Packing for any kind of trip these days if flying is involved is fraught with a certain amount of apprehension: Will my bag be too heavy? Will they make me pay extra for it? Whaddya mean I can’t put my snowboard jacket in the same bag as my board?

You see, packing for a snowboard trip is second probably only to surfing when it comes to airline worries. You have to bring a lot of shit and it’s all a bit unwieldy and heavy and prone to inciting suspicion and/or anger in airline staff.  As we leave for our Revelstoke/Kicking Horse odyssy this weekend, I’m already thinking what to bring and how to pack it. So, in honour of this train of thought, here are my snowboard trip essentials:

1. My Roots sweat pants: Yep, sweat pants. There’s nothing like sweat pants after a day on the hill. Nothing.

2. ALL my snowboard shit: boots, board, coat, pants, goggles, mitts, helmet. Forget any of these items and you’re gonna have to buy ‘em when you get there, which SUCKS.

3. Good skin care: I get the worst dry skin on my face from snowboarding and I’m prone to frostbite. I always make sure to pack beeswax lip balm and face protector, and a nice mask to re-moisturize afterwards. I’m test driving a new line of athlete-oriented skin care this trip called Mission, so I’ll let you know how it goes.

4. At least one decent outfit. If you end up going to some shred party or nice dinner while you’re there, you’ll feel like an asshole if you’re in your jogging pants. Trust me. I always mess this part up.

5. Travel insurance: You can’t buy it once you’ve started your trip, so do it beforehand. I’m not going out of the country this time, but you never know: what if you want to head down to Baker for a day if you’re in Whistler/Van? Break your arm there with no insurance and you will pay dearly.

6. And, most importantly, a sports bra: You do not want to spend a week of active big-mountain riding in a regular underwire bra. Not. Comfy.

-KB

Photo: Flickr