Winter Packing List for Boone & Blowing Rock, North Carolina

If you’re new around here, I love sharing my packing lists for just about every destination I visit. Before I started traveling regularly, packing felt like a bit of a mystery—but lots of trial and error helped me figure it out. This series is the guide I wish I’d had back then, and my hope is that even if you’re not heading to the exact destination I’ve covered (though I hope you do!), you’ll find some inspiration for trips to similar climates.

So! Today, I’m sharing my packing list for a winter visit to Western North Carolina.

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To be honest, I always hesitate to title my winter packing lists “Traveling Light” because, let’s face it, packing for cold weather is anything but light. But since I managed to fit everything except my coats into my Daily Carry-On from Away (or, as I like to call their smallest suitcase, my “Baby Away”), I’d say this still leans toward light packing… all things considered.

For this trip, I needed outfits for three types of activities: snow-ready gear for tubing, warm and comfy clothes for city exploring, and something a little more elevated for a dinner out.

Miraculously, this trip kicked off right after temps had plunged to 8°F, and for most of my time in the mountains, it hovered below freezing. Over the years, my winter wardrobe has grown (thanks in part to a trip to Montreal—the coldest I’ve ever been in my life. Please enjoy this not-so-great early blog post as proof), and I now feel much more confident dressing for a range of winter temps without needing to buy new gear for every trip.

That said, this was my first time doing snow activities since moving to NC (how?), and since the snow tubing park wasn’t renting bibs due to COVID-19, I decided to invest in a pair of ski pants.

Looking for more packing list inspiration? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter

Not wanting to spend a lot on something I’d only use a couple of times a year, I started at my usual thrift shops. I tried a few clearance rack finds, but nothing quite worked—so I turned to eBay, filtering for sellers who accept returns to keep it risk-free.

On a whim, I ordered a vintage pair with low expectations. But when they arrived? They fit like a dream. Well, almost. The stirrups are a bit stretched out, and the snap isn’t the most secure, but I’m okay with a few quirks when they don’t affect functionality—especially for the price (plus, I’m not too fussy about athletic wear since it’s bound to get sweaty or dirty anyway!).

With my ski pants sorted, all that was left to do was figure out the right layers for each part of the trip. Here’s what I packed:

WINTER PACKING LIST FOR BOONE AND BLOWING ROCK

Collage of garments packed for Western North Carolina — *Top Row* || Cashmere Turtleneck* | Alpaca Sweater | Wool Mockneck* | Puff Sleeve Sweater | Jumpsuit || *Middle Row* || Ski Pants* | Ponte Pant℅ (save 20% on your first purchase with code WAYWARD) | Black Denim℅ (save 10% with code WAYWARD) | Wool Coat* | Waterproof Coat | Puffer || *Bottom Row* || Wool Tee* | Wool Long Sleeve Tee* | Leggings | Scarf* | Gloves* | Belt | Beret* | Beanie* | Top Sunglasses | Bottom Sunglasses℅ | Leather Boots* | Hiking Boots | Face Masks

WINTER OUTFITS

Our first stop was snow tubing, so it made sense to dress for the activity before leaving home. Layers were my friend here as I warmed up significantly hustling up the hills, and I ended up peeling off my hat, scarf, and gloves at some point. Non-slip boots were non-negotiable for tackling the ice and snow, and my waterproof hiking boots fit the bill nicely. I discovered that my ski pants are indeed waterproof, and the wool-blend lining did the job of keeping me toasty.

Alyssa holding a snow tube and Alyssa and Michael in front of the tubing runs. They are dressed for snow activities — Coat | Hat* | Sunglasses | Wool Mockneck* | Ski Pants* | Hiking Boots | Scarf*

After arriving at our hotel in Blowing Rock, we took a stroll through the quaint town. The sun started setting, and the wind whipped through the city. I intended to wear my ponte pants and leather boots while exploring the mountain town but decided to stay in my ski pants and hiking boots in case of black ice.

For dinner that evening, I dressed up for the super-short walk from our hotel to the restaurant and felt confident wearing my leather boots after walking around earlier in the day. While I wouldn’t have felt comfortable outside for terribly long in my jumpsuit, layering leggings and a wool top under my outfit kept me toasty enough. And I sneakily managed to add a little warmth to my wool coat by wearing a small down puffer underneath.

The weather warmed considerably on our final day in the mountains, yet I still needed to layer. Underneath my sweater and jeans, I wore a wool tee and leggings. It’s easy to feel a bit sausagey in your clothes in the winter, but wearing ultra-thin layers and tucking things in can be a huge help.

Collage of Alyssa in three outfits — *Left* || Cashmere Turtleneck* | Ski Pants* || *Middle* || Beret* | Wool Mockneck* | Jumpsuit | Leather Boots* | Necklace℅ || *Right* || Puff Sleeve Sweater | Jeans℅ | Leather Boots* | Wool Coat*

*Many items in my wardrobe are thrifted or are several years old and I’ve linked a similar product

FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA IN THE WINTER

While I wore everything that I packed for this trip, I probably could have managed with just my cashmere and puff-sleeve sweaters. I was worried I’d get too soaked and/or sweaty snow tubing to continue wearing that same sweater, but that wasn’t the case (although I could totally see that happening if it was a warmer day or if I completely wiped out on the tube, and I’m glad I was prepared!).

And I suppose I could have also only worn my Columbia parka rather than my wool coat/puffer combo. But as is the nature of those kinds of coats, I feel frumpy in it—and I don’t mind bringing another coat on a road trip if it means I feel more comfortable and confident in my outfits. All-in-all, I’m feeling ready for some more winter adventures!

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Questions for you

What are your biggest challenges when packing for a winter getaway?

Do you have a favorite do-it-all coat?

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Traveling Light: Winter Packing List for Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina