Short answer: for a ski trip, pack in three layers (a base layer that wicks sweat, a warm mid layer, a waterproof jacket and pants), plus the small things people forget: ski socks (wool or synthetic, never cotton), a second pair of gloves, goggles, a helmet, something that covers your face and neck, sunscreen and SPF lip balm. Below is the full checklist for the 2026-27 season, split into what you wear on the mountain, what goes in your carry-on, and what makes a group trip more fun.
Who wrote this: this checklist is by blockhead.shop. We sell one thing, the Blockhead ski mask, so we have a side in the "face and neck" section. Everything else on the list is gear we don't sell.
The quick checklist
Copy this into your notes app or print the page.
On the mountain
- Base layer top and bottom (merino wool or synthetic)
- Mid layer: fleece, light down jacket or a wool sweater
- Waterproof ski jacket and ski pants (or bib)
- Ski socks, one pair per day (wool or synthetic, knee-high, one pair only, not two)
- Waterproof gloves or mittens, plus a spare pair
- Helmet (rent one if you don't own one)
- Goggles, ideally with a lens for flat light
- Face and neck cover: a balaclava (ski mask) or a neck gaiter
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and SPF lip balm
- Hand and toe warmers
- Small backpack or a jacket with a phone pocket
- Lift ticket or pass, ID, a card, and a phone with the resort app
Off the mountain
- Warm boots with grip for icy sidewalks
- Après outfit: jeans or warm pants, a chunky knit, a beanie
- Swimsuit (hot tubs are a ski-trip tradition)
- Slippers or thick house socks
- Phone charger and a power bank (batteries drain fast in the cold)
- Basic medicine: painkillers, blister plasters, after-sun or moisturiser
- Reusable water bottle (altitude and dry air dehydrate you faster than you think)
For a group trip
- A shared playlist and a small speaker for the cabin
- Card or drinking-free party games
- Matching something for the group photo: hats, sweaters or masks
- A group chat with the lift meeting points pinned
How to layer for skiing
Ski days swing from freezing on the first chair to sweaty in the afternoon sun, so you want layers you can add and remove, not one huge jacket.
| Layer | What it does | Good materials | Skip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Moves sweat away from your skin | Merino wool, polyester | Cotton: it soaks up sweat and stays cold |
| Mid | Traps warmth | Fleece, light down, wool | Heavy hoodies that stay wet |
| Outer | Blocks wind and snow | Waterproof, breathable shell | Fashion puffers that soak through |
On a very cold day add a second mid layer. On a spring day you may ski in the base layer and the shell only. Wet clothing chills you fast, so a dry spare base layer in the car or locker is worth the space.
Don't forget your face
Most packing lists stop at "hat and gloves". On a lift the wind hits your face first. Health authorities list the nose, ears, cheeks and chin, together with fingers and toes, as the places most at risk of frostbite. Your goggles cover your eyes and your helmet covers the top of your head. That leaves the cheeks, nose, chin and the gap between goggles and helmet.
Two common ways to cover it:
- Neck gaiter: a tube you pull up over your nose and mouth. Easy on and off, fine for mild days, but it slides down and leaves your forehead and ears to the helmet.
- Balaclava (ski mask): one piece that covers head, ears, neck and face, with one opening for goggles. Warmer and it stays in place under a helmet.
We compare both in detail in Ski mask vs balaclava vs neck gaiter.
If you'd rather your face cover doubled as the trip's running joke, that's what we make: the Blockhead ski mask is a yellow stretch balaclava with a blocky head and a cartoon face (Tongue Out, Big Grin, Chomp or Smirk). It has one wide goggle opening, fits under most helmets, and it's a fun layer for lift rides, not a technical base layer. One mask is $26.99; for a group, 2 masks are $47.49, 3 are $64.97 and 4 are $80.97, in any mix of faces.
Sun protection is part of the packing list
Snow days are sun days. The World Health Organization says UV levels rise by about 10% with every 1,000 m of altitude, and fresh snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation, almost doubling your exposure. So pack:
- Sunscreen for any skin your mask or gaiter doesn't cover, reapplied after lunch
- SPF lip balm (wind and sun crack lips quickly)
- Goggles or sunglasses with UV protection, also for the walk to the lift
What first-timers usually overpack (and forget)
Overpacked: three pairs of jeans, two pairs of socks per day "for warmth" (two pairs bunch up and make your feet colder in ski boots), a huge cotton hoodie, a full makeup kit.
Forgotten: spare gloves, lip balm, a phone power bank, a face cover, a swimsuit for the hot tub, and a plan for wet gear (a hook or boot dryer at the rental).
If you rent skis, boots and a helmet at the resort, you can travel with a carry-on plus a ski bag for clothes. Check your airline's sports-equipment rules before you book.
Packing for a group ski trip or bachelor weekend
Group trips are where the small extras matter. A shared checklist in the group chat saves the "who brought the speaker?" conversation. The group photo at the top of the first lift is the one everyone posts, and a matching detail makes it: same beanies, same ugly sweaters, or a set of masks with different faces. We wrote more about that in our group ski costume guide, and if you're buying for someone else, see gifts for skiers.
FAQ
What should I wear skiing for the first time?
A wicking base layer, a fleece or light down mid layer, waterproof jacket and pants, one pair of ski socks, waterproof gloves, a helmet, goggles and a face or neck cover. Avoid cotton next to your skin.
How many ski socks do I need?
One pair per ski day, worn alone. Wool or synthetic, knee-high. Two pairs at once usually make your feet colder because they bunch and cut circulation in the boot.
Do I need a balaclava or is a neck gaiter enough?
On mild, sunny days a neck gaiter is often enough. On cold or windy days, a balaclava covers the forehead, ears, cheeks and chin in one piece and stays put under a helmet.
Do I need sunscreen when skiing in winter?
Yes. UV is stronger at altitude and snow reflects much of it back at you, so wear sunscreen on exposed skin and SPF lip balm even on cold days.
What should I pack for après-ski?
Warm boots with grip, comfortable pants, a chunky knit or fun sweater, a beanie and a swimsuit for the hot tub.
— The Blockhead team