Have a winter trip planned and have no idea how to pack? In this post, I’m sharing the ULTIMATE winter packing list, including packing tips to help you prepare for your snowy escape and must-have winter essentials to keep you warm. Plus, I’ve got you covered with 15+ winter outfits for EVERY occasion!

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The ultimate winter packing list

As a native Floridian, packing for cold weather definitely does not come naturally to me! Fortunately, my sister, who lives in Utah, is a seasoned pro at surviving winters in the West and has coached me on exactly what to wear to stay warm and make it out alive (haha).

I’ve lived in Florida all my life, so I actually look forward to a break from the endless summer to experience cold weather, especially snow! It truly is so magical waking up to snow falling outside amid a beautiful backdrop of snow-capped mountains in the distance. And don’t even get me started on all the fun winter activities that snow offers. Skiing, tubing, ice castles, cozy fires—yes, please!

We usually go on a ski trip every year (see you soon, Jackson Hole, hehe), and after a lot of trial and error, I feel like I FINALLY have my winter outfits packing list down to a science. So, I figured I would share some tips with you guys in case you’re planning a trip of your own. Honestly, if you know how to pack for the snow, it isn’t that bad at all! (I promise.)

In this post, I’m sharing the ultimate winter packing list, including the best winter outfits for women for every occasion, essential items to bring, where to shop for winter clothes, winter packing tips, and so much more!

Need some additional help packing? Check out these related reads!

Packing tips for a winter trip

Check the weather forecast. This one is obviously a no-brainer, but I thought I’d throw it out there just in case (haha). Before you start packing, I HIGHLY recommend checking your destination’s weather conditions during your travel dates. This will give you an idea of what temperatures and precipitation to expect during your visit so you can plan accordingly.

Layer up. Layers are key to staying warm and comfortable in winter! The weather can fluctuate by day, and it’s a lot easier to put on/peel off layers than to be stuck in an uncomfortable outfit all day. It’s also a lot more efficient to pack layers rather than bulky items that take up a lot of space in your suitcase.

Keep it neutral. In order to maximize your winter capsule wardrobe, I also recommend packing mostly neutral items that you can mix and match with a few accent pieces that express your own personal style. This will not only help to increase versatility but will simplify the packing process and prevent you from overpacking!

Rent clothes instead of buying them! When we lived in Utah for a few months last year, I rented a lot of winter outfits from Nuuly. They have everything from sweaters and winter jackets to dresses for every occasion and even ski outfits. As a Floridian, I don’t have (or need) a lot of winter clothes, so it made a lot more sense to rent than to spend a bunch of money on stuff I’ll only wear a few times a year. Click here for $30 off your first month’s subscription.

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Use compression bags for bulky items. Compression bags are truly a lifesaver when packing for a winter trip. I love packing cubes (check out my post here), but they don’t work well with bulky items like sweaters and jackets. I love these compression bags from Amazon because they come in assorted sizes and have a travel-friendly pump.

Wear your heaviest items on the plane. It’s hard enough keeping my suitcase under 50 lbs on a regular trip, so as you can imagine, the struggle is real when I’m packing for a winter vacation. If you can relate, I recommend wearing your heaviest/bulkiest items (jackets, boots, etc) on the plane to free up space for other things in your suitcase.

Where to buy cute winter outfits for women. If you want to invest in a couple of cute outfits for winter that won’t break the bank, Amazon is your place! Amazon has everything from ski clothes to sweaters, snow boots, and much more! Additionally, Nordstrom, Madewell, and Abercrombie are other places to look that always have a good selection of winter outfits women and accessories.

TIP: Compression bags are a lifesaver for bulky items! Click here to check out my favorite ones from Amazon that include 12 bags in assorted sizes + a travel hand pump.

Winter vacation packing list

Key items for your packing list for cold weather

Clothing

Sweaters are an absolute must when packing for a winter trip! As mentioned, I usually try to stick to a couple of neutral, versatile winter sweaters for women that I can easily mix and match to create multiple winter outfits for both casual and dressier looks. Since sweaters can be bulky and take up precious suitcase space, I recommend only packing a few! Some of my go-to places for sweaters are Amazon, Abercrombie, and Aerie.

