Short answer: For skiing, dress in three layers: a baselayer directly against the body, a sweatshirt or fleece as the middle layer, and a ski jacket with ski trousers on top. Add a hat or headband under the helmet, a neckwarmer, ski gloves and thin socks. Leave cotton at home, because it soaks up sweat and chills. In hard frost add a warmer middle layer; in spring warmth leave it out.
How many layers are enough for skiing, and why do you layer?
Three layers are enough for skiing, plus accessories for the head, neck, hands and feet. You layer because on the slopes fast skiing alternates with waiting: while skiing you work up a sweat, and on the chairlift and in the queue the wind chills you quickly. With one thick layer you either overheat or get cold; three thinner layers you can add and remove as you go. Each has a different job:
- The baselayer wicks sweat away from the skin.
- The middle layer keeps you warm.
- The outer layer protects against snow, wind and water.
At the start of the day you may feel slightly cool; the first run will warm you up. On your legs, thermal bottoms and ski trousers are usually enough, because most NORDBLANC ski trousers have hollow-fibre insulation.
What does ski clothing look like in layers from head to toe?
| Layer | What to wear | Material | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baselayer | long-sleeved thermal top, thermal bottoms | polyester with elastane (winter range 96% polyester, 4% elastane) or merino (96–100%) | women’s ski thermal underwear, men’s ski thermal underwear |
| Middle layer | stretchy sweatshirt made of powerfleece or fleece, a winter gilet in frost | polyester with elastane, hollow fibre in most gilets | powerfleece, fleece, women’s winter gilets, men’s winter gilets |
| Outer layer | ski jacket and ski trousers | mostly 100% polyester, water column of the jackets 10,000–30,000 mm, synthetic insulation in most | women’s ski jackets, men’s ski jackets, ski trousers |
| Head and neck | hat or headband under the helmet, neckwarmer | knitted acrylic, with wool or merino blended in some | winter hats, neckwarmers |
| Hands | ski gloves | polyester and polyurethane, leather on some models | ski gloves |
| Feet | ski socks or thin socks | nylon and Lycra, merino socks with 15–30% merino | ski knee-high socks, merino socks |
You will also find complete ski clothing for women and men in the collections women’s ski clothing, men’s ski clothing and ski / snowboard.
Which thermal underwear should you wear for skiing?
Thermal underwear is the baselayer and is worn directly against the skin. It should fit closely, or it will not wick sweat away. For the piste, the winter range is a good fit, as it keeps you warm even when standing on the chairlift; in spring warmth the all-season or lightweight range is enough. NORDBLANC winter thermal underwear is 96% polyester and 4% elastane, and most models list skiing among their activities. Merino (96–100%) feels pleasant on the skin but dries more slowly than synthetic, so if you sweat heavily polyester is more reliable. The ranges and materials are compared in the guide How to choose a baselayer.
What should you wear as a middle layer for skiing: sweatshirt, fleece or gilet?
The middle layer insulates, that is, it holds the warmth your body produces. A stretchy sweatshirt works well, as it will not bunch up under the jacket or restrict movement. NORDBLANC powerfleece sweatshirts are made of polyester with elastane, and skiing is listed among the activities for every model. Fleece sweatshirts are made of polyester, and some models are also intended for skiing. For hard frost add a winter gilet, which warms your torso and leaves your arms free. Most winter gilets have hollow-fibre insulation; you will find models in the collections women’s winter gilets and men’s winter gilets.
Which ski jacket and trousers should you choose as the outer layer?
The outer layer protects against snow, wind and wet, so it matters most. A ski outfit consists of a jacket and trousers from separate collections, so you put it together yourself. NORDBLANC ski jackets have a water column of 10,000–30,000 mm, and almost all are insulated with synthetic fill. For ski trousers the water column is mostly 20,000 or 30,000 mm, most have hollow-fibre insulation and some have none. Choose a jacket and trousers with a similar water column so that the upper and lower halves of your body are equally protected.
Features help on the slopes. Jackets almost always have a snow skirt, an adjustable hem, an adjustable hood and inner elasticated cuffs; most have a ski pass pocket and ventilation zips. Most trousers have zips at the bottom hem of the legs, double legs with a non-slip grip, detachable braces and waterproof zips.
- Jackets: women’s ski jackets and men’s ski jackets. Choosing by water column, breathability and insulation is described in the guide How to choose a ski jacket.
