School Ski Trip Packing Checklist

Make sure you know exactly what you'll need to pack!

When arranging a school ski trip, there are a few essentials that everyone will need to keep them safe on the mountain. It's important that everyone is able to keep warm and dry on the slopes – no-one enjoys being wet and cold!

So, here's what to pack for your school ski trip!

Download your free packing checklist »

Equipment

Ski/snowboard equipment

It can be a bit of a nightmare for groups to bring all their equipment with them, especially if travelling by air, as most airlines will charge an additional supplement for the carriage of skis and snowboards. Therefore, we will pre-book your equipment so that you can collect this on your first day at the resort. We only work with reputable companies and equipment is serviced only by qualified ski technicians. If you hire skis, they will be no older than last season and snowboards will be no more than three years old.

Helmets

Legally, in many ski resorts these days, children are obligated to wear a helmet and those caught without one may face a hefty fine. Most ski schools will insist on it too. For adults, it is usually up to individual discretion. However, it's increasingly common for helmets to be compulsory for over 18s on certain parts of the mountain.

Of course, a helmet does not make you invincible. The most effective way to ensure you stay safe on the mountain is to adhere to the Skiway Code.

Clothing

Hats

As you can lose up to 40% of your heat through your head, it's essential to keep it covered whilst on the slopes. In general, we recommend both children and adults wear a warm hat for walking to and from the slopes.

Socks

A small but important part of every skiers kit, you do need to wear suitable socks that will keep you dry and will keep your feet comfortable. It is not recommended that skiers don two pairs of normal socks, as it is likely that this will simply lead to painful blisters. Instead, we recommend tube or inner loop socks. It is also worth taking the time to cut your toenails before you travel, trust us!

Under the jacket

The key word here is layers! Not only is layering an effective way of trapping air to keep you warm, but it also means you can remove them if you get too hot, which is not an option if you go for one very thick layer. It is better to wear items made of cotton or polypropylene, as these materials are more effective at transporting moisture away from the body.

Jacket and trousers

Both your jacket and trousers must be water and wind proof. Opt for plastic zippers rather than metal (metal can freeze to the skin), and avoid anything too chunky, as you will need to be able to move your limbs freely. You should ensure that your jacket is long enough to fully cover your kidney area and it is better to choose cuffed sleeves. When looking for trousers, it is handy of they unzip at the bottom, so that they will fit around your ski boots. Generally, the most popular type of trousers for skiing are salopettes, as they have both a high back and shoulder straps.

Gloves/mittens

Invest in a good pair of gloves - cold hands do not make for happy skiers! Mittens generally keep hands warmer as they permit better circulation than gloves.

Sunglasses/goggles

Some form of eyewear is essential on the slopes. Goggles are your best bet if it is snowing heavily. If not, you may prefer sunglasses with good UV protection – even when it is not that sunny, the reflection of the suns rays on snow can cause snow blindness. If you do opt for sunglasses, make sure that they are made of unbreakable glass.

Choose sustainable

Wintersports clothing is notoriously difficult to recycle and, when it comes to dressing children for the slopes, last season’s clothing will more often than not be too small. If parents are keen to save money and help keep wintersports clothing out of landfill, they may like to take a look at the whoski website. This peer-to-peer marketplace specialises in good-as-new ski clothing. And when the children have grown out of these clothes, parents can resell them!

Plus, whoski donate 25% of their commission on every item to teenage mental health charity stem4!

And don't forget...

Sun cream/lip balm

Despite the cold temperatures, sunburn can be a real issue on the slopes. Even when the sun isn’t shining, the reflecting effect of the snow means that any rays that are getting through can easily burn. Make sure you use a high factor sun cream and lip balm.

Water

Again, just because it is cold, people can forget how easy it is to become dehydrated on the slopes. Make sure that everyone takes a bottle of water out with them and drinks regularly. There are usually places on the mountain where reusable bottles can be refilled for free.

Download your free packing checklist »