Going on a ski trip with friends or family can be a blast. Hitting the slopes can be a great way of separating yourself from the troubles of everyday life, enjoying the outdoors, and getting a little bit of exercise. Of course, making the most of your skiing adventure will require that you have all of the proper equipment with you. If you’re new to the slopes, you likely have no idea where to start! Don’t be the person that shows up in designer ripped jeans and a baseball cap. Luckily, you won’t need to buy your own skis or boots, as it’s typically easier to rent those items, but there are plenty of other essentials you may want to think about having.
Helmet
If you’re just starting out on skis, you’re going to fall. That’s not up for debate. In order to protect yourself from this, it’s important you have a high-quality helmet. If you’re willing to spend some extra cash, it would probably be better to get a fitted helmet to make sure you get the most protection you can. When looking at helmets, try to find one that has MIPS protection. MIPS is a system that is meant to protect your head from colliding directly with the side of your helmet, so it’s smart to look out for this when choosing a helmet. You can never be too safe when just starting out. As you get better, you tend to ski faster, so the helmet is not just for the beginner. And, as much as you may have confidence in your own skiing abilities, you are surrounded by thousands of skiers who are not as good as you think you are. Bottom line – get a helmet.
Goggles
When you’re skiing down a mountain on a snowy, cold, or windy day, a great pair of goggles will be your best friend. Skiing without them is difficult and tends to be painful, but goggles will eradicate all of that. Rental goggles don’t often fit as they should and have a greater likelihood of getting fogged up. Because of this, it would be wise to pick up your own pair in order to avoid having impaired vision. Make sure you get a pair that fits well and blocks out the harmful UV rays that you will definitely experience.
Ski Jacket
While this may seem obvious, it’s important you get a proper ski jacket to make sure you don’t spend your day being wet, cold, and uncomfortable. Many great ski jackets have two parts – one part being an outer shell that has pockets and a hood, with the second being a puffy liner that can be removed. Make sure to find something that has a waterproof and windproof outer shell so you’re always entirely protected from the elements. And don’t underestimate the value of convenient pockets for the various items you will want to carry with you throughout the day.
A Neck Warmer
The last thing you want when skiing is a large scarf getting in your face, or even getting loose while you go down the mountain. Hanging from the chairlift by a scarf is not a good look. A great and very functional alternative to this is a neck warmer. Neck warmers easily slide over your neck, and the fleece they are made of will protect you from the wind, cold, and water, regardless of if it’s precipitation or sweat.
Ski Pants
Ski pants are an essential yet highly personal necessity. The right option for you depends on the weather, your tendency to be cold or hot, and your fashion conscience. Those questions lead to discussions that involve insulation or no insulation, shells or stretch pants, waterproof, breathability, zippers, form-fitting characteristics, etc. After resolving all of that, you can negotiate with your fashion requirements to arrive at a maximum level of comfort that does not sacrifice your style standards.
Gloves
Keeping with the theme that nothing is simple, buying a pair of ski gloves will involve numerous decisions. The first of which is gloves or mittens. You can avoid all the technical jargon and go with the thought that mittens tend to be warmer and gloves give you added dexterity. After getting over that decision, you can focus on items such as the level of insulation, waterproofing, grips, wrist straps, short or long cuffs, pockets for hand warmers, and even battery-powered heaters.
There are countless items you should consider bringing if you’re going on a ski trip. What’s been mentioned here are some of the obvious choices, but there are plenty of other items you wouldn’t normally think of when thinking about the snow and cold. One of those items is sunscreen, as the high altitude and reflective surfaces make for prime sunburn scenarios. If you’re new to the slopes, make sure you do your research so you can have a safe and happy ski trip.