How to Dress for Alpine Skiing

If you have decided to brave the Rockies or the Alps this year and take a few beginner ski lessons, you'll want to be prepared beforehand, so you show up in the proper clothing for a day on the slopes. Though weather on top of a mountain can range anywhere between blistering cold and sunny and mild, the basic layers of ski garb remain the same. Read below on how to dress the part before hitting your first bunny slope.

Things You'll Need

• Ski boots
• Ski gloves
• Ski jacket
• Ski socks
• Ski trousers
• Helmet
• Close-fitting, long-sleeved shirt
• Tights or leggings
• Polar fleece
• Scarf or neck guard
• Goggles or sun glasses

Instructions

1. Make sure that your underwear for the day is practical. Switching to a sports bra or briefs may be advisable for alpine skiing. Choose your underwear based on what you would wear for a run or a day at the gym.

2. Cover your legs with something close-fitting and elastic. This can be achieved by wearing a standard pair of women's tights, or a pair of spandex leggings. Since ski trousers can be a bit baggy and loose-fitting, these will serve to insulate your legs against the cold.

3. Your shirt should be form-fitting and preferably have at least a quarter-length sleeve. Make sure that your shirt is comfortable above all, as it will remain closest to your skin while you are up there.

4. 

   Slide your ski socks on over your tights (or up to the bottom of your leggings) before putting on your ski trousers. Ski socks are thick and woolen and should come up to about the knee. Do not use regular socks, as they will not provide ample enough protection from the elements and the hard plastic of the ski boot.

5. 

   Pull your ski trousers on. Many ski pants come with suspenders or a non-elastic waist line to ensure that they stay up during your trip down the mountain. There will be a second layer of elastic around the ankle. Make sure that the ski pants cover your entire leg and have a comfortable fit.

6. 

   Pull on your polar fleece. This is a step that you can skip if the weather is more moderate, as its main purpose is to insulate warmth in the upper body as an addition to the ski jacket.

7. Pull on your ski boots, since they can be tricky and the ski jacket may limit your movements. If you experience trouble with them, pull the tongue as far forward as it will go and slide your foot in. Buckle to your comfort and pull the elastic part of your ski trousers down over the ankle of the ski boot.

8. Tie your scarf on securely. The scarf or neck guard can, again, be skipped if the weather is mild, but even moderate temperature should merit neck protection, especially if you are in a windy area.

9. Zip on your ski jacket. Remember, a ski jacket is one made specifically for skiing, and should not be substituted with any of your other day-to-day jackets.

10. Make sure that you have your helmet, a pair of goggles or sunglasses, and a waterproof pair of ski gloves in tow before setting out. All of these items are meant to protect you from the elements and falls, and must not be left behind.