15 Best Ski Trip Carry-on Travel Essentials

As a travel writer, I’m usually jetting off somewhere adventurous at least once a month. And I can tell you no travel stress compares to this trifecta: delayed flight, checked bag, tight connection. I try to avoid it whenever I can by traveling carry-on-only, which I've been doing for at least a decade now, but I always run into issues come ski season. 

I like to throw a few weekend ski trips into the mix each year, but minimally packing for such quick adventures can present a real conundrum, of course, considering that spending time in the mountains for wintry fun requires considerably more coverage than a beach getaway or tropical cruise. But after much trial and error, I've finally cracked the code to fit all the necessary ski gear, accessories, and clothing items in a single carry-on. 

First, I find that wearing lots of layers on the plane is key to making packing light work, and it likely will mean clomping down the plane aisle in your snow boots as well as wearing your heaviest top layers. Trust me, though: the sweat is worth it to relieve the stress of not having everything when you land, ready to hit the ground skiing. I’ve done a week-long ski trip packing carry-on-only, so there’s no reason you can’t, too. Get your compression cubes ready for action and read on for my foolproof ski trip carry-on packing list. 

Monos Expandable Carry-on Suitcase 

I’ve been loyal to this Canadian luggage brand for years and credit the Monos Expandable Carry-on Suitcase for letting me pack for a week and longer for everything from European Christmas market trips and African safaris to scuba diving adventures. And after learning the hard way that carry-on-only is the way to go for ski trips (one time my checked bag didn’t arrive in Colorado until I was ready to go home to Florida, resulting in a weekend of missed ski runs and frolicking in the fresh powder with my friends), I won't travel without this trusty suitcase. 

This hard case carry-on has a polycarbonate shell that makes it light and strong and an expandable zipper that can be opened to add an extra 1.6 inches of depth. The included compression pad helps squish things down even more and is removable if you find you can leave it behind.  

Samsonite Better Than Basic Weekender Bag

When I need all the room I can conjure for my carry-on figuration, I leave my laptop backpack at home in favor of this super-spacious yet compact, duffel-style Better Than Basic Weekender Bag by Samsonite. It adds the much-needed extra packing room and passes as a personal item bag, too — as long as you don’t stuff it completely to the brim. 

The bag opens almost like an accordion and has a 14-inch laptop compartment and lots of room inside for base layers, toiletries, and more. The zippered drop-bottom compartment can be used for an extra pair of shoes and more layers from your main bag or kept empty. 

Forsake Lucie High WP Boots 

Forsake has long been my go-to brand for low-profile winter boots that aren’t bulky yet provide all the warmth and waterproof protection needed for snowy conditions. These new Lucie High WP Boots are made with waterproof Nubuck leather and suede, and have a breathable lining and great traction on the rubber outsoles for frolicking in icy environs. They also simply just look great, which isn’t always the case in a functional snow boot. 

Costa del Mar Clemente Polarized Sunglasses 

As a Florida girl who spends a lot of time in the sun, I know how important a good pair of polarized sunglasses is both for protecting your eyes and for your viewing pleasure. I love this new look from Florida-based brand Costa del Mar for its cheerful, pink translucent hue of the frames that styles up your ski outfit and allows for a brighter line of sight in the periphery of your line of vision, too. These shades offer 100 percent UV protection and filter the reflective glare of the high-altitude sun reflecting off fresh stashes of powder. Plus, they look as smart on the mountain as someplace sunny for après-ski after. 

Aether Ski Town Sweater

Super warm is what you want in a ski sweater to wear over a base layer and under your outer layers, and this 100 percent extra-fine merino wool option by Aether packs down extra thin while providing all the warmth and coziness you want. I love how easily it segues to après-ski thanks to the non-bulky look and fun international ski town insignia — St. Anton, Big Sky, Telluride, Courchevel — running down the sleeves. The ribbed detail at the collar lends the sweater a refined look, too. 

Pro tip: When you curate layers that go from the slopes to après-ski effortlessly, you'll find you need to pack far fewer items. 

