The beauty of cottages is that they offer a different experience with each season. A summer cottage promises cool dips in sparkling lakes, sizzling burgers on a hot barbecue with our families, and the chance to observe wildlife. Winter transforms the landscape into a wonderland of snow and ice, perfect for ice fishing, skating, backcountry skiing, or snowshoeing. We can make festive escapes and celebrate the holidays or New Year’s Eve at the cottage. After a long semester of studies, cottages can also be a popular destination for students to decompress during Spring Break. Regardless of the plans, the question remains: “What should I pack?”
- What clothing should you bring?
- Personal Care & Toiletries
- Food & Kitchen Supplies
- Entertainment & Leisure Items
- Miscellaneous Items
What Clothing Should You Bring?
Let’s first break it down by season, and then by activity:
Seasons:
- Spring provides the perfect weather for layering – choose base layers for movement and proper insulation or opt for a simple shirt and sweater combination if the weather is mild. We also recommend preparing for muddier conditions. Be sure to pack waterproof boots and other weather-resistant clothing such as rain jackets, windbreakers, or vests.
- Summers are hot and humid. It’s best to pack lightweight clothes with moisture-wicking and breathing properties to stay cool and comfortable. Don’t forget hats to keep the sun off your head. For those cooler summer nights, bring long-sleeved shirts or long pants to keep away the bugs.
- Fall weather can vary significantly, with some days reaching the twenties and others plummeting close to zero degrees Celsius. Remember, cottages nestled in nature usually experience cooler climates, especially if they’re lakeside or in mountainous areas. You’ll want to pack layers here, much like you would for spring, as both fall and spring have varying weather.
- For winter, pack a reliable down parka or winter coat. Anything with GORE-TEX is a safe bet, especially for our boots or jackets, well-insulated hats and mittens, additional layers, and your favourite sweater or sweatpants for lounging. Embrace comfortable wear too, as winter cottages are synonymous with hot cocoa, fires, and cozy ambiances.
Activities:
- Swimming & Watersports: For summer cottagers, swimsuits are a must. Among watersports like swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, or kayaking, nothing beats the peace of drifting on a lake that mirrors a clear blue sky. Swimsuits aren’t just for summer, though. Winter doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying a hot tub if your cottage has one.
- Hiking: An all-season favourite. Many cottages offer easy access to nearby trails, ideal for exploration. Pack a sturdy daypack with snacks, water, a first-aid kit, trekking poles, and any other essentials. Durable hiking shoes or boots are also an asset if you have them. If you’re hiking in the winter months, don’t forget to include some crampons.
- Skiing & snowboarding: Whether you’re hitting the slopes or exploring the backcountry, ski cottages provide the perfect base. Pack your skis, snowboard, boots, goggles, helmet, and safety gear. To fully enjoy the après-ski, bring some comfortable casual clothes to change into.
- Running: Some cottager goers might want to keep up with their active routines. And besides, it’s even more reason to treat ourselves later. Regardless of your running route, road, or trail, bring suitable running gear.
- Cycling: Cycling is a great way to explore the landscape surrounding your cottage. Fat biking has also seen an increase in popularity in recent months.
Sports Safety in Remote Areas: Your safety is essential, no matter where you are. Cottages can have poor reception or no internet. Share your location with someone and try to bring friends along. Pay close attention to your surroundings. Leave the headphones at home if you’re heading out into the woods. Bring sprays if you’re in bear country. Always check the weather. If you’re road running, remember country roads are often narrow, winding, and lack pedestrian paths, so be extra cautious of traffic.
Personal Care & Toiletries
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You should never leave the house for a prolonged period without packing some basic hygienic products into a trusty hygiene kit.
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Here are some important toiletries to keep in mind for your trip:
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Sunscreen and SPF lip balm for sun protection.
- Bug repellents. DEET repellents are the best for tick prevention.
