How to dress for cross country skiing

We are often asked this question what to wear skiing. There are a lot of different articles on how to dress for winter activity and most of the articles take a one size fits all approach. We will break down what to wear based on the type of skiing you do and the conditions you ski in.

A good base

For all types of skiing and conditions it is recommended you wear a breathable water wicking base layer. Think merino wool or polyproline. When the weather gets cold, you can wear a thicker base layer or double up on the base layer. Cotton is not your friend in a base layer it holds moisture will make you feel cold quickly as you sweat.

A neck tube or “Buff” (Buff is a popular brand name) that is thin and breathable is another must wear. You use the neck tube to keep the cold air from going down the neck of your ski jacket and you can pull it up over your ears or face in colder conditions. In warm conditions you can use it has a headband instead of wearing a hat. They are also very fashionable! Next is a hat (or toque for those of us in Canada) that is breathable. We recommend wool hats for most conditions but on warm days or for racing a spandex hat works well. In our ski boots we like to wear a pair of wool socks that have some stretch to them. You should size your boots to accommodate a wool winter sock.

So, once you have a hat, socks, and a base layer the rest of your attire will depend on the type of skiing you will be doing and the intensity. Comfort on skis always starts with the same base.

Backcountry

In the back country it is best to cover your base layer with a waterproof breathable membrane jacket and pants (we suggest bibbed pants if you ski in deep snow or steep conditions). In the past there was a limited number of options that were expensive such a Gore-Tex. Today most leading winter clothing companies have their own waterproof breathable fabrics and Gore-Tex can be found in more budget friendly options. You may need to supplement this with a breathable insulated shirt or a soft-shell jacket that fits under your membrane jacket on colder days. If you are wearing a good base layer you can always take your jacket off if you are too warm. You could also choose a soft-shell jacket and pant set designed for skiing, but we prefer the versatility of the hard-shell jackets and pants. Helmets have vastly improved so in steep terrain its often more comfortable to keep your ski helmet on.

On your hands a warm set of ski specific gloves with a removable liner glove is a great option. It’s also a clever idea to bring a second liner glove or a pair of thin wool gloves (or fleece) that fit inside the gloves in case the liners get wet if you are doing a long adventure. If you don’t have ski specific gloves obviously any set of winter gloves will work, and you can often get some thin wool gloves at the dollar store that can act as a liner.

If you tend to stop a fair bit in the back country pack a pair of warm mitts or winter gloves to wear during your snack breaks. If you will be doing a long mountain descent where yours hand may get cold a second set is also a good idea. You can also just ski in the liners if your hands are too warm. Its important to remember you will need to take your gloves off to adjust your gear, bindings, eat….a few times during a long backcountry ski so keep your hands comfortable is especially important.

A balaclava or thin hat you can wear under a helmet can be a terrific addition in very frigid conditions. In extreme conditions or if you know you will be stopping for extended periods you can pack a down or puffer style vest in your pack.

Skiing on the groomed trails

If you are just puttering about the ski park, then you can wear the same clothing as we recommend for back country skiing. Ideally however, you will wear a pair of cross-country ski pants and jacket over your base layer while skiing on the groomed trails. Bib pants with suspenders are amazing if you crash a lot or are out with the kids but they are certainly not necessary. Cross country ski clothing is like winter running and cycle clothing. You can make use these items to keep you comfortable on the trails instead of investing in ski specific clothing.

A good cross country ski jacket and pants are wind proof or mostly windproof in the front and a bit thinner and more breathable fabric in the back. Often the same fabric can used front and back with a wind resistant layer added to the front and/or venting added to the back. The jackets are longer in the back compared to a running jacket. If you don’t have a pair of cross-country ski pants, then any pair of light wind pants that will also keep your legs dry will work. Some people ski in leggings or spandex pants, but we like to wear those only while racing. A light pair of soft-shell pants can also work great. You can wear fall running or cycle jacket that allows good movement as an alternative to a ski jacket or if you are just going out for an easy ski any lightweight winter jacket/fall jacket will work.

Most new skiers make the mistake of dressing too warm with a regular winter jacket. If you are out with the kids or coaching, you can wear a puffer vest over your ski jacket. With all ski clothing make sure you can comfortably bend over, swings your arms, and swing your legs without the clothing feeling restrictive or exposing your base layer.

In very cold conditions you can add booties (they are like a neoprene sock that goes over your boot but has holes for your bindings. They are also excellent if you tend to get cold feet.

There are some great breathable-windproof base layers that work well in very windy or frigid conditions, but these tend to be much more expensive and too warm in many conditions. A thin vest that fits under your ski jacket is also a fantastic addition in very cold weather.

If you are just touring around, you can wear regular winter gloves of mitts while skiing but most people will find these too warm, and their hands will end up sweating. If you do any amount of skiing cross country ski gloves are necessary. They are reinforced where the ski pole straps rub against your hand providing extra comfort and, they last longer. They are often a little bit longer and cover the wrist so depending on the design can go over or under your ski jacket to keep the cold out. In colder conditions we would recommend lobster claw gloves (they are like a cross between a glove and a mitt) or even a ski mitt in extreme cold.

Male skier should also consider wind proof underwear, especially if they are wearing a race suit or pants that are not windproof. If you do not have windproof underwear and you tend to get cold in that area (or any area to be honest) you can put a few pieces of duct tape over your long underwear to act as a wind barrier.

While not specifically clothing, there are some products that you can put on the exposed skin on your face to keep it warm extreme conditions.