Layering 101

One of the most common problems faced by Skiers and Riders alike is how to stay warm on the slopes. The snow, wind, and cold are all your enemies and your best defense against this is layering. There are three key pieces or stages of layering: your base layer your mid layer and your outer layer. All three work in tandem to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable so you can keep ripping all day long! 

Base Layer

The base layer is your first line of defense against the elements, its primary function is to keep you dry and free of perspiration or sweat. Sweat is a problem in skiing and snowboarding because especially in those periods of down time when your body is not active, standing in lines, riding up chairlifts etc. it can begin to freeze and cool down your body. Base layers are designed to wick this moisture away from the body, getting it off your skin and preventing it from cooling down or freezing. This is why base layers should be snug fitting, the tighter they are to the body the more contact they have with the skin allowing more sweat to move from skin to fabric. Generally, only one base layer is needed. 

Things to look for: 

• Merino wool- wicks moisture and is naturally deodorizing. 

• Synthetic fabric- if you find merino to be a bit itchy things like polyester are a great alternative. 

• Avoid Cotton- cotton traps moisture which can lead to chills.

Mid Layer

The mid layer is the next step in the process, the goal of this layer is to try and trap your body heat and provide you with warmth. Think of it like the insulation in your house you want to keep the heat in by creating a barrier that slows down the transfer of heat from inside to outside. You don’t want your body heat to escape you want to trap it inside your layers. The more body heat your mid layers can trap the warmer you are going to be. Trapping this heat is done by wearing fabrics that trap small pockets of air, air is a poor conductor of heat so it creates almost a protective barrier that heat moves through very slowly. The base layer keeps you dry but the mid layers are what’s keeping you warm. Mid layers can be added or subtracted based on the conditions, more layers for colder days, fewer on warmer ones.  

Thing to look for: 

• Fleece- very good at trapping body heat and quick to dry. 

• Down- feathers from ducks or geese that due to their dense fluffy clusters create a dense web of air pockets.

• Merino wool- hydrophobic and can maintain insulation while wet.

Outer Layer

Your outer layer is what is going to keep you protected from external elements things like wind, snow and rain. This layer is clothing like snow pants and coats, made of fabrics that are wind proof and water proof designed to protect against cold air and external moisture. Outer layers typically come in two varieties insulted and shell. Insulated outerwear works in the same way mid layers do, creating air pockets that trap heat and slow down the cooling process. A shell only has protection against the outer elements, a shell will keep you dry but requires more layers underneath to keep you warm. Insulated outwear is heavier and bulkier but warmer than shells. 

Things too look for: 

• Water proofing- water proofing is measured in milometers all you need to know is the higher the number the dryer you’ll be. 

• Wind proofing- A tightly woven and dense outer layer helps to prevent wind chill which is crucial as most mid layers do not protect against the wind. 

It’s important to remember not to over layer, being too hot can be just as uncomfortable as being too cold, when heading outside for your first run keep in mind that as you become more active your body will heat up. adjustability is your friend; you can always bring extra layers if you get cold or take something off if you feel too hot. It’s all about finding that good balance that will have you skiing from first chair to last call!