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Packing for a ski holiday is different from packing for any other trip. You need gear that handles sub-zero temperatures, high UV, and a lot of physical activity - but you also don’t want to overpack, because most of the bulky equipment can be hired in resort. This guide breaks down exactly what to bring, what to leave behind, and what catches most first-timers off guard. If you want to understand the layering system in more detail, our guide to what to wear skiing covers the logic behind each layer. And for a full rundown of the gear you’ll be using on the mountain, take a look at our list of the best ski clothing brands for UK skiers.
The layering system is how skiers stay warm without overheating. Three layers do the job: a moisture-wicking base layer against your skin, a warm mid-layer, and a waterproof outer shell. Each layer has a specific role, and the combination works better than any single heavy jacket.
Base layers should be synthetic or merino wool - not cotton. Cotton absorbs sweat, gets cold, and stays cold. Merino regulates temperature naturally and doesn’t hold odour, which matters more than you’d expect after a few days. Your mid-layer is where the warmth comes from: a fleece, softshell, or lightweight down jacket all work. On colder days, you might want a thicker fleece; on spring days, a thin zip-up is enough. The outer layer - your ski jacket and salopettes (ski trousers) - keeps wind and snow out. Waterproof ratings matter here: look for at least 10,000mm.
Pack two full sets of base layers so you can rotate them. One mid-layer is usually enough unless you run cold, in which case bring a spare fleece.
Cold hands and feet ruin more ski days than bad weather. Ski gloves need to be waterproof, insulated, and long enough to cover the cuff of your jacket. Mittens are warmer than gloves if you don’t mind the reduced dexterity. Bring a thinner pair of liner gloves too - they’re useful for adjusting bindings or checking your phone without exposing bare skin.
Ski socks are a common mistake area. You need one thin, purpose-made pair per day - not two thick pairs layered on top of each other. Double-layering bunches inside the boot, cuts circulation, and makes your feet colder, not warmer. Merino ski socks are the gold standard. Pack enough pairs for each skiing day, or bring a few and wash mid-week.
A neck gaiter or buff is more versatile than a scarf - it stays put when you’re moving and tucks neatly into your jacket collar. A thin beanie or helmet liner goes under your helmet for extra warmth.
UV at altitude is significantly stronger than at sea level. Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, which means you’re effectively hit from above and below at the same time. Sunburn on a ski holiday is more common than most people expect, and it can happen on overcast days.
Bring SPF 50 sun cream and apply it before you go out every morning - including under your chin, behind your ears, and across the tops of your cheeks where goggle frames don’t cover. Lip balm with UV protection is just as important; cracked, sun-damaged lips are one of the most reported irritations among first-time skiers. Reapply both at lunch.
Goggles protect your eyes from UV, wind, and flat light. Sunglasses work on bluebird days but goggles are better in variable conditions. If you wear prescription glasses, look for over-the-glasses (OTG) goggles - they’re designed to fit over your frames.
Skis, boots, poles, and helmet should all be hired in resort for your first trip. These are the bulky, expensive items that you don’t need to own yet, and hire shops fit everything to you on the spot. Boots in particular need a professional fitting - they’re the single most important piece of equipment, and the right fit makes an enormous difference to comfort and control.
Ski jackets and salopettes can also be hired in most resorts if you don’t already own them. This is a good option if you’re not sure you’ll ski again, or if you want to avoid buying specialist outerwear for one trip. If you do buy, invest in the jacket and trousers first - they’re useful for other winter activities and last for years.
Pre-book your hire to guarantee availability and save time on your first morning. Most hire shops store your equipment overnight, so you’re not lugging skis back to your accommodation each evening.
A ski holiday is roughly half on the mountain and half off it. For evenings and downtime, pack comfortable shoes with grip - resort streets and paths can be icy. A warm casual jacket, jeans or comfortable trousers, and a couple of layers work for restaurants and après-ski. You don’t need formal wear unless your accommodation has a particularly dressy dining room, which is rare.
