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Right Resort, Perfect People Book Now

The Essential Ski Gear Guide

At Matterhorn Diamonds we think skiing is just about the best holiday you could choose, especially if you’re joining us here in Zermatt!

But once you’ve arranged all the big things – flights, accommodation, transfers, lift passes and instructors…  And your departure date is looming, there’s the often tricky task of what to pack in your bags.

We thought we’d help by creating this hand ski gear guide.

Matterhorn Diamonds – ski gear guide of the essentials you’ll need on the slopes.

ski gear guide fashionable clothing

Getting your ski look right is essential!

1) Base layer:

Regular underwear just doesn’t cut it on the slopes, so you’ll need a set of thermals – a long-sleeved top and long john-style bottoms that will keep you warm and dry.

Anything cotton is a big no, as it retains moisture and will transmit the cold to your skin and evaporate the heat away from it. At best you’ll be chaffed, uncomfortable and shivering, and in extreme cases, it could leave you susceptible to hypothermia.

Instead, opt for a material that will wick moisture away from the skin and stand up to the rigours of skiing.

Synthetics such as polyester, polypropylene or nylon do a decent job. Those materials are used for many different types of sports gear, so if you’re on a budget or simply want to get more use out of the clothing than just for skiing they’re worth considering.

Natural fibres are the other alternative and manufacturers are producing increasingly technical kit using bamboo or wool.

ice breaker thermals ski gear

Icebreaker makes great base and mid layers from merino wool

In our humble opinion, merino wool is the best available. Its wicking property is not quite as good as man-made fibres but it stays warm next to the skin when damp, its super soft and comfy, and best of all is odour resistant so no embarrassing whiffy moments during apres ski!

2) Socks:

An ill-fitting pair of socks can break your ski holiday, as any wrinkle or seam once encased in a rigid ski or snowboard boot is likely to leave your foot in agony after a few runs down the piste.

Specialist ski socks are a must within the ski gear guide, so leave that trusty pair of rugby garters in the cupboard and make sure you’ve got a few pairs designed specifically for the mountains.

Like base layers, there are several materials you can choose, but again we think that natural materials such as merino wool or even silk are the best options.

You should choose socks that are knee-high, breathable, moisture-wicking, and not too thick.

Remember you should only wear one pair of socks at a time, as doubling up will reduce breathability and result in sweaty – and cold – feet. Two pairs of socks will also increase the chances of the material getting bunched up and causing you discomfort.

If you suffer from really cold feet, there are battery-powered boot heaters and even heated socks on the market that will help. 

3) Gloves:

A good pair of warm, waterproof gloves is essential otherwise you’ll find your fingers turning into little blocks of ice. Leather and Goretex are used in more expensive gloves, but you should be able to find a decent budget pair for upwards of £20.

Also consider investing in a pair of glove liners for those really cold days, as unlike with socks doubling up with gloves can make a huge difference to your comfort in icy conditions.

Mittens are warmer than gloves, but obviously, you’ll be a little less dextrous when trying to hold your après ski tipple!

ski gear sun cream

Remembering to pack the sun cream is a must!

4) Face protection:

The most basic thing you should pack is a high-factor waterproof sunscreen and a chap-stick for your lips. The sun is much stronger at altitude, while snow can reflect as much as 80% of UV radiation. So even on a cloudy day you stand a good chance of getting sunburnt.

A scarf, buff or neck warmer is another great thing to have in your pockets, as wind chill can be significant and you need to protect against frostnip on your cheeks and nose.

Incidentally, if you do find white dots forming on your skin that’s the first indication of potential frostbite. Never rub the affected area as you could damage the delicate skin, instead hold a hand over the problem spot as a shield and to warm it and try and get yourself inside as soon as possible.

ski gear helmet on child

Helmet covers are optional…

5) Head protection:

Not everyone wants to wear a helmet but they are becoming increasingly popular, especially with high-profile skiing accidents suffered by celebrities.

We recommend them and all our instructors wear helmets during lessons. Hire shops now offer helmets as standard along with skis and boots in case you don’t want the full expense of buying one.

A warm hat should also be in your clothing arsenal, regardless of whether you wear a helmet or not. Ones with ear-flaps are optional…!

6) Eye protection:

Ski goggles will protect your eyes from the sun and the wind, and should allow you to see better in bright conditions but also when the clouds descend and the light gets ‘flat’ – when the contours of the snow become difficult to see.

Some goggles have an all-in-one lens that reacts to changing light conditions, while others come with two interchangeable lenses for both bright and low light.

You can, of course, ski in sunglasses, but they’re generally not as sturdy as a good pair of goggles and will not protect your vision from the wind. But a nice pair of sunnies are of course obligatory for drinks on sunny terraces and when you’re swanking around town!

7) Mid layer:

This is your all-important insulating layer. Depending on the weather and your own personal temperature norm, you can layer up with several items of clothing. This is your adaptable layer that you can swap out depending on the conditions and your exertion levels.

Like your base layer, your mid layer should be capable of wicking moisture away from your body so you don’t get damp and cold.

Down jackets, fleeces, gilets and long-sleeved T-shirts all fit the bill, and again natural or synthetic fibres are ideal as long as cotton is avoided.

8) Outer layer:

Your ski jacket and trousers should be water resistant or waterproof and breathable. Many come with some insulation, while others are just a shell that gives you more options for layering up underneath.

Manufacturers rate their clothing for waterproofing in thousandths of millimetres and breathability in thousandths of grams.  The higher the number, the better it is.

We would suggest going for something that has a minimum water resistance of 10,000mm and a similar breathability. (Often shown as 10k on the label),

Top of the range clothing made of technical materials include brands such as Gore-Tex, eVent, DryVent, Polartec, and H2No. These are typically rated above 20k for water resistance and above 15k for breathability.

Make sure your outer clothing has plenty of pockets, including one for your lift pass on the left side. This is where most resorts have their magnetic readers. With preferably taped seams to help keep out the wet.

Style and colour are down to you of course!

9) Footwear:

You’ll find some sturdy shoes or boots indispensable as you pad around often icy and slippery paths outside.

A pair of light slip-ons/flip-flops will also come in handy for wearing around your chalet or hotel.  With the added bonus that your feet will love you for them after a day of being on the slopes.

10) Skis, snowboards and boots:

You will obviously need skis or snowboards and boots, but the choice out there is huge!

If you already own them you probably know the kit you like and what suits your own particular style. But if you’re thinking of buying for the first time, boots are probably the most important item. This is because a good pair of fitted boots will make the biggest difference to both your comfort and performance.

Comparatively, if you’re renting in resort you can get help to fit them professionally in the hire shop.  This will allow you to swap kit if you find that what you initially have doesn’t quite match your level.

Check out our ski gear guide links below to some handy gadgets and clever clothing for your next trip:

Never have cold feet again: SIDAS Heated Ski Socks
All your rental equipment needs: Flexrent Ski Equipment Rental – Zermatt
Our Go-to suncream brand for all day protection: Daylong

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