Layering for a Badger Pass day
The standard three-layer system works perfectly here. From the inside out:
- Base layer (next to skin): Synthetic or merino wool long underwear top and bottom. Avoid cotton — wet cotton against skin makes a cold day miserable.
- Mid layer: Fleece, light puffy jacket, or wool sweater. The Badger Pass sun gets warm enough by midday that many adults end up skiing in just a base layer and a shell.
- Shell: Waterproof, windproof ski jacket. Insulated ski pants over the long underwear bottom.
What to wear on the mountain
- Helmet. Rentals available, ~$10/day. Strongly recommended for everyone.
- Goggles, not sunglasses. Goggles seal out wind and snow; sunglasses don't.
- Waterproof gloves or mittens. Mittens are warmer; gloves give more dexterity. Bring whichever you're used to.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava. Not always needed at Badger but useful on the colder mornings.
- Wool ski socks. One pair, not two — two pairs cause blisters and reduce circulation. Tall enough to cover the top of your boot.
- Sun protection. Sunscreen (SPF 30+ minimum, reapplied), lip balm with SPF, and possibly a tinted lens in your goggles for bright bluebird days.
For the kids
Layering principles are the same, with two additions: pack two sets of base layers for full-day kids — a wet base layer makes an unhappy kid, and many kids do get wet by lunchtime. And pack hand and toe warmers. Adults are usually fine without them; kids' smaller bodies cool faster.
For the lodge
- Change of clothes for the drive home. Skiing all day in cold-soaked boots and pants is fine. Driving home in them is not.
- Comfortable après shoes. Slip-ons or low boots — anything you can walk into the lodge in without untying ski boots and then re-tying après.
- A reusable water bottle. The base lodge has water fountains. High elevation + dry winter air = surprisingly easy dehydration.
In the car (for the drive)
- Tire chains (see our chain guide) sized for your tires
- Gloves for chain installation — keep a second cheap pair in the trunk for hands you don't mind getting dirty
- Headlamp or flashlight — much faster than a phone flashlight if you're putting chains on in low light
- Ice scraper / snow brush
- Jumper cables — your battery is more likely to die at altitude in the cold than at home
- Water and snacks — no food/gas at Badger Pass; the only base lodge food can get pricey
Things first-timers forget
- Lip balm. The combination of sun, cold, and dry air will destroy your lips in a day if you don't carry balm and reapply.
- Cash for tips and chain installers. Cell service is poor — Apple Pay and Venmo are unreliable. Carry $40-60 in cash.
- A printed copy of your booking confirmation. Cell service in the parking lot is weak; loading your confirmation email can be slow. A printed copy in your pocket is faster.
- A small towel. For wiping snow off goggles, wiping car windows during chain stops, etc.
- Hand warmers. Two pairs in a coat pocket. Worth it.