Base Layer
Wear sweat-wicking long underwear closest to your skin. Bottoms should be full length, and it's a good idea to invest in a top with a neck zipper for temperature control. Hot Chilly's and Smartwool are two great brands.
Insulate
Add a layer of insulation to your upper body for cold days. Fleece is a good option because it's light and quick drying. Don't wear cotton.
Shell
You need a sturdy, waterproof jacket and pants to go skiing. Your shell layer will protect from the weather and also hold up to tough falls. Look for pants with ventilation zippers down the sides and tops with waterproof zippers, powder skirts and accessible pockets. The North Face, Helly Hanson and Burton make great outer wear.
Head, Hands and Toes
You need to wear gloves when you're skiing. Buy a pair with liners so that on cold days your hands have extra protection and on warm days you can just wear the liners. Keep your head warm with a lined helmet with ear flaps. Giro is the industry standard with lots of great models to choose from. On your feet, stick to thin sweat-wicking ski socks from Smartwool.
Article Written By Caroline Schley
Based in New York City, Caroline Schley has been writing articles on fitness, social interaction and politics since 2008. Her articles have appeared in "The Tahoe Weekly," "Second Line News" and websites, including Eatthestate.org. Schley graduated from CU Boulder in 2005 with a degree in environmental science.
