Everything You Need To Know Before Your Next Ski Trip
Congratulations, you have decided you want to go skiing. That’s great news but knowing how to prepare can be daunting. To help you plan for your trip we have put together this quick and easy guide telling you everything you need to know before your next ski trip.
Published November 22, 2021
What to Wear Skiing?
Clothing is easily the most important aspect of your planning for a ski trip. Your clothes will allow you to enjoy your holiday in the mountains despite the cold weather. Your clothes allow you to control your temperature to make sure you aren’t too hot or too cold.
Base Layers
Start by deciding on your base layer. Alpaca wool makes the best base layers for skiing, as it is incredibly warm, comfortable and moisture wicking. This will help keep you warm and dry for your day on the slopes.
The best combination is a long sleeve top for your upper half and a pair of long pants for your lower half. Socks are also an important part of your base layers, make sure you take several pairs of thick warm socks. Have a look at our sustainable wool base layers for your next ski trip.
Mid Layers
Your mid layer is next. This layer of thermal clothing will provide you with additional insulation, keeping you toasty warm on even the coldest of days. There are a variety of different materials you can use for a mid layer, from synthetics, to blends, to natural fibers.
When you consider the sustainability of how materials are produced, wool fibers like Alpaca come out on top. Our wool is farmed in a sustainable way using non-intensive methods that limit its environmental impact. This makes them perfect for the environmentally friendly skier.
Outer Layers
The final piece of the puzzle is your outer layer. This will protect you from the snow and wind, providing a barrier from the elements. Salopettes are a popular way of protecting your lower body, or you can opt for skiing pants. This really comes down to personal choice.
To protect your upper body, you are going to want a warm waterproof jacket. Some ski jackets come lined with a synthetic or down material which can make them warmer. The most important aspect is to get something that is waterproof.
Additional layers like gloves, a beanie, and a neck warmer are exceptionally important. You want to make sure your extremities stay warm.
Prepare For Your Trip Physically
Skiing is a tough sport, particularly on your legs. I’m not suggesting you need to start hitting the gym every day but try to get yourself into good physical shape. Go for a quick jog in the evening or do a home workout.
Improving your cardiovascular fitness and the strength of your legs will allow you to enjoy your ski trip. Afterall, you don’t want to start getting tired after only a few runs.
Organize Your Equipment
If this is your first ski trip, then you probably shouldn’t purchase skis or boots right off the bat. Instead find somewhere you can rent out the equipment you need. Most ski destinations offer the ability to rent everything you will need.
The first item on the list is boots. Ski boots will feel snug, that’s normal. Try to test your boots with thick socks to make sure they will be comfortable for your first day of skiing. You typically use your regular shoe size, but don’t be afraid to try on a few different sizes to make sure you get the right fit.
Next up is the skis themselves. If you are a newbie, trust whatever advice the person in the rental shop gives you. Skis can get quite complicated so it’s best to just stick with something basic for a beginner.
Finally, you will need poles and probably a helmet. Pole length will depend on your height. When you have got your poles on the ground your arm should be at about a 90⁰ angle.
Protect Yourself
This may come as a surprise but on a clear sunny day there will be a lot of glare off the bright white snow. You can easily damage your eyes and other sensitive areas of your body like your lips.
Try to stash a lip balm that offers UV protection into your jacket pocket, and make sure you rent or buy a pair of goggles. Damaging your eyes is a quick way to cut your ski trip short.
A helmet is always recommended, accidents happen quickly and can be very dangerous so please put your safety first. Helmets are available at any ski rental store, and we advise that you pick one up.
Ski Trip Checklist
Here is a quick checklist for you to run through to make sure you have got everything for your adventure.
- Long sleeve upper and lower body base layers
- Several pairs of warm socks
- Warm mid layer
- Weatherproof outer layers for upper and lower body
- Gloves
- Ski boots
- Skis
- Poles
- Helmet
- Ski goggles
- Lip balm
- Neck warmer
Not All Natural Fibers are Suitable
Some natural fibers, like cotton, are not very well suited for use as functional clothing. Cotton is highly absorbent meaning it will trap sweat between you and your outer layers. This can get uncomfortable very quickly and cause the buildup of odor
Natural fibers can also be produced in unsustainable ways, which is why you have to be mindful of where your fibers are coming from. Cotton that is grown on intensive farms and commercial wool production can both have significant negative impacts on the environment. Luckily the alpaca wool used in our garments is not intensively farmed minimizing its environmental impact. This means you can wear our products knowing that you aren’t hurting the environment.
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