6+ Weeks Before

Pick your resort based on ability levelMismatched terrain (icy expert runs for a beginner group, no green runs at all) ruins trips fast; check trail-difficulty percentages on the resort's site before booking.
Book lodging and lift tickets earlyPrices climb and slopeside rooms sell out well before peak weeks (holidays, school breaks).
Buy lift tickets online in advance where possibleMany resorts charge significantly more at the window and some sell out entirely on busy days.
Book ski/snowboard lessons now if anyone in the group is newBeginner slots and private lessons fill up during peak weeks, and starting without instruction is how most first-timers get hurt or hate the sport.
Check passport and ID expiration if international tripAn expired passport can't be fixed at the airport.
Buy travel insurance with winter-sports coverageStandard travel insurance often excludes skiing/snowboarding injuries and mountain rescue costs; confirm the policy explicitly covers on-piste injury, evacuation, and trip cancellation.
Check your health insurance's out-of-network and out-of-state coverageSki injuries are common and mountain-town ERs are expensive; know your deductible before you're on crutches figuring it out.

02

4 Weeks Before

Inventory your gear and rent or buy what's missingJackets, pants, base layers, gloves, goggles, helmet.
Reserve rental skis/snowboard/boots ahead of time if not bringing your own if not bringing own gearResort rental shops run out of popular sizes during peak weeks.
Get boots properly fitted at a rental shop or specialty storeIll-fitting boots cause the most common in-trip complaint (cold feet, blisters, numb toes) and can ruin a day fast.
Schedule a tune-up (wax, edge sharpen) for your own skis/board if owns gear
Book a rental car with 4WD/AWD or snow tires if driving to a mountain destination if driving to mountainsMany mountain access roads require chains or traction devices by law in winter storms.
Check whether your destination state requires tire chains and buy a set that fits your vehicle if mountain drivingSome states fine drivers caught without chains during chain-control periods even if roads look clear at the time you're checked.

03

04

Check the mountain weather and road forecast, not just the valley forecastMountain passes can close or require chains with little notice.
Load chains, an ice scraper, a shovel, and a blanket in the car if driving to mountainsBeing stuck in a whiteout without these is a real risk, not a theoretical one.
Charge phones and pack a portable chargerResorts use apps for lift wait times and you'll want a working phone if separated from your group.
Pack a small first-aid kit and any personal medications in a carry-on, not checked luggage if flying
Set a family/group meeting point and time on the mountain in case anyone gets separatedCell service is spotty on many runs and lifts.

05

Read and follow the skier/rider responsibility code posted at the resortIt's the basic rules of the road (yield to people below you, stay in control, look uphill before merging) and resorts can revoke passes or hold you liable for violations that cause a collision.
Stay on marked, open runs and heed all closure ropes and signsClosed areas are often closed for avalanche risk, exposed rocks, or grooming equipment, not arbitrarily.
Take an avalanche safety course and carry a beacon, shovel, and probe if backcountry or sidecountryVenturing past resort boundaries without this training and gear is the leading cause of avalanche deaths among recreational skiers.
Check the avalanche and weather forecast each morning before heading out of bounds if backcountryConditions change daily and yesterday's safe slope can be today's danger.
Ski or ride with a buddy, especially on unfamiliar terrainSolo injuries in remote areas can go unnoticed for a long time.
Take a break and hydrate every couple of hoursFatigue and dehydration (worsened by altitude) are major contributors to end-of-day injuries.
Know the location of the nearest ski patrol hut or emergency phone on each run you take