Packing & Traveling Tips and Tricks For Mt. Hood

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Packing for ski camp always comes with excitement and challenges. As Keely’s Camp Coach BB Hall mentions in our blog post on How to Pack for Ski Camp: Travel Tips and More “ski racing is a gear intensive sport.”

Packing for Mt. Hood can often be the most challenging part of the ski camp experience. This is why Keely’s Camp wanted to continue to provide resources on what to pack while managing baggage fees.

Most of these tips are for girls flying to camp but being organized with your gear and packing your own bags is helpful for all Keely’s Campers.

Here are a few updated and repeated tips (because they work!) to help ensure you have the gear for camp while paying a manageable baggage fee for those flying to camps:

  • IF flying we recommend checking two bags. A duffel bag and a ski bag. Your ski backpack can be used as a carry on bag and ski boots can be carried on.
  • Carry on your Ski Boots. Ski boots are the most important piece of equipment as a ski racer – they are also heavy. By carrying on your ski boots, not only are you freeing up space and weight in your luggage, we can usually piece together the rest of the equipment if baggage gets delayed at all.

** If you are considering bringing a boot bag, most airlines state the combined weight of the boot bag and ski bag needs to weigh 50lbs or less. Carrying your boots on is a great way to maximize space in your bags and cut down on baggage fees.

  • Use your backpack as a carry on! This is the pack that you will use to bring on the hill each day with snacks, water, sunscreen, extra layers. It is ok if this isn’t a big ski backpack as long as it can fit all of the items listed above for the hill each day. Keep in mind that you will be riding the lift with this backpack each day. Find the balance of one that allows you to bring all the things you need on the hill without being too bulky.
  • Pad clothing around skis in a ski bag for traveling and weigh your bags prior to arrival at the airport. This is a great place for towels, ski pants, ski clothes, etc. It will also help protect your skis. Weigh your bags at home prior to arriving at the airport. Bags need to weigh less than 50lbs.
  • Organize your gear so that you know where it is! Have your gear organized in a way that it is easy for you (the campers) to get ready for skiing the next day. Pack your bags so that you know where all of your gear is and feel organized.
  • Review the Keely’s Camp packing list and reach out with any questions you have on gear to lindsay@keelyscamp.com.