What to Pack for a Family Ski Trip to Passo Tonale

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Packing for a family ski trip can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time or you’ve got kids in tow. After multiple trips to Italy, across both December and February we’ve learned what’s actually essential — and what you can safely leave behind.

Here’s our realistic packing list for a family ski trip to Passo Tonale or any Italian Ski resort.

Overview of Ski Gear Essentials:

• Skis, ski boots, helmet and poles – rentable via Crystal Ski or bring your own (ensure if you bring your own you book extra carriage)

• Ski socks, thermals, and fleeces

• Boots I found there was a lot of snow in Passo Tonale so boots were needed for walking around the local area

• Small backpack for snacks, water, and essentials on the slopes

• Ski goggles

Clothing: Layer Up

Base Layer (Keeps You Dry)

• Thermal tops and bottoms for everyone

• Moisture-wicking fabric is best

You’ve probably heard that merino wool is a must-have for ski trips, but in our experience, it was itchy, expensive and not really worth the extra cost — we much preferred regular thermal layers that kept us warm at a fraction of the price.

Mid Layer (Keeps You Warm)

• Fleece jackets or jumpers

• Softshell tops

Outer Layers (Keeps Wind & Snow Out)

• Waterproof, windproof, insulated ski jackets and salopettes. Don’t feel like you need to spend a fortune — we get most of our kids’ ski clothes from Vinted and have found brilliant bargains!

• Ski gloves – I love these linked mittens, (they have a little pocket that allows you to pop a hand warmer in, we all have a pair!)

Weather in Passo Tonale

Weather in Passo Tonale can be surprisingly changeable. During our stay we had everything from bright blue skies to overcast days, plus a full day of snowfall that brought around 30cm of fresh snow. It really felt like you didn’t know what each morning would bring, so it’s worth packing for all conditions — sunshine one day, snow the next.

Extras for Cold Weather:

• Heated gilets (total game-changer — keep your core warm, and the whole body follows!), you would not need this if visiting in February but it comes in handy in December if you feel the cold!

• Heated socks — especially for kids or anyone prone to cold feet, I use these in December and February as my feet do suffer with the cold

• Hand warmers — cheap, light, and make a huge difference in gloves or pockets - variable if I need these in February but I often do still use them for the early morning runs when it can still be quite cold

• Hats, balaclavas, and sunglasses for sun and wind protection

• Ski Boot covers - acting as a guard against the icy cold, I thought these cheap boot covers were a bit of a gimmick but honestly they really worked in taking the edge off the cold! I do still use these in February as again they just take the edge off the cold

💡 Tip: Make sure your ski jacket is roomy enough to fit a heated gilet underneath — a tight coat negates the effect.

Kid-Specific Packing

• Extra layers in case they get wet

• Gloves/mittens and liners

For more on being prepared for Skiing with kids in Passo Tonale 👉What a Real Family Ski Day Looks Like in Passo Tonale

What suitcase should I bring skiing?

Our go-to travel gear: We absolutely love our Surfanic Maxim 3.0 120L Roller Bags for ski trips and family holidays. The split-level design makes packing so much easier (wet away from dry, clean away from dirty), they’re super tough with reinforced corners, smooth quiet wheels, and they hold so much more than you’d expect. Ours have survived years of airport abuse and still look great. We also pop an Air Tag in each bag — they’re only around £20 for four and honestly give us total peace of mind knowing exactly where our luggage is at all times. If you want stress-free travel days, these are 100% worth it.

Using your phone aboard

We used an Airalo eSIM for data in Italy,.— without relying on WiFi or paying expensive roaming charges while out on the slopes.

And Don't Forget Travel Insurance

One thing to remember, that may not go in your suitcase is proper travel insurance. Skiing bumps the risk factor up a notch, and mountain medical bills are not something I want to gamble with. We use Just Travel Cover because they compare multiple insurers and include winter sports cover options — which is essential if you’re skiing or snowboarding.

Filming Your Ski Trip – Insta360 Camera

If you want to properly capture your ski holiday memories, an Insta360 action camera is honestly one of the best things we’ve ever brought. It’s tiny, tough, and easy to use. The 360° filming means you don’t have to worry about pointing the camera perfectly — you attach to your helmet, chest strap or if you board the invisible selfie stick takes such amazing video.

Here are some examples of the pictures captured using my Insta 360 camera .....

Summary: The Essentials

Think of packing in three zones:

1. On the slopes: ski gear, layers, sunglasses, sunscreen, hand warmers

2. Extras for comfort and fun: cash for small treats, small toys, lip balm, moisturiser

With these items, you’ll be ready for anything Passo Tonale or any Italian ski resort throws at you, and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress trying to buy forgotten items after arrival.

Thinking about a trip to Passo Tonale don't forget to read 👉 The Ultimate Guide to a Family Ski Trip to Passo Tonale with Crystal Ski