55 things to wear

What Should I Wear Skiing

Three layers, nothing cotton, a helmet on top: what to wear on snow, part by part.

Synthetic base layer topSki New Hampshire calls base layers the first line of defense against the cold. Wear it snug.
Thermal leggingsThermal underwear under snow pants is what New Hampshire’s ski areas recommend for legs.
Merino wool base layerThe Ski Club of Great Britain’s pick. It keeps some warmth when wet and can be worn again.
Sports base layer you already ownThe kind worn for running or football works just as well, the Ski Club of Great Britain says.
Silk long underwearA natural fabric that pulls moisture off the skin, on Colorado’s ski areas’ list.
TurtleneckColorado’s ski areas name it as the inner layer for a sunny day, under a waterproof shell.
Midweight long underwearSki New Hampshire’s pick for downhill: you work on the run, then sit on the lift back up.

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All 55 things to wear

Next to the skin 7

Merino wool base layer The Ski Club of Great Britain’s pick. It keeps some warmth when wet and can be worn again.
Midweight long underwear Ski New Hampshire’s pick for downhill: you work on the run, then sit on the lift back up.
Silk long underwear A natural fabric that pulls moisture off the skin, on Colorado’s ski areas’ list.
Sports base layer you already own The kind worn for running or football works just as well, the Ski Club of Great Britain says.
Synthetic base layer top Ski New Hampshire calls base layers the first line of defense against the cold. Wear it snug.
Thermal leggings Thermal underwear under snow pants is what New Hampshire’s ski areas recommend for legs.
Turtleneck Colorado’s ski areas name it as the inner layer for a sunny day, under a waterproof shell.

The warm layer 7

Fleece pullover It stays warm when wet and dries fast, Ski New Hampshire notes.
Fleece vest, arms free Vests are on Colorado’s list of middle layers. The arms stay free for poles.
Puffy vest you can take off Add it or shed it as the mountain warms and cools, Colorado’s ski areas say.
Spare middle layer in your bag A just-in-case layer means you are ready for any weather, Colorado’s ski areas say.
Synthetic insulated mid-layer The Ski Club of Great Britain rates synthetic fill best for skiing: warm, and it breathes.
Thin down jacket under the shell Thin, not your coat for town. Down loses its warmth when wet, so keep it under the shell.
Wool sweater as the middle layer Colorado’s ski areas suggest a fleece or a wool sweater as the middle layer.

The shell 10

Bib pants with shoulder straps The bib stops snow and water getting in when you fall, the Ski Club of Great Britain says.
Borrowed gear from a friend For a first trip, the Ski Club of Great Britain suggests borrowing from friends and family.
Insulated jacket What most people choose, the Ski Club of Great Britain says. You cannot shed the warmth, though.
Insulated snow pants Legs need insulating as much as your top half does, Ski New Hampshire says.
Jacket that overlaps your pants By a couple of inches, Colorado’s ski areas say, so snow stays out of your layers.
Jacket with a snow guard It helps keep snow out of your pants and off your layers. Colorado’s ski areas say to look for one.
Rented jacket and snow pants One Colorado ski area rents outerwear by the day. Ask your mountain before you buy.
Shell with no insulation, over a mid-layer The other choice. Carry the extra layer in case the weather turns.
Waterproof ski jacket It should shed water and snow and hold body heat in. Every guide for this list asks for one.
Waterproof snow pants Even under a clear sky you will spend time on the snow, one Colorado ski area warns.

Hands and feet 10

Dry spare socks for lunchtime A dry pair buys a few more hours on the trails, Ski New Hampshire says.
Glove liners They slip most easily into mittens, for extra warmth on the coldest days.
Hand warmers Hand and foot warmers lift your comfort on colder days, Ski New Hampshire says.
Insulated ski gloves Hands tend to get cold before anything else, Colorado’s ski areas say. Buy or borrow good ones.
Mittens Warmer than gloves, though gloves leave fingers nimbler, the Ski Club of Great Britain says.
Rented ski or snowboard boots They come with a rental package, so wear the socks you will ski in to the fitting.
Sturdy gloves, for a first day on a board Snowboarders and new skiers push up off the snow often, the Ski Club of Great Britain notes.
Tall wool-blend ski socks Light or medium weight, in wool or a synthetic blend, Colorado’s ski areas say.
Thin socks that reach the knee The boot comes up nearly that far. Modern ski socks are thin, not bulky.
Wrist guards On the Ski Club of Great Britain’s packing list for a week on snow.

Eyes, face and head 9

Balaclava or face mask It covers chin, mouth and nose. The Ski Club of Great Britain says to start with one.
Goggles One Colorado ski area prefers them to sunglasses on snowy or windy days.
Helmet that fits, with the chin strap fastened Colorado’s ski areas call a properly fitting helmet the most important piece of gear.
Lip balm with SPF On Colorado’s ski areas’ sun list, with sunscreen for bare skin and ears.
Neck warmer Synthetic, Ski New Hampshire says. Pull it up over your chin on the lift.
Rented helmet Rental shops rent them out, and one Colorado ski area includes one in every rental package.
Sunglasses with full UV protection Bright sun reflects off the snow. Goggles or sunglasses, Colorado’s ski areas say.
Sunscreen, even under cloud The sun’s rays are stronger high up, one Colorado ski area says. Cloud does not stop them.
Warm hat, for very cold days Ski New Hampshire lists a hat and a helmet for very cold days. The hat also suits the parking lot.

