For a novice skier, the gear can be exhausting just THINKing
about! Ski equipment fits together and
works perfectly when on the slopes, but getting to the slopes with gear in tow can be a challenge. From my many years of hauling kids and
husband from Denver to Vail or Beaver Creek, I have an awesome packing list to
share. Enjoy!
Inside the Duffel Bag
One soft sided, water resistant, cold resistant duffel bag per skier – yep, even the kids. A duffel that is well-marked and has a
checklist packed right in it is invaluable.
As soon as the kids can read, they can pack their own duffel bags with
the enclosed checklist. Select duffel
bags large enough to hold the following items.
Use duffel bags ONLY for ski gear.
When packing for a ski trip, especially if it requires air travel, include
street clothing and toiletries in a separate bag.
- · Helmet – select a helmet with venting, a soft inner liner, and good clearance for hearing. Make sure it has been properly fitted by a professional helmet fitter, including the chin strap. Everyone should wear a helmet at all times when skiing.
- · Helmet liner – a thin, wicking layer for the head, especially for those with little hair
- · Goggles – look for an anti-fog style that has a wide peripheral view. I prefer rose colored lenses. I normally don’t ski with sunglasses, but if it is a hot, bright day, sunglasses are nice on the chairlift or getting to/from the slopes.
- · Fleece neck warmer
- · Think neck warmer
- · Wicking first layer top
- · Warm mid layer (fleece or think down jacket)
- · Windproof/water resistant outer layer with plenty of pockets and zippers. Inside the ZIPPPED pockets include:
o
Ski pass, tickets, coupons
o
Money/credit card
o
Extra pair of disposable hand heaters (place
between the glove liner and the glove)
o
Extra pair of disposable foot heaters (place on
top of toes outside sock if there is enough room)
o
Sunscreen
o
Lip Balm
o
Snacks (trail mix, M&Ms, Starburst candies
are all yummy on the chairlift)
o
tissues
- · Wicking first layer bottom
- · Ski pants that are windproof/water resistant, and allow free movement without falling off! Should have a warmth layer, but not be too bulky.
- · Two pair of thin ski socks that are long enough to go over the calf past where the boot hits the calf. Only wear ONE pair while skiing, but bring two as a back up
- · Windproof/water resistant mittens or gloves with plenty ofa warmth layer. I like mittens where one thumb acts like a windshield wiper to clear goggles and the other as a quick-access kerchief
- · Wicking and thin glove or mitten liners
- · Deodorant, especially if you have teenage boys
- · Extra bottles of Sunscreen – I prefer zinc based. Apply before going skiing even if it is cloudy or snowy. Don’t forget the neck, ears, underneath the nose, and hands.
- · A stock of disposable hand heaters (place between the glove liner and the glove)
- · A stock of disposable foot heaters (place on top of toes outside sock if there is enough room)
- · A stock of SPF Lip Balm
- · Water bottle with a good seal filled with fresh water (not a sports drink)
- · Packets of single-serving sports drink mix just in case someone becomes truly dehydrated.
- · Ski boots. If they have heaters, then pack ski boot chargers. Make sure boots have been properly fitted by a boot fitter based on the skier’s current skier ability. Wear boots with ski socks around the house several times before hitting the slopes each season. Learn how to use buckles properly for adjustments. Periodically bring boots to a boot fitter for adjustments.
- · Phone with camera or small camera and chargers
Outside the Duffel Bag
Line
up the skis and ski poles, separated from one another so they don’t rust or
tangle. A simple ski rack in the garage
or storage room is perfect so the skis are hanging up to drip-dry and not
touching one another. Add hooks to the
ski rack for the poles.
·
Skis and bindings:
o
The settings on bindings are the most important
part of ski equipment. Settings on the
bindings are optimized when the ski stays clipped to the boot (like when skiing)
and when it releases (like when falling).
Too loose or too tight can be unpleasant and dangerous.
o
Make sure skis and bindings have been properly
fitted by a certified ski expert. Binding settings should ONLY be adjusted by a
certified binding technician at a ski shop.
o
Skis and bindings should be selected based on the
skier’s current skier ability and
terrain typically skied.
o
Click into skis while wearing boots at home to get
the feel for how the work together.
o
Have skis tuned (waxed, repaired, sharpened
edges) periodically and always ask for a ski binding
safety check during the ski tune.
·
Poles:
o
Make sure poles have been properly for length,
weight, and shape by a qualified salesperson at a ski shop.
o
Poles
should be selected based on the skier’s current
skier ability and terrain typically skied.
o
A general rule is this: in bare feet, hold the
pole upside down, just under the basket.
The handle will be touching the floor. The pole is the right length if the elbow is
at a 90 degree bend.
·
Ski Rack
o
Simple roof rack
o
Roof mounted ski box, nicknamed a “coffin”
o
Rear mounted ski rack
o
Skis stored in the car
o
The important thing about a ski rack is keeping skis
stationary and locked. If travelling
with a ski coffin or skis safely secured in the car, you could potentially
leave them there all winter, and bypass the step of packing skis. (Every ski bum does this by the way…) If that isn’t possible, then select a rack
that is lockable and make sure the car and the rack fit in your garage and most
public garages.
