Whether you are planning a ski holiday with family, friends or loved ones, packing requires careful thought to ensure you have everything you need for a fun time, both on and off the slopes. At Mark Warner, we have over 50 years experience in ski holidays, which we have used to put together a comprehensive ski holiday packing list to make sure you have the best holiday ever.
Ski Holiday Packing checklist
Here is our list of essential items to pack into your hand luggage. Some might seem obvious but all are vital:
Essential items for your ski hand luggage
- Passports (make sure that they are in date and have the right amount of validity for when you travel)
- Travel insurance and documentation (though you might save space by accessing this online)
- The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
- Boarding cards/tickets for the flight (or access to the digital version)
- Hotel booking confirmation
- Mobile phone, charger and an extra battery pack (if you have one)
- Travel adapter for your destination
- Local currency along with a separate purse or wallet to carry it in
- Snacks for the flight and resort transfer
- Books, playing cards, travel games
- Headphones
- Laptop or iPad
- Travel sickness tablets (the roads up to the ski resort can be very winding)
- Medication
What to pack for skiing
Ski clothing for adults and children is quite similar. We have listed the most important items to pack for skiing to keep everyone warm and comfortable throughout your trip.
- Ski jacket, which should be waterproof and insulated, to wear whilst skiing, and to put on if you go into the ski resort during the day or evening
- Ski trousers (salopettes/ski pants) which are waterproof and can be worn over the top of thermal leggings
- Base layers - a bottom layer of clothing such as a long sleeved thermal top and leggings to provide an extra layer of insulation (merino wool base layers have natural antibacterial properties and are ideal if you are more susceptible to the cold; or synthetic base layers made from polyester, which are breathable and quick drying but are not as warm as the merino base layers)
- Mid layers - a fleece or jumper to wear on top of a base layer and under a ski jacket to keep you warm and allow moisture to evaporate (skiing is very physical so it important to have breathable mid layers)
- Several pairs of warm long ski socks
- Ski gloves, which are insulated and have an elasticated wrist or Velcro strap to keep the snow out
- Hat, gloves, and scarf and/or snood
- If it is very snowy you may want a neck warmer/balaclava to protect your face when skiing
- Goggles for visibility and to protect your eyes - we recommend buying them in advance rather than in the ski resort as it is likely to help you save a few pounds
- Sunglasses for when you stop for a break to help protect your eyes from the brightness of the sun reflecting off the snow
- Helmet (this can be hired with Mark Warner when you book your ski holiday)
- Ski or snowboard bag (the ones fitted with wheels are easier to use) and boots bag if you are taking your own ski equipment. If it is your first ski holiday, we would advise that you hire your ski equipment
- A small rucksack, which you can pack with emergency chocolate, snacks, drinks, suncream, tissues, spare gloves and your mobile
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with SPF
- Favourite cereal or snack bars to your energy levels up
- Glove liners/thin sports gloves x 2
- Hand warmers to pop in your gloves
What to pack for when you're not skiing
Make sure you are covered when you are off the slopes. When going on ski holiday, you also need to pack for non-skiing activities such as having a relaxing dinner at Hotel Chalet L'Ecrin or heading into Tignes for some après-ski or shopping. When dressing for a ski resort, think Alpine-chic, keeping it both practical and stylish, and being fashionably warm. Layers work well as it can be cold outside, but often warm and toasty indoors.
- Comfy jeans or trousers for wearing in the evening for dinner or heading into the ski resort
- Tops and jumpers for wearing in the evening for dinner or in the ski resort
- Waterproof winter or hiking boots, which are warm and have a good grip
- Underwear and socks
- Pyjamas
- Spare hat and gloves, scarf, neckwarmer or a balaclava if expecting really cold weather
- Swimwear for the swimming pool at Chalet Hotel L'Ecrin
- Slippers or warm, thick socks to wear in the chalet
- First aid kit
Ski packing list for infant & toddlers
Knowing what to pack for small children on a ski holiday can be a challenge! Our list below should help you remember everything you need to pack for your children on holiday, but be sure to pack lots of spares so they have a change of clothes whenever needed.