Leave at home 12

No bulky expedition gloves Too much bulk to hold a pole properly, the Ski Club of Great Britain says.
No bulky town coat under the shell A down jacket made for town will not fit between your layers and a ski jacket.
No camera screwed into the helmet It can warp the helmet and reduce its protection, the Ski Club of Great Britain says.
No cotton socks in ski boots Ski New Hampshire rules cotton out for hands and feet in the cold. Choose wool or synthetic.
No cotton sweatshirt Wet cotton turns cold, and you are miserable soon after, Colorado’s ski areas warn.
No cotton T-shirt next to the skin A base layer should be synthetic, not cotton, Ski New Hampshire says.
No dented or cracked helmet A damaged helmet no longer protects as it did. Rent one for the day.
No everyday jacket in place of a ski jacket An about-town jacket will not do in the mountains, the Ski Club of Great Britain says.
No jeans on the slopes Denim is cotton, and a Colorado ski area recommends non-cotton clothing. Save them for dinner.
No loose scarf ends on the chairlift Colorado’s lift safety tips say to check for loose clothing, so nothing catches on the chair.
No second pair of socks on top Two pairs make feet colder, not warmer, Colorado’s ski areas say. Wear one tall pair.
No sweatpants Named with the sweatshirt as the last thing to wear skiing or snowboarding.

How this list was compiled

The 55 things to wear, to bring or to leave at home, and the line under each, were written for this page on 2026-10-13; no list was copied. Each row follows guidance that ski areas, their associations or a ski club publish themselves, read on 2026-10-12: Colorado Ski Country USA, the state's ski area association, What to Wear (https://www.coloradoski.com/ski-colorado/beginners-guide/what-to-wear/), for cotton, the three layers, the jacket, socks, gloves, eye protection and the helmet, with its helmet page (https://www.coloradoski.com/safety/helmet-safety/), its lift page (https://www.coloradoski.com/safety/lift-safety/) for loose clothing, and its high altitude page (https://www.coloradoski.com/ski-colorado/beginners-guide/high-altitude-how-tos/) for lip balm; Ski New Hampshire, the state's ski area association, What to Wear (https://www.skinh.com/what-to-wear), for base layers, insulation, snow pants, hands, feet and neck, and spare socks; Loveland Ski Area, Colorado, First Timers (https://skiloveland.com/plan-your-trip/first-timers/), for sunscreen, goggles, waterproof and non-cotton clothing, and what its rental packages include; the Ski Club of Great Britain's guides to clothing (https://www.skiclub.co.uk/discover-snowsports/kit-equipment/clothing/) and accessories (https://www.skiclub.co.uk/discover-snowsports/kit-equipment/accessories/), its packing list (https://www.skiclub.co.uk/discover-snowsports/kit-equipment/packing-list/) and its page for people new to snowsports (https://www.skiclub.co.uk/discover-snowsports/new-to-snowsports/), for merino and sports base layers, down, shells, bib pants, gloves and mittens, wrist guards, socks, face masks and helmet care; and the National Weather Service, During Extremely Cold Weather (https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-during), which also says to dress in layers and that mittens are better than gloves. Every ski area sets its own rules, on helmets among other things, so check with yours. Left out on purpose: brands, prices, and what cold and altitude do to a body, which the Weather Service and the ski associations explain. Licence: own work

How it works

What should I wear skiing? Three layers that keep you warm and dry: long underwear, a fleece, then a waterproof jacket and pants, with gloves, goggles and a helmet. These 55 things are the same on a snowboard.

Read the full guide

Why nothing cotton

Colorado Ski Country USA, the state’s ski area association, puts it plainly: wet cotton turns cold, so a sweatshirt and sweatpants are the last thing to wear on snow. Ski New Hampshire says a base layer’s job is to pull moisture off your skin, and wants it synthetic and snug.

On a first day, rent or borrow

A first day needs no shopping. One Colorado ski area puts a helmet in every rental package and rents jackets and snow pants by the day. The Ski Club of Great Britain suggests borrowing from friends for a first trip, and counts the sports base layers you already own.

On a sunny day two layers may do, with the fleece in a bag in case the weather turns.
Check the mountain forecast the night before, then pick the weight of your middle layer.

Questions and answers

What should I wear my first time snowboarding?

The same three layers as a skier: a snug base layer, a fleece, and a waterproof jacket and pants, with a helmet and goggles. Choose sturdy gloves, because beginners on a board push up off the snow often. Rent what you do not own.

Should I wear a helmet skiing?

Ski area associations urge it. Colorado Ski Country USA says a helmet only works when it fits properly and the chin strap is fastened. Not every ski area requires one, and nearly all rent them.

Can I wear jeans skiing?

Better not. Jeans are cotton, and cotton that gets wet gets cold, Colorado’s ski areas say. Wear waterproof snow pants over long underwear instead.