Winter’s on its way... are you getting ready for your first snow adventures? To get the most out of winter sports, it’s vital that you have suitable ski clothing. No need to panic, we’ll explain everything below.
By definition, winter sports are practised in the mountains and on snow. But this means the cold and damp may also be joining the adventure: your outfit will be your protection against the outdoor elements, but it shouldn’t also make you too hot. A quick overview to help you choose the most suitable ski outfit.
Downhill skiing, freeride, ski touring, snowboarding and sledding, to name but a few... While these are all classified as winter sports, they all require different levels of effort and the clothing required also differs in certain ways.
Alpine skiing is, not surprisingly, the most popular practice on the green, blue, red and black marked slopes of the ski areas. It’s likely you’re going to be alternating waiting on the chairlift and descending the slopes, not to mention sipping hot chocolate on the terrace. Your outfit must be warm and waterproof so you don’t get cold during the "quieter" moments of the day, but it also needs to be breathable for when you’re busy in motion. An outfit with a fitted cut is therefore recommended, even if this means playing with vents for more intense periods of physical activity.
Freeriding is a more committed sport, where you spend time in the powder snow: waterproofing rating and freedom of movement are vital to ensure you remain dry without hindrance. As it’s a physically demanding practice, the outfits must be highly breathable to evacuate enough heat during exercise. Some sections are made of a reinforced fabric to withstand outdoor elements (such as branches, etc.). Freeriding outfits are usually of a looser fit, which allows great freedom of movement, in addition to a style that’s very distinctive to this discipline.
For those with a taste for physical intensity, ski touring is a very appealing alternative: equip yourself with ski skins and climb on the snow, still sliding, but without the ski lifts! The physical effort required to climb is intense, for little downhill time: the outfit needs to be fitted and lightweight.
As both beginner and seasoned snowboarders all know: you’re going to spend time on your bottom and your knees. This makes it really important to choose the right pants! They need to be reinforced in strategic areas, keeping you dry even during breaks, and what’s more, they must be waterproof.
In terms of ski garments, we often refer to the three-layers rule: one layer against the body, a warm layer that you can take off to regulate temperature depending on the weather conditions, and an outer layer to protect you from the elements.
Layer 1: skiing base layers
Like a second skin, layer 1 is close to the body and keeps you dry by transferring perspiration to the other layers. It can be made of wool to limit odours, or synthetic material for faster drying.
Layer 2: fleece or padded jacket liner.
Depending on the temperature, a fleece or down jacket will be very useful, but will also very much have its place in a backpack in case of milder weather.
Layer 3: the waterproof jacket
It plays a protective role against the outdoor elements and temperatures that can sometimes be low, but without making you too hot by remaining breathable or with ventilation options.
Of the various items making up your outfit, particular attention must be paid to the jacket and the pants. We give you our tips on making the right choice.
The ski jacket is a technical product, to be adapted according to the desired level of warmth, waterproofing and breathability; and depending on the sports code, the weather and your expectations, these criteria may vary.
Pants comprise the same technical properties as the jacket: insulation, waterproofing, breathability. Apart from the technical criteria, you should pay attention to the cut: this must be adapted to your sporting discipline and your body shape. For freeriding, for example, it’s better to opt for strong pants that won’t be damaged on first contact with a tree branch. For alpine skiing, opt for a fitted cut in order to retain heat as best possible.
As with the jacket, we’ve prepared an article that details all the points to pay attention to during your search.
Although after your session you can make do with sunglasses and a hat, when you slide on the snow, make sure you always have a helmet and a ski mask to protect you in case of a fall or to ensure good visibility of the weather conditions. These aren’t just simple accessories: they’re items of safety gear.
The ski helmet.
We can’t emphasise this enough: skiing is always done with a helmet. There are many different styles, with or without a visor, and with different options. Adjusting it properly is vital to ensure you can practice with total peace of mind. As this is a topic for discussion in its own right, to help you make the right choice we advise you to refer to the article dedicated to ski helmets.
Ski masks.
No matter what the season, in the mountains, the higher you climb, the more UV rays there are. In winter, the reflection on the snow makes UV more aggressive on the eyes, even in overcast weather. In addition to protecting your retinas, the ski mask improves your perception of the surroundings. There are a number of styles to choose from, according to level of brightness.
Ski gloves.
The extremities (feet, hands and head) are the first parts of your body to feel the cold and its effects. So it’s essential to protect them well with suitable equipment. A good pair of ski gloves or mittens can make all the difference, especially if you have poor circulation.
That’s it : now you’re ready to go and find your outfit! We’ll leave you to explore the women’s and men’s collections. Then you’ll just have to make a choice, according to your taste!
