Skiing Clothing – How to Stay Warm on Your First Ski Holiday
Today’s skiing clothing is designed with a crucial factor in mind and that’s functionality. Ski apparel today needs to keep us warm and keep the wet out. Although it now comes in all colours, that wasn’t always the case – the baggy waterproof clothing in either grey or fawn was originally sported by snowboarders. They wanted to dress low key in muted colours, but they also needed ski kit that was tough and flexible. Ironically, in trying to get away from ‘fashion’, they started it up again, and the colours crept back in too.
If you’ve never skied before then you may benefit from some advice. First of all it’s important that certain specialist items should be purchased from a ski shop as they have to keep you warm and dry and be durable. These important items, and they should be bought from a ski clothes shop, are a skiing jacket (outer shell), ski pants (or salopettes – high waist trousers with braces), ski gloves or mitts, ski goggles and dark glasses.
The movie on Ski Jungle about skiing clothing gives an idea what should be bought from a ski shop.
You will also need other clothing and bits and pieces and these too can be found in the ski shop – but they will be dearer here and you will save quite a bit of money if you go to your local camping shop. The extra stuff you will need are a fleece (an insulating inner coat under the jacket) and a woolly beanie. If you get cold at the slightest provocation buy some thermal underclothes and socks, and some silk or alternative fabric inner linings for your gloves. If you want to hang on to your greenbacks on ski clothes consider hiring or borrowing stuff from friends, especially if you have a family and this is your first skiing vacation!
The marketing men have a name for the skiing clothing that you wear – it’s known as the three layer system, which is self explanatory. It’s designed to provide breathability in the outer shell and insulation with the inside two layers. The outer shell can be any shade as long as it is comfy and allows plenty freedom of movement and stops rain, snow and wind getting in. The jacket’s material is quite special; it allows sweat to get out but stops moisture getting in, so that you will stay at the correct without boiling over and will keep remarkably warm and dry in a snowstorm.
Check out the original article on ski apparel and other useful articles at Ski Jungle.
The insulating layer can consist of another scientifically developed material which is warm and light – the fleece. If you prefer, you can wear your favourite woolly sweater or even a shirt if you get hot easily. The layer next to your skin consists of your underwear, not as important if you don’t get cold. If you do get cold then consider the thermal option. A lot of people wear a polo neck or a T-shirt, but there is nothing to stop you sporting your favourite silk underwear.
And finally, get the weather forecast before you go out. Dress for the cold and if you get too hot, carry a small rucksack to put the excess ski gear in. A back back is especially useful for carrying other stuff too, although some people don’t like them. I find them useful for carrying some of the childrens’ stuff in too, but I’m always forgetting the damn thing in the restaurant…
To buy from online suppliers – skiing jackets etc - go to Ski Jungle