Ski trip packing list for Krkonoše: a checklist for the car, the slopes and cross-country skiing

When you are working out what to take skiing, it helps to have a list sorted by where you will need each thing. You can print it or go through it on your phone and tick things off. Legal requirements in Czechia, such as winter tyres and the motorway vignette, are given according to official sources. The rest is practical advice, so adjust it to yourself and to the weather.

For the car: winter equipment and a motorway vignette

In Czechia, from 1 November to 31 March you must have winter tyres whenever there is a continuous layer of snow, ice or frost on the road, or when the weather suggests one can be expected. Where the “Zimní výbava” (winter equipment) road sign is posted, the requirement applies in this period in all circumstances. The minimum tread depth for winter tyres is 4 mm. So for a winter drive to the mountains, always plan on winter tyres.

On toll sections of motorways you need an electronic motorway vignette (dálniční známka) unless your car is legally exempt. It is officially sold at edalnice.gov.cz, and the address edalnice.cz redirects to that site.

• winter tyres with enough tread
• an electronic motorway vignette if you will use a toll motorway
• an ice scraper and a snow brush
• winter screenwash that will not freeze
• snow chains (practise fitting them at home first)
• a car phone charger and a warm blanket
• a ski bag or roof box

For the slopes: layers, gloves, goggles and a helmet

On the slopes, the effort of skiing alternates with sitting on the lift, and mountain weather can change during the day. That is why dressing in layers that you can add or take off works well.

• base layer: a technical top and long johns, preferably not cotton, because cotton holds on to sweat
• mid layer: a fleece or a thin insulated jacket
• outer layer: a waterproof ski jacket and ski trousers
• ski socks, one pair is enough; two pairs on top of each other can bunch up in the boot and press
• gloves or mittens, plus a spare pair
• a thin hat or neck warmer that fits under a helmet
• ski goggles
• a helmet
• sunscreen with UV protection and lip balm
• a small backpack or bum bag for a drink, a snack, ID and money

We recommend a helmet for everyone, children and adults alike. You will find the rules of a particular ski area in its operating regulations. If you do not have a helmet or goggles, you can rent them from us separately to go with your set.

For the rental shop: ID, measurements and your own boots

Short answers, including how payment works with us, are in the frequently asked questions next to the price list. Here is a more detailed list:

• an identity document, that is an ID card or passport
• the height, weight and shoe size of everyone you are renting for; for children, age, height and shoe size are enough
• an idea of how each person skis: beginner, occasional skier or confident skier
• your own ski boots if you have them, then you only rent the skis
• the ski socks you will ski in, so the boots can be tried on with them

Bring your own boots with you to the rental shop. The binding is set, among other things, according to the sole length of the boot, so you need to have the boots you will ski in with you when you rent. We choose the ski length and binding setting based on height, weight and experience, so you do not have to work that out yourself beforehand. If you ski on your own skis, have the bindings checked and adjusted at a specialist ski service before the season.

Price list and rental FAQ

Ski pass: online and in advance

The Skiareál Špindlerův Mlýn ski resort recommends buying your ski pass online through the GOPASS system at gopass.travel. According to the resort, ski passes there have been sold much like airline tickets since 2019, and those who sort them out in advance can save significantly. Before buying, check the current terms, including cancellation.

If you plan to ski right by Vrchlabí, for example at Kněžický vrch or in the Herlíkovice–Bubákov ski area, look for ski pass information on the website of that ski area.

Extra with kids: what to pack for the mountains in winter

• spare gloves and socks, children soak them in the snow quickly
• a helmet that fits well; an adjustable size is handy
• a snack and a warm drink in a thermos
• a note with your phone number in their jacket pocket
• sunscreen with UV protection and lip balm
• a sledge for an afternoon without skis, we rent those too

How to choose children's skis, boots and a helmet, and why children's ski boots should not be bought much too big, is covered in a separate article.

Extra for cross-country skiing

On cross-country skis you usually get warmer than on the slopes, so dress more lightly, but again in layers. A heavy ski jacket is usually not suitable for cross-country skiing.

• thinner technical layers and a windproof jacket
• thin gloves and a headband or thin hat
• a dry top to change into and a warmer layer for stops
• a small backpack or bum bag with a drink and something to eat
• a trail map on your phone or on paper, and a charged battery

In Krkonoše National Park (KRNAP), the park administration's rules allow skiing only on pistes, marked trails and designated ski touring routes, and dogs must be kept on a lead. Groomed cross-country trails in Krkonoše are free to use. Grooming is provided by municipalities and clubs, and you can contribute voluntarily, for example by buying a ski badge or by bank transfer.

If you rent cross-country skis from us, we wax them for the current snow. Where to go from Vrchlabí and whether to choose classic or skating is covered in our cross-country article.

Important numbers for your phone

• 112: single European emergency number
• 155: emergency medical service in Czechia
• +420 1210: Czech Mountain Rescue Service (Horská služba ČR), emergency line open non-stop
• +420 603 554 947: SKI Rental Honců in Vrchlabí, for questions about rented equipment

You can reserve equipment for the whole family in advance, and the cut-off for online reservations is shown right by the form. The rental is in Vrchlabí, which the road from the Czech inland to Špindlerův Mlýn passes through. According to a route planner, we are about 600 metres from the route from Prague or Hradec Králové, so you can stop on your way to the mountains.

Reserve skis, a snowboard or cross-country skis