How to Dress to Go Snowboarding

The right clothing can make a huge impact on your snowboarding experience, whether you're a brand new boarder or a veteran. It's important while doing any kind of winter sports to remain warm and dry, so proper winter apparel is worth the investment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Dress in 3 Layers

1. Put a "wicking layer" of clothing on first. It's best to purchase thermal or silk long underwear that has fibers that "wick" moisture and sweat away from your skin. This kind of underwear will keep you warm, dry and comfortable.
2. Insulate yourself with the next layer of clothing. This layer can include sweaters or fleece and should keep your body heat in and the cold out. Particularly good fibers for this layer are fleece, which insulates well even when wet and dries quickly, and wool, which wicks away moisture.
3. Guard against the elements with the final layer of clothing. This outer layer should keep out the snow, sleet, rain and wind. Most good winter shells and pants are made with tightly woven and coated fabrics. One-piece suits that are popular with alpine skiers can also be used by snowboarders. Clothing for this outer layer should have functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers, for carrying small items and making your experience more comfortable. Many snowboarding shells and jackets include vents for freedom of movement. Look for snowboarding pants that feature an inner cuff that fits snugly over the top of each boot.

Don't Forget the Accessories

4. Find suitable headwear, which can be a hat, headband or even a helmet and which will prevent body heat from escaping via your head and protect your head in the event of a fall.
5. Protect your eyes and sight. Sunglasses and goggles are important accessories for snowboarding because they protect your eyes from intense solar radiation on the slopes. Snow can make ultraviolet rays much stronger than you might be used to. Goggles protect your eyes from the sun and falling snow, and colored lenses can help you better see the terrain against an all-white backdrop.
6. Look for gloves and mittens that are made of waterproof fabrics. Gloves and mittens with reinforced palms are also good because they can take the extra wear. Some also have built-in wrist guards, which protect snowboarders when they fall.
7. Wear lightweight socks made of breathable fabrics.

Tips & Warnings

• Denim is not waterproof, so don't wear jeans when you're snowboarding, or you'll be sorry.
• Don't wear cotton clothing. Cotton retains moisture, which is precisely why it's wrong for the slopes. It absorbs and retains moisture, which means that on a windy day, you will get very cold. The ban on wearing cotton should include socks, jeans, sweatshirts and T-shirts.
• Don't wear three pairs of socks when snowboarding