If you’re like me, you probably prefer being prepared, rather than unprepared. Whether it’s school, work, the apocalypse or a simple ski trip, being prepared can make a world of difference. Heck, you wouldn’t go to a big meeting in a swimsuit, then why would you go skiing without proper equipment. To help you out, we’ll explain the different layers you should be wearing if you want to stay safe from the elements while skiing or snowboarding.
The Base Layer
As the name suggest, a base layer is the first thing you should put on, after your underwear of course. These synthetic shirts and leggings aren’t made from just cotton, they use special materials such as polypropylene to keep you dry while sweating. What they do is absorb to moisture off of you, keeping you dry. At the same time they don’t hold the moisture in and it evaporates much faster.
This base layer from Brille Sports is made from 45% Merino wool and 55% polyester.
The Mid Layer
The mid layer is the layer of clothing between your base layer and outerwear. It’s best to choose something that is in tone with the conditions. If it’s a cold day out in the mountain, a warm hoodie is always a good choice. If it’s a nice warm spring skiing day, you can even skip using a mid layer or go with something made of fleece.
Outerwear
Outerwear is a fancy term for ski jackets and pants. It’s your first line of defense from the cold and wet and the most important part of your ski attire. The two main characteristics you should be looking at when choosing your outerwear is waterproof rating and breathability rating. After those, you should consider fit, then style and color.
Waterproof rating is generally measured in mm. The rating is generated by simulating a 1 cm x 1 cm square tube over the fabric and determining how high (in millimeters) a column of water you can suspend over it before the pressure becomes to much and it starts to leak. The higher the column, the more pressure is put on the fabric, so the bigger the number, the better. Ratings tend go from 0 (no waterproofing) all the way up to 30,000 and more. For people who only ski a few times a year, I would suggest a minimum waterproof rating of 5,000mm.
Breathability rating is determined by calculating the amount of vapor (in grams) that can pass through one square meter of material. Here the bigger number is not always better. The much breathability and you will feel the warm air leaving your body and can get cold. If you tend to ski only using the lifts (no walking up the mountain to ski that gnarly line) a breathability rating of 5,000-8,000 g/m2 is OK. If you tend to break a sweat easily, a higher breathability rating will help.
If you want to save money on outerwear, buy yours during the summer and go for older models, rather than the latest fashion trends.
Socks
They make special socks for skiing? Yeah, they do, and they are worth the extra cost compared to normal cotton socks. Ski and Snowboard socks differ from normal socks in a number of ways. The most obvious is the length. You should always ski with socks that reach well over the edge of the boot. This will minimize the chance of a crease forming up inside your tight boots and discomforting you. Good ski socks are also made with special anti-bacterial treatment and materials that wick moisture away (like a base layer). They also keep your feet warmer.
Gloves
One time at the gondola parking lot I noticed i had forgotten my gloves at home. It was then I made the big mistake of neglecting my own experience and going skiing, without borrowing a pair of gloves from someone. Not gonna happen again as my hands were freezing cold by the time I even got to the top of the hill. I could barely hold my pole on the way down. Needless to say, after the first run I was calling all my skiing friends to see if anyone had anything I could put on my hands for warmth. If you don’t want an experience like that, get a pair of gloves! I also suggest going for waterproof gloves meant for winter sports and not some fleece gloves from the flea market. If it’s your first time skiing or snowboarding, then I would suggest taking two pairs of gloves with you every day.
An alternative to buying all of the essential ski gear is to rent what you don’t have. At Ski & Board Traventuria you can find a big selection of rental equipment. Helmet and goggle bookings can be done online, while jackets and pants can be rented on-the-spot with no reservation required. We also have a large selection of gloves, socks and layers for sale.
Headgear
This is the part of the article where I state that wearing a helmet while skiing is a very, very good idea. Regardless of your level, a helmet can save your life. I would be lying if I said that I’ve never been hit over the head from those drag lifts. I’d also be lying if I said a helmet never saved my life. Be smart, protect your brain, it’s the most important organ you have. Another piece of gear you could use is a balaclava or a normal buff, for those extra cold days.
Goggles
Eye protection is very useful when skiing or snowboarding. Even on a cloudy day, the snow reflects light and can be a big strain on your eyes. I advise new skiers to use goggles rather than sunglasses due to the extra protection they provide in case of a crash.
