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What to pack for a ski weekend with 10kg cabin luggage limit
Off on a ski weekend holiday with only 10kg cabin luggage to play with? It requires a knack for sure, but is totally doable - and having the right kit makes it easier. The ability to pack within airlines’ 10kg hand luggage limits makes weekend ski escapes a whole lot more affordable and hassle-free. No early bag drop-offs, no hanging about at baggage carousels the other end, and no ludicrous oversize ski luggage to cart around the resort. Pack what you need and get to the slopes, pronto!
We asked our friends at specialist ski and snowboard retailer Snow+Rock to compile their ultimate ski gear packing list for a 3-day ski weekend, including some of their favourite product recommendations.
Top tips to save on packing space and weight
Wear your ski jacket and beanie, clip your helmet to your bag, and hire your skis and boots in resort:
Ski jacket: 0kg – Anything you can wear on a flight frees up packing space and weight allowance. Wearing or carrying your ski jacket instead of packing it makes perfect sense.
Ski boots: 0kg – Even if you had enough weight allowance, you’d never be able to fit ski boots in your bag. Boots don’t add much to the cost of ski kit hire, so if you’re not attached to a certain pair, leave them at home.
Waterproof shoes/boots: 0kg - Take a pair of waterproof shoes with a good grip to wear around the resort. We also recommend wearing these on the plane to save room.
Beanie: 0kg – Another wearable ‘freebie’ that doesn’t need to contribute to your hand luggage weight!
Helmet: 0kg – You probably won’t have space to pack a helmet within your pack. Instead, clip your helmet to the outside of your travel bag - most airlines won’t blink an eye - but be careful not to bash it as you navigate your journey.
What to pack for a ski holiday weekend - 10kg
Next up, pack this lovely lot, which should still leave about 6kg for non-skiing clothes and other holiday essentials:
Backpack/daypack: ~1kg
We recommend skiing with a backpack or daypack for storing spare clothing, food, and water. Freeride daypacks are designed to be rugged and body hugging. They offer ski-specific functionalities such as ski-carry systems, compression straps, compartments for organising avalanche safety equipment, and hydration system compatibility. Use it while skiing and as your primary hand luggage. A backpack volume between 25 and 35 litres should just about fit your gear. If you don’t intend to ski with a pack, you can use your regular hand luggage instead.
Ski pants: ~600g
Your salopettes or bib pants will take up the most room inside your pack. A shell-style pant without insulation will occupy less space and keep weight down. If you struggle in the cold and prefer insulated salopettes then you’ll need to roll them tight like a newspaper. Just make sure whatever you’re bringing is waterproof, breathable, and comfortable!
Sherpa fleece: ~500g
Technical mid-layer: ~350g
If you don’t have one, we suggest investing in an insulating layer that retains body heat and wicks away moisture. These layers are designed to be closer fitting with a stretchy fabric for freedom of movement. Insulated mid-layers from Patagonia are undisputed classics.
1x Base layers set (top and bottoms) ~550g total
We recommend merino wool, a natural fabric that’s cosy, itch-free, and resistant to odour. Icebreaker and Kari Traa both have excellent base layer options.
3x Underwear: <300g total
Merino is a treat if you can afford it, but hollow fibre synthetic fabrics such as Coolmax, which wick sweat away from the skin, will do the job.
3x Ski socks: 300g total
Ski gloves: 300g
Rugged, well-insulated mountain gloves like those from Dakine will keep your hands warm and dry. Look for Gore-Tex products, which have a “guaranteed to keep you dry” promise, for peace of mind. If space is tight, under-cuff versions are smaller, or stick them in your jacket pockets for a quick space saver. Mitts should be a consideration for anybody who suffers from icy fingers.
Ski goggles: 200g
You never know what the weather has in store. A good pair of ski goggles will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and help you to see better in varied conditions. To ensure you have the right lens for the conditions, either pack goggles with a photochromic lens (which adjusts to the light intensity), or bring a selection of lenses with different tints. We’d highly recommend checking out Oakley’s Prizm technology.
Neckwarmer: 50g
Glove liners: 30g
Liners are lightweight gloves that can be worn around town or layered beneath your ski gloves to boost warmth. If you suffer from cold fingers, these are essential! You can’t go wrong with Icebreaker's glove liners.
Once you’ve packed that lot, don’t forget these!
Swimwear – make the most of hotel pools, impromptu sauna sessions or an alpine-inspired cold plunge. If you can find it, swimwear is always extortionate in resorts.
Sleepwear – pack something light and versatile like a spare t-shirt and leggings.
Wash kit – keep it to the basics.
Travel adaptor & phone charger – gotta capture those magic mountain moments!
PASSPORT! – with at least 6 months beyond your return date.
Have an awesome ski trip!
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