- Trousers: women’s ski trousers and men’s ski trousers. Insulation, braces and legs are covered in the guide How to choose ski trousers.
- Size: most ski jackets and trousers have a Regular fit, only a few models have the closer Slim fit, and only a few ski jackets the looser Oversized. How to measure yourself and how much room to leave for layers is shown in the guide How to measure jacket size, and the measurements are in the size chart.
- Numbers on the label: what the water column in mm and breathability mean is explained in the guide Water column and breathability.
You can try the jacket and trousers on in our stores. Bring the layers you want to ski in.
How do you keep your hands, head, neck and feet warm?
Hands, head, neck and feet get cold first, so give them as much attention as the jacket.
- Hands. The glove and the jacket sleeve should overlap so that no wind reaches your wrist. NORDBLANC ski gloves are made of polyester and polyurethane, and some models of leather. A second pair in your rucksack is worth having.
- Head and neck. A thin hat or headband goes under the helmet; a thick one often will not fit under it. NORDBLANC winter hats are knitted from acrylic, and some are blended with wool or merino. A neckwarmer warms your neck, and on a ski lift it is safer than a scarf with loose ends.
- Feet. Wear one pair of thin socks in ski boots, not two on top of each other. The range includes ski knee-high socks made of nylon and Lycra and merino socks with 15–30% merino.
What should you not wear skiing?
- Cotton. A cotton T-shirt, sweatshirt and socks soak up sweat, take a long time to dry and then chill you. Jeans and tracksuit bottoms fare the same way and get soaked after a fall in the snow.
- Layers that are too tight. They squash the air that insulates and restrict movement.
- One thick jumper instead of layers. It is harder to regulate than two thinner layers that you remove depending on your pace.
How do you dress for skiing according to the weather?
| Weather | What to adjust |
|---|---|
| Frost and wind | winter range of thermal underwear, a thicker middle layer or a winter gilet, a neckwarmer, warm gloves |
| Snowfall and wet snow | an outer layer with a water column of roughly 15,000 mm or more, waterproof zips, spare gloves |
| Spring warmth and sun | all-season or lightweight thermal underwear, a thin middle layer or none, ventilation zips open |
| Changeable weather | a middle layer that comes off easily and fits in a pocket or rucksack |
Some ski jackets and trousers have taped seams, so check them in the Features section on the product page.
What should you take skiing? Checklist
Go through it as you pack:
- a long-sleeved thermal top and thermal bottoms, plus at least one spare set
- a sweatshirt or fleece, a winter gilet in frost
- a ski jacket with a ski pass pocket and ski trousers
- a hat or headband for under the helmet, and a neckwarmer
- ski gloves and a second, dry pair
- thin socks or knee-high socks for every day
- a helmet and ski goggles
- sun cream with a UV filter and lip balm
- a dry T-shirt and socks to change into after skiing
- ski pass, phone and bank card in your jacket pockets
Frequently asked questions
Why do my feet and hands freeze when I ski?
Most often because of a boot that is too tight, or a thick or damp sock. A tight boot squeezes the foot and reduces circulation, and a damp sock conducts heat away. Wear one pair of thin socks, fasten your boots firmly but not to the limit, and take a spare dry pair of gloves, because wet gloves chill quickly.
What extra should I take in my rucksack for skiing?
Dry gloves, a thin middle layer and a neckwarmer. You swap damp gloves for dry ones, add the sweatshirt when the weather turns suddenly, and everyone appreciates a neckwarmer in the wind. A dry T-shirt to change into fits too. Ski pass, goggles and phone belong in your jacket pockets; most NORDBLANC ski jackets have a ski pass pocket.
When should I add or take off a layer on the slope?
Add one before you get cold and take it off before you start sweating. Before a fast descent or a walk uphill, open the ventilation zips that most ski jackets have, or take off the middle layer. Put it back on at the lift and while waiting.
What should I check on my ski clothing before the season?
Check whether the jacket and trousers still fit over the layers you wear, and inspect the zips, cuffs, braces and seams. When water stops beading on the surface, restore the water-repellent finish and wash the clothing according to the label. You will find advice on the Product care page.
How should I dress for night skiing?
It is colder in the evening than in the day, so add a thicker middle layer or a winter gilet, a neckwarmer and dry gloves. After sunset the temperature drops and the clothing you have worn all day is often damp, so a dry spare layer is worth taking too.