When it is time to go skiing or snowboarding it should take only a few minutes to get out the door. Of course, it takes some time to dress with base layer, selected socks, and top (ski shirt) and bottom (ski pants). Maybe it’s a bit obsessive to organize a "get away" bag of accessories; but for me, the next step to get on the snow quickly entails reaching into an oversized bag that is ready to go to grab the accessories needed and jump in the car with the necessary boots and board (XC skis or snowboard).

For XC SKIING the acessories bag includes the following:

3 pairs of xc ski gloves including light for spring-like warm days, regular winter days, and extra insulated for cold days;

Belt pack that has emergency items (hand and toe warmers, matches, knife, repair tool, sun cream, scraper, compass, and some speed wax). Depending on how cold it is, I might add a neck gaiter to the pack and often a spare pair of light gloves to replace wet gloves;

There is also a water bottle in a net pouch on the belt pack and a wrapped granola bar (which I regularly resupply) in a zipped side pocket;

1 pair of sunglasses in a case;

3 headbands for warm, regular and colder days;

3 hats (selection to match different jackets or temperatures);

2 neckgaiters;

1 headlight;

Additional hand and toe warmer packs and sun cream.

Speed wax in various forms;

Obviously, skiers who use waxable skis have an assortment of waxing paraphernalia. I use only waxless skis and only occasionally hot wax my ski bases, so I keep my hotwaxing items in a separate bag in the basement.

As a snowboarder, I keep some additional items for SNOWBOARDING in the accessories bag, which include the following:

Helmets;

4 pairs of gloves for regular and cold weather;

2 pairs of goggles including a pair with dark lenses and a pair with red lens for overcast days;

1 small accessory bag that includes an extra stomp pad, 5 different replacement binding straps, spare boot laces, bag with various binding screws and washers; chunk of hard wax, tin of paste wax, and antifog lens cleaner in rub-on and spray versions.

The value of this preparedness bag is invaluable. Within the bag, the gloves are kept clipped together so it is easy to find a pair when needed. When getting ready for a ski trip near or far, the bag can be thrown in the car and that eliminates the need to worry about remembering any accessories. My spouse and daughter have followed my lead and created their own accessories bags. This winter when my daughter was on college break, we were able to get out the door in less than 10 minutes from the time that we agreed to go snowboarding. And that includes checking the ski area website for conditions and the trail/lift report.

When going on nearby ski outings, I select the skis or snowboard, get into the car, and away I go. Living so close to xc ski trails and alpine ski areas is indeed a blessing, but being organized makes it so easy to focus on what counts, which is getting outdoors and on to the snow.