Winter activities are fun and thrilling and if you want to have a memorable first experience, make sure you have the essential gear to keep you warm, dry, and safe from extreme weather conditions.

 Things to look out for when choosing your clothes:

 Fabric

 The fabric should be wind- and water-proof, odour-controlling, quick-drying, moisture-wicking, temperature controlling, and breathable. The fabric of your clothes should be made of merino wool, synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, or blends, goose down, and polyester fleece.

 Fit

 It is important that your clothing fits you well so that you can have a hassle-free experience. Here are some tips for your fit:

  • The outer layers should be of loose fit so that there is only a negligible restriction in movement.
  • Mid-layers should fit you well without being too tight.
  • Base layers should properly fit your body. The tops should be long enough to tuck into your pants

 

Technologies

 Your clothes and gear should have either Gore-Tex or Polygiene technology. Gore-Tex is a semi-permeable fabric that is waterproof and breathable, whereas, Polygiene controls odour.

 Here is a list of things to get for your skiing or snowboarding trip:

Beanie or Buff

Wear a warm, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying beanie or buff made from merino, polyester fleece, or synthetic to protect your head. It should be thin enough to fit under a helmet.

 Underpants

Wearing underpants that have moisture-wicking, quick-drying, flat seams, and odour-resistant features is necessary. I usually wear the Runderwear Women’s Briefs but you can check out other options as well.

 Sports Bra

Just like the underpants, a sports bra with quick-dry, moisture-wicking, flat seam, and odour-resistant properties is a must-have. The preferred fabric for the sports bra is merino, synthetic, or Polygiene treated synthetically. I wear the Runderwear Low-Impact Crop Top but you can try other brands as well.

  Base Layer Top

A top with moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and odour-resistant properties should be worn before you head out. The material can either be merino or synthetic or Polygiene treated synthetically. I wear the Armadillo Merino Artemis Women’s Long Sleeve Crew Neck before my trips.

 Mid Layer

 Your mid-layer should be waterproof, breathable, durable, insulating, and most importantly, lightweight. Leather, synthetic, or a mixture of both fabrics work well for this layer of clothing.

 Ski Jacket

Make sure the jacket is waterproof, durable, breathable, and slightly insulated to keep the warmth intact. The jacket’s material can be synthetic. Some jackets come with an internal snow skirt that prevents snow from getting inside the jacket if you ever fall. Many jackets also have a ski pass holder and pit vents.

 Ski Pants

Wear a synthetic pant that is lightly insulated, waterproof, windproof, durable, and breathable. Some pants come with zippered vents that help in temperature regulation.

 Ski Socks

Make sure you wear a pair of warm, odour resistant, and moisture-wicking socks that are made of either merino/synthetic blend or Polygiene treated synthetically.

 Ski Gloves

The gloves should be warm, breathable, wind- and water-proof, and durable. They can be made from leather or synthetic. Having a nose wipe pre-installed in the glove is a blessing in disguise.

 Goggles

Choose a pair of glasses that have mirrored lenses as they help in sunny conditions. For low light days, wear an orange/brown lens. To adjust to the changing weather conditions, having a swift pair of interchangeable goggles is the best option.

 Helmet

The helmet should give warmth and protection to your head. It should be padded to give your head comfort at the same time. Some of them come with removable ear pads while some have a peak on the front and a goggle clip on the back.