MUST-HAVES FOR YOUR SKI TRIP

Pack Everything You Need for Snow and Sun

Soon it will be time for this year’s adventure in snow-covered slopes and cozy evenings at the mountain lodge. No matter where you are spending your ski holiday, there are some essentials you shouldn’t forget to pack. Here are some tips.

FACIAL CARE AND SUN PROTECTION

If you’re lucky, you’ll enjoy beautiful winter weather on the slopes with warming sun, but that also means you need to prepare your skin. At high altitudes in the mountains and Alps, the sun can be intense and can dry out your skin while exposing it to UV rays. The foundation of skincare is, of course, a good and effective facial cleanser, ideally one that is gentle and contains nourishing ingredients. When it comes to hydration, make sure to bring suitable skincare products and conditioners that include sun protection. There are many good SPF products to choose from, and it’s worth investing a little time in finding the right one so you don’t spend the rest of your ski trip dealing with peeling skin, burns, or rashes. Go for quality!

LIPS AND HANDS

We all know the feeling of dry, chapped lips after exposure to biting cold, and it gets even worse when combined with strong sun. Always carry a moisturizing lip balm with you. There are effective lip balms available in small tins from brands like L'Occitane that contain shea butter, which also works great for your hands. Bulldog and several other skincare brands also offer great options. Hands, too, take a beating in winter climates, so make sure to have a quality hand cream in travel-size format, available from L'Occitane and Molton Brown.

TOILETRY BAG

Of course, you’ll need a practical toiletry bag to store your essentials. If you’re looking for something practical at a good price, Sailor's waxed blue canvas toiletry bag with light leather details is durable and water-resistant. If leaking bottles are your pet peeve, try Gents’ black nylon toiletry bag, which is machine washable—ideal for travel. If you prefer to travel in style, treat yourself to a high-quality, genuine leather toiletry bag in brown or black from Benjamin Barber. It features a spacious main compartment for all your products and a zippered pocket for smaller essentials. Luxury leather toiletry bags are also available from the English brand Truefitt & Hill, with options like the "travel roll-up," inspired by the bags used by British officers during World War I. It takes up minimal space when rolled up and features compartments secured with snap buttons and adjustable leather straps to keep your straight razor, safety razor, and shaving brush in place.

SHAVING ESSENTIALS

Now for the shaving essentials. You can, of course, bring your usual razor, but there are also travel-friendly options. For those who use a classic safety razor, Merkur's collapsible travel razor in a black leather case is a smart and compact option without compromising on shaving quality. Another great choice is the Japanese Feather lightweight, plastic-coated safety razor in retro style with a butterfly mechanism. It’s an affordable and efficient razor that comes in a travel-friendly case. Just remember that double-edged safety razor blades are generally not allowed in carry-on luggage when flying!

BODY CARE

Most hotels provide good-quality shower gels, but if you prefer your own, there are practical travel-sized bottles you can fill with your favorite products before traveling. Both Molton Brown and Benjamin Barber offer luxurious shower gels that you might want to take along on your trip.

If you plan on hitting the slopes hard, don’t forget your antiperspirant!

BEARD CARE

Beards tend to dry out due to cold weather, which makes proper beard care essential when traveling to snowy destinations. The foundation of any beard care routine is beard oil, which conveniently comes in small bottles that won’t take up much space. To brush the oil through your beard and into the skin beneath, a compact beard brush like the one from Sailor's or Benjamin Barber’s travel brush in wenge wood is ideal. Sailor's also offers a practical mini-set with a brush and comb that fits in your pocket or the inside of your winter jacket.

FRAGRANCE

Bringing your favorite fragrance on a trip can be tricky, as full-sized bottles are often too large or too fragile. With Benjamin Barber's travel atomizer, you can fill up with any fragrance you like. Just remove the spray top, place the atomizer over the nozzle, and pump. Many fragrances also come in sample sizes, which are easy to carry.

Fortunately, more niche perfume brands now offer smaller bottles: Acqua di Parma’s popular Eau de Colognes are available in 20ml and 30ml, while brands like Eight & Bob (20ml) and Profumum Roma (16ml) offer convenient travel-sized options.