- A warm waterproof ski suit or warm waterproof coat and ski trousers
- Nappies
- Bibs
- Baby wipes
- Bottles
- Dummy if needed
- All in one vests (short or long sleeved)
- Babygrows
- Sleepsuits or PJs
- 2 baby travel Gro Bags
- Tights
- 6 pairs of socks
- Plenty of outfits
- Swimsuit and swim nappies
- Pair of shoes
- Slippers for indoors
- A warm waterproof ski suit
- 3 fleeces with no hood
- 4 thermal tops and thermal bottoms (a mix of short an long sleeved, depending on the weather)
- 3 x long sleeved t-shorts to wear over thermals
- 2 x warm waterproof gloves / mittens (if possible on a string)
- 2 x woolly hats and a spare hat
- Sun hat if you are skiing in the spring
- Baby snow boots if walking
- Baby suncream 30+
- Buggy
- Baby sling
- Food / Milk / Snacks
- Microwave Steam Steriliser Bags
- Baby monitor
- Favourite toy
- Activity book, pens and favourite books
- Calpol
- Thermometer
If your child or baby is booked into our ski holiday childcare at Chalet Hotel L'Ecrin, you will need to provide:
For children booked into our ski holiday childcare programme
- A bag - labelled with your child's name
- Swimsuit
- Pocket money to buy a drink / snack @ski school
- Sunglasses / goggles
- Clothes to layer under suits
- Snow suit - wind and shower proof
- Gloves should be waterproof (not woollen)
- Suncream - factor 30+
For babies booked into our ski holiday childcare programme
- Wet wipes
- Comforters / dummies
- Bottles
- Feeder cups
- Puree spoons
- Formula milk
- Pushchairs
- Nappies and nappy sacks
- Aqua nappies
For more information about our childcare, what we provide and what to bring, please visit our Ski holidays with childcare section
Other items to consider packing for your ski holiday
- Make a separate note of the details of your passports and travel documents
- Clothes to wear in the evening for dinner at the chalet hotel or if you head out to the ski resort for the après-ski scene
- Travel sewing kit
- Contact lenses, case and solution
- Glasses and case
- Eye mask/neck pillow
- Tampons and sanitary towels
- Reusable water bottle
- Mouthwash and floss
- Razor blades for shaving
- Make-up and hair products
- Packet tissues
- Nail file and scissors
- Camera, case and charger
- Travel SIM card
- Portable speaker
- Portable charger
- Pushchair or pram
- Baby essentials such as nappies, nappy sacks, formula, bottles, baby monitor
When you book a ski holiday with Mark Warner, you can add your ski and snowboard hire, lessons, lift passes and childcare to your ski holiday package. We've found our guests love the seamless convenience of being able to turn up at our family friendly resort in Tignes in the French Alps with everything waiting for them to get on the slopes as soon as possible, ready to enjoy the snow.
Ski packing list FAQs
First time skiing what to bring?
If you are skiing for the first time, we recommend to rent rather than buy ski or snowboard equipment. At Mark Warner, you can pre-book high quality ski equipment (skis, boots, poles and helmets) and snowboard equipment (snowboards, boots and helmets) with our carefully hand-picked supplier, ready to collect upon arrival at the resort.
Make sure you pack plenty of layers, a warm insulated ski jacket and ski trousers (salopettes), winter boots with a good grip, a helmet liner, ski gloves, ski socks, a hat, scarf, ski goggles and sun glasses. You will also need to pack warm clothing such as jeans, trousers, jumpers, long sleeve t-shirts or tops and layers for when you're not skiing.
What to wear at night on ski holiday?
If you head into the ski resort at night, we would recommend that you wear jeans or comfy trousers, layers, jumpers and warm waterproof boots. You'll also need a ski jacket or warm coat, hat and gloves. The goal is to have enough clothing to stay warm outside and be able to remove layers when inside.
How to pack ski gear?
Roll your clothes rather than fold to save space
Book your next Ski Holiday with Mark Warner
Mark Warner has been providing ski holidays for 50 years, so we know a thing or two about what makes a perfect ski holiday.
We have thought of everything from a stylish chalet hotel close to the ski lifts, reliable snow conditions, scenic views, access to on-site childcare with qualified English speaking staff, convenient flight times, resort transfers, a great choice of ski pistes for all levels, après-ski activities as well as pre-bookable ski lift passes, to ski lessons with an experienced ski school and reliable ski and snowboard equipment, as part of your ski package.
