What to Wear and How to Layer for Skiing - The Ski Source (2024)

• October 26, 2020

Knowing what to wear skiing and how to layer effectively is essential for your comfort during long days on the mountain. The proper ski attire is the same whether it is your first time skiing or you are an expert. Skiing and snowboarding is an active sport being done in a cold environment, which can be a bit tricky to plan for.

How do you make sure you are warm in the cold temperatures, but not so warm that being active makes you start to sweat through your clothes? Read more to find the right clothes to wear and how to strike a balance for optimal temperature regulation.

Base layers are critical for your warmth and comfort. They are the front line defense if your body starts to sweat, so proper base layers MUST be moisture wicking. Merino wool or synthetic materials are usually what good base layers should be made out of. From there you can choose from a variety of weights – lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight, depending on the climate you often ski in.

It is also good to keep in mind that base layers should fit fairly snug to your body (without restricting movement). Remember, you still have a few more layers to go, so more form fitting base layers help save space for your bulkier mid and outer layers.

For long sleeve thermal tops, I like ones that run pretty long so that you can tuck them into your leggings without the risk of them coming out. This ensures your keeping that body warmth in and that no snow gets in when you take a tumble. Also, look for tops with hand/thumb holes. Not only do they help keep your hands toasty, but they keep your sleeves taught and in position instead of scrunching up inside your jacket sleeves

Your outer layer goes over everything and is the item that everyone sees (so, if you care about how you look on the slopes, this is the layer you want to pay attention to). Your outer layer is a shell jacket meant to protect from the outside elements like wind and snow. These layers are built from a variety of high tech materials like Gore-Tex to give maximum element protection while being as breathable as possible.

Look for a shell with adequate pocket storage and zippers to help dump warmth in the event you are getting too hot. You will also want a jacket with waterproofing that matches your type of skiing and climate — read more in our article about how to choose your ski jacket

As stated previously, hands are a cold spot for most people. You want to make sure your hands are nice and cozy, or else you will have a pretty miserable day. Don’t forget gloves. Read our detailed comparison of gloves vs mittens and other tips on how to keep your hands warm.

Glove liners: Wearing liners underneath your gloves or mittens can help keep your hands warm on colder days. Make sure to pack two pairs if your hands tend to get sweaty, this way you can switch them out halfway through the day.

What should you not wear skiing?

Avoid cotton or any material that will absorb moisture. If you do, sweating will make it feel like you jumped in a pool. When you are in freezing temperatures, being wet is a very bad idea. Generally, you wouldn’t wear “normal” clothes skiing like jeans, cotton shirts, or anything similar. Look for moisture wicking synthetic or merino wool materials.

What do you wear under ski pants?

Normally just your base layer bottoms go under your ski pants. For men, you don’t need to wear your boxers/briefs underneath your base layers. Just your base layer bottoms and ski pants are all you need.

Can you wear leggings skiing?

Some women may wonder if their normal leggings work as baselayers so they can avoid buying a separate pair of “ski leggings”. The answer is YES, you can wear typical leggings in place of ski-specific base bottoms, so long as they are not made of cotton or other moisture absorbing materials.

How many layers should you wear skiing?

You should never have more than 3 layers (base, mid, and outer layers). Many skiers think the more layers the better, but this is wrong. Additional layers add bulk, reduce mobility, and often end up being way too warm. Its best to dress for the temperatures by selecting the correct base, mid, and outer layers.

What shoes do you wear skiing (what shoes to bring on a ski trip)?

A pair of normal winter boots with rubber soles are helpful to bring with you. You can stash them in your car or in a locker and use them for walking around or apres. Obviously for the slopes, you will need your ski or snowboard specific boots.