You booked the house. The group chat is buzzing. Someone's already asking what to bring, someone else is threatening to pack six pairs of goggles "just in case," and you're wondering if the rental has a hair dryer or if you need to jam yours into an already-full duffel.
Here's what actually goes in the bag for a Vermont ski house trip — and just as important, what to leave home. This list assumes you're staying in a real rental (not a hotel), you'll be on the mountain most days, and you don't want to make a Manchester Price Chopper run at 9 p.m. on arrival night.
Ski and snowboard gear: what to bring, what to rent
The big question first: bring your own gear or rent at the mountain? If you ski more than five days a season, bring it. If you ski once a year, rent. There's more nuance in our honest comparison of renting vs. bringing your own gear, but here's the packing angle.
If you're bringing gear, pack this:
- Skis or snowboard in a padded bag (airline handling is rough)
- Boots — always carry these on the plane if you're flying. Lost luggage plus rented boots equals a miserable first day.
- Helmet (rentals often smell like a wrestling mat)
- Goggles — pack two lenses if you have them: a low-light lens for gray days and a darker one for bluebird
- Poles if you ski
Skip the ski bag if you're driving. A soft roof cargo bag works better for road trips from Boston, NYC, or Hartford. Speaking of which, if you're wondering how long you'll actually be in the car, the drive time breakdown is worth checking before you finalize departure plans.
On-mountain clothing layers
Vermont winter temps swing wildly. You might get a 10°F morning and a 35°F afternoon in the same day. Layer, don't bulk up.
- Base layer top and bottom — merino wool or synthetic, not cotton
- Mid layer — fleece or light puffy
- Shell jacket and pants — waterproof, not water-resistant
- Ski socks — one thin pair per day. Thick socks cause blisters and cold feet (bad circulation).
- Neck gaiter or balaclava — for the sub-zero mornings that happen more than you'd think
- Glove liners — cheap, warm, worth it
- Ski gloves or mittens — mittens are warmer, gloves have more dexterity
- Hand and toe warmers — a box of 10, minimum
Off-mountain clothes for the ski house
You're going to spend more hours in the house than on the mountain. Pack for that.
Après-ski gear is basically warm, comfortable, and easy to peel on and off. If your rental has a hot tub or sauna (and if it does, our take on barrel vs. infrared saunas is a fun read while you plan), you'll want a swimsuit and flip-flops or slides for the walk out.
Bring:
- Sweatpants or leggings — two pairs
- Hoodies or sweaters — two or three depending on trip length
- Wool socks for around the house (Vermont floors are cold in the morning)
- Slippers or house shoes — most rentals ask you to leave outdoor shoes at the door
- Swimsuit — hot tub, sauna, indoor pool if the house has one
- One nicer outfit — for dinner in Manchester or a night out at a place like Verde or the Mulligan's scene near the resort. Our restaurant short list covers where groups actually go.
- A warm hat for the walk from the house to the car
- Waterproof snow boots — sneakers won't cut it. Vermont driveways get slushy fast.
Kids add complexity
If you're bringing kids, double everything and add a full change of dry clothes for each on-mountain day. Wet mittens and soaked base layers are the number one reason a ski day ends at 11 a.m. A small mesh laundry bag helps corral wet gear before it destroys the mudroom.
What the rental probably already has (and what it doesn't)
This is where most people over-pack. A well-set-up Vermont rental — one that follows the standards in our room-by-room furnishing guide — should already have:
- Bedding, pillows, and towels (bath and hand)
- Kitchen basics: pots, pans, knives, plates, glassware, coffee maker
- Salt, pepper, cooking oil, sometimes basic spices
- Dish soap, dishwasher tabs, paper towels, toilet paper (starter amount)
- Hair dryer in at least one bathroom
- Iron and ironing board
- Basic cleaning supplies
- WiFi (get the password from the host)
- Firewood if the house has a wood-burning fireplace (confirm — some are gas, some are decorative)
What most rentals don't stock:
- Groceries. Zero. Not even coffee. Plan a stop on the way in — our stock-the-cabin grocery guide lists what's open when.
- Toiletries beyond the first day. Bring your own shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and toothpaste for a real stay.
- Beach/pool towels. If the house has a hot tub, ask the host — some provide dedicated hot tub towels, many don't.
- Specialty coffee. Most kitchens have a drip machine. If you're a pour-over person or need espresso, bring your kit.
- Board games and puzzles. Some do, some don't. Bring one thing the group loves.
When in doubt, message the host before you pack. Good hosts answer in under an hour and would rather answer a packing question than deliver you a bad first night.
The kitchen run: what to buy on the way in
If you're driving in from I-91 or Route 7, you'll pass real grocery stores in Manchester or Londonderry. The Bondville general store is closer but limited. Plan one big grocery stop, not three little ones.
