Ski Vacations – What To Pack

If you will be traveling for a ski vacation, it is often

difficult to know what to pack. You may not even

have a problem knowing what to pack, but instead

have a problem figuring how to get everything that

you need from your home to your destination. Skis

do not easily fit into suitcases, and if you are flying,

this presents a huge problem.

Start by knowing what is available at your destination.

Is there a rental shop? How much are the rental fees

for skis, boots, and poles. If it is reasonable, and you

don’t mind skiing with rented equipment, this is a

viable option – and it makes packing and traveling

much easier.

If you don’t care for rented equipment, there is

another option. Find out if there are any ski shops in

the area. There usually are. Get prices on skis, poles,

and boots, and then ask if they buy used equipment.

If they don’t, ask if there is anyone near by that does

purchase used equipment. Call that place to get an

estimate on how much you could get for barely

used ski equipment. Figure the difference in the

money you will spend on the ski equipment, and the

money you will get for the used equipment when you

are finished with it. If it isn’t much more than what it

would cost you to rent the equipment, go for it!

Ski suits, ski jackets, and sweaters can be very

bulky, and hard to pack. These items will take up a

lot of room in your suitcase, and leave less room for

other clothing and essentials. If you are trying to

pack for a two week ski vacation, it will be impossible

to fit everything you need into one suitcase.

There is a way to solve this. Call the lodge or resort

where you will be staying. Tell them that you need

to ship a package, for yourself, to them, and that

you need that package to be there when you arrive.

Ask them if they will hold it for you at the desk. In

most cases, they will. Next, get a box, put all of

your ski suits, your ski jacket, and any other

bulky items in the box, and ship it to yourself, in

care of the lodge or resort. Shipping can be

overnight, two day, or three day depending on

how far it must travel. Depending on how much

the box weighs, you will usually pay less than

fifty dollars to ship a package in the continental

United States….which is a lot less than you

would pay an airline for extra baggage!