Layers are essential when packing for a winter trip! Depending on your planned activities, I recommend starting with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep you dry throughout the day and then adding an insulated layer like a fleece or sweater. The outer layer should be waterproof or windproof to help protect you from the elements. I usually pack a couple of basic long-sleeve tops to wear under sweaters and some fleece tights or leggings to wear under bottoms if needed.

Shackets are one of my favorite things to pack for ANY trip. I love how versatile they are, and they’re the perfect layering piece. Depending on the weather, I usually wear them open or buttoned up over a basic short-sleeve or long-sleeve tee. They also look cute worn over an activewear set and make the perfect travel outfit. You can buy shackets for women just about anywhere these days, but Amazon is typically my go-to place, as they have a vast selection.

A warm winter jacket is by far the most important thing you’ll need for your trip, and it will make a world of difference when it’s freezing outside. Depending on where you’re going, I recommend packing a waterproof insulated jacket with a hood (in case it’s snowing or raining) that can be folded down easily to fit in your suitcase. The North Face is always the first place I look for good-quality jackets, and Backcountry also has a great selection of jackets from various outdoor brands.

Unless you’re planning on going skiing, I usually keep it pretty simple when it comes to winter pants. I typically bring a couple of pairs of thicker jeans to wear with different shoes. Relaxed-fit jeans are perfect for pairing with ankle boots and sneakers, while my trusty skinny jeans (yep, still a fan, haha) go great with snow boots or knee-high boots. And, if you’ve been following along for a while, you know I swear by Abercrombie jeans!

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If you’re planning on skiing, hiking, or doing any other kind of outdoor winter activities, make sure to pack some cold-weather activewear that’s moisture-wicking. Under Armour has a great cold gear line, and Smart Wool is another top pick for merino wool. While merino wool can be a bit pricey, it’s totally worth it for its moisture management, temperature regulation, and odor resistance.

When it comes to winter dresses, you can never go wrong with a comfy sweater dress! What I love about sweater dresses is that you can easily dress them down during the day for brunch and dress them up at night for dinner. If you’re in need of more formal winter dress outfits, I would definitely take a look at Nuuly or Rent the Runway. They have SO many beautiful dresses to choose from for EVERY occasion!

A swimsuit is probably something you didn’t expect to need for a winter trip, but trust me, you DO! There truly is no better feeling than getting into a hot tub after a long day of skiing or exploring. Most winter vacation destinations also have hot springs (and who wouldn’t want to do that?), so I would definitely make sure to pack a swimsuit just in case!

Another must-have for your winter travel packing list is a comfy pair of pajamas or a lounge set. Anywhere you stay is obviously going to have heat, but who doesn’t like to post up by the fireplace in a cozy pair of PJs? Am I right? Some of my favorite places to shop are Amazon for lounge sets and Aerie, Target, or Victoria’s Secret for pajamas.

Shoes & accessories

Winter boots are another must for any winter trip packing list, and I HIGHLY recommend investing in a pair that is waterproof, especially if you’re going somewhere with snow. Sorel is always my go-to place for women’s winter boots, as they’re designed with seam-sealed waterproof construction and a high-traction sole which is super helpful for ice. Amazon is also a great place to look for womens winter boots that won’t break the bank!

And of course, we can’t forget about accessories! Some womens cold-weather accessories I always bring with me on any winter trip are a beanie, gloves, a scarf, and a few warm pairs of socks. Depending on the temperature, I also recommend investing in some cold-weather accessories made of merino wool. The cold causes your blood flow to decrease and typically affects your fingers, hands, and feet first, so it’s essential to keep those areas covered!

Don't forget!

Some things that I ALWAYS make sure to bring with me on any winter trip are lotion, chapstick, a refillable water bottle, and liquid IV. I’ve never personally suffered from altitude sickness, but as I’m sure you know, it causes nausea, dizziness, lethargy, and, most importantly, dehydration.

My skin is always SO dry when I travel to Utah to visit my sister, so I always carry lotion and chapstick with me everywhere I go. It’s also essential to stay hydrated, so I always have water on me and will usually pour in a Liquid IV packet once a day. Use code TRAVELMEETSSTYLE for a discount on their website here.