We only get so many precious PTO days for our ski vacations.
Our ski vacation days are too far and few between to waste them on lift ticket lines, missing gear, or overpriced resort food. We’ve taken our fair share of ski trip mishaps over the years, so we’re here to share our tips and tricks to make your ski-cation as fun and easy breezy as possible.
Plan ahead (but stay a little loose)
We all imagine our ski vacations to be skiing deep powder and having nothing but powder shots. The reality? Snow storms are more unpredictable than our vacation scheduling can be. As they say at Open Snow, it’s best to wait to book ten days or so out from your vacation. So even if you don’t have flexibility with work (ugh) on when your ski-cation goes, you can dial in the location at the last minute for the best snow. If you need to book accommodation early and you have a multi-mountain pass, try to book in a central location to several different mountains. In Colorado, staying in Frisco or Silverthorne puts you right in the middle of the main resorts off I-70, with access to buses and other public transit.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to save a little bit of money, it’s best to book in advance. If you’re buying individual day tickets rather than using your season pass, you can usually save money by booking up to two weeks in advance (depending on the resort). You’ll also get the best pick of accommodation by booking well ahead of time. Once you pick the perfect ski vacation locale, purchasing anything you might need ahead of time—like lift tickets, rentals, or lessons—will save you time and help you avoid lines.
Pack doubles of gear if you can
Think of the pair of gloves left on the gondola, the goggles behind on the bus, or a balaclava soaked in beer and is just a little too smelly to have next to your face for the next three days. It happens inevitably to those of us who chronically forget (or spill) things. For the little things, it’s nice to throw in an extra set for emergencies. Resorts notoriously hijack prices on the essential-but-forgettables to prey on us scatterbrained folk. So think one step ahead, and pack a backup pair of gloves or mittens, a few extra neck gaiters/balaclavas, or even goggles if you have an older set.
If you can, write a pack list ahead of time to ensure you don’t forget the rest of the essentials. Think of the stuff that you can’t bring two of (like custom ski boots), or your favorite au natural sunscreen you can’t live without.
Bring on the Merino wool!
Merino wool is the answer to all your packing problems. Merino is breathable, odor-resistant, and moisture wicking. This makes it the ideal base layer for skiing, since it keeps the body odor at bay even after a long day of shredding. You can effortlessly transition from the slopes to the bars without feeling like everyone in the room is looking at you. And, you won’t need to bring a base layer for every day. Pack lighter and more efficiently with base layers that work for multiple days back to back.
If you ever find wool base layers to feel itchy, check out the Le Bent base layers and socks. They use a bamboo blend to soften the fabric and make it more comfortable to the touch. You get the best of both worlds, the magic of Merino with the softness of your favorite t-shirt.
Give your gear a little affection at the end of the day
After a long day of skiing, your gear will be a little wet. Whether from snow, or working up a sweat from zippering those bump lines, your gear needs to dry out. Be sure to let some of your base layers dry out, especially socks (bring extras!). For the best boot experience possible, pop your liners out of your ski boots. They’ll dry quicker and leave you with lovely boots to step into the next day. And don’t forget to bring your boots back inside your place at the end of the day—cold car boots are the worst. Just don’t leave them too close to the fire, or you’ll have some soft plastic!
It also doesn’t hurt to take a peek at your ski bases if you’ve encountered some sharks. If you’ve managed to inflict a core shot or two, take a quick trip to the local tune shop and they might be able do a quick repair for you. While skiing on damaged skis isn’t the end of the world, if you happen to hit the same spot you bonked earlier in the trip, you might be looking at a bigger problem than before.
Scope out the non-ski scene (and ask locals)
Not everyone in your family or crew may want to ski everyday. Lame, right? We can’t blame them. Skiing is hard on the body. Back to back days add up, especially if you’re at a higher elevation than what you’re used to (and there’s no shame in taking a rest day if needed). Check out ahead of time what your local resort or town has to offer in the way of non-ski activities. From on-hill activities like alpine coasters and tubing, to guided snowmobile, snowshoe, and even dogsledding trips away from the resort, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the mountains without needing to ski everyday. Those activities fill up bookings quickly, so if you’re interested, book in advance.
As for non-outdoor activities, your local ski town might be having some special events or cool shows running while you’re there. Ask around to see if there’s anything happening during your stay. Local bars and lifties will be in the know. As with any travel, locals point you in a better direction than Google Maps for the best food and drink. The après adventures you stumble into might just be as fun as the skiing (maybe).
Looking to stock up on the best gear before your ski-cation? Check out our 2022-2023 Buyer’s Guide for the rundown.
