There are some things I put in my ski jacket every winter without really thinking about it anymore. They aren’t particularly exciting things, and you won’t find anything revolutionary here. I’m certainly not suggesting you need to buy a suitcase full of specialist ski gadgets before you come to La Plagne. In fact, most of the things I carry are incredibly ordinary. But after enough days skiing, you learn very quickly which little things you’re grateful to have and which things you really didn’t need to bring with you.
After all these years at Ice & Fire, I’ve also had plenty of opportunities to see what guests tend to forget. There are always the same few things people end up borrowing, buying in the village, or wishing they’d packed. So, if you’re wondering what to take skiing, here is what you’ll usually find in my pockets before I head out for the day.
Lip balm. Always.
This is probably the first thing I’d tell anyone packing their ski jacket. Take lip balm, and then take another one. The combination of cold air, wind, sun and being outside for hours is not particularly kind to your lips. You don’t necessarily notice it while you’re skiing, but by the time you come home, you certainly can.
I keep one in a pocket that I can reach easily because I use it throughout the day. It’s one of those tiny ski holiday essentials that takes up almost no room and yet you really notice when you haven’t got it.
Tissues, because you will probably need them
This one isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the things I’m most grateful for when I need it. Cold air has a funny way of making your nose run, particularly when you’re standing around on a chairlift with nothing but the mountain and your thoughts for company.
So I always have tissues somewhere in my jacket. And I mean somewhere in my jacket, because I have learned the hard way that putting them in a trouser pocket isn’t particularly useful when you actually need them. They’re also handy for children, friends, wiping sunglasses and dealing with the occasional lunchtime mishap.
Just take tissues. You’ll thank me later.
My phone, but not just for photographs
Obviously, my phone comes with me. There are far too many beautiful moments on a ski day not to take a few photographs. A clear morning with the mountains looking enormous, snow-covered trees, a particularly good view from a lift, or simply everyone looking happy after a morning on the slopes.
But I also think of my phone as something practical. I might need to contact someone, check information, look at the weather or find out what’s happening with the lifts and pistes.
At Ice & Fire, we always want guests to feel prepared before they head out for the day, and checking the weather and mountain conditions is something I do myself. La Plagne recommends checking current conditions before heading out and carrying a mobile phone in the mountains.
I wouldn’t, however, rely on my phone for everything. Reception isn’t guaranteed everywhere, and your phone battery can disappear surprisingly quickly in cold conditions.
Which brings me neatly to the next thing.
A small power bank
I’ve become much more attached to this over the years. Cold temperatures aren’t particularly kind to phone batteries, and neither is spending hours taking photographs, checking information and using your phone throughout the day.
A small power bank takes up very little space. You don’t need a huge one, just something that can give your phone a useful boost if you need it. There’s nothing worse than looking at your phone halfway through the afternoon and seeing 12% battery when you know you’ve still got several hours before you’re back at the chalet.
It’s one of those things I rarely think about when I have it, but really appreciate when I need it.
Sunglasses
I never understand people who go skiing with goggles and assume that means they don’t need sunglasses as well. I like having both.
Goggles are brilliant when you’re actually skiing, particularly when it’s snowing, windy or visibility isn’t great. But there are plenty of moments when sunglasses are much more comfortable. Perhaps you’re sitting outside having lunch, waiting for friends or simply walking around the village.
And then there are those glorious blue-sky days when you want to sit somewhere for five minutes and look at the mountains.
I recommend category 3 or higher sunglasses for protection from the glare of the snow, so this is definitely one of my ski jacket essentials.
A few plasters
Again, not particularly exciting, but very useful. Ski boots are wonderfully good at finding tiny pressure points you didn’t know existed.
Sometimes it’s not even the boots. A seam in a sock, a little rubbing somewhere or a blister starting to appear can turn into a surprisingly uncomfortable afternoon. A couple of plasters weigh almost nothing, so I usually have a few tucked away.
It’s another little thing that we see guests needing from time to time. You don’t need a complete first-aid kit in your jacket, but having a couple of basics with you can save a lot of irritation.
A spare pair of gloves, depending on the day
This one depends on who I’m skiing with and what the weather is doing. I don’t always carry a full spare pair because ski jacket pockets have their limits, but if I’m skiing with children, I definitely think about it.
Wet gloves can make a surprisingly large difference to someone’s mood. If you’ve ever spent an afternoon skiing with a child whose gloves are soaked through, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
For myself, I’ll sometimes carry a thin pair of gloves that can work as a backup or an extra layer if the temperature drops. It isn’t something I always need, but when I do, I’m very glad they’re there.
What I don’t carry
I think this is almost as useful as knowing what I do carry.
I don’t fill my pockets with huge bottles, enormous snacks, spare clothes, and things I might possibly need. If I genuinely need another layer, I’ll wear it or take something appropriate with me rather than trying to turn my ski jacket into a suitcase.
And I’m certainly not carrying something simply because somebody online has told me it’s an “essential ski gadget”.
After a few days, you’ll work out what you personally need. Some people like to carry a small camera. Some people have a reusable water bottle. Some people seem to have a collection of snacks that would suggest they’re preparing for a three-day expedition rather than a morning on the slopes.
There isn’t really a correct answer.
The thing I always check before leaving
It’s not actually something I keep in my jacket.
It’s the weather.
Before heading out, I want to know what the conditions are likely to be doing, particularly if I’m planning to spend most of the day high up. A beautiful blue-sky morning can turn into something very different at altitude, and conditions in the mountains can change quickly.
I’ll check the forecast and current mountain information before leaving, and that can affect everything from what I’m wearing to whether I take another layer and whether my sunglasses or goggles are going to be more useful.
It’s a small habit, but one that makes a difference.
Now, none of these things are going to make you a better skier, but they can make the day considerably more comfortable.
And after all, that’s what I want for our guests at Ice & Fire. Once you’ve left the chalet in the morning, I want you to be thinking about the snow, the views, where you’re going next and whether you can squeeze in one more run before lunch.
Not wondering whether you remembered the lip balm.
Johanna
