What to Wear Skiing

First and foremost if you are heading to the hills to go skiing you need the gear. Whether you rent ski equipment or you have your own, you can’t go skiing without skis! But I have seen many a skier who seems to stop there when it comes to planning what to wear skiing. You need to dress for the weather and for the activity. I am going to share what to wear skiing from my perspective as someone who has grown up skiing in Ontario and Quebec since I was a preteen. 

What to Wear Skiing

Snow Pants – Have you ever been on the hill and seen a novice skier skiing in jeans. This is the biggest mistakes you can make. Save jeans for apres ski. Make sure that when you commit to going skiing you have a pair of snow pants. The pair I am wearing above I have had for years and they aren’t an expensive pair but they keep me warm and dry. 

Warm jacket – Depending on how cold it is I will wear either a lighter jacket or a down parka. The pullover I am wearing above is something I would wear when it is milder say to a max of minus 8 degrees Celsius. Once it gets to minus ten or colder I will opt for my down filled parka. Get my jacket here.

Base Layers – The way to survive a day on the slopes is layers. Especially the base layers. I personally like these and these. I make sure to wear long johns and a base layer tee. How much more I layer from there depends on how cold the conditions are. Sometimes I will layer on fleece pants on top of my bottom layer. Make sure to get a long wool ski sock to wear in your boots.

Thin turtleneck –  I always wear a thin turtleneck when I am out skiing. I might not always wear a sweater but I do like to wear a turtleneck because that layer on my neck keeps me warmer. Get my turtleneck here. 

Hat, neck gaiter and mitts – these are the warmth trifecta. A Neck gaiter or neck warmer is better than a scarf as it won’t come untied and sits closer to the face. A neck gaiter will minimize your exposure to frost bite and wind burn. I like to pull it up over the lower part of my ears. I pull my hat down over my ears over the neck warmer and secure everything with my ski goggles. My fingers get cold easily so down filled mittens are a must for me. Get my hat here. 

Ski sweater – Is there anything that screams skiing more than a ski sweater? I like a modern fair isle in wool as it keeps you super warm. Get my ski sweater here. 

Getting to and from the hill you are going to want warm boots. I don’t wear sunglasses skiing as I find they are really cold going down the hill. I much prefer ski goggles. 

What do you think of what to wear skiing? Did I miss a layer that you never forget? Is there a layer you are going to add?