So get ready to tick off our definitive seasonnaire ski and snowboard kit list:

Chances are, if you’re planning to head out for a season, you’re going because you love skiing or snowboarding, so making sure you’ve got all your gear for the slopes is a must. If you don’t already own skis, a snowboard, boots and a helmet, then now really is the time to invest, if you can. 

Although you can hire equipment from the resort you’re heading to, they only tend to have basic equipment and more often than not, it’s not in great condition. And when you’re skiing most days, the hire costs soon mount up, so buying at Snow+Rock before you travel can be more cost-effective and less hassle than hiring. 

Plus, when you have your own skis or snowboard not only will your performance improve, but you’ll have them to hand, ready and raring to go every spare minute you get to spend on the slopes. 

As a soon-to-be seasonnaire, we recommend investing in:

• SKIS/SNOWBOARD
• SKI BOOTS/SNOW BOOTS
• SKI POLES
• SKI HELMET/SNOW HELMET

At Snow+Rock we love the mountains as much as you do and understand the importance of getting the right fit for your riding style, ability and personal preference.  To help make sure you get the right fit, we offer a free boot, ski and board fitting in-store to optimise your comfort, performance and enjoyment on the slopes. 

As well as finding out more about your skiing experience and preferences, our experts will carry out a foot analysis, looking at the width, instep height, and heel and ankle width, as well as weighted and unweighted measurements of your foot. They’ll then check the fit of the shell to ensure there's enough space before adding the inner and tailoring the fit.

SHOP SKI GEAR             SHOP SNOWBOARD GEAR

Clothing is a big one and is going to make up a large bulk of your luggage, so get this right, and you’ll nail your packing. 

Just like with your ski or snowboard equipment, mountain clothing is worth investing in when you’re heading to the mountains for the whole season. As a basic guide, we recommend taking:

• SKI JACKET/SNOW JACKET – A good ski jacket will keep you warm, dry and comfortable no matter how long you spend on the slopes. The style you go for will depend on your skiing or snowboarding style as well as your personal preference.

• SALOPETTES – Another absolute essential your salopettes or ski pants will keep your legs protected from the elements and the inevitable bails. There are plenty of styles to suit different shapes, so try some on and get a feel for what suits you best.

• SOFTSHELL OR INSULATED JACKET – Although you’ve got your ski jacket, you’ll need another jacket to layer underneath it on cold days or to wear as a standalone on warmer days. In an ideal world, you’d have a softshell and an insulated jacket, but your baggage limit and funds may mean you have to choose one or the other. So which is right for you? 

Insulated jackets are incredibly stylish and are a top choice on the slopes. Down insulated jackets provide a fantastic warmth to weight ratio and pack down incredibly small, but they lose all their insulating properties if they get wet and take a long time to dry. For that reason, many people tend to opt for a synthetic insulated jacket that retains insulating properties when wet and dries out incredibly quickly. 

Softshell jackets are versatile and offer some wind and water resistance, making them ideal for the slopes. There are two types of softshell jackets, a stretch-woven shell with a water repellent coating and a membrane softshell, which has a waterproof membrane bonded between the layers of fabric. Stretch-woven jackets tend to be more breathable but less waterproof than a membrane softshell.

• SKI GOGGLES – Your eyesight is extremely important, so buying the right goggles to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun or the reflection in the snow should not be overlooked. It’s a good idea to invest in different lenses, so you can optimise the level of protection and ensure you get a clear view regardless of the conditions. 

• SKI GLOVES/MITTENS – Your extremities are where you lose heat the quickest, so keeping your hands warm is a must. Finding the right fit is key, as you’re more likely to keep them on if they’re comfortable and don’t reduce your dexterity. We also recommend opting for technical gloves with waterproofing as this will help keep your hands dry should you bail and end up in the snow. Another tip if you know you always feel the cold is to consider glove liners for additional warmth. 

• SKI SOCKS – One of the most often overlooked but most important pieces of kit for a comfortable day on the slopes is your socks. Although performance ski socks may initially seem expensive, spending a little extra on socks that have been designed to be breathable and keep your feet warm and dry all day long is well worth it – and they’ll last much longer than standard cotton ones. You can thank us later!

• BASE LAYERS – Staying warm in the snow is all about layering, and the best systems start with the right base layers. There to manage moisture, a base layer should effectively move sweat away from your body and keep you dry from the inside. 

Merino base layers offer excellent heat retention and feel soft against the skin. But perhaps the biggest plus for seasonnaire’s is that Merino has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which means it can be worn for days without needing to be washed!

Synthetic base layers are usually made from polyester or polyester blends and offer great breathability and moisture-wicking. Although quick-drying, they don't tend to be as warm as merino base layers.

