Most snowboard trips go wrong in the parking lot, not on the hill. Someone forgot goggles, someone else is riding in jeans, and the group spends the first hour of a paid lift ticket shopping. Colorado weather moves fast, and the gear that keeps you riding all day is mostly small stuff you can pack in a duffel. Here is what is actually worth bringing for a trip to Loveland, A-Basin, or anywhere else off I-70.
Maison de Ski has rented gear at I-70 Exit 241 in Idaho Springs since 1970, and we see the same packing mistakes every season. You do not need much. You need the right layers, a helmet, goggles that fit, and gloves that stay dry. Everything else is optional, and a few things people buy before their first Colorado trip are a waste of money.
Layers do more than any single jacket
Colorado mornings at 8,000 feet and above can start near zero and finish warm enough to unzip everything by noon. Dress in three layers: a base layer that moves sweat away from your skin, a mid layer for warmth, and a shell for wind and snow. Cotton holds moisture and gets cold, so leave the t-shirt at home and pack wool or synthetic instead.
If you are flying in and did not pack a shell, we rent jackets and snow pants for $15 a day each. That is cheaper than buying a set you will wear four days a year, and it saves suitcase space for the rest of the trip. Rent them with your board and everything comes out in one pickup at the counter.
Goggles and a helmet are not optional
Goggles rent for $12 and helmets for $15 a day. Both matter more in Colorado than most people expect. Flat light on a cloudy day hides every bump in the snow, and tinted lenses make the difference between reading the terrain and guessing at it. A helmet is warm, keeps snow out of your hair, and protects the one thing you cannot rent a replacement for.
Fit matters. Bring your goggles when you pick up a helmet so the two sit together without a gap at the forehead. Our staff will check the fit at the counter and adjust the straps. Kids' snowboard packages include a helmet already, so for children you only need to add goggles.
Gloves, hats, and socks: buy these, do not rent
Some things are worth owning. Gloves, hats, and socks get wet, get lost, and get handed down to siblings, so a rental does not make much sense. We sell gloves, hats, and socks in the shop, along with goggles and helmets if you would rather buy than rent. Brands on the shelf include FlyLow, Gordini, and Phunkshun.
Bring two pairs of socks and change at lunch if your feet run cold. Thin wool or synthetic socks work better in snowboard boots than thick cotton athletic socks, which bunch up and cut circulation. A spare beanie in the car is a small thing that saves an afternoon when the weather turns.
Renting gear for this trip?
Maison de Ski fits skis, snowboards and snowshoes at I-70 Exit 241 in Idaho Springs, 25 miles from Loveland and on the way to every major I-70 resort. Early pickup is free after 2 PM the day before.
What you can skip
You do not need a quiver of boards for a week-long trip. One board that matches your riding and the snow conditions will do, and our demo fleet lets you swap if the mountain gets something different from the forecast. You also do not need to buy hand warmers by the case or pack a full tool kit for a lift-served day.
The other thing to skip is buying boots you have never ridden. Rental boots are fitted by staff at pickup, and the money you save goes further on a demo board if you decide to upgrade later in the trip.
Skip these on a first Colorado trip
- A second board for a five-day trip
- Expensive base layers for one weekend
- Boots straight out of the box with no break-in
- A full repair kit for lift-served riding
A simple packing list for a snowboard day
Lay everything out the night before so the morning is not a scavenger hunt. If you are driving up from Denver, the shop opens at 7:00 AM every day, which gives you time to grab rentals, sign the waiver, and still make first chair at Loveland, 25 miles west of us on I-70.
Reserve online at least 24 hours ahead if you want a fast start. Walk-ins are welcome, but a reservation means your board, boots, and bindings are set aside and fitted before you arrive. That is the difference between riding by nine and standing at a counter.
Day-trip packing list
- Base layer, mid layer, waterproof shell
- Snow pants, gloves, beanie, two pairs of socks
- Goggles and helmet
- Lift pass or phone with the pass loaded
- Water bottle and a snack
- Dry clothes for the drive home
Common questions
Do I need to buy goggles before a Colorado snowboard trip?
No. Maison de Ski rents goggles for $12 a day and helmets for $15 a day at the Idaho Springs shop, so you can try a pair on with your helmet before committing. If you ride often, buying your own goggles is worth it, and the shop sells them too.
Can I rent a jacket and snow pants in Idaho Springs?
Yes. Jacket rentals and snow pants rentals are $15 per day each at Maison de Ski, in store only, with no advance booking needed. Renting outerwear is a good option for visitors who fly in without a shell or for kids who outgrow their pants between seasons.
What should I leave at home on a snowboard trip?
Leave cotton base layers, a second board you will not ride, and boots you have never worn. One board plus a spare pair of gloves covers most Colorado trips, and the demo fleet at Maison de Ski lets you switch boards mid-rental if conditions change.
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