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Swedish Tourist Association
Children running through deep snow in a winter landscape.

Packing list mountains with children – winter

There’s a lot to remember when packing for a trip in the mountains—and even more when children are coming along. With the help of this packing list, you can feel confident that you have the essentials covered.

Spending time in the winter mountains with children is both fun and demanding. It’s important to stay warm, keep energy levels up, and be prepared for rapidly changing weather. With the right clothing, smart packing, and a few extra items for play and breaks, the trip becomes both easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

Packing list mountains with children

Equipment

  1. Backpack for day trips (approx. 35 L per adult and a smaller backpack for each child). Read more about choosing the right backpack here.
  2. Children can carry their own backpack with: spare clothes (especially important for play), cup or mug, water bottle, and favourite snacks
  3. Sit pad or sleeping pad
  4. For skiing: skis suited to the activity (downhill, cross-country, or backcountry), boots, poles, ski wax (if using waxable skis)
  5. Some equipment, such as backcountry skis, can be rented at several STF mountain stations, and members receive a discount

Safety

  1. First aid kit
  2. Blister plasters
  3. Headlamp
  4. Sunglasses
  5. Ski goggles (for wind protection)
  6. Sun protection
  7. Bivouac bag and shovel

Clothing

  1. Warm shoes or boots (preferably with high shafts)
  2. 1–2 base layers in wool or synthetic
  3. Underwear and socks (wool or synthetic)
  4. Warm socks (preferably wool, with extra pairs; double socks can help prevent blisters, with a thin liner closest to the foot)
  5. Durable trousers or hiking trousers
  6. Mid layer (wool, fleece, or softshell)
  7. Insulation layer (e.g. thick sweater or warm down or synthetic jacket)
  8. Shell garments or insulated ski clothing (jacket with hood and trousers, anorak, ski suit, or overall as the outer layer)
  9. Hat or headband and buff or scarf
  10. Gloves or mittens (preferably two pairs)
  11. Waterproof overalls for children (useful in milder conditions with wet snow)

Food and drink

  1. Food and snacks for the trip
  2. Lunch box to pack food from breakfast
  3. Thermos with a hot drink
  4. Water bottle
  5. Cup or mug
  6. Spork or cutlery

If staying at a mountain station

  1. Change of clothes for the evening
  2. Indoor slippers
  3. Toiletries and towel
  4. Sleepwear

Packing tips for the mountains with children

Person sitting on a hillside next to a backpack overlooking a mountain valley.

Don’t have your own equipment?

Rent instead of buying! You can rent equipment at many of our mountain stations. As an STF member, you also get discounts on outdoor gear and sportswear at Outdoor Buddies—great for both your wallet and the environment.

Your membership benefits

More pages for you

Packing lists

Wondering what to pack for a day hike in the mountains, or for a longer trek? Here you’ll find packing lists for both summer and winter, day trips and multi-day hikes, with or without a tent, and with or without children.

The layer on layer principle

The primary function of clothing is to keep you dry, warm, and protected. By dressing in multiple thin layers, you can easily adjust your clothing when the weather changes.

STF Mountain stations

STF’s mountain stations are the starting point for wonderful mountain experiences. Here, you can choose your own level of comfort and price. You make your own bed with your own sheets or rent them on-site.