Clothing Basics
There is clothing designed specifically for skiers. Discover what works and what doesn’t, and the difference between just dressing and dressing up. We’ve included tips on layering your clothing to ensure you’re cozy and warm (but not wet!) during your ski adventures. Jean Hunt provides clothing tips below.
Layering Underwear Mid-layer Outer Layer Hat Sunscreen Socks
GLOVES AND MITTS
“Hands are like feet, you want to keep them warm and dry,” says Jean.
If you have cold hands and poor circulation, a mitt is warmer than a glove. Look for ones that have a heater pocket that you can insert a disposable hand warmer in for colder days.
Always put your gloves or mitts on inside and try not to take them off when you are outdoors as you will lose body heat quickly.
If your hands are warmer and tend to perspire make sure that your gloves or mitts have a wickable inner liner or a removable liner that can be changed during the day. If your hands get wet, they will get cold!
Layering properly can give you better weather protection than one bulky, heavy garment – and in our ever-changing weather, much more versatility, says Jean.
The key to successful layering is, in order of importance: warmth, moisture management and wind/water proofness.
The third layer is what protects you from the elements (the outer shell of your garment), the middle is your insulator (actual insulation or a fleece or sweater layer) and your first layer is your base layer or underwear that should not only insulate but also wick.
The goal with these three layers is to keep you warm and dry without adding too much bulk or weight. The advantage of proper layering is to be able to keep you warm and dry, even as weather temperatures fluctuate.
Your underwear choice is critical and it is the best investment that you can make for your comfort, says Jean.
You want to choose a close fitting, non-cotton garment that is designed to wick moisture quickly away from your skin. Anti-microbial features will also keep it from retaining odours.
You can choose to go insulated for your mid layer and there are many lightweight options available, says Jean.
Remember to keep in mind that bulk does not equal warmth and make sure that your sales person can give you the pros and cons of your choices.
Whether you choose an insulated jacket or a shell you still require at least one other layer over your underwear. It is important that this layer has the same technical abilities as your base layer.
The number of layers that you wear will be dictated by you, your choice of jacket or shell and the weather conditions.
Your choices range from vests to fleece to sweaters to soft shells to technical tops, and the nice thing is that these garments can be used for a wide array of sports, not only in the winter, says Jean.
The outer or third layer is key to the performance of your outerwear as it is the water and/or windproof layer that protects you from the elements while releasing moisture which comes from performing the activity, says Jean.
The third layer is your shell or insulated jacket. It needs to be waterproof and the degree of waterproofness depends on the weather that you plan to use it in.
Snowsports in Alberta do not require the same degree of waterproofness that you would require if you plan to ski most of your time on, say, the coast. Knowledgeable sales staff can guide you through the choice of laminates available.
Critical seams should be sealed, zippers should be covered, the lining should have wicking qualities and the jacket or pant should have some type of venting to perform well.
The third layer should also be windproof as wind strongly influences the weather within your jacket. More often than not it is the wind penetration that makes you cold.
Be sure to understand the balance between windproofness and breathability as both are important and dependent upon personal factors as well as usage conditions.
Breathability is important as even while resting a person loses daily more than half a liter of fluids through their skin. While performing an activity, you can lose even more, and you do not want to see this in the form of condensation on the inside of your jacket!
“We highly recommend wearing a helmet,” says Jean. (Please read about buying a helmet in the skialbertalive article on Equipment and Gear).
Up to 50% of body heat is lost through your head, so keep it covered!
Helmets are available in a wide range of styles, fits and colors. They are insulated and come with many features including venting and removable earflaps.
The effects of the sun at higher altitudes are more extreme even in the dead of winter. Wear plenty of both even on dull, overcast days. Both also help protect you from the wind as well.
To ensure the best possible fit, you should always try ski boots on with properly fitting technical ski socks.
“The old myth of wearing the thickest wool sock in the drawer doesn’t work, because now you’re not fitting the boot to the foot, but rather to the sock,” says Jean.
A good ski sock will be ultra thin-medium weight and because feet perspire at such a rapid rate, they should have moisture-wicking qualities to move this perspiration up and out of the ski boots.
“As well, I highly recommend after-market foot beds for the vast majority of skiers, as they stabilize the foot within ski boots much more effectively than the stock foot beds provided in ski boots,” says Jean.
They also provide much better arch support and proper stance within the boots. This will in turn align the entire body better to allow a more effective day of turns on the slopes with way less fatigue.
