What Do You Wear to Ski?

Q & A

The tricky thing with skiing and snowboarding is that you have to know how to dress and the weather can change pretty dramatically. Most people would rather not concentrate on their clothing when they’re out having fun in the snow. They would rather concentrate on having fun. So it’s important that the outdoor clothing you chose be good enough to keep you warm, not too warm while blocking the wind and not restricting your movement. That’s a lot to ask but figuring out what to wear while skiing is rather simple, too.

Besides things like ski boots, skis and poles, let’s look at what ski clothing you need to wear.

It’s all about layers. First, look at what the weather is going to be like. If it’s going to be warmer out, you will wear less layer. If it’s cold and/or windy, then you will want to wear or at least have more layers with you. I usually wear a base layer and an outer layer. If it’s going to be colder out, then I’ll add more mid layers.

The Base Layer

Your base layer should not be cotton. You are going to perspire and cotton just soaks it up and keeps it near your skin where you’ll get too cold. Normally, when you are outside, like in the summer, you sweat but it evaporates. In the winter, it does not evaporate as easily because you’re covered up. The moisture is trapped within your clothing. That’s why it’s important that any perspiration is moved away from your skin. There are some great materials out there that will do this. They are nylon based materials and are synthetic. You can find some great base layers by companies like Under Armour or Patagonia. You will get something for your legs, which are almost like tights and then something for your upper body. There are varying levels of thickness with a base layer. You’re probably best going with a light to medium level of base layer. Some people will have a thicker base layer in their ski bag if they ski in places with extreme weather.

Socks

Socks are a part of your base layer. You should find a good brand and kind of socks that you like and stick with those so that you get a consistent fit with your boots. I really like the SmartWool socks made for skiing and snowboarding. They’re warm, not too thick, tend to draw moisture away from your feet and even have some extra padding on the sole of the foot, which makes your boots feel a little more comfortable.

I hardly ever wear 2 pairs of socks. I like my feet being able to move and toes wiggle a little.

The Outer Layer

This is the layer people probably think about the most. Your outer layer needs to keep snow, rain and wind away from you. The outer layer includes things like your ski jacket, ski pants, gloves and hat or helmet.

Ski Jacket – Get one that will let you wear a few layers underneath. It should have ample pockets, adjustable cuffs and various draw strings to help you lock into it. We’ve got great articles on this website about ski jackets, which I invite you to read so that you know all you need to know about them since they are important.

Ski Pants – Also important, ski pants need to keep you warm, dry and not restrict movement. Things like vents, pockets and material is something to look at along with how they fit you. Check out our articles on ski pants.

Ski Gloves – Gloves need to keep your hands warm and dry. Sometimes I will wear a glove liner inside my gloves – ok, most of the time I do. You will want to have a number of gloves on hand – you really can’t have too many. Mittens for skiing are also a nice option on very cold days. Check out a good article on ski gloves.

Ski Hat -Keeping your head warm is important. Hats are pretty stylish now and do a nice job keeping you warm. The hood of your jacket can also keep wind away.

Ski Helmet – I think everyone should wear a helmet. It really doesn’t take much to hurt your head. Helmets now are pretty comfortable and offer vents, so the work really well. If you or your teenager hangs out in the terrain parks, they need to be wearing a helmet – no excuses. Most good ski jackets now have a built-in, removable hood that fits well over a helmet.

Skiing Mid Layers

The great thing about mid layers is that they can be about anything as long as your base layer moves perspiration away from your skin. So long sleeve t-shirts, fleece vests or fleece pullovers, sweatshirts, sweaters or a mid-layer jacket works great. I usually wear a long sleeve t-shirt and mid-layer jacket – so a total of 4 layers on my upper body. For my lower body, I just have the base layer and ski pants – so a total of 2 layers on my lower body.

Wearing Jeans While Skiing

I see people with jeans as a mid layer… no, not a good idea. Jeans are just terrible for skiing. They soak up snow and moisture like a sponge, don’t dry very quickly and can be tight and restrictive. Leave them at home or in your ski bag for going to the bar later.

One more tip – your ski pants should go over your boots – even the liner. Pull your socks tight. You do not want anything bunched up between your ski boots and shins. If there is something bunched up there – you will be in great pain very soon and it lasts even up to a day or so. Another reason why jeans just don’t belong in skiing.

Conclusion

Be comfortable and dress smart. Have extra clothing with you in case it gets colder or something gets wet. It’s very hard to dry clothing in a few minutes even though I see people trying to do that with the hand dryers in the bathroom. Bring extra:

• Socks
• Gloves
• Hat

You should also have a ski mask with you in case it gets very cold or windy. Don’t forget goggles either.

Know that you’re going to get hot and then it will be cold, so that base layer that takes away perspiration is very important. Make sure whatever clothing you wear does not restrict your movements. Get clothes that fit you and are not too tight. With more layers, you’ll need a ski jacket maybe a size bigger than normal – although most ski jackets do run a little bigger for that very reason. You can borrow clothes from friends, but it’s also less of a hassle to have your own stuff. Have fun!

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