Fly to a ski destination with only carry-on luggage? Friends are incredulous when I tell them I’ve flown to Marble Mountain, Newfoundland (powder, baby!), Whistler, British Columbia (Oympic dreams), and Salt Lake City, Utah (powder and Olympic dreams) with only a roll-aboard and my boots. I don’t worry about whether a checked bag will magically appear on the carousel; I simply walk off the plane and out of the airport.
If you want to join me in lightening the load and lessening the angst, here’s how:
• Make every piece of clothing you bring do double or triple duty, and make sure it’s mix and match (pick a color theme and stick to it).
• Emphasize clothes fabricated from high-tech, wicking, quick-dry materials so they can be washed in the sink (use hotel-provided shampoo or soap) and be dry by the next morning.
• Use compression bags.
• Wear your ski jacket and bulkiest sweater and layer clothes underneath when flying. Stuff jacket pockets with small necessities (socks, underwear, prescriptions, etc.). You can always peel off a layer or two if too hot, and stuff the sweater, vest, windbreaker, in your jacket sleeves once on the plane.
• Stuff ski gloves and hat, longies, whatever else fits into ski boots. Note, they’ll slide in more easily if in a plastic bag, which also will protect them from any, ahem, foot odors.
• Minimize footwear by wearing boots or clogs that will take you through the trip. Pack dress shoes only if you can’t get by without.
• Clip helmet to roll-aboard (or rent on site).
• Rent skis and poles at your destination.
• Use a neck wallet instead of a purse to hold cash and credit cards (and passport, if traveling internationally) and/or a wrist or ankle wallet (I’m a huge fan of the Pacsafe wristsafe; I wear it on my ankle and I don’t worry about being separated from my cash or credit cards)
• Finally, abandon any fashionista tendencies.
Read more about Nangle’s travels on her Web site.
