What to Pack for a Ski Season? 

You’ve got your ski season job. You know which resort you’re heading to. You can almost smell the fresh powder… You've just got the small task of packing your bags for a 6 month ski season!

Quality Over Quantity

When you have a down day in the mountains (admittedly very rare), having your favourite pjs to hand or your multiple series' of your favourite shows downloaded ready to watch could make all the difference to your mental wellbeing. You will have luggage restrictions if you're flying, and even if you're planning to drive you can't fit EVERYTHING in, so remember it’s all about quality over quantity and packing skilfully...

The Essentials for Work

• EHIC or GHIC card
• Passport (valid for  6 months after your planned return date to the UK)
• A copy of your employment contract
• 4 passport-size photos
• A Revolut or Monzo card – highly recommend so that you can get your monthly wage paid and to get the best exchange rate while in resort
• Enough money to last you until your first full pay day (usually mid-January)
• Mobile phone with data coverage and roaming compatibility*
• Driving licence (if you have one)
• 2 pairs of smart black trousers
• Indoor work shoes
• Snowboots / Walking boots - it’s all about the grip when you’re living in a ski resort!

*Please check with your provider or make sure your phone is unlocked for use overseas. You might have a dual-SIM phone allowing you to use both a French/Austrian and UK SIM simultaneously, and you can buy a SIM in resort.

On the Mountain

• Snowboard / Ski equipment (unless you plan to rent for the season)
• Ski jacket / shell jacket (for the warmer months)
• Ski pants
• Helmet (requirement for insurance!)
• Ski gloves and general gloves
• Wooly hats/beanies
• Goggles & sunglasses (polarized lenses are best)
• Buff / Snood (a nose-saver on those icy days and early mornings)
• Thermal base layers
• Avalanche safety equipment (to comply with insurance if skiing off piste)
• Backpack

In Resort/Personal

• Money or funds to last you until the first ‘full’ pay day (usually mid-January)
• Two week's worth of underwear
• Going out clothes (but leave the stilettos at home)
• Jacket (basic, for going out)
• Day-to-day clothes for days off
• Trainers
• Flip flops (Yes! spring in the mountains gets warm)
• Towel
• High SPF sun cream
• Some toiletries - certain things are expensive in resort e.g. contact lens solution
• Multi-vitamins
• Chargers & adapter plugs
• Personal first aid kit

You May Not Have Thought of...

• Multi-plug extension lead
• Mini sewing kit / Wonder tape
• Bluetooth speaker
• Portable charger/power bank
• Laptop filled with downloads of every film and TV series you like
• Teabags / Dairy Milk / Marmite (if you love it)
• Berroca / Lemsip / Ibuprofen / Paracetamol
• Fancy Dress (you may be able to acquire this out there but it’s worth packing something)
• Comfy clothes (+slippers) for white-out days infront of Netflix
• Workman's hand cream
• Re-usable hand warmers
• Hip Flask
• Playing cards
• Swimming gear
• Hair clippers!?!

The Art of Packing 

1. Try rolling clothes into cylinders rather than folding them flat (sounds strange but works!)
2. Pack small things into big things - e.g. fill your ski helmet with socks
3. If you are taking a board or skis, pack as much extra as you can fit into that bag too
4. Pack individual items into sandwich bags, squash the air out of them, repeat!
5. Wear your ski jacket while travelling - it can double as a blanket or pillow and won't take up space in your bag
6. Don't bother packing loads of toiletries - they take up loads of space, can pop open (!) and you can buy it all in resort anyway.

Ski Helmets

Skiworld strongly advise all staff to wear a ski helmet whilst out skiing or boarding for safety reasons. You can rent them in resort but buying your own is a good idea. Please note: Our insurance will not pay out on a claim if a skiing/boarding accident occurs and a helmet has not been worn at the time of the accident.

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