Don’t Forget Your … or You Might Regret It
Even if you’ve never stuck your ski poles into fresh resort snow, you probably still know the basics of what to take on a skiing holiday. I mean, anyone can guess skis, ski boots, ski poles, perhaps a helmet, gloves, warm socks and so on, right? The same holds true for snowboarding I would guess too: snowboard, boots, helmet, perhaps a tailbone pad, gloves and the like. Well, since we all know what to bring for skiing, it’s time to create a list to bring for comfort. I always try to pack things that will make my trip not only fun but also more enjoyable. Here’s what to bring if you’ve ever caught yourself saying things like, “Oh, man my lips are chapped.” or “The sun is sure bright today.” or “My hands [or feet] are freezing.”
“My hands or feet are freezing.”
Let’s start with probably the number one complaint while on the slopes. One of my favourite tricks for keeping my hands and feet extra toasty while battling Mother Nature’s winter fury is to pack hand warmers. I know of two kinds: the kind that you sort of crack that produces a chemical heat and the kind you light a carbon stick with a lighter and put inside a protective box. I prefer the latter because it’s cheaper, and I find the kind of heat produced by it more pleasant. These babies keep my hands almost sweaty which sure beats the fingernail-pull feeling of fingertips going numb!
“I don’t know where the h&@#$* I’m at.”
I use to carry my cell phone with me just in case I found myself lost, if that makes any sense—if it does then you probably have too. In any event, if you’ve ever muttered “I’m lost” or an above variation, then you should carry a trail map with you. Ok, sounds simple enough but I run into skiers and boarders all the time that don’t have a map with them. “All the slopes lead down, mate.” I was once told. I wanted to punch that dude, trust me. Just ask your hotel lobby informant or take a quick visit to the tourist office to get the most up-to-date trail and piste map.
“The sun is bright today.”
Most people bring either glasses or goggles to protect from the glare of the sun. Others, however, walk around with frozen water droplets splattered on their glasses and goggles. To avoid this, if I may suggest, is to bring a small chamois or lens cloth. I find myself cleaning my goggles almost every time I’m on the cable or gondola lift. Trust you me, once you find yourself on the Harakiki in Mayrhofen (Zillertal) in Austria for minutes at a time for example, you’ll have to use an ice scraper on your goggles to see clearly again.
“I sure get hungry and thirsty while on the pistes.”
If you ever get the munchies while skiing, then you should always carry a snack or two plus water or drink with you. I enjoy trail mix or an energy bar but sometime I crave a simultaneous sugar and caffeine buzz. If this happens, I like to take my favourite candy or chocolate bar. Chocolate is a notorious snack that gives you everything you need to stave off a large meal that would make you sleep rather than ski or snowboard.
Though you shouldn’t eat it, I like also to take sunscreen, chapped lip salve, a padlock (or money change) for lockers and (to be sure) my favorite apres-ski clothes. “You are not wearing that are you?” my girlfriend has never ceased asking. “What, I like them tight,” I always retort.
I often carry a euro-carry all purse or a fanny pack around my waist. I can fit all the things you said on the list, with easy access. I hate to search through the 1000 zipper pockets in my pants and ski jacket or vest. So, the fanny pack keeps things tidy and easy to find. You might think it’s a good idea to add this to your list of things not to forget when skiing or snowboarding.
You know how often I forget my Speedos. I have to always wear a pair of khaki shorts or football shorts into the pools and saunas. Now, I leave a pair of them in my luggage year round as to not forget them. All my other American friends don’t like my Speedos and they wear surf shorts as their bathing suit. I make fun of them for not being real men. They said I’d get a real girlfriend if I’d quit wearing them. I will wear my Speedos and my true love will love them too. So, add swim suits to your list.
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