Whichever material your choose, be sure to look out for ventilation, such as a quarter-zip or mesh panels on the underarms or down the spine, as these will help improve airflow and keep your temperature consistent when you're switching from intense shredding to waiting for the lift.

SHOP SKI CLOTHING                        SHOP SNOWBOARD CLOTHING

On top of your mountain clothing you’ll need things for day-to-day wear::

• UNDERWEAR – You should pack enough for a couple of weeks to avoid having to make a trek to the laundrette every week 

• SOCKS – Another thing to pack plenty of is socks. Not only will it save you washing, but socks have a habit of disappearing which is why we also recommend choosing garish colours or prints that you can identify as yours

• DAY TO DAY CLOTHING – Although you may be provided with a uniform for your daily duties, you’ll need something to wear when you’re off duty and not hitting the slopes. Packing layers is key as you’ll find the temperature will start to heat up in the spring, so layering will allow you to strip back and stay comfortable

• SNOW BOOTS / WALKING BOOTS – Getting about the resort in the height of the season is all about grip, so boots or shoes with a good tread are a must

• TRAINERS – Towards the end of the season, the snow will start to melt, so you may want to switch your boots for trainers

• SWIMMING GEAR – Many resorts have saunas or hot tubs available, so it’s always worth being prepared

• HATS + GLOVES – Packs a few hats and pairs of gloves because they’re both easily lost around and can be expensive to replace in the resort

• GOING OUT CLOTHES – Although you can leave your stilettos at home, you will want some ‘better clothing’ for making the most of the nightlife

When you’re skiing a lot, you need to keep your equipment in good condition for maximum performance and comfort. Learning the basics of caring for your equipment and taking the essentials you need will save you a considerable amount of money. Plus, you’ll probably be able to swap your skills and equipment with other seasonnaires who weren’t as well prepared. 

As a minimum, we recommend taking: 

• WAX

• IRON

• SCRAPER

• FILE/TUNER

• SKI LOCK

Don’t forget to get your skis serviced before you depart. Drop them into your nearest store, and we'll repair, wax, scrape and tune up your skis/snowboard for you!

CHECK OUT OUR SERVICING+REPAIRS

When you’re in the mountains for months on end, perfecting your skiing, you’re likely to start venturing further and further off-piste. But when heading into the backcountry, you need to be extra vigilant as this area is under the same careful management pistes, so avalanches are more likely. 

If you’re likely to be heading off-piste, then we recommend taking the following equipment with you:

• AVALANCHE AIRBAG 

• TRANSCEIVER AND PROBE

• TELESCOPIC SHOVEL

• FIRST AID KIT

Read our article on avalanche safety fo more for expert tips on avalanche awareness and mountain safety.

SHOP SAFETY

When you’re spending consecutive days on the slopes, for the entire winter season, these are the little things that will make a big difference.

• CUSTOM INSOLES – At Snow+Rock we offer custom insoles as part of our boot fitting service. We take an imprint of your foot and use it to create a moulded insole that provides maximum comfort from the first wear.

• BOOT/GLOVE WARMERS – On cold days, pre-warming your boots and gloves with warmers is an absolute must. Glove warmers are also great to keep in your ski jacket pockets for quick warm-up midday while you stop for lunch. 

• BOOT DRIERS – When you’ve invested in a good pair of boots, you want to protect them and make them last for as long as possible. Boot driers will help keep your ski or board boots in top-notch condition by drying them out and preventing your boots from becoming smelly and mould developing. 

• BOOT BANANAS – Wearing your boots day-in-and-day-out takes its toll on them. So to keep them fresh all season long, we recommend investing in boot bananas, a moisture-absorbing shoe deodoriser. 

• INJURY SUPPORT – Injuries are common in skiing and snowboarding, so having some supports to hand will ensure you’re prepared for the inevitable bail. As knees are one of the most commonly injured areas, we’d suggest knee supports as a minimum.

• ACTION CAMERA – Make sure you capture all the highs and lows of your time on the mountain by taking an action camera with you. There’s plenty to choose from, but be sure to invest in any essential accessories for mountain conditions. 

Durable, reliable luggage to safely transport your clothing and equipment is a worthwhile investment. If you’re taking your skis or board, then you’ll need a ski or board bag to protect them during transit - same with your boots. 

But what you choose to pack your clothing is up to you. Although wheeled bags are great in the airport where you can wheel them, they’re not so great in the resort and can be awkward to carry. A duffle bag is easier to carry around but can be more cumbersome in the airport unless you opt for a wheeled duffle to get the best of both types of bags.

Don’t forget you’ll need a daypack for when you’re on the slopes too – it’s the best place to keep your essentials when spending the whole day exploring the mountains.

• SKI BAG/BOARD BAG

• BOOT BAG

• WHEELED BAG/DUFFLE BAG

• DAYPACK

SHOP SNOWSPORTS LUGGAGE