Packing for a ski holiday chalet val thorens is one of those tasks that looks simple and turns out to be surprisingly nuanced. Too little and you’re shivering on the chairlift or borrowing your chalet host’s dry socks. Too much and you’re paying excess baggage fees and fighting with an overweight case at Geneva airport.
This guide covers everything you need for a catered chalet ski holiday on the mountain, in the chalet, and on travel days.
Before We Start: What You Don’t Need to Bring
First, a liberating truth: a significant chunk of ski equipment is better hired in resort than transported from home. Unless you ski frequently enough to have invested in your own well-fitted equipment, hire is almost always the right choice for:
- Ski boots: Essential to hire – correctly fitted boots from a resort hire shop are infinitely better than bringing ill-fitting owned boots. Hire shops also allow for adjustment during the week.
- Skis and poles (or a snowboard): Unless you have high-performance personal kit, hire is fine and avoids ski bag fees.
- Helmets: Can be hired, but many people prefer to bring their own for hygiene reasons. Bringing a helmet takes up relatively little space.
The Ski and Snow Kit
Layers (the system matters)
Base layer (x2-3) The most important layer. A good thermal base layer wicks sweat away from your body and retains warmth. Look for merino wool (warm, naturally odour-resistant, comfortable next to skin) or a technical synthetic. Avoid cotton, it absorbs sweat and stays wet, leading to dangerous cold.
Bring two or three tops and two or three bottoms. Wash and rotate during the week, most chalets have a washing machine.
Mid layer (x1-2) A fleece or lightweight down jacket worn between base layer and ski jacket. Not always needed in mild weather, but essential on cold or windy days. A zip-up fleece is versatile.
Ski jacket Your outer layer needs to be waterproof and windproof. Look for a jacket with sealed seams and a waterproof rating of at least 10,000mm (20,000mm+ is better for genuinely bad weather). Most modern ski jackets also include ventilation zips (pit zips) for warmer days.
Bring one good ski jacket. Unless you have reason to expect very different conditions across the week, a single versatile jacket is sufficient.
Ski trousers / salopettes As with the jacket: waterproof, windproof, with a good breathability rating. Salopettes (bib overalls) offer better coverage and snow exclusion than trousers, worth considering for beginners who fall more frequently.
Socks (x4-5 pairs) Ski socks specifically – thin, knee-high, cushioned at the shin and foot. Do not wear thick woolly socks in ski boots; they compress and restrict circulation. Good options include Falke SK2, Smartwool, and Bridgedale.
Head, Hands, and Face
Ski helmet Essential, not optional. Hire if you don’t own one; buy if you ski more than once a year.
Ski goggles One pair minimum. Goggles with two lenses are ideal, a darker lens (S3 or S4) for bright sunny days and a lighter lens (S1 or S2) for flat light and snowfall. Photochromic goggles that adjust automatically are a worthwhile investment if you ski regularly.
Neck gaiter / snood One or two. These are more versatile than a scarf and seal out cold air at the neck. Essential.
Ski gloves or mittens (x2 pairs) Always bring two pairs, one will inevitably get wet. Mittens are warmer than gloves; gloves give more dexterity. For cold resorts or those who feel the cold, mittens for the main skiing day and lighter gloves for warmer days is a good combination.
Thin liner gloves Lightweight gloves worn under ski gloves or alone on warmer days. Useful for hands-on tasks (adjusting equipment, using phone) without removing your outer gloves entirely.
Beanie / hat For wearing under the helmet on very cold days, or for après-ski and evenings in the resort.
High-SPF lip balm Mountain UV is brutal – altitude and snow reflection combine to cause serious sunburn and lip damage. SPF 30 minimum; SPF 50 is better.
High-SPF sunscreen Factor 50+ for face. Apply every morning before you go out and reapply at lunch. Sunburn at altitude happens in 20 minutes in clear conditions, even in January. Bring enough for the full party.
Sunglasses For sunny days, spring skiing, or walking around the resort. Polarised lenses are helpful in snowy conditions.
In-Chalet Essentials
A catered chalet provides much of what you need, but these items are frequently forgotten:
Casual footwear for the chalet Sturdy slippers or Ugg-style boots. You will spend a significant portion of each day walking around a chalet in socked feet, and cold floors are uncomfortable. The chalet staff will be glad not to see outdoor boots inside.
