What to pack

Written by Kelly Moseley, Zest magazine

Whether you're a beginner boarder or a seasoned skier, follow our failsafe packing guide to make sure you're not left out in the cold.

1. Ski socks

Good technical socks are the key to keeping your feet comfortable all day long - don't even think about wearing normal ones.

Two or three pairs will do you for a week.

We love Burton, Bonfire.

2. Mid-layer

Ditch high-street basics and go for a jumper that uses the latest technologies to keep you warm and dry.

We love Nikita, Nike ACG, Peak Performance.

3. T-shirts

Perfect for wearing over your base layer as you'll probably remove your jacket at lunch, and a thermal isn't always the best look.

We love American Apparel, Uniqlo.

4. Thermals

An absolute essential; you cannot get away with leggings under your skipants.

Two tops and bottoms are enough for a one-week holiday.

We love sweatyBetty, Helly Hansen, Peak Performance.

5. Hat

We love a hat that's fleece lined to avoid an itchy head and long enough to cover your ears. Our top tip is to take a few - you'll be happy of a spare if yours gets wet.

We love Bonfire, Snow + Rock, O'Neil.

6. Sunglasses

Great for blue-sky days and competent skiers (big tumbles plus sunnies are not a good match). UV protection, and shatterproof lenses and frames are crucial.

We love Oakley, Electric, Bolle.

7. Goggles

A good pair of goggles will see you through sunny skies or falling snow.

The lenses are the most important thing, so make sure yours give you crystal clear vision, are anti-fog and offer UV protection. It's worth splurging on these.

We love adidas, Oakley, Electric.

8. Apres jacket

Definitely pack a second jacket or gilet - it will come in useful in the evenings when jacket number one is drying, or you simply don't trust yourself not to misplace it.

We love Tommy Hilfiger, Uniqlo, Juicy Couture.

9. Ski jacket

Make sure you have the right jacket for the temperature. If it's the middle of winter, go for a thicker jacket with a down lining or a jacket with an extra layer.

If you're a spring skier you'll be OK with a shell and some clever layering to keep you warm on the chairlift.

We love Bonfire, Roxy, Salomon, Burton.

10. Neck warmer

A secret weapon on long, cold chairlifts; fleecy ones are great to snuggle into and keep out whipping winds.

We love Snow + Rock.

11. SPF

Super-strong sun and bright white pistes mean your skin needs serious protection.

Choose an SPF of at least 30 for your face and lips.

We love Dermalogica, ZO1.

12. Blister plasters

A total lifesaver for sore, blistered feet, especially if you're wearing rental boots.

We love Compeed.

13. Apres ski shoes

Avoid Ugg-style boots as their slippy soles are useless on icy streets.

Instead, go for a boot with good grip to help you stay upright.

We love adidas by Stella McCartney.

14. Snowboard or ski pants

The most important thing is to make sure they're waterproof.

You might expect that they all would be, but it's not always the case.

We love The North Face, Bonfire.

15. Helmet

It's worth remembering that wearing a helmet reduces your chance of brain injury on the slopes by 60 per cent, so if you're doing some serious off piste or are a nervous skier, then we say a helmet is an absolute must.

We love Smith, RED.

16. Wrist guards

These strap around your wrist to help prevent breaks, and in our opinion are vital for any snowboarder, particularly learners.

We love Dakine.

17. Gloves or mittens

Again, not all are as waterproof as you might think - if you're boarding, your hands will be on the snow a lot.

Take a couple of pairs as they may not dry out overnight, and putting hands into soggy gloves is a terrible start to the day.

We love Burton, Columbia.

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