As I’m writing this, tomorrow is opening day at my home mountain and I'm really excited to slay some fresh powder! As I look at my screen right now, my gaze is right above my pile of snowboarding gear that I tried to organize, try on, and wash to ensure that every last item is accounted for! Making sure I have all of the essentials will make that first trip back on the mountain, and each trip after that, easier. After I packed my favorite essentials for what to bring snowboarding, I compiled them all into a list for you to check out! If you have the items listed below, you’re going to have a warm, dry, and fun day of riding—no matter the conditions.

The Basics: Board, Boots, Bindings

First and foremost, the trio of board, boots, and bindings is an obvious addition to the list. Hopefully, if you’re reading this article, you can skip right through this section, but if you still have questions about these three items, no worries!

The Board: If you don’t have a properly-fitting board, it’s going to make riding that much harder and your day that much less enjoyable. For beginner riders, a board that’s too long is going to be really hard to control and maneuver. If your board is too short, you’re going to have a shaky ride as you get into higher speeds. For a perfect fit, a good rule of thumb to follow is that if you stand your board on its tail and stand right behind it, the nose should be between your chin and nose.

Pro Tip: Once you have an idea of the length of your board, make sure to think about what type of riding you’ll be doing. Fast and aggressive riders should choose a slightly-longer board, whereas park riders should opt for something a little shorter for quick and easy maneuvering!

The Boots: For a good fit, you want to put your pair of boots on and check out where your footfalls are. Your toes should be just barely kissing the edge of the toe box, and your heel should feel like it’s locked in place. Make sure you get something comfortable and durable since you'll be wearing these things all day and if your feet hurt then you won't likely be out on the mountain for long.

Pro Tip: Need a new pair? Head here to learn about buying the perfect pair of boots for this season.

The Bindings: Also an essential part of the trio, your bindings should match the flex of your board and boots. The better matched they are, the better they will be able to transfer energy from your body to the board and respond to all of your body movements for precise, quick control.

The Clothing

Having layers and gear that will keep you consistently warm and dry is the second most important aspect of making sure you have all the right equipment. If your gear doesn’t keep you warm and dry, chances are you’ll be spending more time in the lodge than on the slopes.

Snowboard Pants and Jacket: The key for these is to make sure they’re breathable! Most options these days have air vents that allow you to get airflow on warmer days. Pants with a bib add an extra layer of warmth and protection against wind and snow.

Layers: Make sure to wear thin, lightweight, moisture-wicking layers so you can add and take them off as you need! Merino wool or polyester are great fabrics to look for and make excellent base layers if you are unsure of what to purchase. Midlayers should be breathable but thicker than your base layer. Sweaters, quarter-zips, and hoodies make great midlayers. Once you've picked your base and mid-layers, a wind-resistant, water-repelling/waterproof snowboarding jacket with good ventilation will be the final layer you need. The key is lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking so you can stay warm but minimize sweat!

Goggles: Be sure to get the right frames and fit for your face! Smaller pairs typically stay in place better, but looser pairs tend to be more comfortable. If you have a pair of goggles with magnetic lenses, it's not a bad idea to bring the extra lens with you in case your primary ones get damaged or the lighting conditions require a lens change-out.

Gloves or Mittens: It’s going to be a bad day without these! Make sure they’re warm enough for your body. Some people run really hot and prefer pairs with less insulation—on the other hand, if you get really cold (I’m looking at you, people with poor circulation) make sure you have gloves that are well-insulated.

Hat/Hoodie: Not everyone needs or wants one but having a beanie or hoodie to wear in addition to a helmet can really help keep your noggin warm when it's cold out.

Helmet: Not much to say here... It’s cool to wear a helmet; not cool to have a concussion and miss out on any part of the season. Wear one!

Socks: Make sure you’re not wearing your old, cotton socks with a hole in the big toe. Invest in a pair of snowboarding socks (Burton socks are my personal favorite) to keep your feet dry, warm, and comfortable. Ski socks will work but they do make specific snowboarding socks that help to fit your foot to the boot design slightly better. You’re going to want socks that are thin and sleek so that they don’t interfere with the way your boots fit—since snowboard socks are designed to work this way, they will still be warm enough and keep you dry.

