The trick with dressing correctly for a day of skiing is to wear the right clothing that keeps your extremities warm yet also allows you to move freely. While it can be uncomfortable to be cold, piling too many bulky layers on can impair the movement of your arms and legs and therefore your ability to freely glide down the slopes. Following a few basic ski-clothing tips can help your extremities to stay warm so you can enjoy your day.
Step 1
Start with thermal underwear as your first layer of clothing. Make sure the top is long sleeved to keep your arms warm and the bottom is long pants to cover your legs. Choose material that has wicking ability, which will draw the sweat away from your skin to keep you warm.
Step 2
Place a long-sleeved fleece shirt over the thermal underwear. Warm wool sweaters work as well to keep your arms warm, however they tend to be bulkier than the fleece.
Step 3
Wear waterproof ski pants over the thermal underwear to keep your legs warm. Purchase ski pants that are made to block wind and cold yet also have a wicking ability to absorb moisture away from your body and keep your legs warm.
Step 4
Purchase a ski jacket that fits over your fleece and thermal underwear, yet isn't too bulky and allows your arms and upper body to freely move while flying down the slopes. The material should be durable and able to withstand wind and cold.
Step 5
Keep your feet warm with wool or acrylic socks under your ski boots. Socks should also be wicking to remove the moisture from your feet since wet socks can lead to cold feet.
Step 6
Finish your outfit with a warm, cozy pair of gloves or mittens to prevent frostbite on your hands. Gloves should remove moisture from your skin, be form-fitting and allow you to easily grasp your ski poles.
Step 7
Make use of glove and boot warmers, liners and heaters, which can help to keep your hands and feet toasty while skiing. These warmers are available in either air-activated pouches, inserts or battery operated electronic versions. Prices vary depending on type and manufacturer, but all of them are portable and fairly simple to use.
Step 8
Prevent your head from becoming cold by wearing a hat. Choose a warm material such as wool and pick one that will come down far enough to cover your ears. Helmets worn on top of the hat can provide additional warmth and protect you against head injuries.
Things You'll Need
- Thermal underwear
- Fleece top
- Ski pants
- Ski jacket
- Socks
- Gloves
- Hat
- Glove and boot warmers, liners or heaters
References
- KidsHealth; Safety Tips: Skiing; Kathleen O'Brien; February 2010
- ABC Of Skiing: Ski Clothing
- Ski Snow Valley: First Timers - What to Wear Skiing or Snowboarding
- Skis.com; How To Keep Your Feet Warm And Toasty; Steve K; November, 2008
- OnTheSnow.com; How to Keep Your Hands Warm on Cold Days; Allen Smith; August 2008
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