So they say, an ounce of cure is worth a pound of prevention, and the best way to pack for your mountain stay is to come prepared. That doesn’t mean you have to pack an insanely full car, either! We’ve compiled a list of must-haves (and must-skips) to make sure you can pack light and enjoy your stay.
First, What to Bring:
- We’ve said it before, but the sun up here is no joke. Bring SPF. Wear it. Reapply. Bring a good pair of sunglasses and a hat. Even in the fall and winter, sun protection is your friend.
- A light jacket or a hoodie is a must. You’re going to find that it could be cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon, and cold again in the evening. Bring layers and wear them! It’s the worst to be stuck in a bulky sweater because you dressed for the cold morning. You’re going to want to wear items that you can easily remove (or put back on!).
- Well-worn shoes. Especially if you’re hiking, you’re going to want shoes that you can trust. Blisters happen, and they can ruin your experience.
- A reusable water bottle and a way to transport it. Maybe you hook it to your backpack with a carabiner, or maybe your purse has a little pouch for it. Either way, you’re going to want to stay hydrated, and you’re not going to want to have to deal with shuffling your water bottle around every time you want to Instagram something (and trust us, you’re going to want to take pictures of everything!).
Second, What to Skip
- The stilettos. Many walkways and stairways up here are grated to allow for the snow to pass https://nygoodhealth.com through in the winter. You’re going to look pretty funny trying to walk across them in your pumps! We’re not saying you can’t dress up for a nice dinner, but opt for a pair of cute wedges or flats that you can wear on more than one occasion. If you’re fabulous, be fabulous and practical!
- Cheap sunglasses. If you can, spring for a more expensive polarized lens.
- Fanny packs, fold-up chairs, most “travel” gear (you know, those zip-off pants? Twenty pockets on a vest? You don’t need that stuff unless you’re fishing or going on an extreme excursion!). While Winter Park is technically a small town, we offer all the modern amenities you’ll need, and it’s safe to store any of your belongings at all of our homes. Don’t think you have to carry everything with you, and it’s okay to dress how you do at home!
- The over-stuffed cooler. Now, sometimes we love packing a full cooler with goodies from home, but we have fully-stocked grocery stores up here, too! If your family is keen on taking a picnic, you can bring an empty cooler and fill it with fresh food from one of the grocers up here.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When you’re in Winter Park, follow the above advice for a fabulous fall mountain getaway!
_
Pack your bags and come on up, hope to see you soon! If you are planning your fall or winter vacation in Colorado, click here take a peek at our 140+ modern vacation rentals in Winter Park .