Face Mask/Balaclava/Neck Gaiter: For warmth and for safety this year, make sure you have at least one or two of these stashed in your snowboard bag! Most resorts will have face covering/mask requirements if the temperatures get too cold, so make sure to check before you arrive and plan ahead! I prefer fleece-polyester or merino-wool neck warmers/masks to keep my face and neck dry and warm. Many Balaclavas come with hoods that are great for added head warmth.

Season Pass/Lift Ticket: Either pick this up at the lodge or bring it with you, but make sure you have one before trying to get out on the lifts!

The Extras

None of these items on the list are essential for getting yourself out on the mountain safely, but in my opinion, they make a world of a difference!

ChapStick®: Snow, cold temperatures, and wind are a recipe for disaster in terms of your skin and lips! Having a small stick of ChapStick or your favorite lip balm (preferably with some SPF for sun protection) can do a world of wonders!

Money/ID: Unless you packed your own food and drinks, having some cash will definitely come in handy during lunchtime and for aprés-ski! If you’re picking up a lift ticket or a pre-purchased pass, make sure to keep your ID on you and the credit card you used to purchase the ticket—just in case.

Phone: Keep your phone charged. It’s always helpful to program Ski Patrol’s number in your phone, just in case you get into an emergency and it's also great to have for snapping cool pictures with the built-in camera. You can also grab a print version or mobile-friendly version of your mountain map!

The Extra Extras

The following items are not ones that I always pack, but they can come in handy, depending on the day!

Hand/Toe Warmers: These are a personal preference, but if your body runs cold or you’re out on a freezing day, you might want to pack some of these just in case.

Sunglasses: A necessity for sunny days, spring skiing, and for drinks outside at the end of the day.

Phone Charger: If you’re worried about losing your pack or want to be able to take pictures, keep a phone charger stashed in your bag to get a little extra juice during breaks inside.

Headphones: For solo shredding, or if you just want to tune out your friends for the day. Pairs well with a killer playlist and a fully-charged phone!

Backpack: Having a backpack can be great for carrying all of these extras since it may be hard to fit them all in your jacket and pants pockets.

Sunscreen: You may not be at the beach, but even when it's below freezing and cloudy the sun can still get a sunburn! Make sure to apply sunscreen to those areas of your body that may not be covered up (usually the face).

Avalanche Supplies: This really only applies if you plan to take a snowboarding trip out into the backcountry. If this is you, make sure you are properly equipped with a shovel, probe, and avalanche airbag.

Action Camera: If your phone's camera isn't good enough for your liking, a Go Pro or other action camera can be a great tool to have for capturing those high-stoke moments out on the hill.

Pro Tip: It may be smart to keep the AirPods at home when you’re snowboarding, as you will have a very hard time finding one if it falls out (just trust me on this one).

The more that you get outside and get riding, you will learn exactly what to bring snowboarding for your unique tastes. You'll discover certain must-have items for yourself that will keep you smiling and happy throughout your day! Just make sure to keep unnecessary things to a minimum, so your pockets or bag aren’t overflowing with little items that can fall out and get lost easily. If you're buying gadgets and snowboarding accessories for someone else and are unsure of what to get them, a gift card is always a great gift idea to let them choose the items they may need to complete their list. At the end of the day, as long as you have your essential gear and your lift pass, you will be able to get through the day—but those extras can go a long way to make your day that much better.

Here’s a handy packing list that includes most of the items listed above!

1. Snowboard
2. Snow Boots
3. Snowboard Bindings
4. Snow Pants
5. Jacket
6. Layers
7. Goggles
8. Gloves / Mittens
9. Helmet
10. Socks
11. Face Mask
12. Season Pass / Lift Ticket
13. ChapStick
14. Money / ID
15. Phone
16. Hand / Toe Warmers
17. Sunglasses
18. Phone Charger
19. Headphones

If you want help finding the perfect gear, hit up a Curated Snowboard Expert so they can put together a personalized recommendation for you!