Name: What to Wear Skiing | A First-Time Skier's Guide
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What to Wear Skiing | A First-Time Skier's Guide

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Skip to the contentSkiing can be a lot of fun. But if you aren’t dressed for the occasion, skiing can also be cold and miserable.The first time I went skiing, I was 21 years old, and borrowed an old ski outfit from a friend. Not knowing what to wear skiing for the first time, I was totally unprepared and ill-equipped to handle the cold temperatures. I instantly hated skiing.Many years later, I am an avid skier, and I’m married to an extreme skier with a crazy goal of skiing America’s scariest ski run someday. Ski trips are an annual occurrence.Over the years, I have learned much more about what to wear on a ski trip and how to dress while skiing to stay warm. That has made all the difference.If you are new to the sport of downhill skiing, this article covers everything you need to know about what to wear skiing to stay warm and safe on the mountain.We’ve also included some ski gear recommendations and accessories you will want to invest in if you continue with skiing or other mountain sports.Planning a ski trip? Check out the top 50 most common ski terms and slangIt is no secret that skiing is an expensive sport. So if you aren’t sure you will continue with it, I recommend renting ski gear, borrowing what you can from friends, and rummaging through your closet for pieces that will work on the mountain.You will likely still have to buy a couple of things, but you won’t be dropping a thousand dollars on ski clothes and gear right out of the gate.Before we get to the gear and clothes you need to wear skiing, first let’s cover some dos and don’ts on the mountain.Looking for a good entry-level ski mountain? Check out our reviews on Steamboat, Colorado, Aspen-Snowmass or Big Sky, Montana.The key to staying warm while skiing is to dress appropriately. That means you need to wear the right gear and dress in layers.I’m one of those people who always gets cold, even indoors, so I typically always wear three layers when skiing. My husband can often get by with two layers, or a thin outer layer or shell.But especially for women or children who are learning to ski, I recommend wearing three layers to stay warm.Here are the essential layers you should wear skiing on a cold day. On a warmer winter day, you might get by with just two layers. You will need the following:We will go into more detail below on these three layers and what they entail but first, let’s cover the basics and break down what to wear skiing for the first time.Not all ski gear is created equal. Ski brands vary in price and quality. However, I don’t recommend going out and buying the most expensive ski brand thinking it will keep you warmer.If you are going skiing the first time, here are few reasonably affordable ski brands that we wear and recommend:Chances are if you are going skiing for the first time, you will fall a lot and spend a lot of time on your butt. So keep your butt warm and dry, even when sitting in the wet snow. A quality pair of ski pants are a must on the mountain.Look for an insulated, waterproof ski pant that fits over your ski boots. You also will want something that is a bit looser than your typical pants. You will have a base layer underneath, and you want something that is easy to move in.Of the brands mentioned above, Spyder and The North Face are our go-to brands for ski pants. They are, in my opinion, the best quality for the money.FIND THE BEST SKI PANTSA few of our favorite ski pants for men, women, and children:Equally important as the insulated ski pants is a warm, waterproof ski coat. A lot of skiers, myself included, love the variety you find in ski apparel. It’s rare you ever see two people on the mountain wearing the same jacket.While there are so many ski brands to choose from, I would caution you not to just buy the cheapest jacket you can find. You get what you pay for in ski apparel, and you want to stay warm or you will be miserable.FIND A SKI JACKETA few of our favorite ski jackets for men, women, and children:This was one of the investments I didn’t make for a couple of years. My first ski gloves were inexpensive and low quality. My hands stayed cold on the mountain, but I knew no different.After a few seasons, I finally invested in a high-quality pair of ski gloves, and it made a huge difference.For toddlers, I would recommend mittens. They are easier to put on and help to keep their fingers warmer. Since little ones typically don’t ski with poles yet, the mittens work well for their needs.FIND THE BEST SKI GLOVESA few of our favorite ski gloves for men, women, and children:Goggles are a skiing must for several reasons.They protect your eyes from UV rays bouncing off the snow and keep the wind and snow out of your eyes. They also help to balance out the lighting, making it easier to see the snow conditions and changes in the mountain.FIND A PAIR OF SKI GOGGLESA few of our favorite goggles for men, women, and children:Your base layer is the first layer of clothing you will put on. It should be lightweight, somewhat snug to the skin, breathable, and wick away moisture. Your base layer serves as added thermal insulation.You will want to invest in both a top and bottom.FIND THE BEST BASE LAYERSA few of our favorite base layers for men, women, and children:You likely have something that will work for a mid layer in your closet. My mid layer is usually a fleece, quarterzip sweatshirt. This is worn between your base layer and your jacket. If you don’t already have one, you can find one relatively inexpensive just about anywhere.These are great pieces to have in your winter wardrobe, as they can be worn on or off the mountain.FIND A GOOD MID LAYERA few of our favorite fleece, mid layers for men, women, and children:Your helmet will serve two purposes when skiing. Most importantly, it is there for safety. Even expert skiers who never fall wear a helmet for safety.If you are a first-time skier, a helmet is a must. It will also keep your head and ears warm while on the mountain.If you aren’t sure whether you will ski again, you can always rent a helmet along with skis and boots. But if you plan to ski more than once in your life, it’s cheaper to buy one than to rent.FIND A SKI HELMETA few of our favorite helmets for men, women, and children:To keep your feet warm and comfortable in your boots, you’ll need a good pair of ski socks. Ski socks are longer and warmer than typical socks.FIND SKI SOCKSA few of our favorite ski socks for men, women, and children:After you fall in love with the sport, you’ll eventually want to purchase your own skis, poles, boots, and a good ski bag and boot bag. If you know you plan to ski at least once a year, I would definitely recommend buying a fitted pair of ski boots.Rental ski boots are incredibly uncomfortable. You will have a much better time on the mountain once you are in boots fitted for your foot.You’ll also want to invest in some winter boots to wear in the evenings when you aren’t skiing, and a few winter accessories like a hat or beanie, and a neck gaiter for the really cold days.Are you the type of person who likes to follow a checklist when packing? Well, then you’re in luck! We’ve made it easy for you with our printable ski trip packing list.Just subscribe to our email list below to gain exclusive access to our family travel resource library, including our packing checklist with all your ski trip necessities!Do you have a question or comment about what to wear skiing the first time? We’d love to hear from you! Leave us a comment below. We would be happy to answer any questions about our go-to mountain brands, apparel, and gear.Like it? Pin this guide to what to wear skiing the first time to save for later!This ski packing list was first written in 2017 but was most recently updated in October 2023 for accuracy and current product information.Sharing is caring!This is such a useful post! Thanks for sharing – I can imagine that if you haven’t skiied before, it would be super useful to read something like this before you go.Skiing seems like awesome outdoor activity. Your post and tips are so good for beginners and for pro skiers. I am definitely going to save your post! 😉This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Hi there! We’re Damon and Melissa. We’ve been traveling with our daughter since soon after she was born, and we know firsthand that family travel isn’t always easy! But the memories and experiences are well worth it.

Skip to the contentSkiing can be a lot of fun. But if you aren’t dressed for the occasion, skiing can also be cold and miserable.The first time I went skiing, I was 21 years old, and borrowed an old ski outfit from a friend. Not knowing what to wear skiing for the first time, I was totally unprepared and ill-equipped to handle the cold temperatures. I instantly hated skiing.Many years later, I am an avid skier, and I’m married to an extreme skier with a crazy goal of skiing America’s scariest ski run someday. Ski trips are an annual occurrence.Over the years, I have learned much more about...

What to Wear Skiing | A First-Time Skier's Guide

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