Ski boot bag Useful for carrying damp or salty boots without getting your other luggage wet. Many chalets have a boot room, but a bag is handy for travel days.
Smart casual clothing for evenings One of the pleasures of a catered chalet is sitting down to a proper dinner. While no one expects black tie, making a small effort – a clean shirt, a dress, smart trousers – adds to the occasion. Three or four evening outfit options across a week is enough.
Comfortable daytime clothing Casual wear for rest days, après-ski, and around the chalet: jeans, fleece, casual boots or trainers (for the village).
Swimwear If your chalet has a hot tub or sauna and many do, you’ll need it. Even if it doesn’t, some resorts have public pool or spa facilities.
A decent book or e-reader Rest days happen, evenings are long, and airport lounges require something to do. A book weighs almost nothing.
Health, Pharmacy, and Altitude
Altitude
Most French ski resorts are at 1,500-2,300m, significant enough to cause mild altitude sickness in some people, particularly in the first 24-48 hours. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, and slightly disturbed sleep. This typically passes. Stay well hydrated, avoid heavy alcohol consumption on arrival night, and give yourself a gentle first day.
Ibuprofen: Useful for altitude headaches and the general aches of skiing.
Paracetamol: First-line headache relief.
Knee supports / ankle tape: If you have existing joint issues, bring appropriate support. Sports tape (Kinesio tape or similar) is useful.
Blister plasters: Ski boots cause blisters, particularly on the first day. Compeed or equivalent is essential.
Arnica gel or cream: For bruising and muscle soreness (both common in the first couple of days of skiing).
Hand moisturiser: Mountain air and cold dry conditions wreck your hands. A good hand cream applied every evening makes a genuine difference across the week.
Lip balm: Already mentioned under ski kit, but worth double-listing, this is consistently the most-forgotten item on packing lists.
Documents and Admin
- Travel insurance documents (printed or saved offline, important in areas with poor signal)
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) / Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC): UK residents can apply online. Provides access to state-funded healthcare in EU countries at the same cost as locals. Essential.
- Passport or ID: Check that your passport is valid well in advance, renewal backlogs can be lengthy.
- Lift pass booking confirmation: If pre-booked online (which is usually cheaper), have the confirmation accessible.
- Ski hire booking confirmation: If pre-booked.
- Transfer details: Departure terminal, meeting point, transfer company contact.
- Emergency contact list: Piste rescue number (in France: 15 for SAMU or 112 for emergency services), resort doctor, chalet contact.
Technology
Phone: Obvious, but ensure it’s unlocked for international use and has a suitable data plan for France.
Portable charger / power bank: Useful for long days on the mountain when your phone battery drains faster in the cold.
Camera: Smartphones are excellent, but if you have a dedicated camera, the Alps provide extraordinary subjects.
Ski helmet with built-in headphones or compatible headphone mount: Optional, but many skiers enjoy music or podcasts on long runs.
GoPro or action camera (optional): Mounting systems are available for helmets, chest harnesses, and pole grips.
What to Wear on the Transfer
Getting from home to the resort is a long process, typically a flight to Geneva, a 2.5-hour transfer to resort, and then sorting yourself out in the chalet. Comfort is the priority.
Wear or carry in hand luggage:
- Casual, comfortable clothing (you’ll be sitting for 5-8 hours)
- Lightweight layer (planes and coaches are often cold)
- Ski boots in a bag if bringing your own – these go in the hold but can be heavy
Put ski wear in your checked luggage, you won’t need it until resort.
Luggage Tips
Weight limits: Most airlines allow 20-23kg per checked bag. Ski equipment is often charged separately. Budget airlines have stricter limits, check before you go.
Ski bag: If you’re bringing your own skis, a padded ski bag is essential. Some airlines charge separately for ski equipment; others include it in a “sports equipment” allowance. Check specifically with your carrier.
Packing order: Pack layers and thermals first (they compress and fill gaps). Boots, helmets, and hard items go at the bottom of hard-sided cases. Keep documents, medication, and anything essential in hand luggage.
A Note on Over-Packing
A catered chalet provides towels, bed linen, and often some basic toiletries. It is not necessary to bring a full wardrobe, you’re there to ski, not to curate an alpine fashion week. If in doubt, leave it out. You can almost always buy forgotten items (sunscreen, lip balm, base layers) in resort at a markup, but your back will thank you for not hauling a 25kg bag through Geneva airport.