In December 2023, I set out on my first adventure. A ski season in Norway, but what do you pack for such a trip?
When you are going to live in a ski resort, more packing is required than if you were to live in a warm place. Therefore, you should pack smart, but how do you pack for a season? My advice is that you pack clothes that can withstand the cold, but also everyday clothes and fancy clothes. Don’t forget to pack the things you use in your regular life! You will miss them if you don’t bring them. For a deeper insight, read on!
1. Equipment
The first thing I thought about when I started packing for my ski trip was, of course, equipment. Skis, boots, poles, etc. You get it, but do you really need to bring everything?
When we got to Hovden, my friend and I had dragged a heavy ski bag along with four other bags on a total of three trains, one accommodation and two buses. Our skis were too short and very worn. A few weeks in, we found out that you could borrow skis for free during the low season. We ended up borrowing skis instead.
Therefore, I advise not to make the same mistake as we did. Check with your supervisor if you can borrow equipment and for what period you get it. Then you can decide for yourself whether it is worth bringing your own equipment. It all depends on how you get there and on your own ambitions. If you also have something worn that really needs to be replaced, it might be a good idea to leave it at home and update it during the trip. It will be a lighter pack and there is a good chance that you will get a discount in the ski shops. You should ask your supervisor about this. Ski shops can also be more expensive than other shops. But the quality of the items is usually good and it won’t be as expensive with a discount.
Equipment you need on the slopes:
- Skis
- Boots
- Ski poles
- Ski socks
- Long underwear
- Helmet
- Ski goggles
- Jacket
- Pants.
This is completely personal. It’s about how much money you want to spend and how much stuff you want to lug around. When you go to a ski resort you think you need to have the most fashionable stuff and even if there are those who have it, not everyone has it. Many are there in their first season. Some are travelers. They take what they have. The important thing is that you have fun on the slopes!
2. Clothes
To live in a ski resort you need more than long underwear, but you also need to think minimalistic.
My tip is to bring a variety of clothes that match each other. There will definitely be days when thick clothes are needed, but there will also be evenings or activities when you need thinner clothes.
This is what I would bring with me if I were to season again:
- Two thicker sweaters.
- Two short-sleeved shirts or tank tops.
- A long sleeve
- A training T-shirt
- Training pants
- Pajamas or cozy clothes.
- Two pairs of jeans
- A nicer pair of trousers or a skirt
- Underwear
- Regular socks and woolen socks
- Outdoor trousers
- Regular shoes.
- Winter shoes
- Jewelry
Outdoor pants: At your ski resort you will meet outdoor people and there will be activities when it can be good to have. It’s not a must, but something I missed that I didn’t bring.
Underwear: When it comes to underwear, I usually bring seven of each, but it depends on how much you want to wash.
Warm clothes: Remember to bring woolen clothes and warm shoes. Especially if you are an outdoor worker. If you are not sure how to dress, read here!
Shoes: Bring a pair of shoes that you can wear indoors. If you work in a restaurant or in general.
Fine clothes: There will be times when you want to look nice. Especially if you work over New Years. Make sure to bring nice clothes that are neutral and can be matched with your normal clothes. Then you get many different combinations. Focus on the acosiares. They don’t take up much space but can change a whole look!
3. Bags
How many bags to take with you can be difficult to decide. This depends entirely on your choice of transport, but if you’re taking public transport, it makes it easier to pack minimalistically.
I had a 55l bag and a large suitcase with me + a ski bag. The suitcase was very unwieldy in the snowy ground and often needed to be lifted over uneven terrain. But being able to roll it occasionally is still better than having to carry it all the time. Rather pack the suitcase heavily than the bag you carry on your back. Otherwise, it will be very heavy for your body. My rule is that you should be able to lift your suitcase for at least 20 seconds. Then you know you can lift it when needed.
Remember to bring not only bags you travel with, but also everyday bags. You will need a regular bag. A handbag can be good if you are going on a short trip. Small bags or toiletry bags are great for storage, organization and protection inside of your bag.
4. Travel Food
I’m a person who loves sugar, but when I travel I want to feel energetic so I try to choose fresh food! When I don’t eat pure sugar based foods I feel better and don’t feel the lethargy and fatigue I would otherwise feel.
Foods such as fruit, eggs, nuts, bread and protein bars last a long time. It is also filling and – if you choose the right option – Healthy! It is always good to have extra in reserve as you never know what situations you may find yourself in when travelling.
Depending on whether and where you stay, you can also bring chilled food. If you are going to travel for several days, I usually bring chilled food with me on the first day and sometimes buy it during the trip for the other days.
5. Things You Might Forget To Bring!
When I was going to travel, there were things I packed at the last second, and things I didn’t pack that I would miss. Here is a list of things that might be good to have with you!
- Needle & thread
- Shoe polish
- Cloth bags
- hair scissors
- Pen and paper
- Medicine
- Things that can be hard to get hold of. – A special make-up product for example.
- Dry Scamphoo
- Water bottle
- Speaker
- Power bank
6. My packing list
Here is my complete packing list of what I had with me, and what I wished I had with me!
- Skis
- Boots
- Ski poles
- Ski socks
- Long underwear
- Helmet
- Ski goggles
- Jacket
- Pants.
- Two thicker sweaters.
- Two short-sleeved shirts or tank tops.
- A long sleeve
- A training T-shirt
- Training pants
- Pajamas or cozy clothes.
- Two pairs of jeans
- A nicer pair of trousers or a skirt
- Underwear
- Regular socks and woolen socks
- Outdoor trousers
- Regular shoes.
- Winter shoes
- Jewelry
- Travel bags
- Everyday bag
- Handbag
- Small bags
- Food that lasts the journey
- Needle & thread
- Shoe polish
- Cloth bags
- hair scissors
- Pen and paper
- Medicine
- Things that can be hard to get hold of. – A special make-up product for example.
- Dry Scamphoo
- Water bottle
- Speaker
- Power bank
Conclusion
Packing minimalistically for a ski resort is not easy. Remember to bring warm clothes and what you use most in your everyday life. Do not bring too many hygiene items. They will take up space and weigh heavily. It is better to buy when you arrive! And! Be prepared for the fact that you will come home with lots of new cool stuff you didn’t even know you needed 😉
Use my list as a template and don’t forget to change it to your liking. It’s your trip!
A great adventure awaits you! Dare to throw yourself out there and experience everything with an open heart!
If you want to read about my adventure at a ski resort click HERE!