Packing for 7 month summer, winter and skiing trip

Elaine, I can't help with your packing issues, but I want to be sure you're aware that you need a long-stay visa from an appropriate country if you're planning to spend more than 90 days in the Schengen Zone countries within any 180-day period--which it sounds as if you will be doing.

I am a dual citizen and have an EU passport so I can travel freely, however i need to get a visa for my husband to travel with me. Thanks for your reply.

You got problems I can only dream of.

My strategy, pack one days ski clothes, socks, underwear, goggles, gloves, hat in a back pack. Also meds, make-up (I don't use any personally), chargers, plug adapter, regular shoes. That should be less than 8 kg, meeting most airlines carry-on bag limits. It should be cinchable to get it to under 23 cm width. That will fit on your back comfortably. Wear the the ski jacket and heavy snow boots onto the plane. I know it will be high summer in Australia and people will think you're weird, just tell em you're on a North Pole expedition. You can change back to your normal shoes on the plane.

The rest should fit in a small roller board suitcase of about 14 kg.

I want to be able to ski the next day, even if the airline looses/misdirects my checked bag. That is why I pack ski clothes in a carry-on I always have with me.

Good luck. Where are you skiing in the States?

would it make sense for you to buy used ski gear when you get to your skiing destination,...then leave it behind?

Thanks Sam. I like to travel with an international carry-on only but I just have too much gear this trip and will have to accept that I need two bags.

I may have mislead you a little as I won’t be skiing at all this trip - although I still need all the gear to stay warm. I broke my ankle a couple of months ago and no one will insure my ankle for skiing or anything else. I’m not that much of a skier anyway and prefer walking around in the snow. My husband will be skiing Heavenly, Park City and Aspen. I will be out exploring and talking with people from all over the world.

I suggest you pack the winter capsule as a carryon. Check the ski gear or plan on buying it at destination and either shipping it home or selling it at a consignment shop on departure.

Buy the summer capsule in Europe and donate, sell, or ship the winter capsule home as you replace it with summer clothes. After four months of wearing it you may not ever want to wear any of it again.

Take your new souvenir clothes home in carryon.

AND yes I'm jealous.

Even if I didn't have a recently-broken ankle, I'd be in those running shoes the whole time. I especially question the white flats. On my feet they wouldn't look nice for very long, and if they're thin-soled I wouldn't care, because I wouldn't wear them more than once. From the standpoint of weight, two pairs of shoes (including what's on my feet) would be my maximum.

A problem I've had during summer-long trips is that things wear out. I have a new rule this year: I'm taking only new pairs of socks so I don't have to worry about holes developing mid-trip.

It sounds like you're not planning to carry much in your cross-body bag, so this may not be an issue for you, but mine runs heavy and I've found that fittings on the strap rub thin spots on blouses.

I don't see a rain jacket listed.

It's too bad about the toiletries. Those things are horribly heavy. I travel with a lot of weight in vitamins, so I sympathize. If you give us the names of the products we can at least tell you whether they're available in the US, so you could plan to re-stock here and not have to carry a 7-month supply. For the UK you could take a look at a website like Boots.

The visa may be easier for your husband since you have an EU passport, but I hope you've already started the process. I met an Australian couple in 2015 who had to make three or four visits to the Italian consulate before they had their visas. A good bit of financial documentation was required, and I think that's pretty typical.

If you're just walking around at resorts, you can cut back on the ski gear. No need for goggles, ski pants. I just use a good pair of walking shoes that work winter or summer. I can think of maybe one day out of a hundred walking in ski towns in winter when I would have liked snow boots. As Rick says, pack for the best scenario, not the worst, and if in need, buy it local.

If you're not skiing, you can also leave the ski jacket home ... just wear the down jacket when it's really cold. And then add a lightweight waterproof jacket (shell) that you can layer with a lightweight fleece for sunny days at the ski resort and also use as a raincoat in the summer. That lightweight fleece could also eliminate the need for your wool sweater.

How about a swimsuit?

Perhaps ship ( is that "posting"?) your ski stuff to where you plan to ski?

My wife and I have 2 wheeled carry on size TravelPro bags ( different models,) and are quite happy with them. Bought them 4 yrs ago.

Buy summer shoes when you get to Italy?

Doesn't help reduce weight, but do you have compression bags to reduce the bulky clothes?

I am out of ideas.

Thanks everyone for all your great ideas. I need the boots and ski pants for walking on trails and roads. I walk 5-10kms a day or more and there’s nothing worse than getting cold and wet if the weather closes in. The pants are also good for sitting in outdoor cafes up mountains. I have thought about ditching the ski jacket and using the down jacket with a shell but I’d probably rather take both as you can sweaty walking In the snow and I prefer to keep the black puffy for a (slightly) smarter look. It packs up quite small. I can get by without a rain jacket while I have the ski jacket or buy a cheap umbrella. I will post everything except jeans, a fleece, summer clothes and 3 pairs of shoes home in April. I did a trial pack last night and I can get most of it into an international carry-on bag but I would need to check it and have a small bag or back pack. I have packed a swimsuit and sarong (which can be used as a scarf or beach towel) even though ithey weren’t on my list.

My boots arent 100% waterproof so I think I’ll leave them here and buy a new pair in the US. Any ideas on warm, light-weight boots that would work for everyday use and walking in the snow? I know you should always wear your shoes in before you leave but I I think I’ll get better boots for the snow in the US.

Elaine

Ice. If it wasn't for ice, I would say buy a ankle height Gortex lined hiker boot with good wool socks instead of 'snow' boots; and I tend to recommend Salomon, but I know they aren't that great on ice - and you will have to contend with ice while trying to put in your daily mileage. There may be a similar brand with better sole material, but that is my only complaint about them. I wear them on the plane in the winter when I go to warm climates and need them for hiking or bird watching, but they are slippery on ice or slick surfaces.
I would also do a good assessment of your summer footwear consideration. If you have been to Europe, you will remember cobblestones, brick paths, stairs, unstable surfaces. All those will put a strain on your ankle even months after the damage - particularly if ligaments and tendons were also damaged in the injury. Pretty, feminine and delicate means nothing if you are limping all the time and in pain.
I would also go back to the suggestion of leaving ski gear at home and buying used there - if you need it. Reconsider layering with a windproof Gortex rain jacket would make sense to me. In fact my cross country skiing here to -30C is a good Gortex rain suit with polar. Gortex lost their patent some years ago, so companies like Marmot have their own proprietary brands and are actually more supple than the old Gortex. These suits are designed to assist with sweating. 'Pit zips' and side pant zips all help.

For winter hiking get some goretex waterproof hikers. when you are here purchase slip on hiking crampons. Kind of like snow chains for your shoes. You can find simple ones for $25 or better ones for about $75-80. Many hiking trails that get use will ice up and snow cleats are needed to prevent falling. In fresh snow snowshoes are better, but they can be easily rented in the resort towns you are going to.

Also I live in a ski town in Colorado. There are many used clothing/gear shops here where you can find very good winter gear at good prices. Lots of wealthy people who need new gear every season and will donate their old stuff to local thrift shops.