First time ski clothes

[ElsaSnow]

Hi first time skiing - what layers do I need? Is mountain warehouse brand ok for base layers? Want to pack light as possible so how many of everything will I need for one week?

What clothes do you wear in evenings or when not skiing?

Can you recommend goggles and gloves?

Got a north face ski jacket and trousers in outlet so it’s just all the underneath layers I need to sort.

Thanks

When are you going?

it really depends on how cold it is! I wear a merino top and bottom base later underneath my thermal coat and salopettes and add another fleece if needed. Merino doesn’t get smelly so 2 of each is fine. Wear proper ski socks, not tube socks

In the evening just wear normal clothes but depending where you’re going, you might want snowboots or walking boots.

A helmet needs to fit you well, and goggles need to fit well with the helmet.

2 pairs of gloves can be handy - they’ll get sweaty in the day and you might want another pair to wear out at night.

MW fine, as are Trespass, Dare2be, Decathlon et al. Allow 2/3 each of layers and air or rinse between wears.

Fab thanks. I am going northern France in Feb. I have snow boots and proper “extreme” waterproof knee length ski socks. Will get good waterproof ski gloves for skiing and then will my normal thick gloves be ok for evening? Have some fleeces already as well so does 3 pairs of base layers sound ok to interchange?

Hiring helmets out there so won’t be able to test with goggles before…

Am wondering whether I need thick pjs/dressing gown as well haha probably over thinking everything?

A snood

Accommodation is normally well heated! Light clothing indoors. Where in Northern France though?

Alps literally on Swiss border can ski between but as I’m a newbie I doubt I will attempt that!!

If you are prone to cold hands, I would definitely recommend mittens instead of gloves. Your fingers will keep warmer and will also be able to fit a handwarmer inside them if you need.

Merino baselayers as a previous poster says, are antibacterial so won't smell. Two pairs would do you a week. Better to invest in a couple of sets of them as opposed to multiple synthetic sets. Mountain warehouse ones are actually decent. I love snowfinel. They're prettier but they are way spendier. Both do same job though. I never wear base layer leggings but I ski at Easter so is much warmer.

I have oakley goggles that have interchangeable lenses for sun and low light. I love them but wouldn't spend that on first trip. My kids have pretty cheap goggles. They will come with a vlt rating. Which determines the light they are designed for eg sun or clouds or really flat/low light. I'd go for one in the middle (as opposed to just choosing based on the look of them) and take sun glasses for calm, sunny bluebird days. Maybe a thin beanie in pocket for the helmet hair when you stop for lunch/coffee etc.

Unless you're living it up in a bougie resort like courchevel, then I wouldn't worry too much about what you wear in the evenings. Hardly anyone will be dressed up. Just be warm and comfortable. (But again with layers because accommodation and restaurants can be warm)

Just checked it’s currently -12 tonight with a high of -6 tomorrow 🥶

I skied in minus 20 before. Although it was pretty terrible tbh. I cried in a gondola and some lovely kid gave me his handwarmers! But -6 will be fine. You'll keep warm skiing. Make sure base layers are long to tuck in so you dont risk cold back on chairlift.

Interesting about mittens hadn’t even considered mittens! Will have a think about that as yes I do get cold hands! Is it better spending out for Columbia type brands? Can anyone recommend hand warmers?!

Sounds like you might be going to or near Avoriaz! Great skiing around there. Make sure you’ve got lessons booked.

A fleece neck muff is a good idea.

Your normal gloves will be fine for the evening.

You've got really good advice so far.

For the hand warmers you can get single-use (convenient) or rechargeable (electrically or by boiling in water). Worth their weight in gold if your hands tend to be cold. And definitely mittens instead of gloves.

For bottom half base layers I prefer 3/4 length over full length. Then they don't go into your ski boots which I find uncomfortable (maybe I'm a princess 😄). Just ensure you've got proper ski socks, which will come higher up your leg than the boots do.

My mittens aren't massively expensive. They are Plank ones. That i shallowly bought because they were pretty more than their functionality! I love them though. I'd go for two pairs of slightly cheaper ones than one pair of expensive ones tbh. Even waterproof ones will get damp and, if you're learning, they're probably more likely to be making contact with the snow at first and there's nothing worse than putting damp gloves on the next day!!

When it's very cold I wear silky type thin inner gloves, and a hand warmer, inside my mittens.

We've used various brands of hand warmer. Haven't had any bad ones. Little Hotties spring to mind (single use).

Just so you know - the Alps are in SE France. Not much skiing in Northern France! Have fun!

Haha oops geography not my thing just going by what I was told!

Thanks for all the tips going to do some more research on gloves/mittens! Might have to order few pairs to try on.

Primark do some fabulous fleece lined thick leggings. I wore those last week in Austria on the evening with a jumper. As previous posters have pointed out, you don’t need to be worrying about dressing up for the evening.

We’ve skied lots and used stuff mostly from Aldi and Decathlon. Plus I like the heat tech thermals from Uniqlo but M&S do some too. Definitely get a cheap fleece snood tube thing for wearing round your neck. Take sunglasses (cheap ones fine) plus goggles plus suncream on your face daily. Ski tube socks have no seams which you need to avoid in ski boots. Wooly hat for evenings plus gloves. Lip balm in your pocket & tissues is helpful but my DD is prone to nose bleeds with the change in altitude. I take mini haribo sweets plus snack bars for mid morning eat on lifts. Have fun.

I am currently skiing in Italy it’s minus 17 in the days. I just have my normal ski gloves and whilst occasionally on the lifts my fingers are a little nippy mostly its fine. I also have cheap thermals that I just wash out, although my sweaty betty thermal leggings are much thicker and better for this weather and I may invest in some merino ones having heard about them here.

OP just a heads up the sweaty Betty thermals are super warm and lovely for wearing as a top in the evenings and as PJs around the apartment. There are always loads for sale on Vinted and eBay.

They are also in the sale, but those are something you can 100% resell when you get back or keep for cold snaps in the UK.

Rather than the cheaper stuff that you will just pack away and never see again.

same with gloves etc look on Vinted and eBay for good brands you can resell.

Depending on your resort some evenings (in Austria) are spend in full ski gear outside it’s outside bars with a fluffy throw and the patio heater lamps, even inside bars and restaurants it’s just super casual people will come in in full ski gear and just strip off and other are in jeans and ski boots and a thermal or fleece, so I wouldn’t over think evening stuff, it’s mostly whatever you have to hand!

Good idea sweets and snacks! Do you wear sunglasses under your goggles? I thought maybe goggles had like polarised lenses in?

I’m skiing at the moment and at the top of the mountain its -16° during the day, at resort/village level it isn’t getting above -5.
the hotel is so warm - too hot, we’ve had to sleep with the windows open! So definitely take light clothing for wearing around the hotel.
This is the coldest it’s ever been for us during a ski trip and my usual M&S heat tech thermals have been absolutely fine, not needed to buy anything new. I did buy a buff which has been very much needed and obviously you’ll need very warm gloves. We found hand warmers that you put inside your gloves helpful for when you go up to the higher pistes it’s pretty cold 🥶. But if you’re moving around you’ll be fine.
The weather in February could be a lot milder. We usually go February/March and to be honest I don’t often need my thermal leggings then!

Re goggle - personally I don’t like goggles and don’t find them necessary unless it’s particularly windy or actually snowing. I have a pair of those wrap around polarised sunglasses which I prefer. My son is able to wear his usual glasses under his goggles.