Boots

• Whether you are going skiing, or going to a snowy area for other winter pursuits, you need to bring a good pair of insulated, waterproof boots. If you are skiing, you need to walk from the parking lot to the ski rental area; if you bring your own skis, you can walk in your boots, but your feet will get tired at the end of the day. And in the evenings, you will want to have footwear to keep your feet warm and dry.
  
  

Socks

• Bring one pair of socks for each day of an outdoor winter activity, plus another pair for the evening. Also bring an extra pair just in case your socks get wet. If you are renting a condo or ski house with a washing machine and dryer, you can bring less. For downhill or cross country skiing, you need light to medium weight socks; ski boots are insulated. Don't wear two pairs of socks to ski.
  
  

Dress in Layers

• The last thing you want is to be shivering on a ski lift line, or out in the woods cross country skiing miles from the car and too cold to continue. Whether you are going tubing, ice skating, or snowboarding, you need to dress in layers. Ski packing starts with long underwear on the top and bottom. A second layer on top should be a long sleeve turtleneck. The third layer is a wool sweater or fleece, and water proof ski pants, plus a waterproof ski jacket. Top this with a hat and ski gloves or mittens.
  
  

Sun Protection

• Even though you are going on a cold winter vacation, not to the beach, winter packing must include sun protection. Goggles or sunglasses that block UV light are needed for skiing and snowboarding. You will be particularly happy you have goggles if it starts snowing while you are skiing. You also need sunscreen for both wind and sun protection. And carry lip balm, with a 30 SPF, in the pocket of your ski jacket.