Get ready to ski
Clothing Considerations
Key points:
- Easy layering-delayering, breathable, insulation even when we
Typical strategies:
- Start warm: and delayer as your body warms up with skiing – don’t sweat!
- Start cool: and layer up if still cool after skiing (better for folks who sweat a lot)
Typical issues:
- Cold hands or feet? (Have mitts & over-mitts, warm wool socks, bring over-boots and make sure that your boots are the right size- tight is bad!)
- Cold face (Use a hat, balaclava, and/or Vaseline on face)
- Hot body= sweat= cold (don’t overdress)
Just say No!
- Downhill ski jackets & pants: overheat=wet
- Cotton in anything: sweat= wet= zero insulation= ice!
- Fleece outer layer: snow= wet= ice!
Typical Clothing List
Base Layer
- Medium weight underwear (bottom & top), neck zipper is good for temp control
Top Layer
- Wind-proof, breathable, light jacket
- Wind-proof, breathable, light pants (tights only if you are skiing at a consistent pace, generating heat)
- Wind-proof vest (optional: under the jacket, if cold)
Head & Face
- Lycra hat (no thick woolly hats: over-heat!)
- Balaclava – have something that can cover most of the face should it be windy – face is very susceptible to fast cold air that you will feel in long downhills
Hand
- Mitts (not too tight)
- Wind-proof Over-mitts
Feet
- Medium wool/synthetic socks.
- Caution! wearing tight or multiple socks reduces circulation)
- Overboot
Recreational Ski Gear
Boots: most important. Right fit! Warm.
Skis: right flex for skier weight. Must be flex tested. Right length. Stability (wider) more important than lightness.
Bindings: fits the boot, simpler is better (not automatic; ice buildup can cause issues)
Wax: grip (green, blue, purple), scraper, cork, roll-on glide, wax a bit warmer – KEEP IT SIMPLE
Poles: right length (armpit) & strong
Daypack or large fanny pack: snacks, insulated drink bottle, wax, spare clothing, …
Are you a “Jackrabbit support team”? Need a bigger pack for kids’ gear
Kids Ski Gear
Key points: Comfort. Not tight. Not loose.
Boots: most important. Right size.
Skis: right flex for skier weight. Must be flex tested. Length not that important.
Wax: grip way more important than glide. Think of adult waxer for younger kids (under 11)
Poles: not higher than armpits
Small back/fanny pack: snacks, drink (start to learn independence, eventually own wax.)
Typical Kids Clothing List
Base Layer
- Medium underwear (bottom & top)
- Expedition underwear (bottom & top)
Top Layer
- Wind-proof, breathable, light jacket
- Wind-proof, breathable, light pants
- Fleece vest (optional: under the jacket, if cold, can be carried by parents)
Head & Face
- Lycra hat (no thick woolly hats: over-heat!)
- Balaclava
Hand
- Mitts (not too tight)
- Over-mitts
Feet
- Medium wool/synthetic socks.
- Caution! wearing tight or multiple socks reduces circulation)
Carried by parents in their backpack
- Down/heavy fleece jacket, preferably with a hood (emergency or long stop)
- Extra mitts X 2
- Over-mitts
- Over-boots
- Extra socks
- Extra hat & balaclava
- Chemical Hand-warmer packages
- Fun, high energy snack & warm drink in flask/thermos