Other easily forgotten items: a small backpack or rucksack for carrying water, sun cream, and a spare layer on the mountain; a microfibre towel if your accommodation doesn’t supply them; basic first-aid supplies including blister plasters (more useful than most people expect); and any prescription medication. Travel insurance documents should be accessible - not buried in your hold luggage.
The trick is wearing your bulkiest items on the plane. Your ski jacket and a pair of boots (walking boots or snow boots for evenings) take up the most suitcase space. Wear them instead. Stuff socks and gloves into your jacket pockets, and you’ve just freed up a quarter of your case.
Roll base layers and mid-layers rather than folding them - they compress better and crease less. Pack goggles in a hard case or stuff them inside a helmet bag if you’re bringing your own helmet. Put sun cream and liquids in a zip-lock bag in your hand luggage (remembering the 100ml limit). Everything else goes flat in the case.
For a week’s ski trip, a medium suitcase (around 65 litres) is enough if you’re hiring equipment. If you’re taking your own skis, most airlines charge extra for ski carriage - check baggage policies before you book your flights.
Thin ski socks, not thick ones. This catches almost every first-timer out. One thin, purpose-made ski sock per foot is warmer and more comfortable than two thick pairs. Double-layering restricts blood flow and bunches inside the boot.
Sun cream goes in your jacket pocket, not your bag. You need to reapply at lunch, and you won’t want to go back to the hotel for it. A small tube in your zip pocket means you actually use it.
Bring a spare pair of goggles or a lens wipe. Goggles fog up and get smeared with sun cream more often than you’d think. A microfibre lens cloth or a spare clear lens for flat-light days is worth its negligible weight.
Your helmet liner matters more than your helmet brand. A thin balaclava or merino beanie under the helmet does more for warmth than any ventilation feature. Make sure whatever you wear fits comfortably under the helmet without shifting.
Don’t pack cotton thermals. Cotton absorbs moisture and loses its insulating ability when wet. Merino wool or synthetic base layers dry fast and regulate temperature throughout the day. This is the single biggest fabric mistake beginners make.
Clothing layers
Extremities
Protection and vision
On-slope extras
Off-slope and travel
Hire in resort (do not pack)
Ski poles and boots won’t be allowed through security in hand luggage, so all equipment needs to go in checked baggage or be hired in resort. Most airlines treat skis and boots as sports equipment with a separate baggage allowance - check with your airline before you fly, as fees and weight limits vary. If you’re hiring everything in resort, which most first-timers do, this isn’t something you need to think about at all.
Not necessarily. Most resort hire shops rent ski jackets and salopettes alongside the standard equipment package, which is a practical choice if you’re not sure you’ll ski regularly. That said, if you already own a waterproof jacket rated at 10,000mm or above - even a hiking or outdoor jacket - it’ll work fine. The key requirements are waterproofing, breathability, and a powder skirt or adjustable hem to keep snow out.
One pair per ski day is ideal, so five to seven pairs for a week’s trip. Ski socks take a while to dry properly, and wearing a damp pair on day two is a fast track to blisters. If you’d rather pack fewer, bring at least three pairs and wash them mid-week - most ski accommodation has a drying room or heated boot rack where socks dry overnight.
If you own one that fits well, bring it - you’ll know it’s comfortable and it’s one less thing to sort on arrival. But hiring a helmet in resort is perfectly fine. Most equipment hire packages include a helmet as standard, and they’re fitted properly at the shop. Helmets don’t take up much suitcase space if you pack them stuffed with socks and a beanie.
Ski-specific base layers aren’t essential, but the fabric matters. Anything synthetic or merino wool that wicks moisture will work - running tops, cycling base layers, or hiking thermals are all fine. The thing to avoid is cotton, which absorbs sweat and gets cold. For a deeper look at how the layering system works and what to prioritise, our guide to what to wear skiing covers it in full.
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