Is a ski suit to be worn alone?

Question

I am going skiing and am not sure what to wear. Is a ski suit sufficient or do I use ski bibs and a jacket? do I layer under the ski suit? Really clueless on this topic. Thanks,

Answer 1

Layers are always key in cold weather!

Typically, I wear long underwear/sweatpants (something comfortable that moves with you) under ski pants and then a tank top, tshirt, long sleeved shirt and hoodie under a jacket.

You want to make sure to wear ski pants/bibs so that your pants don't get wet (or as wet at least depending on your ability level). By wearing many layers under a jacket you can take things off if you are too warm but don't have to worry about being cold!

Answer 2

I skied today.  It was between 10 and 20 degrees.  

I wore:

Heavyweight long underwear on the bottom with waterproof pants over them.  

lightweight long underwear crew neck with a heavyweight long underwear zip neck top over it.  A primaloft Vest and a Marmot Soft Shell Jacket on the top.  

a Helmet.  

mittens.  

wool socks.  

It was epic.  

the skiing, not my clothes that is.

Answer 3

I stoled this off my hill's webpage it's a first-timers guide to going skiing

Don’t be misled by the many photographs in holiday brochures of sun and blue skies above the ski hill. When you are at the top of the hill or on the chairlift it can get very, very cold!! For this reason you need to wrap up very well to ensure that you are comfortable while skiing, and also to make sure you are not making yourself more susceptible to injury by allowing muscles and joints to be colder than they need to.

Start with your underwear. You need good thermal underwear which covers as much of your body as you are comfortable with. It is worth investing in some high quality ‘long johns’ which will not itch you or make you uncomfortable.

Once you have your baseline warmth taken care of, then add layers to ensure that you not only have layers of fabric protecting you, but also layers of warm air. Thermal t-shirts are a good idea as well as a good pair of thick thermal or specialized ski socks.

Next on the list is either a good pair of warm water proof pants in a fabric such as neoprene and a jacket of similar composition or an all-in-one thermal waterproof ski suit.

The final touches are some warm, waterproof and durable gloves and a warm woolly hat which should cover as much of your head as possible. Don’t forget the majority of body heat is lost through the head. Tubular elastic neck warmers are also good as they cover up anywhere not already protected by the jacket collar or the hat. Scarves are not recommended.

If you can remain warm and comfortable while you are skiing through the use of appropriate ski wear, then you are a long way towards making the most of your ski day.

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Checklist

Hat - You loose 90% of your body heat through your head; buy a warm hat and wear it.

Mitts - Gloves or mittens should always be worn no matter what the temperature is. (It’s never a bad idea to bring a backup pair of gloves.)

Neck-Warmer - A fleece neck warmer is a great little investment in warmth and comfort.

Water-Proof Pants - Don't wear blue jeans - They provide absolutely no warmth and get wet very easily.

Sunglasses or Goggles -The sun reflecting off the snow can make visibility tough.

Sunscreen

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should beginners know before going skiing?

Expect to be falling down a lot. But don't worry about it! Everyone falls down a lot their first time, and there's no shame in being new to the sport.

Staying warm is important, so dress appropriately. Because you will be falling down, jeans may not be wise - try to wear ski pants and a ski jacket, or anything that's waterproof.

Make sure you get boots that fit - this is the #1 thing that will make your first experience pleasant. Make sure that your feet cannot turn side to side within the boots, but they should not be so small as to cramp your toes. Keep trying on boots until you find a pair that really fits - even boots that say they are the same size may not be.

Lessons are a great way to get into the sport. Friends may want to teach you, but they may not always teach you the right fundamentals. It's easier to learn the right way than to correct bad habits later.

2. What should I do to get my body ready for the skiing/snowboarding season?

Knees: Probably the most important thing to take care of for skiing is your knees; the stresses on your knees can approach 100Gs or more of gravity. Do exercises like squats that build up your leg muscles and help improve your knee's flexibility. Be sure to wear proper knee protection - once a knee is injured, it can always be susceptible to stress problems.

Hamstrings: Your hamstring strength is critical to carry you down the slopes, around corners and through swerves. Do hamstring curls or other hamstring exercises.

Hands: If you ski with poles, your hands can often need to yank out a pole that is stuck, or resist a twisting by a caught pole. Work on hand strength with a squeeze ball or other hand-strengthening device.

Aerobic Exercise: Skiing takes a lot of energy and endurance, endeavour to build that up before you get on the slopes. Mountain biking, jogging, tennis or other forms of exercise will get your body into shape so it can last all day on the slopes.

3. Do I need a pair of Goggles?

At our higher elevation, the sun's rays are less filtered. Sun reflects off the surface of the snow making the rays even more intense. To protect against sunburn and damage to your eyes, you should always were sunglasses or goggles and sunscreen at all times. It is also important to carry goggles with you at all times - goggles offer protection against the winter elements (snow, ice and wind) and provide you with greater visibility while skiing and snowboarding during tough weather conditions.

4. Today’s the day, any final preparation tips before I leave the house?

Skiing, snowboarding and all other winter time activities require lots of energy - energy not only to perform the activity but also to keep warm. Before and during all winter sports, be sure to eat hearty meals and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine as they will dehydrate your muscles. Never drink alcohol while participating in snow sports as it makes your muscles and reactions must less responsive.

Answer 4

I would wear lots of non-cotton layers and stick with a shell and pants/bibs rather than a ski suit.

Really, ski suits are for the over-70 crowd. (If you fit that demographic, then go nuts!)