Spring is in on the ski slopes. From the cross-country world cup this past week in Sweden to the downhills of the Sierras, the sun is shining and the snow is calling.
The thing that can really ruin a spring, or any, ski trip isn’t a storm or a ding in your ski. It’s forgetting something critical to your day on the mountain or the trails. The tiniest of details – like forgetting chapstick – can be incredibly distracting.
So, without further ado, here’s what’s always in my ski jacket or otherwise on me:
- Lip balm with SPF – A lip burn, which is easy enough to get earlier in the season and even more so with the sun shining and reflecting extra in the spring season, is never fun.
- Small sunscreen stick – Same thing, and nice to have on hand for a ski buddy that’s less well-prepared.
- Free sunglasses – You know, a pair of plastic wayfarers with a random brand’s logo on the side. If you crush them in your jacket, potentially by falling, you haven’t lost anything. And if they survive, you have a non-goggle option for après. Option to upgrade to a paid, alternate style, if you’re fancy like that.
The essentials in action. Jacket by DC (the length of snowboard jackets is nice for taller skiers, by the way). - Portable charger + 1ft charging cord – The cold can do weird things to phones. Keep it in an inside pocket, and bring a charger so you can track your day, your friends’ whereabouts, and more uninterrupted. Note: if the cord is too long, you’re stuck tucking it back in each time you take it out.
- A mini-selection of personal care items – Always have a DayQuil on hand in case you start to feel under the weather. If you wear contacts, keep an extra set (I personally sometimes stare so hard at a course, especially in low visibility, that I dry mine out…). If you’re prone to a runny nose, like me, include a travel pack of tissues.
- An analog watch – If your phone dies or your smartwatch goes on the fritz, it’s nice to still be able to track your runs, and when you’re due to meet for lunch.
- A packable headband or beanie – Because once you take that helmet off, things are bound to be a little wild up there. And, if it’s colder than you expected, you can layer up, or for a headband, use it either around your neck or as a face guard.
- Hand warmers – Most gloves today have a zip section to slide in warmers- take advantage and make sure inserting warmers are part of your routine suiting up.
- Ski apps – Certain resorts, like Squaw Alpine, have amazing apps. The Epic resorts have an okay app. Etc. In addition to the resort versions, track your season across locations with an overall app like Ski Tracks. Don’t forget to turn them on when you start and turn them off before you settle in for après for accuracy.
- A credit card, ID, and $20 bill – Nothing is keeping me from après after a long day of skiing. Nothing.
Alright, you’re ready to send it. Check out my guide to planning a trip to Lake Tahoe to put that packing list to the test.
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