With 39 ski resorts to choose from, New Zealand is a prime destination for skiing adventures. Whether this is your first experience of skiing or you’re a veteran of the slopes, you won’t want to arrive at your chalet without everything you need. But what do you need for a skiing adventure in New Zealand?
Image by Oleksandr Pyrohov from Pixabay
The essential items to pack for a skiing vacation are those you need to remain safe and enjoy the experience. Follow this simple guide to ensure you don’t leave anything important behind.
Make a list
Before you pack, it is important to compile a comprehensive list of everything you might need. Use the following 6 headings:
- Vital items
- Skiing equipment
- Other equipment
- Clothes
- Toiletries
- The usual vacation items
When packing, cross off each item you pack so you don’t double-pack or forget anything important.
Vital items
What is vital varies from person to person. An obvious example is where a skier suffers from a medical condition that requires medication. Any person in your group who has an allergy should carry an EpiPen in case they experience an anaphylactic shock.
If you plan to enjoy cross country skiing, it’s a good idea to carry a compact first aid kit in your backpack. A mobile GPS unit with built-in maps will keep you on track when the trail isn’t clear. And in the event of a serious emergency, a locator beacon could save your life.
Skiing equipment
Novice skiers can hire all the equipment they need at the ski resort, but more experienced skiers should consider investing in their own skis, ski poles, and ski boots. Because ski goggles make contact with your face, it’s a good idea to bring your own.
A ski helmet is essential for safety. While you can hire a helmet, wearing your own is not only more hygienic but it also ensures a better fit. Take a small backpack for cross-country skiing, and a ski bag or snowboard bag to transport your equipment to the slopes.
If you want to involve the whole family in your cross-country skiing adventure, you can purchase a baby pulk. Pulks usually have pockets to hold your baby care essentials. There are also pulks for carrying camping equipment on long-distance cross-country skiing adventures.
Other equipment
You’re not only going to ski during your skiing adventure, so there are other things you’ll need. A camera is essential for recording those special moments for posterity. A GoPro is great for sharing your more exciting exploits with a wider audience.
Clothes
Top brand Ski jackets and ski pants are expensive. Beginners can hire such jackets at ski resorts. However, you can find more affordable jackets from around NZ$150 and pants from NZ$120 on Amazon. To save space in your suitcase, choose a ski jacket you can also use for other outdoor activities, such as hiking or sightseeing.
Keeping warm while skiing is important. Wearing layers beneath your jacket is the best way of fighting off the cold. Ski gloves are essential on the slopes. Choose super durable ski-gloves that are waterproof and breathable. If you suffer frequent falls, your gloves will soon get wet. Glove liners can help keep your fingers toasty. Some skiers prefer ski mittens for both warmth and flexibility. Don’t neglect your feet and invest in thermal ski socks designed to provide an insulating layer of air between your foot and your boot.
The gap between your helmet and ski jacket is vulnerable to the cold, but a neckwarmer offers protection. Protect your eyes from the sun’s glare with sunglasses. When packing, don’t forget that you won’t always be on the ski slopes during your vacation. Inside your hotel or chalet, it may be warm, so T-shirts and other casual clothes may prove useful.
Toiletries
When skiing, your skin suffers from the frequent temperature changes from hot to cold as you step in and out of buildings, so skin moisturizer is essential. Reflected sunlight is also a problem, so sunscreen and lip block are useful. When traveling with children, baby wipes are always useful. And hair ties assist long-haired people when squeezing into their helmet.
The usual vacation items
Although skiing or snowboarding is your main interest during your skiing adventure, don’t leave behind the other important things you regularly take on any vacation, such as your bank cards, travel documents, driver’s license, and passport. Because accidents do happen on skis, ensure you take out reputable insurance and keep your travel insurance documents on hand. When hiring a vehicle, an international driving permit may be required.
