What to wear skiing: base layers, mid layers, jackets, gloves and goggles

TUREFF• •0

Being cold, wet or overheated ruins a ski day faster than anything else. The fix is not one thick coat but a few thinner layers that you can add or remove as the weather and your effort change. This is the system that works, from the skin outwards.

The golden rule: no cotton

Cotton soaks up sweat, holds it against your skin and then chills you as soon as you stop on a chairlift. That includes cotton T-shirts, cotton socks, hoodies and jeans. Every layer next to your skin should be merino wool or synthetic (polyester or polypropylene), which move moisture away and stay warm when damp.

Base layer

A close-fitting thermal top and leggings. Their job is to keep you dry by wicking sweat, not to be warm on their own.

Merino is soft, warm for its weight and resists smells, so you can wear it more than one day. It is more expensive and less hard-wearing.
Synthetic dries faster and is cheaper and tougher, but can smell after a day.

Choose a weight to match the climate: lightweight for spring skiing, midweight for most of the season.

Mid layer

The warm part. A fleece, a thin wool jumper, or a light insulated jacket (down or synthetic fill). On a cold day you might wear two; on a sunny spring afternoon you might wear none. Zipped mid layers are easier to vent when you are working hard. Most people do not need a mid layer on their legs; thermal leggings under ski trousers are plenty.

Outer layer

A waterproof, breathable jacket and trousers (or salopettes, which have a bib and keep snow out when you fall). Look for:

a waterproof rating suitable for snow, and taped seams
a hood that fits over a helmet
a powder skirt in the jacket to stop snow going up your back
pit zips or vents for hot days
trousers with inner gaiters that go over your boots

Shell jackets have no insulation and rely on your layers; insulated jackets are warmer but less flexible. Beginners who spend time sitting in the snow often prefer insulated trousers.

Socks

One pair of proper ski socks, long enough to come above the top of the boot. Never wear two pairs and never tuck thermal leggings into your boots: both create wrinkles and pressure points, and squeezing the foot makes it colder by restricting circulation. Thin to medium thickness is usually best in a well-fitted boot.

Gloves or mittens

Waterproof, insulated gloves with a cuff long enough to go over or under your jacket sleeve.
Mittens are warmer than gloves because your fingers share heat; good for people whose hands always get cold, and for children.
Thin liner gloves add warmth and let you use your phone without exposing your skin.

Bring a spare pair if you can. Wet gloves rarely dry fully overnight without a heated dryer.

Head and neck

Helmet: now standard for most skiers and snowboarders, and usually available to rent. It should sit level, just above your eyebrows, and be snug without pressure points.
A thin neck gaiter or buff keeps wind off your face and neck. Avoid big scarves that can catch on lifts.
If you wear a helmet you do not need a hat while skiing, but a beanie is useful for the walk to the bar.

Goggles vs sunglasses

Goggles are the better choice for most days. They seal out wind and snow, do not fall off, and fit with a helmet. Lens colour matters:

dark or mirrored lenses for bright sunshine
yellow, rose or amber lenses for flat light and cloud, when it is hard to see bumps
photochromic or interchangeable lenses cover both

Sunglasses are fine on warm sunny spring days and at lunch, but should wrap around and block UV. Snow reflects strong sunlight, and sore, gritty eyes after a day without protection are a real risk.

Getting it right on the day

Start slightly cool; you warm up after the first run.
Open vents before you sweat rather than after.
Keep a spare base layer or mid layer in a small pack on cold days.
Put sun cream on your face even under cloud.

What do you wear on the coldest days on the mountain? Share your layering tips or ask a kit question in the comments.