How to pack for the perfect winter getaway (without overpacking)!
Growing up in Ireland, I’m well-used to cold, rainy weather. Well, at least I thought Ireland was cold, until I moved to Whistler in Canada, and boy, then, did I really understand what true cold feels like.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t pack right for my move to Canada, and so I had to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe as soon as winter hit – because my existing wardrobe was just not warm enough for minus temperatures!
So, I guess you could say I’m now well-versed in what you’ll need in your suitcase for a vacation to a snowy destination. It goes without saying that packing for chilly getaways is always tricky, as chunky knits and layers and layers of outerwear take up more than their fair share of your luggage. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Here, I’ll take you through how to pack for your winter getaway without getting overwhelmed.
Quick tips for packing for a winter destination
1. Pack for the activities you’ll be doing
As the nights start drawing in, I’ve been dreaming of a cosy winter getaway. And maybe you have been too. Perhaps you’ve got a cute cabin in mind, where you and your partner can spend the days strolling through Christmas markets or tackling snowy slopes, and the evenings cozying up in front of a crackling fire. Perfect.
It’s hard to know what to pack if you don’t know exactly what you’ll be up to when you reach your destination. For example, if you’re planning a weekend in a cabin, without venturing outside much, you can skip much of the outdoor wear and focus on things like cozy matching pajama sets, bathrobes to lounge around in, and casual clothing that you feel good in (but which may not be designed with winter hikes in mind!).
On the other hand, if you plan to spend long days hiking, skiing, and exploring the snowy outdoors, then your suitcase should look quite different. Swap out warm, comfy clothes for suitable outdoor gear like insulated snow pants, a waterproof jacket, etc.
Also, keep in mind that a lot of activity providers (snowmobiling, dogsledding, etc.) provide snow gear free of charge, and if not, you can likely rent them at your destination for a reasonable price.
You don’t have to plan out a detailed itinerary. All you need is a rough idea of what you’re going to be doing at your destination. Enough of an idea to pick the clothes and kit you pack wisely. Speaking of which…
2. Pick your clothing wisely
It’s tempting to grab the thickest, warmest items in your wardrobe when packing for a winter getaway, but in fact, you’ll both keep yourself warmer and gain more suitcase space if you’re a bit smarter with your clothing choices. For example, thermal base layers take up very little space but can make a world of difference to your body temperature.
Remember also that you lose a lot of warmth through your hands, feet, and head, so warm socks, a good hat, and gloves can make a world of difference without overstuffing your luggage.
For footwear, I always pack high-quality waterproof boots as we tend to spend a lot of time outside. You’d be amazed at how much warmer you will feel simply by making sure that your feet are comfortable, cosy, and dry. A wind-resistant jacket is also another of my must-haves, and I tend to wear this on the plane to save luggage space.
3. Choose the right luggage
The kind of luggage you pick makes a big difference to how much you can pack. For example, if you are flying out to your destination, you’ll need to consider baggage allowances and carry-on bags. If you are driving, you have a bit more space to play with (depending on the make and model of your car, of course).
Here are some things to consider when picking your winter getaway luggage:
- Hard vs soft shell. Hard-shell cases are sturdy and protect your things beautifully, but the lack of flex in the shell also makes them harder to fill. Soft shell cases are more flexible, meaning you can usually fit a bit more into them, but they don’t offer the same protection to fragile items as hard shell cases do.
- Is it easy to carry? If you’re going to have to carry your cases a long way, it’s important that you can move them easily. Consider how bulky your cases are, and how awkward they are to manoeuvre. Wheeled cases are an excellent option, but may not work as well as you’d expect on rocky mountain terrain. So, consider how you’re going to get your cases from A to B, and the terrain.
- Compartments. Some people find it helpful to either pick luggage with internal compartments and pockets etc, while others like to customize compartments within their luggage through the use of things like packing cubes. Compartments and pockets can make it easier for you to organize your luggage and pack strategically, but some people find them restrictive.
