What to wear when skiing in warmer weather?

[OwlMother]

This has been prompted by two things.

First, as a relative beginner I am trying to keep my "skills" up by weekly skiing at the local dry slope. I normally wear salopettes - mainly for protection on the abrasive matting but I'm finding them really warm! The kids wear jogging bottom things but I was wondering if there was something a bit more fit for purpose?

Secondly - Ds1 is going on a school ski trip to Heavenly in April 2014 and while looking into it I noticed that the weather could be relatively mild. What would he be best to wear? He has a north face soft shell jacket that would probably be useful, what about legs? Why is this so complicated?! Any advice gratefully received, thank you.

[Ragusa]

Soft shell ski pants all the way. North Face and even Blacks etc do them.

Jeans are fine for dry slopes as long as you can bend ze kneez :)

[austenozzy]

I once saw a bloke in St Martin de Belleville going up a tow lift wearing jeans and a woollen v-neck jumper (Pringle style) with a t-shirt underneath. No gloves, goggles etc. I did wonder if he was just very very good and rock hard, or a bit daft. It wasn't that mild, either.

(Maybe he was a geordie? :-) )

[eurochick]

I'd still wear salopettes, but layer up the top, so you can just have a light layer when it's warm enough.

[ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee]

I've used to ski a lot in warm weather - never brave enough to do it in a bikini but have in shorts & t-shirt, sunglasses & lots of sunblock!! You really don't need something 'fit for purpose'.

[Ragusa]

Nowt wrong with skiing in jeans and a normal jumper providing weather is clement and snow not sloppy. I quite often don't wear gloves after about early march - hate being sweaty! Main risk pf no gloves is cuts from ski edges IMO. And I never, ever wear those old-fashioned padded salopettes - they are ridiculous. But I am quite hard ;)

[OwlMother]

I hate being sweaty too Ragusa which is why I'm currently struggling with the salopettes at the dry slope. I'll have a hunt for solt shell trousers. I have been skiing in a fleece and the salopettes and my legs have been sticky from the start. I've tried wearing jeans/ cords but they do stop me bending a bit.

Is soft shell a bit wind resistant? The top of the slope is pretty high and gets very windy at the top of the ski lift!!

[Ragusa]

Yes soft shell should be very wind resistant. You can wear tights or leggings underneath for more insulation without the sweat issue :)

[clam]

I wouldn't wear jeans, for certain! Once they get wet, and they would, they'd be very uncomfortable.

[chelsbells]

I always did salopettes, then loads of top layers with a nice warm hoody. Such a good feeling when you can ski/snowboard without a big coat on!! Also sunglasses instead of goggles for the warmer weather... And plenty of sun block! I had sunglasses marks for months afterwards when we went one Easter! (The photo even made it into our school yearbook!)

[Peetle]

If it's mild it will be very wet if you fall over so decent waterproofing is essential.

Also, warmth can be deceptive. I remember a mild, sunny day in March many years ago when we took off our jackets and did a couple of runs in just sweatshirts but it was surprisingly cold once you get some speed up, or go into the shade.

If it's warm I just wear less stuff under my jacket - which also has armpit zips for extra ventilation (which I forget to do up and then freeze on the next chairlift).

I've worn leather jacket and jeans on a dry slope myself - ideal I think.

[dalyameredith]

We've skied in late April, with a temperature of 65 degrees, and although it was warm, even hot at ground level, up on the chair lifts was a whole different matter. Weather in the Alps can change with the blink of on eye, clouds suddenly blow over and the temperature can plummet. Go for thinner, unpadded salopettes, perhaps ones with side zips that open and pack thermals in your bag. Same with jackets, if you use the layering system, just reduce the layers. But wet snow soaks you in minutes especially when it sprays upwards at you, so stick to waterproof gear!

[stringbean]

We skied in April this year. I had a North Face jacket with zips under the arms which was very useful, and I just wore a t-shirt under it in the afternoon (wore a long sleeved wicking top in the mornings, but this was plenty).

It's useful to keep a hat in a pocket as it helps keep you warm on a lift or when the sun goes in (although your ds will probably be wearing a helmet anyway). I also have some thin-ish boarders' mitts, which I prefer to gloves - your hands can get v sweaty when it's warm. Maybe take one thick pair and one thinner?

Ds had a great soft shell jacket from H&M - he hates anything bulky - suited him fine, kept him dry and was wind-proof. Soft shell salopettes should be fine too - I always find it's the top half that's more likely to get cold; I've never felt the need for thermal leggings etc. Just make sure your ds has decent sunglasses (or goggles) and sunblock.

[Ragusa]

Everyone should be wearing a helmet, always . Not just children...

[angeltulips]

Snap, Ragusa - was going to say that you should still be wearing a helmet!

I wear leggings under waterproof trousers with a tshirt, cotton long sleeved top & light down jacket for spring skiing. Sometimes the long sleeved top comes off but rarely the jacket - it's usually still chilly in the shade.

Don't know what a dry slope is so wont comment on that!

[Ragusa]

Dry slope is this wierd plastic matting affair an abomination

[OwlMother]

We're all well kitted out with helmets and goggles and your average cold weather kit (salopettes, thermals, fleeces etc).

I know everyone thinks dry slopes are awful- but they have been seriously useful in getting us to a stage where we could ski blue and red runs confidently on our first ski holiday. And I have problems with heights and it's helped me to get used to it- no amount of shorter snow dome slope can mimic the effect if standing at the top of a steep run with the wind trying to knock you over !!

Sorry- I now round ranty!! I'm properly defensive of "my " slope!! (of a dry slope here got those not familiar- www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200131/snowsports_centre/ )
And it's way harder than skiing on snow- and unfortunately is harder on your clothes.

Kids are all skiing this week in either fleeces or soft shell depending on rain/ snow/ sprinklers.

From what everyone says ds might be best off taking his soft shell jacket in April- and lots of layers. I've bought soft shell trousers for myself at the dry slope, can either wear with thermals in colder weather or go back to salopettes. Thanks for all the advice- great to know what everyone else does in different weather.

[OwlMother]

Stupid link!!!

www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200131/snowsports_centre/

[stringbean]

Angeltips/Ragusa - I totally agree. This year was the first time in 5 years we've skied and we all wore helmets - it's become standard issue for everyone, which has to be a good thing

[bachsingingmum]

Even when it's warm, always wear a long sleeved top. A tight fitting base layer is fine. If you fall at speed in a short sleeved T shirt you will remove most of the skin on your arms. The snow acts like sandpaper.

[LIZS]

Always wear a base layer on arms and legs. Have been know to use goretex shell trousers and waterproof jacket(3 in 1) instead of padded as if it is windy , you do fall or brush against skis on a lift you get wet with slush so appreciate the protection.

[DaisyFitz]

A few years ago, we went to Obertauern and the weather wasn't remotely warm, but I saw some (thankfully young and buff) men skiing in the buff. Absolutely starkers. Great day on the slopes. :)

[BadgersRetreat]

we were in Tahoe a few years ago in early/mid March and it was very warm indeed. Some days we skiied in t-shirts. Still needed gloves though, so got funny tans . We had to be first at the lifts in the mornings because by 2pm it was really crappy conditions.

I bought a thin ski jacket and salopettes (that had vents too) there because i was overheating. They were pretty cheap i think (Got them at the Y not the expensive shops in Heavenly).

Another year we were there in late march /early april and it was very cold and snowy, so you never know there really.