Packing for a ski trip with kids is a different beast than packing for a beach holiday. You’re not just dealing with more items — you’re dealing with layers that all have to work together, gear that gets left behind at ski school, and a very real risk of someone’s gloves being soaked through by 10am.
After a few ski holidays with our own crew, here’s what actually earns its place in the suitcase — and what we stopped bothering with.
Start with layers, not outfits
The biggest mistake first-timers make is packing “outfits” instead of layers. Your kids need three separate layers that work as a system:
Base layer: thermal top and bottom, worn against the skin. Skip cotton — it holds sweat and gets cold fast.
Mid layer: a fleece or light insulated layer for warmth.
Outer layer: a waterproof, insulated ski jacket and salopettes (or snow pants).
Pack two base layers per kid if you can — they’ll want a dry one partway through the trip.
The gloves rule nobody tells you
Pack a spare pair of gloves per child, every single day. Snow gets in, gloves get soaked, and a cold, wet-handed kid is a fast route to a meltdown on the slopes. We keep a spare pair in the ski school backpack at all times.
Ski school: what to actually send
Ski school days need their own small kit, separate from the main suitcase:
A labeled backpack (ski schools see a lot of identical gear — names help)
Spare gloves
A snack and water bottle
Sunscreen and lip balm — snow glare burns faster than people expect, even on overcast days
A photo of the meeting point on your phone, so you’re not hunting for it on day one
Don’t forget the non-ski hours
A big chunk of a ski trip happens off the slopes — in the car, in the chalet, at dinner. This is where a lot of packing lists fall short.
Casual warm layers for evenings — hotel rooms and chalets run colder than you’d expect
A compact travel game for downtime (we’re big fans of Power Hungry Pets — small, no loose pieces, works at a restaurant table)
Swimsuits, if there’s a pool or hot tub — a very underrated way to spend an evening after a day in the cold
Snacks for the room — mountain resort prices for basics add up fast
What we stopped packing
Thick ski socks — they make boots too tight and actually make feet colder, not warmer. Thin, technical ski socks work better.
A full outfit change per day — layers get re-worn; only base layers need daily changes.
Bulky books — a couple of paperbacks or a loaded tablet covers downtime without the extra weight.
Grab the printable version
We’ve put the whole thing into a free printable checklist you can print and tick off the night before you pack –