For a group of 8 staying 3 nights, a rough starter list:
- Coffee, filters, half-and-half — the first thing anyone wants at 7 a.m.
- Breakfast supplies — eggs, bacon, bagels, fruit. Ski days need real fuel.
- Sandwich stuff for mountain lunches — $18 base lodge burgers add up fast
- One or two big dinners — chili, pasta, tacos. Assign nights before you arrive.
- Snacks — chips, chocolate, hummus, cheese and crackers
- Drinks — Vermont has great local beer. Grab some at the store or a specialty shop in Manchester.
- Trash bags — most hosts leave a few but a group blows through them
If your group is splitting costs, agree on a system before you shop. Our practical cost-splitting guide covers what actually works (spoiler: Splitwise, or one person pays and gets Venmoed).
The items everyone forgets
These are the "I can't believe I didn't bring that" items that come up on every trip.
- Reusable water bottle. Altitude and dry indoor heat dehydrate you fast.
- Lip balm with SPF. Windburn on the chairlift is real.
- Sunscreen. Yes, in winter. Snow reflects a shocking amount of UV.
- Advil or Tylenol. Day two soreness is a whole thing.
- Ibuprofen gel for the knees
- Small first-aid kit — bandaids, blister patches, antiseptic wipes
- Phone charger with a long cord. Rental outlets are never where you want them.
- Bluetooth speaker. Most rentals have one but they're often mediocre.
- Ski pass, ID, credit card holder that fits in a jacket pocket
- Ziploc bags for wet gloves, phones on chairlifts, snacks
- A book or headphones for the car — the drive back on Sunday is quiet
If you're bringing a dog
Not every rental allows pets. If yours does, you'll need a bed, bowls, food, waste bags, a towel for muddy paws, and probably a crate. Our dog-friendly rental guide gets into the specifics, including what hosts generally expect.
What to leave home
Over-packing is the real Vermont ski trip sin. A ski bag, a boot bag, a duffel, and a backpack per person is already a lot when a group of 10 is loading two SUVs.
Leave behind:
- Full-size toiletries — decant into travel bottles
- More than one "nice" outfit — no one is dressing up twice
- Extra boots you "might" want
- Bulk beverages — buy at the store, don't drive them up
- Hair dryers, straighteners if you've confirmed the house has them
- Beach towels if there's no hot tub or pool
- Full board games — bring cards or one small game
Rentals near Stratton generally have solid mudrooms, gear closets, and enough hooks for a big group. You don't need to bring a folding drying rack. If your host doesn't have hooks and hangers for wet gear, that's a sign you should have read this guide on what to look for in a family rental before booking.
The final checklist: 24 hours before you leave
The night before, walk through this quickly:
- Check-in instructions from your host — save them offline in case cell service dies
- Address and driving directions loaded in your phone (Stratton area service is spotty)
- Ski pass or lift ticket confirmation
- Rental car reservation or gas tank filled
- Weather check — snow forecast, temperature swings, and whether you need chains (rarely, but possible)
- Grocery list finalized
- Dinner reservations made if you want a night out
- Group chat with arrival ETAs so someone knows to bring in firewood
Then double-check boots, helmet, goggles, and pass. Everything else can be replaced at Orvis or a Manchester outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Vermont ski rentals provide sheets and towels?
Yes, a professionally managed rental provides all bedding and bath towels. What they typically don't provide are hot tub towels, beach towels, or extra sets. If you're staying more than four nights and use pool or spa amenities daily, bring one extra towel per person.
How cold does it actually get at Stratton in winter?
Overnight lows in January and February commonly hit 0 to 10°F, and it can drop to -15°F during cold snaps. Daytime highs on the mountain often sit in the 15 to 28°F range. Pack for the cold days, not the average — you can always shed layers.
Should I bring my own coffee maker or French press?
Most rentals have a drip coffee maker and a kettle. If you're picky about coffee, bring your own grind and a small pour-over cone — it takes up almost no space and saves the group from a morning debate. Don't bother packing a full espresso machine.
Is it worth bringing groceries from home or should I buy locally?
Buy locally. Perishables travel badly, and Manchester and Londonderry have full grocery stores 20 to 30 minutes from most Stratton-area rentals. The one exception is specialty items you can't easily replace — favorite coffee beans, specific dietary products, or that one hot sauce someone can't live without.
The takeaway
Pack layers, not volume. Bring your boots, helmet, and goggles in a carry-on. Trust the rental to have towels and a coffee maker, and don't trust it to have anything edible. Buy groceries on the way in, not before you leave.
If you're still finalizing where to stay and want a house that actually has the mudroom, gear storage, and hot tub setup this list assumes, check availability on our Stratton-area cabins with hot tub and sauna — the floor plans show exactly what to expect before you commit.
