What you need for a ski marathon
A ski marathon needs more than skis and a marked course. Your shopping list must cover registration, timing, route visibility, first aid support and warm waiting areas, often in snow and low temperatures. Buy or reserve equipment early, especially tents, tables, radios and power supplies. Check participant numbers before fixing quantities, then pack separate supplies for the start, course stations and finish so volunteers can find everything quickly.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 3
- Registration tablesqty 4
- Buffet tables for distributionqty 6
- Folding chairsqty 40
- High tablesqty 6
Sports equipment
- Cross-country skisqty 12
- Cross-country ski polesqty 12
- Spare tiesqty 6
- Ski waxingqty 8
- Wax brushesqty 4
- Snow shovelsqty 4
- Marker conesqty 30
- Route arrowsqty 40
- Starting gatesqty 6
- Finish arch
- Stopwatchesqty 6
- Hand tally countersqty 6
- Reflective vestsqty 25
- Thermal labelsqty 20
- Hand warmersqty 100
Equipment
- Megaphoneqty 2
- Walkie-talkiesqty 12
- Mobile phonesqty 6
- Power banksqty 8
- Laptop
- Printer
- Extension cordsqty 8
- Power stripsqty 6
- Batteriesqty 40
- First aid kitsqty 3
- Emergency blanketsqty 30
- Flashlightsqty 12
- Measuring tapesqty 3
- Clipboardsqty 12
- Ballpoint pensqty 50
- Paper formsqty 300
- Table lampsqty 4
- Charging cablesqty 12
Lighting
- LED string lightsqty 8
- LED work lightsqty 6
- Headlampsqty 12
- Reflective route ribbonqty 500
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 250
- Soup bowlsqty 180
- Platesqty 180
- Cutlery setsqty 180
- Serving spoonsqty 8
Kitchen
- Thermos flasksqty 12
- Soup kettlesqty 4
- Kettlesqty 4
- Coolersqty 8
- Cutting boardsqty 6
- Kitchen knivesqty 6
- Serving traysqty 8
- Measuring cupsqty 4
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Black tea - 6 boxes
- Herbal tea - 4 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 8 cartons
- Coffee creamer - 8 bottles
- Semi-skimmed milk - 16 liters
- Sugar - 4 packs
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 18 crates
- Sparkling water - 6 crates
- Isotonic sports drink - 12 bottles
- Lemons - 3 kilogram
- Bananas - 12 kilograms
- Apples - 12 kilograms
- Mandarins - 8 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 250 pieces
- Energy gels - 180 pieces
- Raisin buns - 180 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 15 loaves
- Cheese - 5 kilo
- Ham - 4 kilograms
- Hummus - 20 containers
- Butter - 2 kilograms
- Vegetable soup - 35 liters
- Tomato Soup - 25 liter
- Vegetarian soup - 15 liter
- Gluten-free crackers - 8 packs
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Bouillon cubes - 4 boxes
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper Soup Cups - 250 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 500 pieces
- Teaspoons - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 dispensers
Decorations
- Bib numbersqty 220
- Wristbandsqty 250
- Route mapsqty 250
- Information boardsqty 12
- Direction sign holdersqty 40
- Barrier tapeqty 12
- Cable tiesqty 300
- Cable tiesqty 300
- Waterproof markersqty 12
- Tapeqty 8
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 12
- Litter pickersqty 4
- Broomsqty 6
- Floor squeegeesqty 4
- Bucketsqty 6
- Microfiber clothsqty 24
- Disinfectantqty 4
- Toilet brushesqty 4
Tips
- Plan one registration place per 75–100 participants and provide a table, chairs, bib materials and a working printer nearby. Test the laptop and printer before event day, not when the first group arrives.
- Mark the route with cones and arrows at every decision point, then bring spare markers for snow or wind. Pack snow shovels as well; fresh snowfall can cover low signs within an hour.
- Give each course station a walkie-talkie or charged mobile phone, a power bank and spare batteries. Charge all devices the evening before and keep one backup communication method at the finish.
- Provide reflective vests for every volunteer working near the course, plus hand warmers for longer outdoor shifts. Keep extra warmers at the start and finish instead of storing the whole supply at one desk.
- Reserve tents, tables and lighting for the start and finish before the final week. Extension cords, power strips and LED lights are easy to overlook, and replacing them on a snowy event morning is difficult.
Frequently asked questions
- What should I buy for a ski marathon registration area?
- Prepare at least one registration table per 75–100 participants, with chairs, bib numbers, wristbands, a laptop, printer, extension cord and power strip. Add spare batteries and a power bank for phones or timing equipment.
- How many route markers do I need for a ski marathon?
- Place an arrow or cone at every turn, junction and unclear section, then add at least 10–15% spare markers for snow, wind or damage. Walk the route once after marking it and again before the first start group.
- How early should I arrange ski marathon equipment?
- Reserve tents, tables, skis, poles, radios and timing equipment at least 4–6 weeks ahead. Complete the final quantity check 7 days before the event, when participant numbers and volunteer shifts are known.
- What power supplies are needed at a ski marathon?
- Bring one power bank for each mobile communication point, plus spare batteries for radios, stopwatches and other battery-powered equipment. Test chargers, extension cords and power strips at least 24 hours before the start.
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