Bon Voyage Mes Amies!

Hello Everyone! I am about to embark on my next big adventure… Skiing in Val Thorens, France (http://www.valthorens.com) Show on map

The challenge: With a layover in Heathrow, I have high doubts that my luggage will make it to Geneva unscathed. Therefore, I am only checking: 2 pairs of Skis, and 2 pairs of Skiboots. The rest? On my back with a MEI bag!

update: We arrived safely and the two bags containing my skis and skiboots have arrived on time. However we just found out that British Airways plans to strike the day we go home!!!

First things first: I put together a list. A very very detailed list. I checked it twice. I crossed off everything I did not need. What this trip boils down to is:

1. I need clothing to ski in
2. I need clothing to lounge around the cabin in
3. I need clothing to go out and party in the village in

Therefore 3 total outfits! Plus undergarments and sleep wear.

I have packed everything I need to ski in with the exception of the skis and boots themselves! This way in case the skis get lost, I can still rent them when I arrive in France.

This strategy I believe works well. The backup plan is to have all of the necessities on me in case of lost baggage (this has been known to happen to me twice when traveling through Heathrow).

And here is the list of items!

In the Bag:

1. underwear x 7 days (I packed ex-officio travel underwear)
2. sports bra
3. smartwool ski socks x 2
4. non-ski smartwool socks x 2
5. Long sleeved t-shirt for lounging/sleeping
6. long black adidas athletic pants for lounging
7. wicking nike t-shirt
8. smartwool next-to-skin long sleeved active wear shirt
9. skiing goggles
10. skiing gloves
11. skiing glove liners (smartwool)
12. ski pants (thick lined)
13. silk long underwear
14. thick warm hat
15. handkerchief
16. thin black button up wool cardigan
17. neck pillow
18. slippers
19. sun glasses
20. Play Station Portable
21. Headphones
22. Bikini bathing Suit
23. 2 scarves black + purple
24. Balaclava
25. Wallet
26. LeSport Sac medium sized purse
27. Chargers for the PSP/Phone
28. Toiletries
29. SinkStopper + Drying Line
30. brush
31. Book (the girl with the dragon tattoo)
32. Flip Mino HD

On my body:

1. A very comfortable pair of Gap stretch jeans

2. Undergarments
3. Fleece and Wool pullover
4. Spyder Ski Jacket with zip on hood
5. Purple wicking ex officio tshirt
6. Rugged Hiking Sneakers

The trick is: Make sure you wear as much as you can onto the plane that is heavy and big. Like this giant jacket that I have to use for skiing. Minimalist is key! Downsize downsize and downsize until you get to a manageable amount of things you want to actually wear. Rewearing clothing isn’t bad at all!!! On a ski trip, which involves a lot of bulky clothing, most of it is rewearable!! Especially wool