Vacation on a Budget: Smart Travel Tips for Families
Seasoned traveling parents from GoWhee, share their favorite tips to plan a family vacation on a budget, without cutting down on fun experiences.
Are you planning a ski trip with your family? That’s definitely one of the most exciting winter vacations you can have! Whether it’s your children’s first time skiing or snowboarding, packing for unpredictable snow, cold temperatures, and mountain conditions is key to a smooth and enjoyable vacation!
Packing for an entire trip for the whole family sounds stressful and overwhelming, but with this ski packing list, you will have all the information you need to counter anxiety and nervousness!
This practical guide covers clothing, gear, family essentials, and essential travel documents.
Start with moisture-wicking thermal underwear and add an insulated mid-layer for warmth!
Use packing cubes and label each one, placing separate base layers, ski socks, accessories, and after-ski clothes inside.
Rent larger items like skis, ski boots, and snowboards, but buy personal items like helmets and hats for a better fit and hygiene!
Bars that are high in protein and healthy fat are always a good choice! Kids mostly love peanut butter and chocolate bars, and parents love them because these snacks are not messy.
Proper ski clothing is the foundation of any ski trip, and the key is layering! Start with a baselayer: long sleeves thermal sweater, leggings, and thermal underwear. Then get a waterproof layer like a pair of waterproof ski pants or snow pants. Finish with a waterproof ski jacket that provides insulation. Don’t forget well-fitted ski goggles or a ski mask. For kids who run cold, you can add hand and toe warmers to the list.
Expert tip: Make sure your kids’ ski jackets have lots of pockets for snacks, tissues, and other essentials on the slopes.
Remember to bring cozy, lighter sweaters, casual pants, and comfortable winter boots or snow boots for walking around the resort. Also, a winter hat and an insulated jacket are essential for evening strolls or outdoor dining.
Expert tip: A misconception is to buy really thick socks to stay warm in snow boots. In fact, you want a pair of socks like these, which will allow proper circulation and will not make your feet sweat
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If you are visiting destinations such as Aspen or Salt Lake City, you will most likely want to enjoy their numerous indoor activities, like rock climbing within the resort. So make sure you pack kids’ clothes for those days indoors (i.e. sportswear).
Evenings are all about relaxation. What to bring? The answers are soft pajamas, slippers, and lounge clothes.
Expert tip: If your resort has a spa or hot tub, don’t forget a bathing suit, along with a lightweight cover-up or extra quick-dry towel for walking between facilities!
The weather varies across destinations. For example, a Colorado ski trip may need heavier insulation than milder alpine regions. Always check forecasts and pack extra waterproof ski pants, thermal layers, and ski essentials to handle unexpected snowfall. Adjusting your ski trip checklist for temperature changes keeps your family comfortable throughout the vacation.
Also, be aware of dry weather! For instance, a Colorado ski trip often means staying at a mountain with dry air and cold temperatures. In this case, insulation is often needed, along with lip balm, moisturizer, and hydration essentials to prevent chapped skin and dehydration.
Expert tip: Pack some electrolyte powder to add to your kids’ water bottles to prevent high altitude effects.
These ski essentials ensure kids stay warm, happy, and focused for the whole ski adventure!
Every skier needs the basics: Ski outfits, ski boots, ski poles, skis, and properly fitted ski goggles. For smoother transport, pack yourself a ski bag and a durable ski boot bag.
Expert tip: A little secret is to label everything clearly, especially if traveling with kids who are attending ski lessons or ski school.
Slightly different from skiers, snowboarders should pack snowboard boots, boards, bindings, helmets, and protective gear.
In addition to the basics, protective gear such as wrist guards, padded shorts, and knee protection is highly recommended for people who are snowboarding! This is particularly crucial for beginners or those experiencing their first time snowboarding.
Kids need the same ski and snowboard equipment as adults, but with extra attention to warmth. Pack spare ski socks, insulated ski pants, snow pants, mittens, and goggles. Include hand warmers and backup layers to keep their extra warmth consistent throughout the day.
Bibs are essential for kids. They cover the area between the ski jacket and pants, which ensures no snow gets down their pants. Also, don’t forget a beanie with a liner. While there are tons of cute and fancy winter hats, the liner is what keeps the cold air from reaching their head! Without it, kids can get chilly really fast, even with multiple layers elsewhere.
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A first aid kit is a MUST for any ski trip. Check your kit contains bandages, blister care, pain relief, sunscreen, and lip balm! This safety-focused checklist is more important than you think, and it’s the key to an enjoyable time participating in winter mountain sports.
Expert tip: To make the most out of the day on the slopes, try to stay away from heavy food and sugary snacks at the beginning of a ski journey. Find accommodations with a kitchen in the room and plan for immune-boosting smoothies and food each day. This way, kids will have more energy throughout the day and will not suffer from the sugar crash.
Keep all essentials in one folder! Check if you have packed your IDs, insurance cards, confirmations, and lift tickets!
If you plan on renting ski and snowboard equipment, be sure to keep your rental vouchers in a safe place! Also, store your pickup details both digitally and physically to avoid delays at the resort.
Bring toiletries, chargers, reusable water bottles, snacks, extra underwear, pajamas, and laundry bags. These small items make longer stays easier and more comfortable. A well-organized printable ski trip packing system saves time and reduces stress, so you don’t have to worry about last-minute purchases during your vacation. When not skiing, remember to pack sunglasses and sunscreen, which are essentials to your skin protection as well!
Don’t forget a light backpack or a camel backpack to carry the essentials on the slopes!
Expert tip: If your kids are enrolled in full-day programs or you plan on spending full days on the slopes, don’t forget lunch boxes.
An ultimate ski trip packing list should include a ski jacket, ski boots, ski socks, waterproof ski pants, goggles, gloves, and layering pieces. Add ski essentials like sunscreen, warm accessories, and protective gear to your list for a safer and more comfortable ski experience!
Expert tip: Keep your own ski trip checklist for different temperature conditions on your phone to remember what you brought with you.
The answer is yes! Skiers need ski poles and ski-specific boots, while snowboarders require snowboard boots. Although most outerwear overlaps, their equipment differences matter for comfort and performance on the slopes.
While items like a ski jacket, ski pants, goggles, and helmets can be used for both skiing and snowboarding, the core equipment differs significantly, as the techniques to balance, turning, and speed during downhill runs for both sports vary!
Kids generally need properly sized clothing, labeled gear, spare layers, and warming accessories. If they are enrolled in ski lessons, it’s important to double-check the required equipment lists to ensure a smooth learning experience!
In the end, we hope this organized ski trip packing list can allow you to spend less time worrying about what you forgot and more time enjoying your ski vacation together with your loved ones!
Seasoned traveling parents from GoWhee, share their favorite tips to plan a family vacation on a budget, without cutting down on fun experiences.
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