As the snow starts falling and the mountains turn into a winter wonderland, it’s time to prepare for the best time of year…ski season! Once you have your ski trip booked, it’s time to plan what to pack. Finding the right balance between cute ski wear and technical performance can be difficult, making it a hard decision what to pack. This guide to essential ski items to pack for your next ski trip has items that are the perfect blend between fashion and function.

Below you will find everything from ski pants to boots with various price ranges. Whether you’re hitting the slopes at Killington or enjoying après ski in Kitzbuhel, these items are essential to pack for the perfect ski or snowboard trip this season! 

Disclosure: Some of the links included are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a commission if you click to make a purchase. I don’t recommend anything I wouldn’t personally use, and the income goes towards keeping my blog updated!

Ski Jacket

A good quality ski jacket is a must. I recommend a high quality ski jacket from Bogner. It is an investment, but if you’re going to spend extra money on items this season it should be on a good quality jacket. I bought mine at the Woodbury Commons Bogner outlet store, where you can find great discounts just 2 hours outside of NYC!

When looking for a ski jacket, look out for a skirt on the jacket to prevent snow from getting inside and a zipper on the left arm for your ski pass. These are features you’ll be grateful for when on the slopes!

Ski Pants

The Snoga Pants from North Face are one of my favorite pairs of ski pants! The soft shell material fits like a glove and the flare leg is incredibly flattering. The material is stretchy and durable water repellent. They run 1 size small, so I sized 1 size up from my normal size, which still allows me to fit a base layer underneath.

Another pair of ski pants I really like that are more affordable is the ASOS high waisted salopette, which are $100 full price. These ski pants are perfect for the colder days on the slopes since they’re really warm with thick material.

Base Layers

Merino wool material is essential to pack for base layers. It provides warmth but also wicks away sweat. My favorite base layers are Smartwool and Icebreaker, both high quality merino wool and a favorite by many skiers!

Ski Sweaters

Everyone has seen the iconic Perfect Moment ski sweaters, which were especially popular during my trip to the French Alps. The Perfect Moment ski sweaters start at $300 and are a true winter ski trip essential. One of my favorite dupes is from Antonio Melani, where they start at just $70! These ski sweaters are perfect for wearing over base layers on the slopes, and essential for the transition to après ski.

Boots

Moon Boots gained so much popularity the last couple of years, and are a ski trip packing essential. No matter what ski resort you go to, these iconic winter boots are everywhere. Aside from being a cute ski trip essential, Moon Boots are so warm and comfortable. Slipping your feet out of ski boots into a pair of Moon Boots at the end of the day is the best feeling. They are the perfect addition to your après ski outfit with a pair of fleece leggings and a ski sweater! If you’re taking a flight for your ski trip, wear these on the plane to save room when packing!

If you’re looking for something more sleek to walk around the resort, I love my Circus by Sam Edelman booties. These are warm and stylish enough to wear to dinner and around town. If you plan to go for a winter hike during your ski trip, these are also really warm and durable. These chic ski trip boots are only $30! Packing tip: I pack my ski socks, gloves, and hats into extra boots I bring in my suitcase to save some space.

Gloves

I prefer mittens over gloves for skiing because they retain warmth better. I love this pair of mittens from Amazon since they’re affordable, warm, and have a zipped pocket to put hand warmers in. Pair them with a pair of merino wool glove liners and your hands will be toasty all day!