What to Pack for a Ski Trip

You’ve booked your flights, reserved your chalet, and tuned your skis. Now, it’s time to pack.

When it comes to ski vacations—comfort, style, and versatility are a must. To get the 411 on what to pack for a ski trip, we sat down with Brenda Buglione—former member of the U.S. Ski Team, seasoned World Cup veteran, and four-time NCAA All-American (go Buffs!). Brenda knows a thing or two about skiing. A Colorado mountain town local, Brenda shares her ski vacation packing tips, whether you’re making turns in the Rockies or riding the gondola in the Alps.

Let’s start with the main event: skiing! This is a ski vacation after all. For alpine skiing I never ski without a base layer top and bottom. I love the Ava Seamless Base Layer Legging and matching Ava Base Layer Top. These base layers are warm, stretchy, and built to move with me. I don’t want extra bulk under my ski pants and jacket. I look for a snug fit that doesn’t feel too tight. This base layer set delivers.

Krimson Klover makes the cutest illustrated base layers for women. To level up your style, go with something like the Mountain Guides Base Layer Top. Designed in collaboration with the amazingly talented artist, Lamont Joseph White, this base layer top features performance fabric that’s super stretchy and quick-drying with UPF 50+. A perfect base layer top for travel.

Over my base layers, I love to wear one of the ¼ zip neck sweaters . There are so many to choose from! I’m drawn to the bold stripe designs of the Riva Zip Neck Sweater and the Dryas Zip Neck Sweater. And when it’s really cold outside, I wear the Vesta Hooded Reversible Vest over my sweater and under my ski jacket.

If I’m skate skiing, skinning up the mountain, or snowshoeing, I always go with the Switchback Jacket. It’s such a cute and comfortable lightweight sweater jacket. Great for walking around town and exploring the main street after skiing, this mid layer is wonderfully versatile.

And we can’t forget accessories! The Illustrated Neck Gaiter adds warmth and color to your outfit and the matching Illustrated Beanie ties the look together to make a super cute set. Plus, it’s got a removable pom so it fits nicely under your helmet.

Ok, time to move on to everyone’s favorite—après! Krimson Klover has the best collection of après ski sweaters. The Les Alpes Turtleneck sweater and the SKI Baby Alpaca Sweater are so fun! These are just perfect for après because they fit so well with the theme of the day (even if you didn’t ski, you feel part of the crowd with a SKI sweater on 😉).

If I’m enjoying après outside, I put on the Sela Reversible Vest. I love the reversible feature to switch things up from one day to the next. For me, it just smooths things out between your top and your ski pants, and it adds a little warmth. I also grab an outerwear jacket like the Annie Long Down Shacket or the Lila Down Jacket. They are so stylish, offer the perfect amount of warmth, and are excellent for après outside on the deck.

It’s nice to put on a cute beanie after a day with your hair under a helmet. The Après Beanie makes a statement. And the Glade Beanie has a really pretty jacquard knit.

Versatile layers are key when packing for a ski trip. Opt for ski outfits that can seamlessly take you from sipping espresso at the café to carving down the mountain to relaxing at the lodge to hitting the town for a night out. Think about what you need for a full day of adventure.

Now that our bags are packed, I have to share my favorite places to ski! You’ll want to save these for your ski vacation bucket list.

I live in Vail, Colorado so I have to give the hometown some love. The back bowls here always get great snow. Incredible powder, so expansive, and gorgeous. And a shoutout to Aspen because I love to hike the Aspen Highlands Bowl. I’m big into steep terrain. With four ski resorts in Aspen, there are plenty of groomers too, for those wanting beginner and intermediate skiing.

Alright, grab your passport because I don't think you can beat the views in Switzerland. Zermatt, St. Moritz, Adelboden-Lenk… and honestly, Europe does après so well.

Italy is amazing for just about everything, skiing, fashion, art, architecture, wine, food—I can get behind eating pasta every day!

If you’re adventurous, up for a challenge, and into heli-skiing—go to British Columbia! It’s the most challenging skiing and you’ll need good fitness, but it’s worth it. I live to float in the upper alpine powder and make my own tracks. BC is the perfect heli-skiing destination.

Hot Tip: If you plan to travel a good distance for your ski vacation, make a plan for how you’ll simulate to the new time zone to maximize your experience. Losing precious days to jet lag is no fun. Consider starting to adjust before you fly or power through that first day on the local time so you can quickly adapt.

No matter where you go, Krimson Klover has you covered. It’s impressive Krimson Klover is so right on with covering so many essential pieces for your closet. They have the cutest base layers, sweaters, mid layers, outerwear, and accessories. And spring will be here before we know it! I’ll be reaching for Krimson Klover for comfort and style at an excellent price point for all of my warm-weather activities.

Catch more of Brenda’s ski tips and industry insight on her nationally-televised show, Snow Motion , on Fox Sports Net.

See it, love it, but it’s sold out? If your preferred size or color isn’t available on our website, please contact us at customerservice@krimsonklover.com. We’re happy to help you find a style at one of our retail partners.