Snowboarding and skiing are particularly popular winter leisure activities, not just among men but also women.
However, opportunities for skiing and snowboarding are often limited, so it's common to wonder, "What do I need to bring?" when it's time to go.
Therefore, in this article, I've compiled a checklist of essential items and convenient goods for women to fully enjoy snowboarding, from necessities to useful items to check before heading out.
By preparing with this checklist, even beginners or those enjoying snowboarding after a long break can arrive on the day without forgetting anything, so please make good use of it!
This article is written by Naraoka, who has experience working for Salomon, one of the world's most famous winter sports companies, and currently holds a snowboard instructor certification.
From my experience, I will share the following:
- Basic packing list for beginner female snowboarders
- Convenient items to have
- Items to stay cute after snowboarding
- Packing list for overnight trips
- Tips for reducing luggage
Basic packing list for beginner female snowboarders
Here's a list of particularly important items for beginners!
- Snowboard
- Boots
- Wear
- Goggles
- Cash
- Smartphone/Mobile Phone
Let's go through them one by one!
Snowboard
You can't go snowboarding without a snowboard.
There is a variety of board shapes, with different flex and stiffness, which changes how they feel and ride.
Beginners are recommended to choose one with someone knowledgeable.
Also, for beginners, renting a snowboard is usually sufficient.
When renting, you will need to pay a rental fee and insurance, and may be asked for identification, so it's good to prepare this in advance.
Choosing your own board can wait until you've gained more experience.
Bindings and leash cords (tools to fix the board to the boots) are usually included when you rent a board.
These items are necessary for beginners, and renting allows you to enjoy snowboarding easily.
Once you find a style that suits you, you might consider buying your own board at that point.
Boots
For beginner female snowboarders, foot comfort is crucial.
While boots can be rented, some rental boots may not fit well.
This can lead to foot pain or water seeping in.
Once you're more comfortable with snowboarding, it's recommended to purchase boots that fit your feet perfectly.
Popular brands and sizes can quickly get rented out, so owning your own boots will allow you to enjoy snowboarding more comfortably.
Choosing boots that fit your feet significantly enhances your snowboarding enjoyment.
Wear
While wear can be rented, if you care about fashion, it's recommended to bring your own wear with a design and color that matches your style.
Especially for women's wear, many options are not only excellent in cold resistance and waterproofing but also feature cute designs and flashy colors that stand out, making it easier to be found in case of an emergency.
Wearing your favorite outfit will boost your enthusiasm for snowboarding, even if you are a beginner.
It's important not to forget accessories like belts and detachable hoods.
Goggles
Goggles are an essential item for enjoying snowboarding.
They protect against strong sunlight on clear days and ensure visibility during blizzards.
Rental goggles can often fog up, so choose ones with anti-fog features or bring anti-fog spray.
Cash
It's reassuring to have cash on hand for purchases at the ski resort and unexpected expenses.
Bring enough money to cover transportation, food, rental fees, souvenirs, and a little extra.
Especially at ski resorts high up in the mountains, ATMs are often unavailable, so it's important to prepare cash in advance.
Carry a compact wallet or coin purse with plenty of small change so it doesn't get in the way while riding.
Smartphone/Mobile Phone
Smartphones are essential for communication on the slopes, as well as for checking resort information, accommodation details, and taking photos.
For use at a ski resort, a waterproof case is recommended to protect your phone from snow and water.
Damage due to snow is often not covered by warranty, so it's important to protect your phone properly.
Also, as you'll be using it all day, don't forget to fully charge it before you leave.
Identification
When renting equipment at a ski resort, you'll often be asked to show identification, so remember to bring your driver's license or student ID.
Snowboarding is also a sport where falls are common, so in the unfortunate event of an accident or injury, you might need your health insurance card for hospital transport or treatment.
Therefore, when enjoying snowboarding, it's highly recommended to always carry your identification and health insurance card.
These documents are essential for ensuring your safety and peace of mind.
Convenient items to have
Next, I'll introduce convenient items for girls to bring to enjoy snowboarding.
- Warm clothing
- Snacks
- Change of clothes
- Heat packs
These items generally cannot be rented, so you'll need to prepare them yourself.
Warm clothing
For beginner female snowboarders, it's important to wear warm clothing to protect against the cold at the ski resort.
The ideal innerwear to wear under snowboarding gear is not only warm but also moisture-absorbing and quick-drying.
This helps the sweat dry quickly, reducing the risk of catching a cold.
Choosing a turtleneck inner layer that can effectively keep your neck warm is a good idea.
A face mask is useful for cold protection, sun protection, and preventing makeup from smudging.
A neck warmer is also an effective item for keeping the neck warm.
Gloves can be rented, but it's recommended to choose comfortable ones personally.
Snacks
When snowboarding, especially for beginners, a lot of energy is expended.
Therefore, bringing snacks for energy replenishment is recommended.
Sweet items, especially candies and chocolates rich in sugar, help relieve fatigue during snowboarding.
Also, offering snacks to fellow riders while on the lift or gondola can be a way to show friendliness.
Individually wrapped, bite-sized snacks are convenient to carry and easy to share with others.
Snacks not only alleviate fatigue during winter sports but can also be useful in case of getting lost, so be sure to include them in your packing list.
Change of clothes
For beginner female snowboarders, preparing a change of clothes is extremely important.
Socks, underwear, and innerwear, in particular, often get wet from falling, so it's recommended to bring spares.
