What to pack for a ski course? We’ve got a checklist and plenty of handy tips for you.

Is your schoolchild going on a ski trip? A few tips on how to prepare, what to get, and what to pack will definitely come in handy.

Ski equipment should be dealt with in advance so you can choose calmly. First, decide whether you’ll be buying or renting the equipment. The most expensive option is to buy everything new. This is most suitable if you have multiple children who can inherit the gear from each other. A more cost-effective option is to buy second-hand. Besides second-hand stores, you can also visit rental shops, which often sell decommissioned equipment. The cheapest option is to shop on online marketplaces where parents sell equipment their children have outgrown. Searching might take a bit of time, but it’s definitely worth it. Similarly, you can sell everything yourself after the season—if you’re lucky, even for the same price you paid. The simplest option is to rent all the equipment for the entire season. Rental shops usually offer good advice, provide maintenance, and after a year, you simply exchange the gear for a larger size. Rental shops often offer better prices in the fall.

How to choose the right equipment?

Downhill skis should be 10–20 cm shorter than the skier's height. To determine the correct pole length, hold the pole upside down with the tip pointing upward. Your arm should form a right angle at the elbow. Ski boots should not pinch anywhere. Try them on with ski socks. It’s also important that the child can put them on and fasten them independently. Once you’ve chosen the boots, have the ski bindings professionally adjusted accordingly.

If your child prefers snowboarding, it’s a good idea to consult a professional when selecting a new board. With snowboards, of which there are several types, factors such as length, width, stiffness, shape, turning radius, and base type all play a role in addition to size.

Whether the child will be tackling the slopes on skis or a snowboard, they’ll need the right helmet. It shouldn’t move on the head even with sudden movements when not fastened. However, fastening the strap is essential on the slopes. The strap should not be able to slide over the chin but also shouldn’t restrict movement. Helmets with adjustable circumference are practical as they can grow with the child. Ski goggles are also a must. It’s a good idea to choose them along with the helmet, as some models may not fit together on the head. If you already have a helmet, don’t hesitate to bring it to the store. A useful addition, especially for more advanced athletes, is a back protector.

And what if the ski trip includes cross-country skiing? For a beginner, choose skis that are 5–10 cm longer than their height. Ideally, they should have scales on the base, which will prevent slipping. When selecting boots, make sure they are compatible with the type of ski bindings.

We’ve got the equipment ready, so now we can tackle packing clothes. To make it as easy as possible for you, we’ve prepared a checklist that you can simply download and check off as you pack. This way, you’ll be sure you haven’t forgotten anything. Finally, pack the checklist in your little skier’s bag so they can bring everything back home.

When dressing for the slopes, proper layering is key: the base layer should be quality thermal underwear, the middle layer a warm fleece or sweatshirt, and on top, a breathable jacket and pants that provide warmth and protection from wind and moisture. It’s really worth investing in functional base layer pants and shirts. Unlike regular tights and cotton shirts, they wick sweat away from the body, so your child won’t spend the day in damp, cold clothes.

Safety on the slopes is enhanced when clothing or helmets are in bright colors, making the child easily visible. Another option is a colorful helmet cover. If the kids will also be cross-country skiing, pack thinner gloves, a lightweight windproof hat, and a lighter jacket and pants.

What to pack everything in?

The choice of luggage depends primarily on how the children will travel to the accommodation. In the mountains, it might be necessary to walk part of the way to the lodge. In that case, it’s better to pack everything in a large backpack. Otherwise, a suitcase or a bag with wheels is more practical. For carrying skis and boots to the slopes every day, a specialized backpack that can hold ski boots and a helmet is ideal. This keeps hands free for carrying skis or a snowboard.

It’s best to pack everything together with your child. This way, they’ll know exactly what they have and how to use it. Taking care of themselves on a ski trip can be a bit challenging. Talk through the best way to dress, which gloves are suitable for the slopes, when to wear a balaclava, and when a neck warmer will suffice. Don’t forget to emphasize the importance of letting all clothing and boots dry thoroughly in the evening, so everything is ready for the next day. Make sure your child knows how to put on and fasten ski boots, attach the skis, and how to unclip them.

What else not to forget

• In the mountains, it’s essential to think about the effects of the sun, wind, and frost. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, nourishing cream, and lip balm.
• If the weather doesn’t cooperate, a trip to the pool is often the backup plan. Check if you need to pack swimwear.
• A small backpack for outings will come in handy.
• An electric shoe dryer is a great tool for dealing with wet boots.
• Winter sports come with the risk of injury or causing damage. Good insurance can be very beneficial. For claims, proof of professional ski adjustment is often required. Insurance is also helpful in case your child damages something at the accommodation—a common occurrence during playful moments with friends.

There’s a lot for young skiers to keep track of on a ski trip: helmets, gloves, hats… so many items, and it’s a miracle if nothing gets lost or they don’t bring home clothes you’ve never seen before. On top of that, they often don’t know their skis or boots well yet, making it tricky to identify their gear in the ski storage room. That’s why it’s important to label everything clearly. Our name stickers can withstand tough conditions on skis. You can easily label all clothing with stick-on name tags, iron-on labels, or a name stamp.

Now, nothing stands in the way of sending your schoolchild on a ski trip calmly and stress-free. The Mama Labels Team is happy to help you choose the perfect labels for your needs.