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We have been taking snow trips just about every year since our first time in the snow. If you have never seen snow before, it really is as magical as you imagine it, if you’re well prepared that is! From our extensive experience, we have curated a fool-proof list of exactly what you need to pack to stay warm and survive your first snow trip. Countless of friends and family have used this list and all have thanked us several times for making going to a very new climate super easy and comfortable.The great part about this list is that you’ll use it every time you go on a snow trip and you won’t need to repurchase anything for next time. You’ll already have everything you need to go on future snow trips at the drop of hat!

To help you see how the list makes sense, we’ll be going from the bottom most layers to the outermost. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us, we love to help people get ready for their trips!

1. Thermals

First layer should be thermals. Thermals are the essential base layer for snow activities. Jenn’s personal favorite is anything fleece lined. Fleece will help keep heat close to your body under all the other layers much better than regular clothes. The great thing about a good thermal base layer, is that thermals are thin enough to add snow pants and ski-jackets on top without feeling bulky, but warm enough to make it through your trip comfortably. I personally like light or mid-weight base layers. Since I do more extreme snow sports than Jenn, I like materials that are more breathable and can wick moisture when I’m spending whole days out on the slopes. Depending on how cold your destination is and what activities you’ll be doing, thermals come in different weight categories and you can pick the best ones for you. 

2. Snow Pants

A theme you’ll quickly realize when going through the list is almost everything is WATERPROOF! For those who have never seen or been in snow before, you have to remember, snow is frozen water. When you touch it, sit in it, or when it falls, you’re going to get wet, so having waterproof outside layers is very important. We personally like to keep it simple; we only own 1 snow pant each. Since it’s the outer layer, we use the same one every day. You can get fancy and have a few different colors to mix it up, but you really only need one pair. 

3. Shirts/Sweaters

We buy neutral color outer layers since we wear it everyday, so this layer is where you can have fun with it. This layer will go over your thermals but under your snow jacket, and you’ll be able to style this layer however you want to look when you’re taking a picture or inside at dinner or lounging. Since we take pictures for our blog and instagram, this is the only layer that takes a little more thought to plan out than others, but it makes all the difference when everything else is the same.

4. Snow Boots

Another crucial item on the list are snow boots. You lose warmth in your extremities first, so if your feet or hands get cold, it is going to take forever to warm back up. Having a shoe that you don’t even have to think about makes being out in the snow go from uncomfortable, to fun! Our personal favorite brand of snow shoe is Columbia. They have this thing called Omni-Heat technology that helps use your body heat to insulate and keep warm and the bottoms have deep treads which help when you’re exploring and doing snow activities. They don’t have to be Columbia though, as long as they have good insulation, a good treaded sole, and if they’re waterproof, you’re good to go!

5. Snow Jacket

Next on the list is a good snow jacket. The key here is good insulation and waterproof. I know we keep pushing the waterproof, but I promise you it will feel impossible to warm up when you’re wet. We bought our jackets at our neighborhood Burlington, but with Amazon returns being fairly easy now-a-days, you could probably find the perfect jacket online too. Keep in mind the activities you’re going to do to find the jacket that works for you. If you buy a ski Jacket, but don’t plan on doing anything active, you might end up feeling cold, and in the same way, if you buy a hot thick puffer, you might not feel mobile enough to do any snow activities. So just keep that in mind when you shop.

6. Beanie/Ear Warmers

On the same page of keeping your extremities warm, your head/ears are on there. Jenn prefers headband ear warmers because it messes her hair up less and it’s a great option for girls. I use beanies, because I could care less about my hair and they fit great under sport helmets. Whichever you choose, the key is that it’s practical and comfortable for your personal needs so that you don’t end up tossing it aside mid trip and end up feeling cold. 

7. Ski Mask

Ski mask or face mask, can be a balaclava or gator style, Is just anything to keep your face warm when the wind picks up. We generally use it for tubing where the wind picks up when you’re going down fast, but it has also come in handy a few times during snowstorms. Whether you end up using it or not, it’s one of those things you’ll be happy you had on you when you needed it.

8. Gloves

This one seems obvious, but you’re going to need a good snow glove. We went over the importance of protecting your extremities, and hands are probably the main ones. You’re going to want something warm, waterproof and that fit. When you’re looking up sizing, make sure you have a ruler handy, because you don’t want something too big or too tight as it won’t properly insulate warmth and it will make everything harder to do when you have no or too much mobility.

9. Goggles/Sunglasses

Sunglasses are something that you probably wouldn’t associate with needing on a cold weather trip; however, when sunlight hits the snow and reflects UV light back at you, it becomes incredibly hard to see and can cause snow blindness. If you’re planning on snowboarding, skiing, tubing, or snowmobiling, your eyes need extra protection to avoid an injury from the elements. We have snowmobiled a few times, and the places have always made anybody who didn’t have goggles buy a pair before riding, because of the increased liability.  Shops in these towns are going to cost much more than buying them online, so we recommend looking up affordable options for snow goggles or sunglasses to add to your shopping list.

10. Sunscreen

You’re probably thinking this recommendation is crazy, but when you come back sunburnt from your snow trip, you’ll think of us! The sun is reflecting hard off the snow and UV rays are more extreme in these conditions. If you’re like Jenn and wear sunscreen everyday as part of your skincare, you’ll be fine, just remember to reapply. If you’re like Ryan, however, make sure you pick up a small one and chuck it in your toiletries bag. You’re welcome in advance!