If you sweat or get wet from snow while snowboarding, wet clothes can absorb body heat, potentially leading to a cold.
It's advisable to bring a change of clothes even for a day trip, not just for overnight stays.
It's important to prepare a change of clothes thoroughly, considering body temperature regulation and hygiene after snowboarding.
Heat packs
While you might feel warm once you're actually riding, it can feel particularly cold when you arrive or are on the lift.
Bringing stick-on heat packs can help alleviate the cold a bit.
Items to stay cute after snowboarding
For female snowboarders, while enjoying snowboarding itself is a given, you'll also want to look cute during and after your snowboarding session.
So, here are some items to keep you looking cute even after snowboarding!
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm and hand cream
- Cosmetics
- Pocket tissues
Sunscreen
The UV rays reflected off the snow are as intense as being on a summer beach.
Even if you use a high SPF product as a makeup base, sunscreen loses its effectiveness over time, so it's recommended to bring sunscreen and reapply every 1-2 hours.
Especially for female snowboarders, strong sunburn from reflections on sunny days is common, so prepare a sunscreen with high SPF and PA values.
It should also be sweat-resistant and protect your skin from UV rays during long rides.
Add sunscreen to your snowboarding packing list and make sure to apply it thoroughly.
Lip balm and hand cream
To maintain your beauty even after enjoying snowboarding, lip balm and hand cream are essential.
Long sessions on the slopes can easily lead to dry lips and skin, and the cold winter weather and snow glare accelerate this dryness.
Lip balm is effective in preventing dry lips and avoiding chapping.
It's a good idea to reapply frequently during and breaks from riding on the slopes.
Using petroleum jelly for its moisturizing effect is also an option.
Additionally, hand cream helps prevent dry hands and keeps the skin moisturized.
By carrying these items, you can prevent skin dryness and maintain your beauty even after snowboarding.
Cosmetics
For beginner female snowboarders to look cute even after riding, bringing cosmetics is important.
Especially after long hours on the slopes, makeup tends to smudge due to sweat and snow.
Skincare products like makeup remover, face wash, toner, and moisturizer are often not provided at accommodations, so it's reassuring to bring ones that suit your skin type.
Compact, pocket-sized cosmetics and foldable mirrors are particularly recommended.
Post-snowboarding skincare is also crucial, especially since skin can easily become rough on the slopes, so it's important to properly care for it with toner and moisturizer.
Pocket tissues
When you're out on the cold slopes, your nose might start running.
Bring pocket tissues so you can use them right away!
Packing list for overnight trips
When enjoying snowboarding overnight, your luggage will increase.
To avoid rushing before you go, I've put together a list.
- Bath set
- Sanitary products
- Patches and band-aids
- Charger
Bath set
While some accommodations may provide basic amenities, it's reassuring to bring your own shampoo, toothbrush set, towels, etc., that suit your skin.
Especially at pensions and guesthouses, amenities like towels and shampoo might not be provided, so it's recommended to check in advance and prepare necessary items yourself.
Using your favorite bath products during your relaxation time after a day of snowboarding can help you feel more refreshed.
Bringing your own bath set ensures a comfortable stay at any accommodation.
Sanitary products
Changes in environment can sometimes cause periods to occur outside of their scheduled dates, so it's advisable to pack sanitary products for peace of mind.
While it's possible to purchase them locally, bringing your own allows you to handle sudden situations without panicking.
Especially during active pursuits like snowboarding, preparing in advance is crucial to reduce worries and enjoy yourself fully.
Don't forget to carry personal care items, including sanitary products, to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances.
Patches and band-aids
One of the important items to bring for an overnight snowboarding trip is patches and band-aids.
Especially for beginner snowboarders, blisters can easily occur due to unfamiliar boots.
Since foot pain from blisters can hinder your riding, it's reassuring to have a few band-aids as a preventative measure.
Also, muscle pain patches are useful for dealing with falls during riding or muscle fatigue.
Sanitary items can be expensive at ski resorts, so preparing them in advance will also be lighter on your wallet.
Charger
After a full day of snowboarding in the cold, smartphone batteries tend to drain quickly, so a charger is essential for smooth use on subsequent days.
It's important to constantly check your phone's charge level, especially for women who take photos of their snowboarding outfits, or for contacting someone in case of injury or illness.
A portable charger is also convenient, but if there's an outlet at your accommodation, you can charge there.
This ensures you have a means of communication and can maintain a comfortable snowboarding experience.
Tips for reducing luggage
To reduce the amount of luggage for snowboarding, aim to rent and select items carefully.
You can reduce luggage by renting snowboards and boots.
However, during busy times, your desired size might not be available, so if you go frequently, consider purchasing your own.
Snowboard wear can also be rented, but if you go snowboarding often, buying might be more cost-effective.
Goggles and gloves can also be purchased or rented on-site.
When bringing cosmetics, shampoo, etc., it's important to choose compact, essential items.
Summary
To fully enjoy snowboarding, preparation in advance is crucial.
In this article, I've created a checklist of necessary items for snowboarding, from day trips to overnight stays, and convenient items for women, categorized for easy reference.
Use this list to prevent forgetting anything and enjoy snowboarding to the fullest!
Also, female snowboarders often prioritize fashion and enjoy coordinating their outfits.
It's ideal to pack as compactly as possible, fitting everything into one suitcase for overnight stays.
If you're taking a night bus, it's convenient to prepare a separate bag for items you'll need on the bus.
Don't forget items specifically for women to maximize your snowboarding enjoyment.