff pocket, pull cords, a wrist guard, and come in a variety of sizes ranging from XXS to XXL.
On a cold day, a balaclava will keep not just your neck, but your entire face warm and free of any elements. My family has an entire stack of balaclavas, but our absolute favorite is the Blackstrap Hood Balaclava Face Mask.
With its stretchy material, it's comfortable, fits under a helmet, and covers your entire neck and face. These are also machine washable, so after a day of snowboarding, you can just pop them in the wash and be good to go for your next day on the mountain.
While you're packing up for your ski trip, don't forget to grab a set of packing cubes and save space in your suitcase. We tested 3 top packing cubes to find out which one was the best.