Beginner's Guide: Packing for Your First Ski Trip

No matter the season, anytime is a great time to begin planning for an upcoming ski trip- especially if it’s your first time on the slopes! A first ski trip can be both an exciting and daunting experience as you keep wondering what to pack and how to plan essential items for the trip. Skiing is, in a way,  like a game, and you need to have all of your pieces in place to have the best experience. After all, a ski trip is unique unlike any other type of adventure and requires quite a lot of gear. The good news, however, is that you don't need to wonder how to prepare! We’ve done the hard work for you! By following our beginner's guide to a first-time ski trip, you can plan what you need to bring, how to approach packing, and make the preparation a whole lot smoother! Because, after the closures, shutdowns, and  difficulties (even in the skiing world) of the recent pandemic, you  deserve to hit the slopes and let loose!

Given the uniqueness of a ski trip, you should pack the gear and clothing that is made specifically for skiing and be sure to bring some protective clothing.  Layering is very important as temperatures can fluctuate wildly on slopes or between skiing, breaks, and the apres ski relaxation times! Wearing your usual clothing and a beach backpack would certainly not cut it. Light layering gives you the ability to shed or add layers of warmth when you need it. 

Now that you’ve got a baseline to start with, we’ve rounded up the best ski items beginners need  to help you prepare for your first ski trip. Follow our step-by-step guide and get ready to hit the slopes:

Ski Gear 101: What you Need for the Best Skiing Experience 

1. Poles, Boots, and Skis

Buy ski gear such as boots, poles, and skis if you know you are going to ski again in the future. These can be a great investment and if you know re-using equipment is in your future, buying is the best way to save your money! Otherwise, you are better off renting the ski gear, as, according to  Buckman’s: “Often you will be able to get a good deal on higher-end skis when you rent. Once you fall in love with skiing — and we know you will — you will have an idea of what kind of skis and poles you want to buy.”  When renting boots, poles, and skis, make sure you get them from the resort you are staying as they have knowledgeable staff that will walk you through the entire rental process, ensuring you get suitable boots, poles, and skis. By working closely with the rental staff, you will be able to set up the ski bindings in accordance with your ability and size.

Many sources mention that  purchasing your own boots is important to ensure that your boots are comfortable, fit well, and conform to your feet in the best way. You may have to spend extra time when renting to ensure the fit is ideal. However, as a beginning, this is a chance to see if skiing is for you, therefore, we recommend renting and then investing in a pair of boots after you’ve had your chance on the slopes. If you do plan on purchasing your own boots, we have done the work for you there too! See  our guide on the best heated ski boots on the market right now!

To avoid having to bring bulky and expensive gear along with you (it IS your first ski trip after all), renting from the resort is a great way to stay carefree and ensure you have exactly what you need and in the sizing that’s right for you! The only downside is it can be on the expensive side to rent, but the tradeoff of not having to purchase, bring, and store items could be very much worth it! Whether to purchase your ski gear or to rent it is up to your preference and budget. Either way, you will have comfortable boots, great skis, and poles to enjoy your time skiing.

2. Ski Helmet 

We all know the importance of helmets and skiing, like any other high intensity extreme sport, is no different. A helmet is a  paramount piece of gear, needed to feel safe and have fun!  Snow Brains explained wearing a helmet as an extremely vital component of ‘safe skiing’ best practices and cited a study on  reduction of minor head injuries as an important source for understanding how helmets can reduce trauma.  A helmet cannot be a guarantee against a concussion, but it can  highly assist if you have an accident, fall or collision. The Ski helmet is the one item you may want to  purchase prior to your trip, as the helmet is personal, based on your individual style and fits close to the face. However, most resorts will offer these items for rent as well, so if carrying a bulky helmet isn’t on your list, renting is a perfectly fine option to stay safe on the slopes! Bonus! Check out the  CDC’s guide to important things to consider when selecting a ski helmet. 

3. Ski Pants and Ski Jacket 

You also will need to ensure you have a ski jacket and ski pants with you. These items comprise  the essential outfit that will keep you warm and protected on the slopes. The last thing you want is to be caught in a sudden drop in temperature and you don’t have the right clothing. Finding a durable, warm, waterproof jacket and pants are necessary to enjoying your experience. With the right clothing specifically for skiing your body will be safe from potential injuries as it is insulated and warm. Ensure you are purchasing both ski pants and jackets that are resistant to water and wind. So, you’ll have full protection. If you are not sure where to start when looking for a ski jacket you can check out Skis.com’s article on  Buying Guide for Ski Jackets.  

4. Mid and Base Layers

We mentioned layers earlier, but having ski pants and a ski jacket is not enough for your skiing ensemble. You need to wear layers of clothing, such as base and mid layers, under your pants and jacket. Look for the right layers for better protection. Buy items made from wool or synthetic materials as they are breathable, moisture-wicking, and waterproof, as opposed to the cotton products.

5. Ski Socks

Any average sock isn’t ideal for skiing conditions. A sock made specifically for skiing should be at the top of your list. Cotton socks will become heavy, start smelling, or give you blisters as they weren’t made for snowsports or high activity endeavors, like skiing. Your skiing experience will not be complete unless you wear ski socks, made specifically to keep you going on the slopes! And at #PureAthlete, we happen to know a thing or two about ski socks. You need proper socks to keep your feet warm and dry on the slopes and our ski socks are best selling for a reason! They’re not only durable, but perform with high performance activity in mind. We give you purely the best with our innovative fiber blends, and construction to keep you feeling comfortable. Our ski socks, which are made from a proprietary blend of highly engineered materials, are the ones to reach for when shopping for your trip. They will work as hard as you will on the slopes! Also, adding  the benefits of compression into your socks is an ideal way to improve circulation during skiing, which is why our ski socks contain graduated compression.  Keeping your feet not only warm, but also protected, and dry on the slopes! Pro tip! Don’t just bring one pair of ski socks, be sure to purchase multiple pairs of ski socks when going on your first ski trip. Always having a fresh pair of socks is a great way to feel refreshed when you get back out there after breaks and 

Bonus! Other Types of Ski Equipment to Consider:

Aside from all of the essentials above, you can also consider the following ski items with you to enjoy your inaugural ski trip even more!

Mittens or gloves to protect your hands, allowing you to easily hold on the poles;

Goggles to protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays and to enable you to see in snowy conditions;

Sunscreen to keep your skin from the sun's UV;

SPF lip balm to avoid pain caused by the sun's UV;

Backpack in which to put small items necessary for your first-time ski trip or to keep with you on the mountain.

Preparing for a ski trip for the first time can be an intimidating task, but we’ve made it easy to enjoy your trip on the mountains!! See our best ski socks form Pure Athletes top selling ski sock collection to ensure you have this essential checked off of your list! Happy skiing, Pure Athletes!

Begin checking off your packing list, with Pure Athlete's best-selling ski socks. See our recommended picks below:

The Pure Athlete High Performance Ski Sock - Shop It!

The Pure Athlete Alpaca Ski Sock- Shop It!

The Pure Athlete Midweight Snowflake Ski Socks - Shop It

The Pure Athlete Lightweight Ski Socks - Shop It