How to Pack For A Ski or Snowboard Adventure
Michael and I have been making si trips since we were kids. With and without our family. Michael grew up in New England; I grew up in Southern California. I was 14 the first time I traveled on my own. I convinced my Mom to drop me off at the Mammoth Mtn bus in Southern California. Six hours later at the Shell gas station, I called a friends family. They had graciously invited me on their Christmas ski trip if I could find my own transportation; they simply had no extra room in the their car.
My rule at the time was, you could bring what you could carry without making two trips. That meant one pair of skis, a boot bag, and a backpack. The ability to carry what you bring remains a central theme of packing. Over the years I’ve found that its OK to go back and make a few extra trips to get your gear.
Here’s out best practice process for how much to pack.
Step 1: What’s your form of transportation
Own Car
What’s your car’s size (e.g., SUV, sedan, etc.)?
Do you have a rooftop cargo system (i.e., Thule, Yakima, etc.)?
Rental Car
What’s your car’s size (e.g., SUV, sedan, etc.)?
Do they offer a rooftop cargo system (i.e., Thule, Yakima, etc.)?
Bus
What are their rules regarding gear and suitcases?
Do they make exceptions?
Tip: if there is someone on trip that is under their allowances, see if they will take some of your stuff.
Airplane
What are their rules regarding gear and suitcases?
Do they make exceptions?
Step 2: How many are traveling?
Just you, or are their others?
Is everyone skiing or snowboarding?
How many skis and snowboards do the travelers plan on bringingng?
How many suitcases?
Step 3: Based on Steps 1 and 2 figure out your maximum load
Total Ski (& snowboard) Count
Skis are long and can be challenging to pack if you don’t have the right place to store them. Snowboards share similar challenges.
Add up the skis and snowboards. Pick a minimum number to bring, and what would be added if the room is available.
Step 4: Packing
Assemble everything you want to bring
Pack these things as efficiently as possible.
Ski and snowboards
Place in protective or transport bags.
Boots
Place in protective or transport bags.
Tip: Unless your going to a single location, always pack boots in their own bag. They get dirty, and are hard to transport if carried separately or tied tgtehr using tstraps.
Suitcases & Duffle Bags
Suitcases packed as efficiently as possible. The general rules of thub are:
Sart with suitcase or duffle bag filly opened
Layer 1 (bottom):
Put anything that will fit into your shoes, into your shoes (socks, underwear, extra glasses, extra cords, etc.). Put the packes shoes as yout bottom layer
Layer 2 (on top of shoes):
This is where you put the heavier clothes like ski pants, genes, jackets and sweaters. Roll them and pack them tightly so they don’t unroll. Note: If I’m packing fragile items (see Layer 3 middle, I generally save one thick sweater for top level cushion, especially if I don’t have lots of shirts and long underwear to use over my fragile items.
Layer 3 (middle)
Fragile items that may break if not well protected. I generally out extra goggles here and fragile electronics.
Layer 3 (sides & over fragile item)
Lighter rolled items like long underwear, shirts and t-shirts, and work out clothes.Around the fragile items place roll your lighter items like shirts, long underwear, etc. Pack the rolls tightly so they don’t move around
Layer 4 (folded items)
On top of these its time for your folded items. (Mostly for the gals). Things that need to be folded can be placed in this layer. Nice shirts for nice dinner. A blazer or suit if your brining one.
See https://magazine.brooksbrothers.com/how-to-pack-a-suit/
Step 5: Packing Your Car
Mandatory car rules: snow tires or something close. Four or all-wheel drive. SUV, truck or hatchback. A roof cargo system (or you’re travelling alone and have a large SUV or truck.). Serious skiers and boarders know how dangerous mountain travelling is and the importance of a properly outfitted vehicle.
Build a Base – heavier items, like coolers and large suitcases in the back and on the bottom. Build a base for lighter items above and limit the possibility of the large items moving forward if you come to a fast stop.
Skis, Poles & Snowboards – we always recommend using a roof cargo system. But if your vehicle is large enough and you choose to store them inside, lay them lengthwise and together. If they are grouped and stacked together they take up less space and allow for other large and heavy items to be stored adjacent. Try not to put heavy items on the skis. If heavy items are placed in the wrong spot on skis, they can tweak bindings and breaks.
Boots – We recommend using boot bags and keeping boots inside the vehicle, at least a few hours before heading to the hill. Cold boots are hard to put on.
Lighter items can go on top of the heavier items and skis.