Turtle Fur Merino Watch Cap

I’m always team rent-a-helmet when I ski, both to protect my noggin and for the extra warmth wearing one provides in cold, mountain conditions. So a thin, warm beanie is all I need to wear under my jacket hood when out and about off-mountain. Turtle Fur’s Merino Wool Watch Cap is minimalist and super warm and has all the other qualities I love, like its breathable fabric that's easy to wash and dry, and its snug fit that frames my face well. You can wash it with your regular ski gear and it won’t pill or shrink, either. 

Dragon NFX2 Ski Goggles 

A quality pair of ski goggles is worth investing in, and Dragon NFX2s not only keep the bulk of your face warm on freezing-cold days, but the lenses are changeable (with violet and dark gray options) and have an anti-fog coating to ensure you’re never taking them off to clear your view. The silicon strap stretches easily to fit over a helmet, too. Trust me, you’ll have these for years; just be sure to stash them in the included pouch when not in use to keep them scratch-free.

Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket 

Instead of packing a bulky ski jacket, I opt for a two-part system of a thin, down hoodie topped with a weather-resistant shell (with a thin sweater and base layers underneath for added warmth). This ski outfit formula makes wearing your biggest layers on the plane more comfortable so you can easily free up more luggage space. The Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket is super warm, has a streamlined fit, and comes in solid colors as well as retro striped versions that add some color pop to your photos against a white-out backdrop on the mountain. 

Fjallraven Keb Eco-shell Jacket

A minimalist shell with water-resistant zippers, as well as zippers for ventilation, is the perfect outer layer for skiing. This Fjallraven jacket’s an investment piece, but I guarantee you’ll wear it on other outdoor adventures, too. It’s perfect for changeable weather conditions, it packs down light, and it has a stretchy fit that makes it a winner for active pursuits. The hood is roomy enough to accommodate a ski helmet underneath it, too, for when you really need to stave off the elements (think: white-out conditions at the top of the day’s steepest run). 

Fjallraven Keb Trousers 

Even when I piece together most things from various brands, I like to stay cohesive with my outerwear for a streamlined mountain look. While not technically ski pants, Fjallraven’s Keb Trousers do the job for me when paired with a wool base layer underneath. The best part is they’re warm, weather-resistant, stretchy, and not bulky. When it’s time for après, I leave the base layer at the hotel and these pants are good to go fireside or for dinner at a restaurant or bar. 

Hestra Leather Cold Weather Mittens

Cold feet and fingers can ruin a ski day as fast as slushy snow. And I’m always team mittens for my hands since you can use the heat from your fingers to keep each of them warm. Swedish brand Hestra makes my all-time favorite mittens. Their boxer-glove style is worth the extra bulk to pack because they keep your hands toasty all day long on the slopes. The exterior is made of leather and really cuts the wind. The interior lining can be easily removed and washed between trips, too. I wear them around town, too, so there’s no need to bring an extra pair. 

Lululemon High-rise Thermal Tights 

Warm thermal leggings or tights are key for changing into when you’re in for the night at your hotel or vacation rental. And they can even be worn out on the town or for a wintry workout or jog. This high-rise thermal version by Lululemon has drop pockets for your phone and looks as good paired with a down hoodie and ski boots as it does with an oversized sweater and booties.  

Smartwool Merino Top and Base Layer Bottoms

Quality base layers in materials like Merino or alpaca wool are absolutely critical for keeping warm while skiing. They provide extra warmth in a surprisingly thin format that packs down to next to nothing in your carry-on. Be sure to select base layers made from natural materials like Smartwool’s Merino since it’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and doesn’t trap odors. 

Turtle Fur Double-layer Neck Warmer 

I basically live in a scarf or some sort of neck warmer when it’s cold, both on and off the slopes. It’s amazing how just one small and strategically placed source of warmth can make you feel warm and fuzzy all over. Turtle Fur makes this simple, double-layer neck warmer that looks as cozy under a ski jacket as it does with a sweater. Forget any cold chills creeping down your neck when you pack this handy piece in your carry-on. 

Comrad CloudCotton Knee-high Compression Socks

Thin, warm socks are all you need when you’re planning to be in ski or snowboard boots, hotel slippers, or snow boots during a winter holiday. And I love the added element of recovery these Comrad compression socks bring to the table. I wear them on the flight and the mountain since they help keep your blood flowing in cool temperatures. I love all the colors and stripe combos they come in. And the quality is so good that you can be sure they’ll last more than a few seasons, too.  

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