- Aesthetics. OK, it may not be the most important aspect on a practical level, but we all have our own aesthetic preferences, and the luggage you choose can play into these as much as anything else. Are you the type who enjoys swanning through the airport with a sleek, sophisticated weekend bag slung over your shoulder, or do you prefer the rugged look of an outdoorsy rucksack?
My fool-proof packing techniques
How you pack your suitcase can significantly affect how much you can fit inside. Take a tip from the military, and roll your clothes instead of folding them. This saves a surprising amount of space and prevents wrinkles.
- Packing cubes can also help by keeping your luggage well-organized and giving you a way to sort your packing space strategically.
- It’s a good idea to pack the heaviest, bulkier items towards the bottom of your suitcase.
- Wear your bulkiest items on the plane. If you’ve got padded coats and hefty boots, and if you can bear to wear them on the journey, do so. This will save you lots of packing space!
Keep in mind what amenities your hotel has
It’s surprisingly easy to end up packing things like hairdryers and toiletries, only to find that these things are already supplied at your hotel. It’s rare these days to find a hotel that doesn’t supply shampoo and even conditioner, and many establishments have extras like toothbrushes available upon request.
So, check on their website what is and isn’t provided before you start packing your suitcase.
Also, many hotels and hostels offer laundry services, meaning that you wouldn’t need a new, fresh outfit for every single day of your vacation. Instead, you could get a few quality staple outfits washed and rewear them.
Don’t forget the necessities
Before you start paring down your packing choices, make a list of things that are absolutely necessary. For example, for us it’s:
- Travel documents (ID, passport, booking confirmation)
- Phone, charger, and international adaptors (if needed)
- Necessary medicines
- Hydrating lotions and lip balm (skin can get dry in cold weather conditions)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (yes, even in winter!)
Once you’ve got a solid idea of what you absolutely cannot do without, you’ll find it much easier to sort through and prioritize the rest.
My favorite brands for winter clothing:
Best brands for warm coats
Where I buy my cute sweaters from
Best cozy attire brands
⛄ Packing list for a winter getaway:
- Clothing:
- Thermal layers (base layer, tops, and leggings). I always buy these Sweaty Betty baselayer leggings, for under my ski gear, as I love their designs and they’re so comfortable. My everyday top base layer in winter is this Sweaty Betty Long Sleeve Merino Running Top
- Sweaters and cardigans
- Long-sleeve shirts and turtlenecks. For skiing, I use this REI Midweight Half-Zip, which I find to be quite thick and insulative. I have it in the Dusk Heather and Black Heather colors.
- Warm winter coat or parka. My ski jacket is by Farm Rio and I adore it as it’s so colorful. I call it my happy jacket!
- Waterproof jacket or shell
- Jeans or fleece-lined leggings
- Insulated snow pants (if you’ll be skiing, etc, and the activity provider doesn’t provide them)
- Scarf, gloves, and a beanie
- Warm socks (wool or thermal). I love the Burton Midweight skiing and snowboarding socks
- Footwear:
- Waterproof boots with good traction. I swear by the Sorel Explorer Joan winter boot
- Comfortable shoes for indoor activities
- Accessories:
- Sunglasses with UV protection (for glare from snow)
- Hand warmers
- Moisturizing skincare products (cold weather can dry out skin)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Miscellaneous:
- Travel-sized toiletries
- Medications and vitamins
- Portable charger
- Camera or smartphone for capturing memories
- Reusable water bottle
- Optional:
- Swimwear (if your accommodation has a heated pool or spa)
- Dressy outfit (for any special dinners or events)
Thanks for Reading!
With these tips, you’re well on your way to enjoying a hassle-free winter getaway with your partner. Packing smart is the way forward, and it helps you focus on what truly matters – creating beautiful memories together. Happy travels!
You may also enjoy reading –
Best Ski Resort in Whistler, Canada: Whistler vs Blackcomb
Things to Do in Whistler in Winter (For Non-Skiers)
How to Spend 3 Days in Whistler in the Winter (Best Whistler Winter Itinerary)
Last Updated on November 6, 2025 by snaphappytravel