How to Dress for Backcountry Skiing

Just as with any winter sport, you must dress properly for backcountry skiing to ensure that your body will stay safe from the cold temperatures and the wet snow. It doesn't take any extra work to dress properly for backcountry skiing, just a little know-how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hat
• Inner layer of clothing
• Insulating layer of clothing
• Outer shell jacket
• Extra socks
• Goggles or sunglasses
• Gloves

1. Identify the importance of the first layer of clothing. This layer is often referred to as the inner layer and its purpose is to pull or "wick" moisture away from your skin as a result of sweating.
2. Know the purpose of the second layer. This is the layer that is going to keep you warm. A thin garment made of wool is an effective insulating layer because the wool will keep you warm enough, but not too warm.
3. Wear a high-quality third layer. This layer is to protect you from both the wind and the cold. Invest in a high-quality shell jacket by Columbia, Patagonia or the North Face for a shell that will stand up to the elements.
4. Pull on an extra pair of socks. This will keep your feet warm for the duration of your backcountry ski adventure. Choose wool or fleece socks so the sweat will wick away from your skin.
5. Put on a pair of goggles. Goggles help you see more clearly on sunny days and will prevent you from straining your eyes because of the reflection of the sun off the snow. If it isn't sunny when you leave, pack them just in case the sun decides to peek out of the clouds.
6. Don a hat. A lot of heat escapes through your head in the cold weather. Wear an insulating hat to avoid the possibility of hypothermia.
7. Get some gloves. Make sure they are high-quality to ensure that your fingers and hands are protected from the elements. Make sure the gloves have a waterproof outer shell.

Tips & Warnings

• Invest in a few pieces of clothing designed for cold weather sports. This will take the guesswork out of what type of fibers you should or shouldn't buy for any of your clothing layers.
• Look for clothing made from wool, Gore-Tex, Polypropylene or fleece for your inner layers and nylon or polyester for your outer shell. Natural fibers tend to absorb moisture and become wet. Becoming wet could lead to hypothermia.
• Don't under dress. Even if the day seems warm and sunny, the weather can change quickly. If you overdress, you can always remove layers as you go, if you under dress, you are exposing yourself to the dangers of hypothermia.