Three Things Making My Family Ski Trips Easier

Anyone who skis or snowboards knows: Everything outside of actually making turns is a massive pain in the ass. The exorbitant number of clothing and accessories items required to avoid frostbite and injury. The hardgoods—skis, snowboards, boots, poles—you have to load and unload without wrecking your car, your gear, or your body. The stuff necessary for a comfortable drive home or weekend away. And that’s all the gear you need even if you’re skiing or riding alone. Bring along less experienced skiers or riders who could use some help—whether friends or your children—and you may ask yourself if it’s all even worth it.

I’ve been the beginner friend who requires extra help. I’ve also been the parent shoving a child’s foot into a ski boot and swearing, not necessarily under my breath. And now I’m the parent of teenage boys and couldn’t love ski/snowboard weekends with my family any more than I do. (So if you’re wrestling with younger kids on the slopes, stick with it; the payoff is great.) I also love taking along family and friends who may need a little extra help. But all that adds up to an additional need to strategize—with the right gear—to make ski and snowboard outings as smooth as possible.

These three things rise to the top of my list of frustration-reducing gear and will be in regular rotation this winter as my family and the occasional friend head to the Colorado high country as often as possible.

Rigstrips SnoStrip

$50 at Scheels $50 at SnoStrip

I don’t remember whose snowboard slid off my bumper last season in the ski hill parking lot, but it took off a chunk of my car’s paint. To keep it from happening again, I started using the SnoStrip,  an ingeniously simple contraption. The 16” x 1.5” x .08” magnetic strip attaches to the side of my car or our family truck and acts as an impromptu ski rack when we’re unloading boards and skis from a rooftop gearbox or the back of the car. It also allows me to tackle this job solo by securing the gear within arm’s reach while I’m standing on the side of the truck with an open rooftop box. The soft rubber organizing slats hold snowboards, alpine skis, Nordic skis, or any combination of snow gear, making this contraption a great alternative to leaning gear against the car’s paint or laying it on a rocky, grimy parking lot surface. When not in use, the SnowStrip lives in the back of the car, barely taking up any space at all.

SMMT Outdoor 35L Powder Tote

$248 at SMMT Outdoor 

From December through March, I keep this bag loaded with what I need off the mountain during a weekend ski trip. (I also keep a ski bag packed with what I need on the mountain.) It’s always ready to go and my shit doesn’t get mixed up with teenage boys’ dirty socks in hastily packed shared bags. I love that this tote-style bag zips shut—my stuff stays safely shoved inside—and the shell and zippers are protectively water-resistant. Internal organizing features, like a laptop sleeve, zippered mesh pocket, water bottle pocket, and small, separate bag that’s ideal for charging cords help me keep necessities organized.

It’s lofted like a puffy jacket, which keeps the contents inside a little warmer so I don’t have to put on cold sweats, and just makes it look like a perfect ski weekender bag. A keychain clip even doubles as a bottle opener. The bag is made with a bluesign-certified manufacturing partner and constructed out of post-industrial, post-consumer recycled materials. And, through 1% of the Planet, a portion of sales goes to Park City-based Summit Land Conservancy.

Smartwool Hudson Trail Pattern Slippers

$75 at Smartwool

I love sharing hotel and lodge rooms with all three of my boys (sons and spouse) and my dog, but none of them wipe their feet enough or take off their snowy shoes when entering a room. That leaves f***ing puddles on the concrete or laminate floor of our most frequented hotels, and I step in those puddles in my socks all the f***ing time. But not anymore. The Smartwool Hudson Slippers have a slightly padded outsole made of nylon/polyurethane that keeps my feet dry so I don’t have to change my socks multiple times an hour. The Merino wool/nylon/polyester (some of it recycled) blend that makes up the main body of the slippers keeps my feet and lower legs warm and comfortable, to boot.

These three items may not guarantee great snow or make I-70 traffic and lift lines go away, but they have been helping me manage the hassles—and get to the fun—of skiing and snowboarding this winter.