- Shampoos & body wash
- Deodorant
- Hand soap
- First aid kit (tweezers, scissors, gauze, band-aids, disinfectant wipes)
- Wet wipes
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
Make a more complete list to make sure you have everything you need. A lot of these are available just about anywhere. Look for carry-on sized products at your local pharmacy. Gas stations sometimes offer a small selection of toiletries and hygiene products. On the occasion you’ve forgotten something, why not treat it as a chance to visit some of the nearby townships?
Food & Kitchen Supplies
Where and how long you’re staying will factor into your food choices. More rustic cottages offer little more than a few rusty pots and pans and half-empty tea boxes. Others, however, might have their cabinets brimming with culinary delights and complimentary beverages.
If your cottage is bare bones, here’s what you’ll want to consider:
- Canned foods
- Dry meals
- Grains
- Cooking oils and spices
- Sweet or salty treats
To keep up your energy for activities, pack a balance of protein, carbs, and fats. Some examples of foods to bring include:
- Pancake mix (just need water)
- Granola bars, protein bars, or trail mixes to bring on the trails as snacks
- Bread
- Jams, peanut butter, and honey for some delicious sandwiches
- Chocolate bars
- Canned soups or meats
- Rice or cereals
- Crackers or corn chips
Don’t hesitate to bring coolers and camp kitchen supplies to pack dairy, eggs, vegetables, or frozen meats for more well-rounded meals if you can. If your cottage has modern kitchen furnishings, all the better.
Entertainment & Leisure Items
If being stir-crazy drove you out to the woods, make sure you’re not just trading it in for cabin fever. Bring fun things to do, whether you’re alone or with friends. Disconnecting doesn’t require totally unplugging—we all have our creature comforts.
- Board games and puzzles are always a great way to pass the time. Some cottages may already have some.
- Playing cards have been a staple time-killer since the ninth century.
- Cottages may have televisions and movies for you.
- Pre-download your favourite movies or shows on your laptops or tablets to wind down or, if you’re the frustrated writer, to work on your novel.
- Some of us bookworms have a shame pile of unread books, or maybe a DNF (“Did not finish”) book that we might give another chance to. A cottage is a perfect place to rekindle a love of literature.
- Portable speakers: No cottage with friends is complete without a shared playlist for the occasion.
- Bring art supplies like watercolours, knitting needles, yarn, or embroidery kits for other arts & crafts.
- Your phone: While it’s important to disconnect from the world, our phones should be readily available for emergencies, to use as a map, or a GPS, and look up popular hot spots in town during your stay.
Miscellaneous Items
Now that your bags are ready, it’s time to double-check you have everything you need for your cottage weekend. Pack these additional must-haves for your trip:
- Portable batteries are a great backup to have if your cottage is powerless or when your friend refuses you the USB port in the car.
- Chargers.
- Cottages may not have enough towels. It’s best to bring a couple of extras, just in case.
- Blankets and pillows can be used in case there’s a lack of bedding at the cottage. You can also consider bringing a sleeping bag and an inflatable mattress.
- Headlamp, flashlight, or lighting: Yes, our phones have them, but a spare doesn’t hurt to have.
- Batteries: AA or AAA depending on your need for them for your lights or other tech.
- Resealable or reusable bags: Great for organizing our things in our packs and to keep litter out of nature.
- Multi-tool: Handy for opening cans, bottles or making quick repairs.
- Journal: Inspire yourself!
- Folding chairs: In case of limited seating.
- Waterproof matches, lighters, and firestarters: Always make sure you’re allowed to make a fire, especially during the summer months.
Ready To Move Into Your New (Temporary) Home?
Before leaving, give your packing list a careful review to ensure you have everything you need. Practice good safety: always leave a note, tell a family member or a friend where you’re going if you’re going alone, or better yet, plan a getaway with friends. Keep yourself entertained with activities and ways to relax. A cottage is a place where we can let go of stress and find peace from our busy lives, no matter the season. Savour it, and have a happy retreat!
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